The Fat Ladies Are Back!

We have had an exceptionally warm and dry winter here in Central OK. We have been averaging 18 degrees above normal. I have been able to fish at least once a week for most of the winter mostly for crappie and bluegills( can you say slow retrive) . The last 4 weeks we we have seen an increase in the small 2- 3 Lb bass, maybe 2 an outing. Well yesterday afternoon late we were able to get out and it was 70 degrees with very little wind.
The first cast my buddy made was a 6 or 7 lb bass, pot bellied an fiesty. We caught three equaly a big . The last one was the biggest and put up an incredible fight, and finally got off just as I was reaching down to lip her. We don't keep them anyway but I still would have liked to do the unhooking. I told my buddy that was probably the biggest bass I would hook this year.But the story is not about a fish, its the excitement that the bass are beginning to move into the shallows. This pond is about 60 acres the bigger waters will follow.
How are things progressing in your area?

The short days of January and February were warm, but it's been cold and there's been a lot of hard water lately, but not hard enough for ice fishing...just when the days were getting long enough to sneak out for an hour after work too! No worries though as we're supposed to see 60 degree air temps and lots of sun to warm up the water temps this weekend.

In my ponds in East Texas, the LMB are spawning, the BG are really getting active and the HSB (hybrid striped bass) are on the prowl in open water. I love the spring time fishing on the fly in ponds. It is hard to beat.

meadowlark2

How early are your bass from last year?

Okflyfisher,
Actually things are about the same as last year. In fact, the last three years have each had mild winters in East Texas.

As an example, I stock Tilapia every year in my ponds for forage production and algae control. They begin to die when water temps hit 55 degrees. For the last three years, that dieoff has started around Christmas.

ALso, the last two years I've had fish feeding at the feeder year around...another indication of the warm water.

Here in central OK we seem early . The bigger bass started moving after April 15 last year.
Our ponds are also 2' low

[This message has been edited by okflyfisher (edited 08 March 2006).]