Time for adjustments
Winter moves back to Okeechobee
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – As the top 20 pros and 20 co-anglers in the Stren Series Southeast Division event launched onto Lake Okeechobee this morning, things were a bit different.
Shorts, sandals and light pullover sweatshirts had been traded up for heavy jackets. A biting northwest wind heckled boats trying to go through checkout. Apparently, Old Man Winter has returned for some unfinished business on the Big O.
Forecasted highs today will be about 15 degrees lower than the two previous days. And the howling wind, expected to build to 20 mph from the northwest, had some concerned about their fishing areas.
As those who follow the sport might imagine, the dedicated local flippers like Billy Bowen and current leader Billy McMillan of nearby Belle Glade were all smiles.
“This will put a damper on some of that open-water fishing,” Bowen said. “And those topwater baits don’t look near as good coming across chop.”
Bowen hopes the colder weather will keep the waves of spawning fish that have been filling the precious few clearwater areas at bay.
“The temperature drop might not hurt them too bad today, but by tomorrow, the fish will be feeling it,” Bowen surmised.
Sixth-place pro Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., agreed.
“I think the fish that have already moved in will stay, especially if there is hydrilla in the area,” Hudgins said. “The fish can hunker down in that hydrilla and wait out the cold snap. The bite will be tougher, but I don’t think the fish that have moved up are going to vacate those areas.”
But for Bowen, at least, it will likely be a flipping game plan all day.
“Those spinnerbait guys will probably do pretty good today, too,” Bowen added. “This is spinnerbait weather on Okeechobee.”
Friday’s weigh-in will take place at the Okeechobee City Wal-mart Supercenter at 4 p.m. At that time, the top 20 pros and 20 co-anglers will be cut down to the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers, who will move on to fish Saturday.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:15 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 53 degrees
Expected high temperature: 62 degrees
Water temperature: 65-70 degrees
Forecasted winds: NW at 10-20 mph
Day’s outlook: breezy and cool