We are only six days away from the Annual Okhissa Lake Big Bass Challenge hosted by the Homochitto Heritage Club and conducted by Eddie’s Marine of Vidalia.

The timing is perfect for Okhissa Lake’s big bass to be spawning. I look for some really big bass at the scales. The big bass bi-hourly format is fun to fish, and it is fun to come watch the weigh-in. Every two hours the contestants with fish will come in to weigh. The payout is good and a small portion of the entry fees and sponsor funds will go to the Franklin County Scholarship fund, so you will be casting for a good cause as well as some cash. I have this one setup with four weigh periods starting with the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. That gives the contestants an extra hour in the first period. The second weigh period is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. then 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the final weigh period is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Based on the numbers of entries, we will pay out as many as three places per weigh period. You can only place once per weigh period, but each of your bass that place in the bi-hourly periods will carry over into the overall payout where we will pay five places.

You can place more than once in the overall awards. That’s where the big money is at. The fee is $100 per person. For more information, you can contact me at Eddie’s Marine in Vidalia 318-336-5133 or call HHC at 601-384-6030.

March is winding down. Boats of every description are in the shop or were in for service. Over the past two weeks, the fishing has improved big time. The area lakes water temperature slowly climbed into the 60- to 68-degree range so the bass and white perch spawn is wide open. The warmer water spurred a major transition period in the fishing scene.

The big news this week is the white perch. I am seeing more pictures and more ice chests full of limits of big slab perch than I have witnessed in several years. The past two weeks, the Black River/Horseshoe Lake Complex really turned on. The white perch moved shallow to spawn. The fishermen and ladies were right there waiting for the fish to move up. There is a simple white perch pattern going on. Just stay shallow. Fish any small bayous, ditches, canals, cuts, pockets or coves where the water is warmer than the main lake water. Most of the fish I saw came from Black River Lake.

The size of the white perch were very impressive. With this break in the rain, Horseshoe Lake, which is connected to Black River Lake by Workinger Bayou, should be clearing up. When it does clear up, Horseshoe Lake will be the place to be to catch bass and perch. Horseshoe Lake may be producing now so if the sweet spots on Black River Lake are packed with boats, try Horseshoe. The stained water will just improve the shallow bite. For two lakes to be so close together, they are totally different. Black River Lake will get stained and sometimes a bit muddy, but it is mostly a sand bottom lake so it clears up much faster than the muddy bottom water of Horseshoe Lake. Don’t ignore Workinger, Cross and Cocodrie Bayous. Right now, Workinger bayou is clearer than the other bayous but it won’t be long before Cross and Cocodrie Bayous will be producing bass and white perch.

For visiting anglers, all of these waters are connected and can be fished from one boat landing. Lakes Concordia and St. John’s catfish turned on this week. I saw lots of catches of two- to three-pound channel cats which are the perfect size to drop in cornmeal and hot grease. Just hang some yo-yo’s baited with skipjack and go fish with your pole while your yo-yo’s fish for you. You can load the freezer up pretty fast. Nothing taste better than fried catfish caught from cool waters with a side of French fries and hushpuppies.

Good luck to all!

 

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