CLEWISTON, Fla. — In the winter months on Okeechobee, the bite follows the weather: Cold snaps shut bass down; warming trends get them chewing. If that holds true for the Jan. 24 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Gator Division opener (and the long-range forecast is to be believed), we could see some monster bags hit the weigh-in stage at the Big O.
What to expect
As of the time of writing, the two-week forecast for Clewiston calls for steadily rising high and low temperatures leading up to the Gator Division opener on the heels of a forecasted cold front the weekend prior during which lows will be in the 40s. According to Okeechobee local Nick Hoinig, who has nine Top 10s there between BFL and Toyota Series competition, that’s a recipe for a big-bass brawl.
“Us locals pray for a cold front the week before a tournament because we’ll get that warming trend after,” Hoinig said. “This weekend, we have lows in the 40s, and that’ll drop the water temps. Then we’ll get the warm-up; it should be good. If the forecast holds true, it’ll be a slugfest.”
In addition to what could be an ideal temperature trend, Hoinig says Okeechobee’s water quality is as good as he’s seen it in a long time. Clean water means more areas in which bass can be found on the shallow, sprawling fishery, meaning the lake will likely fish a lot bigger and more spread out than it has in the last several years.
“Water quality-wise, the lake’s been in one of the best shapes I’ve seen in the last five years,” he said. “We’ve got more clean water on the lake than we’ve seen in a while, and I think that’ll help as far as fishing pressure.”
Warming trend? Check. Clean water? Again, check. Provided strong wings (particularly from the north) don’t factor into the equation, all signs point to big bags.
Baits to bring
There are few secrets for catching bass in Florida, and even fewer for catching them at Okeechobee.
“Obviously a popping frog is a staple,” Hoinig said. “A Gambler Fat Ace is a must, and a lot of big fish have been coming on a Gambler Burner Worm. There hasn’t been much of a moving bait bite, but if fish pull into some of these new areas in the next couple weeks, moving baits like a swim jig and ChatterBait will play, too.”
Frogging, light flipping, dragging – it’s a simple recipe at Okeechobee. And as for colors, Junebug, black and blue and green pumpkin are about all you ever need to bring.
What will it take?
The question of winning weight is entirely dependent on the conditions leading up to a tournament on the Big O. If the weather conditions are suboptimal, it may only take 15 pounds to take down a big tournament. In this case, it may take double that.
“This past weekend, it took 32 pounds Saturday and 32 Sunday to win,” Hoinig said. “We’re getting a front right now, and they’re probably chewin’, but this weekend, it’s going to drop into the 40s and that’ll probably knock it back to 15 pounds to win a tournament.
“Realistically, if I had to guess, I’d say 28 and a half pounds. If the weather holds true, 28 or 29 to win and 16 to get a check.”
Last year, Tanner Seabolt weighed in 31-9 for the win in a Feb. 8 derby that also featured stable, warm temperatures leading up to the event. Four other boaters weighed in at least 23-11.
“If we get a day like last year, it’ll be great,” Hoinig said. “The lake’s just fishing different now. It’s just fishing better.”