Lack of grass throws a wrench in Super Tournament on Indian Lake
Wide, flat and grassy – that’s how most would typically describe Indian Lake. Well, this is not a typical year, as much of the grass is gone. Thus, even locals are going to need to adapt come the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Buckey Division Super Tournament on September 14-15.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Buckeye Division Super Tournament
Lakeview, Ohio
Sept. 14-15
About the fishery
Looking to catch some saugeye for dinner? Indian Lake is one of the best in the Buckeye State, which is saying something in a state like that. Thing is, this is a bass tournament, and the lake is pretty solid for them, too.
The 5,100-acre lake was built with hand tools and carts by Irish immigrants in the 1850s, tying together a few smaller bodies of water and rivers to create the lake. The result is a lake that’s wide and flat, with few areas deeper than 10 feet.
An overabundance of vegetation has long been a staple of the lake, but as stated earlier, this year, the grass was killed off, leaving far less than in years past. Fortunately, there’s still plenty up in the animal refuge area, and the rest of the fishery has no shortage of lily pads, laydowns, rip rap, docks and seawalls.
What to expect
For as long as Dick Shaffer can remember, fishing Indian in the fall meant fishing massive main-lake matts as far as he could see. Frogs and punching – that’s all you needed to do.
But with those massive matts nonexistent this year, Shaffer thinks he and everyone else are really going to need to adapt.
“There’s still plenty of vegetation up in the refuge area and on the edges of the lake, but it’s been pounded to death,” Shaffer said. “I don’t think there’s enough to go around for two days.”
That means leaning on rocks, which are normally limit-filling places. But with no grass, Shaffer has seen bigger fish than ever on the rocks. The key is getting into the right rotation on them.
“I fished there the other day and watched multiple guys pull up and hit a section of rocks and not get bit,” Shaffer said. “Then another boat comes in, throwing the same stuff, but he caught them. The fish just transition up and down those rocks, and it’s a matter of figuring out when and where to be.”
While that could make for a congested main lake, with the way the lake sets up, Shaffer says there are plenty of places for anglers to disappear and hide, especially in the refuge area.
The key will be consistency across the two days, especially in the face of the pressure. But an angler who can bring in 12 to 13 pounds a day will definitely be in good shape for the win.