The fishing season has really kicked off this month. The numbers of boats on weekend mornings headed to the area lakes and rivers is unbelievable.

This is without a doubt an area where just about everyone fishes. We’re blessed with so many types of lakes and rivers within a short drive. The most difficult decision this month is not what lures or live bait to use but which lake to fish.

Good reports continue to come from all directions. Lake Okhissa over in Franklin County is pumping out some huge bream and nice size bass. We will be headed to Okhissa on Saturday May 1st to host the 3rd annual Eddie’s Marine and Tackle Big Bass Tournament presented by the Homochitto Heritage Club.

The event is limited to 150 boats and offers bi-hourly cash awards and overall cash awards based on the contestants with the single largest bass weighed in every two hours.

Based on a full field the winner will take home $5500.00 for one bass. Second place is $3,000 and we’ll pay 10 overall places plus 4 bi-hourly awards. Only one bass will count per two hour weigh period which means you can win multiple checks and walk off with some big bucks during the Eddie’s Marine/HHC event.

I have entry forms at out dealership in Vidalia. The lake is in great shape and we should see some monster bass at the scales. So come join us on May 1st on Okhissa Lake. I heard several great reports and have actually saw some really nice white perch come by our dealership this past week from the Black River/Horseshoe Lake Complex.

For numbers of smaller perch try Black River Lake with live minnows and tube jigs. For larger but fewer bites try Horseshoe Lake and the bayous in the complex.

The perch in the bayous are spawning near thick shallow cover. If you can find a leaning tree in the water don’t pass it up.

When a tree leans it creates a thick root system and that’s where the perch and bass like to hold. The bream are just starting to show up in the shallows.

Water temperatures are still holding in the mid to upper 60’s. Once the water temps hit 70 degrees the bream spawn will cast off. That should happen by the end of the month and the bream spawn will last throughout the month of May and sometimes into early June.

Our waters are crowded with pleasure and fishing boats. Once the water warms a few more degrees the ski boats will be out. Please practice safe boating and help us make this an accident free boating season.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Democrat. He can be reached at fishingwitheddie@bellsouth.net.