First morning on Okeechobee

Posted on
Day 1 started out with Cliff Pace fishing all by himself.
Day 1 started out with Cliff Pace fishing all by himself.
He managed to catch one small keeper while we were there.
He managed to catch one small keeper while we were there.
Not a giant, but count it!
Not a giant, but count it!
Meanwhile, a coot.
Meanwhile, a coot.
Boats moved around all morning looking for the next hot bite.
Boats moved around all morning looking for the next hot bite.
The area we covered was a community hole that had numbers of pros fishing in it.
The area we covered was a community hole that had numbers of pros fishing in it.
Florida angler Terry
Florida angler Terry “Big Show” Scroggins blazes by as he heads to his next spot.
Adrian Avena is nearby working the water to a froth.
Adrian Avena is nearby working the water to a froth.
It doesn't take long, and he hooks up.
It doesn’t take long, and he hooks up.
The fish isn't a giant, but it works him near the trolling motor.
The fish isn’t a giant, but it works him near the trolling motor.
Avena tries to steer it away from the motor shaft and prop.
Avena tries to steer it away from the motor shaft and prop.
And he eventually flips the bass inside his boat.
And he eventually flips the bass inside his boat.
Looks like a decent one, should help his limit.
Looks like a decent one, should help his limit.
Not a bad fish at all for the
Not a bad fish at all for the “Jersey Boy.”
An airboat powers through a group of anglers ...
An airboat powers through a group of anglers …
... and it zings past us.
… and it zings past us.
Fred Roumbanis is headed to his next spot.
Fred Roumbanis is headed to his next spot.
Chad Morgenthaler is working the weeds nearby.
Chad Morgenthaler is working the weeds nearby.
He makes continuous flips to the same location hoping to entice a big fish into eating.
He makes continuous flips to the same location hoping to entice a big fish into eating.
Behind Morgenthaler Boyd Duckett flies by.
Behind Morgenthaler Boyd Duckett flies by.
The next pro we find is Casey Ashley. He's really at home when he gets to fish this way.
The next pro we find is Casey Ashley. He’s really at home when he gets to fish this way.
He keeps this bait in the water.
He keeps this bait in the water.
And it doesn't take long for him to find an eager biter.
And it doesn’t take long for him to find an eager biter.
Looks like it will be close to a keeper.
Looks like it will be close to a keeper.
He flips the fish into his boat, and it looks like it might measure.
He flips the fish into his boat, and it looks like it might measure.
It does, and into the livewell it goes.
It does, and into the livewell it goes.
Minutes later, Ashley hooks up again.
Minutes later, Ashley hooks up again.
This one appears to be a better fish.
This one appears to be a better fish.
He leans over the side of the boat to make the scoop.
He leans over the side of the boat to make the scoop.
It's a nice bass for sure. One that will help Ashley climb the leaderboard.
It’s a nice bass for sure. One that will help Ashley climb the leaderboard.
And he heads straight for the livewell. No need to measure this one.
And he heads straight for the livewell. No need to measure this one.
Other anglers zip by looking for another spot to fish.
Other anglers zip by looking for another spot to fish.
Just across the opening from Ashley, Clifford Pirch is working hard for a limit.
Just across the opening from Ashley, Clifford Pirch is working hard for a limit.
Flip after flip ...
Flip after flip …
And more local anglers drive by.
And more local anglers drive by.
Seth Feider and Fletcher Shryock are fishing near each other looking to fill out their daily limit.
Seth Feider and Fletcher Shryock are fishing near each other looking to fill out their daily limit.
Both anglers exchange pleasantries, talk about how their morning went before Shryock decided to hit the trail.
Both anglers exchange pleasantries, talk about how their morning went before Shryock decided to hit the trail.
Onto the next location.
Onto the next location.
Meanwhile, a seagull.
Meanwhile, a seagull.
And a blue heron
And a blue heron
With Steve Kennedy behind him, Jesse Wiggins is using a spinning rod and reel on Okeechobee. But guess what?
With Steve Kennedy behind him, Jesse Wiggins is using a spinning rod and reel on Okeechobee. But guess what?
It works.
It works.
He flips the small bass aboard his rig.
He flips the small bass aboard his rig.
But it'll measure--count it!
But it’ll measure–count it!
Behind Wiggins, Kennedy hooks up with what looks like a good fish.
Behind Wiggins, Kennedy hooks up with what looks like a good fish.
He fights it next to his boat.
He fights it next to his boat.
Kennedy flips the bass into his boat.
Kennedy flips the bass into his boat.
Definitely a nice bass.
Definitely a nice bass.
And Wiggins hooks up again.
And Wiggins hooks up again.
He works the fish to boatside.
He works the fish to boatside.
And flips it in.
And flips it in.
Not a giant, but it should help Wiggins.
Not a giant, but it should help Wiggins.
He'll take it. Every bit helps.
He’ll take it. Every bit helps.