Because the Elite Series has never been here before, and because Lake Oahe (remember, it’s pronounced “oh-WAH-hee,” I keep telling myself) is so huge, watching these anglers figure out this body of water is going to be fascinating.
If the lake wasn’t at the peak of post-spawn, it’s capable of producing a four-day average of 25 pounds per day of smallmouth bass, according to local anglers. But it is at the peak of post-spawn, according to the Elite Series anglers I spoke with yesterday.
“I caught what looked like a 3 1/2- to 4-pounder, put it on the scale and it weighed 2-11,” said Steve Kennedy. “They’re skinny. That’s the biggest fish I’ve put on the scale since I’ve been here, but I’ve seen some bigger.”
It’s this apparent post-spawn funk that had the anglers low-balling their guesses at a four-day winning weight on Oahe. Most were in the mid 60s.
“I think 16 pounds a day will win it,” said Alton Jones. “You might catch 20 or 21 pounds one day, but an average of 16 pounds a day should win it. And I’ll be shocked if 15 pounds a day doesn’t make the top 12.”
It’s time to sit back and watch the Lake Oahe discovery process unfold for the 107 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers.