The amount of knowledge one can gain at a weigh in is brain-numbing in some respects. I know there were 102 anglers fishing the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. I know that’s down from the 104 at St. Johns.
I know if you were at the weigh-in, in front or behind the stage, you heard the word “grind” 1,236 times. I know that’s an exaggeration. But I hope it makes the point. I know an Elite angler grind is nothing like a real-world grind. I know it took at least 15 pounds to get in the top 20. I know in most places that’s pretty good fishing.
I know this is Lake Okeechobee. I know our expectations are different for Okeechobee. I know from a statistical standpoint, our expectations of this legendary fishery may need some adjusting. I know basically 30-pounds is leading.
I know, for instance, this is the fifth most visited site for Bassmaster in pro-level events. I know that many of those were from the early years of Bassmaster history, beginning in 1980. I know Roland Martin, a legend as well, won the first one. But I know he was never able to duplicate in a dozen more.
I also know in the pre-Elite Series era, all of those events were won with an average 17-9 daily weight. I know most of those weights were filled by a 7-fish limit to get that average. I know in the post-Elite era that weight is now 23 pounds a day. I know that average doesn’t include Scott Martin’s win here in an open last season, with a 30-pound plus average.
I know in some ways Okeechobee is fishing tougher than ever. But I also know hefty bags are here for the taking.
I know that is what the legend of Okeechobee is all about. I know in 1982 Ron Scherer set the record for the largest daily stringer in Bassmaster history with a limit weighing 36 pounds, 8 ounces. I know that record stood until 2001 when Dean Rojas broke it at Lake Toho. I know Scherer’s limit which helped him build an incredible career doesn’t show up in the top five these days.
I know I’m an old guy, which means I often talk about the “good old days.” I know the stats tell us we may be in the good days now. I know a big portion of the field still has a shot at producing a 17.9-pound average. I know a smaller portion has a shot at a 23-pound average. I think I know the angler who wins this will likely fall in between those two weights.
I know the big difference is the weather. I know, according to anglers and sources, Day 1 was the first time the sun has shined on this lake in many days. I know several anglers culled to their weight in the last hour of the day, with flurries not so present earlier in the day.
I know the 9 a.m. to Noon hour produced the most keeper bass of Day 1, but by far the 1 p.m. to 4.m. hours produced the most fish over 3-pounds by a large margin. I know that typically is an indication of water temperatures rising and kicking things in gear.
I also know this could be a template for the next three days. I know there was one pair of yoga pants worn in the almost-freezing temperature of St. Johns. I know at Okeechobee, shorts and sandals were the choice over long pants by a 3 to 1 margin.
I know Gerald Swindle once said: “You’ve got to pull up your panties and fish like a man.” I know that could come in handy tomorrow.
I know I have a new appreciation for Scott Martin as a man and a competitor. I know he self-reported himself and stepped away from an event he was expecting to do well in. I know he thinks it sucks. I know many agree with him.
I know we’ve had a couple of disqualifications in as many events. I know rules infractions are a part of every sport. I know most of them are inadvertent and I know the anglers wanted more strict attention to the rules they all agreed to.
I know these last two DQs have shaken the cage a bit. I know there is a thing called paranoia in the ranks today. I know that’s a good thing in at the highest level of competition.
I know attention to rules should be equal to attention to lure color, line size, water color etc.
I know having competitors a little paranoid is a good thing. I know it might come in handy in days to come.
I know tomorrow is worth watching. I know the word “grind” is overused. I know Okeechobee is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. I know fireworks are coming and probably late every day. I know fireworks are more enjoyed in shorts and sandals than yoga pants.