During last year’s Bassmaster Open on Lake Oneida, anglers faced challenging conditions. Strong winds whipped this relatively small lake into a sloshy thrill ride, while dim skies impeded smallmouth feeding.
To the latter points, smallies are predominately sight feeders, so lower light penetration makes it harder for them to see the baits anglers present. The fish don’t stop feeding, but suffice it to say, a lot of “could’ve beens” turn into “never was” because a potential taker just overlooked the bait.
Strong winds complicate matters by decreasing efficiency. Modern electronics and GPS-enabled trolling motors have greatly improved precision, but the benefits dilute when your riding the roller coaster.
Fortunately for anglers, this week appears to be laying out a more promising scenario with sunny days and light to moderate winds. That’s a much better deal than last year’s event, but potential does not imply productivity.
You still gotta catch ‘em.
