We are only a week away from the second annual Okhissa Lake Big Bass Challenge.

This non-profit event will cast off at 6 a.m. May 2.

Last year we had more than 150 entries with more than 75 boats.

Contestants are coming from all over Mississippi and Louisiana to cast for cash.

The entry limit is 150 boats, and you can fish two or more people per boat.

Based on a full field, the contestant that lands the single largest bass will take home $5,000.

Second place will receive $3,000, third $2,500, fourth $1,200 and fifth $800. We will pay out 10 places in the overall division and four places every two hours for a total of 26 cash places.

For entry forms go to www.okhissalake.com, call 318-336-5133 or come see me at Eddie’s Marine.

This fairly new reservoir located in Franklin County is in great shape.

Okhissa Lake opened in November 2007 with a slot limit on bass of 16 to 19 inches.

All fish caught within the slot were to be released immediately.

The slot is a great program that will make this one of, if not the best, trophy bass lake in Mississippi.

Just recently, lake officials moved the slot up to 18 to 22 inches, which will go into effect Monday.

Again, that’s great news for those who like to catch double-digit bass as well as numbers of fish.

As the fish grow, lake officials will continue to move the slot up to protect the big fish.

It’s called quality lake management, and if more lakes were like Okhissa, they too would draw sportsmen and women to the area from all over the South.

This event is hosted by the Homochitto Heritage Club of Franklin County.

HHC sponsors events like this to help fund scholarships for Franklin County High School and several other worthy causes.

The lake level and water clarity is just right for the event, and I look for some big bass at the scales.

The early morning surface bite is fast and furious. Try big top water plugs, and keep a back-up bottom lure handy for the short-striking fish.

If it’s cloudy on May 2, the surface bite will be good all day.

I did hear some reports of bass feeding on and near the surface well out from the banks. So if the bank bite is slow, just back off and fish the main lake and secondary points, as well as the humps and ridges in 12 to 18 feet of water.

Swim baits and big, deep-diving crankbaits are producing some big bass from the offshore areas.

You will need a good sonar unit to find these fish.

The fish holding on visible cover near the shore receive the most pressure so the best fishing is offshore.

Good luck to all next weekend!

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