OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – Looking back at the recent Toyota Series event on Lake of the Ozarks wouldn’t be wise for anglers set to compete there for the upcoming Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine event on March 29. To say things have changed is an understatement.
While the Toyota Series event was one of the toughest in recent memory, the upcoming BFL event has the potential for an all-out catchfest, where old-school tactics can go toe-to-toe with forward-facing sonar.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
What to expect
It’s been tough fishing for most this spring in the Ozarks. That is, until about two weeks ago.
“It busted wide open,” said Bass Pro Tour pro and local Jeremy Lawyer. “Anglers went from catching 10 pounds to a local tournament where there were two 24-pound bags, and seven 7-pounders weighed in.”
So, what changed?
Right before the event, the area got hit with significant wind, which Lawyer feels churned up the lake and woke up the fish. Ever since, the fish have been chomping.
“You can throw a dart at the map and can win there,” Lawyer said. “You’ll see guys catch big bags on the lower end ‘Scoping, and you’ll also see guys way up above Hurricane Deck catching big bags flipping jigs in 2 feet of water.
“This one will be wide open, and there’s enough big fish up shallow that fishing old-school will work just as well as the new-school sonar stuff.”
Baits to bring
The whole tackle box? That may seem too much, but it’s not far off. With so many tactics in play, anglers are really going to need to be prepared and adaptable with their tackle prep.
Offshore, forward-facing sonar anglers will bring their plethora of minnows, jerkbaits and big glide baits. However, the old-school guys beating the bank will want to bring squarebills and Wiggle Warts, spinnerbaits, and jigs depending on the situation.
What will it take?
According to Lawyer, forget thinking about the win if you’re not cracking the 20-pound mark. That should at least get a pro in the running. But with how the lake is fishing, he says he wouldn’t be surprised for a pro to need upwards or 23 pounds to take home the hardware.
Sign up to Fish 4 FREE
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division this season will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Click here to sign up for the Abu Garcia Fishing 4 FREE! promotion, or call 270-252-1000 to take advantage of this offer. Anglers will receive their gift pack at the event.