3 Things by DD: Lake Okeechobee
Darrell Davis reflects on the Walmart FLW Tour opener
(The writer's opinions and observations expressed here are his own, and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, policies or positions of FLW.)
After each tournament I like to sit down and think about three things that defined my experience. Sometimes they don’t even have to do with fishing the event. I might reflect on the cupcakes I ate in practice, a boat issue or a particular lure I’m experimenting with. This season, I plan to share my “three things” reflections with FLW fans here at FLWFishing.com.
So, for the first Walmart FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee, here goes.
1. First tournament heebie-jeebies: Heading to the first Tour event of the year always involves many emotions, jitters and enthusiasm. Every angler’s passion comes back to life, and the fans feed off of our energy. We get to see old buddies and rekindle that fire of competition. The fight is on to make it to the Forrest Wood Cup.
Let’s start by saying that Lake Okeechobee was not good to me this season. I should have known based on the way practice went that even if I closed my eyes and fished I wouldn’t have had any less chance to make the cut. I ended up in 80th place.
Adding insult to injury … or maybe injury to insult … I also had to deal with a hook in my finger and a mechanical issue on day one of practice. From about “dark thirty” until 8:30 a.m. that first practice day I worked on my livewell drain, trying to get it plugged so it would not leak. I finally got on the water at about 8:45, and at 9 a.m. that hook was in my finger. Luckily for me I am tough, and this isn’t my first rodeo, so I pulled it out and used some lake water to “sterilize” it.
I was good to go after that, or so I thought … until my batteries decided they wanted to join the party and konked out on me. I spent the evening purchasing and rigging the new batteries into my beloved boat. Needless to say the excitement for me went away real quick.
2. No big-bass appearance: I did a lot of sight-fishing at Lake Okeechobee. Both days I caught a lot of fish, but not many that were worthy of a weigh-in bag. I did have a limit both days but never caught that big mama. The wind on day two really affected my ability to see the holes in the grass where bass were bedding. I couldn’t catch what I couldn’t see on Friday, which left me feeling pretty bummed.
One thing I love is that Florida fishing is at its finest this time of the year, and honestly, Lake Okeechobee is the best place to start. It just didn’t pan out the way I expected.
3. Accommodations at the Big O: When I fish Lake Okeechobee, I stay at my buddy’s hunting property on the north side of the lake. It’s a longer drive to the ramp, but we always have a good time.
We also can hunt for hogs on his property, so for me I am on cloud nine. Taking the golf cart out saves our legs while we cruise around to prime hog-hunting areas. On this particular trip, no hogs were harmed, but we’ll get ’em next time.
Speaking of accommodations, on the FLW Tour most pros travel in “packs.” I travel with Clayton Batts and Peter T, but I wanted you all to know that we are accepting applications for additional travel buddies this season.
The only requirement: You must love to fish.
But seriously, if any other Tour anglers are interested, get with us at the next FLW Tour stop on Lake Hartwell, March 17-20.
The rest of you can stay up to speed on the season by following me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Stay tuned for Three Things by DD Lake Hartwell addition!