The second event of the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division on Grand Lake presented by Evinrude and hosted by the City of Grove kicked off this morning out of Wolf Creek Park. The 154 pros and co-anglers in the field were greeted by a cool and calm morning, but the forecast of blustery northwest winds should make for sunny skies with wind gusts to 30 mph today.
Grand Lake is a classic lowland impoundment of some 46,500 acres. The lake is fed primarily by the Neosho and Elk Rivers, consequently water level is dictated by rainfall. In high water, Grand is a flippers’ dream with plenty of flooded bushes and willows to pitch in. During more normal water levels, like now, docks, rocks, breaks, drops and terrain transition along the bank are the primary targets.
Though the redbuds and dogwoods are starting to bloom in Oklahoma, winter has not released its grip just yet. Passing fronts have held the water temperatures down into the upper 50’s so a full-blown spawn is not expected with the new moon, which occurs today. Water clarities are still on the stained to muddy side with some clearing in the very back ends of pockets. A recent cold front will drop the air temperatures as the event continues into the weekend. Lows will dip into the low 40’s Thursday and Friday nights. Wind is going to be a factor during the week as wind forecasts for both Thursday and Friday is 10 to 20 mph out of the northwest with possible gusts to 30 mph.
Pre-spawn power fishing, including spinnerbaits, shallow crankbaits, ChatterBaits, jigs and plastics will be popular choices. Umbrella rigs might also play a role, though the water clarity is marginal for that technique.
– Limited fishing area due to time of year and wind. Many fish are positioned in coves and pockets waiting to spawn, but there are only so many coves and pockets on Grand. “Fishing small” will be an issue.
– Capitalizing on opportunities. Bites are reportedly few and far between, but the ones biting are quality fish in the 3- to 5-pound range.
A recent tournament over the weekend featured four limits over 20 pounds. The winning weight for the event was five fish for 21.11 pounds. Though talk is tough, recent local events have mostly boasted winning weights in the 20s.
“It’s probably going to fish small and areas are going to be crowded,” offers pro Tommy Martin of Hemphill, Texas. “I think the key to this one will be being comfortable fishing behind others and finding something a little different to throw than the others.”
Format: All 154 boaters and co-anglers will compete for two days. The top 10 boaters and co-anglers based on cumulative weight after two days of competition will advance to the third and final round, with the winner determined by the heaviest cumulative three-day weight.
Takeoff Time: 7 a.m. CT
Takeoff Location: Wolf Creek Park at 963 N. 16th Street, Grove, Okla., 74344
Weigh-In Time: 3 p.m.
Weigh-In Location: Wolf Creek Park at 963 N. 16th Street, Grove, Okla., 74344