Destination: Lake Okeechobee
EverStart Series Eastern Division, Jan. 8-11
Timing will play a big factor in the outcome of the EverStart Series Eastern Division tournament slated for Jan. 8-11 on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee.
If the timing is right, this one could turn into a slugfest decided by sight-fishing wizardry and shallow-water magic.
If the timing is wrong, all magic tricks will be out the window, and anglers will have to hunt and peck for groups of prespawn bass moving in and out of the massive lake’s labyrinth of shallow aquatic vegetation.
“The weather (past and present) is going to have a major impact on how this tournament is won,” said Roger Crafton, an EverStart Series and Wal-Mart FLW Tour pro from Boca Grande, Fla. “If the weather is mild and water temperatures are in the mid-60s, the bass are going to be bedding strong, and everybody is going to catch them. But if we have a late cold front or two come through, the fish won’t be nearly as concentrated, and the fishing could be a whole lot tougher.”
Eelgrass beds typically produce most of the winning weights on Okeechobee this time of year, but anglers should be aware that other forms of native vegetation – Kissimmee grass, peppergrass and hydrilla – have re-emerged during the last year or so.
According to Crafton, the additional vegetation is going to make the popular lake fish even larger than it normally does.
“Eelgrass beds in traditional spawning areas like North Shore, Fish Eating Bay, Pelican Bay and Bay Bottom will be as good as always, but all this new-growth vegetation is really going to open things up,” he said. “There are a lot of new spawning areas with good cover to key on.”
Tube lures, spinner baits and Texas-rigged ribbon-tail worms are among the top producers for Lake Okeechobee lunkers. Crafton’s favorite soft-plastic color patterns are June bug, red shad and green pumpkin.
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