So, I'm getting excited for the Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, OK on Grand Lake O' The Cherokees coming up in a few weeks.

I didn't know much about Grand Lake, so I looked it up.

Interesting that there's no grass on the lake for a top bass lake.  They said it has a lot of shad though.

I know this is the first Classic in March, but do you think the presentations will be any different than what they used in February?

In 2013, when the classic was there, they fished jerkbaits, crankbaits, jigs, some finesse baits too, but not sure if the spawn starts in March in the Tulsa area.

What do you guys think?  

Any personal fishing experiences there on that lake you would like to share?

Those same techniques will be key in march there too. 

Our weather has been much warmer than it was last time the Classic was at Grand, but it will still be late winter/prespawn patterns. Not many of the lakes in that area have grass (LOZ, Table Rock, Beaver, Bull Shoals), fish are much more related to rock, breaklines, docks, wood, and baitfish in these lakes. There was a lot of rain late last year that flooded Grand and most every lake in the area badly and has resulted in the water clarity being very poor. I know it's cleared up some but I've heard it's still pretty stained. If that's the case, the jerkbait that was so dominate last time could be almost a waste of time. Instead it will be the crankbaits, jigs, even spinnerbaits that will play the main roll. If the water has cleared up enough then I would expect the jerkbaits to still play a major part. 

The fish should be moving back towards the spawning pockets and may take some work to find but once found I'd bet there's large concentrations of fish. I could see some Grand Lake giants getting caught if the warm weather continues. 

Good insight Blue. It will be great to follow the tourney and see how the pros find em. I'm rooting for a warmer February, for sure. 

I believe there are no stripers in Grand and I know some credit that for its outstanding fishing. I last fished it in the 60's and the fishing was outstanding - we had a number of spots over 3lbs and several lm's over 5. All we had were 6" worms of various colors rigged with splitshots and 5/0 weedless hooks.

12 hours ago, frogflogger said:

I believe there are no stripers in Grand and I know some credit that for its outstanding fishing. I last fished it in the 60's and the fishing was outstanding - we had a number of spots over 3lbs and several lm's over 5. All we had were 6" worms of various colors rigged with splitshots and 5/0 weedless hooks.

There are a few stripers in Grand but not enough to be a viable population worth pursuing. 

Grand can be a really tough customer, but it can be amazing if you figure them out. 

The company I worked for had a mfg plant in Grove OK years ago and made several trips fishing Grand lake. This is a big lake over 60 miles long with lots of choices to fish and to me it was a excellent casting jig and crankbait lake, lots of rocky long points that provide good pre spawn staging and that is where I would start and what I would use.

Tom

 

From my experience on Grand if you find them it's great fishing. If you don't its long rides in the boat. Like bluebasser said they should be starting to move back into those pockets. One last cold front on Tuesday and Wednesday next week could mess with some patterns. I am thinking of making the trip up there to check out what the classic is all about. I have fished Grand a handful of times, but would like to experience the Bassmaster Classic.

Should be interesting.  Lots of heavy hitters in the field again that are predicted to be the favorites.  Going to be fun to experience the Expo on Friday and Sat.

13 hours ago, BassThumbAddict said:

From my experience on Grand if you find them it's great fishing. If you don't its long rides in the boat. Like bluebasser said they should be starting to move back into those pockets. One last cold front on Tuesday and Wednesday next week could mess with some patterns. I am thinking of making the trip up there to check out what the classic is all about. I have fished Grand a handful of times, but would like to experience the Bassmaster Classic.

It's worth the drive for sure. I wouldn't miss it because there's not telling when they'll come back to the area again!

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It's worth the drive for sure. I wouldn't miss it because there's not telling when they'll come back to the area again!

From what I see everything is free? Weigh in and expo? Can I keep my wife entertained all day? 

17 minutes ago, BassThumbAddict said:

From what I see everything is free? Weigh in and expo? Can I keep my wife entertained all day? 

My wife enjoys it......but she also fishes with me most of the time too!

3 minutes ago, BassnChris said:

My wife enjoys it......but she also fishes with me most of the time too!

See I don't personally own a boat. Every time I have been up there it's been on someone else's boat so I would have to beat the bank, but I'm sure there are places. Also she has lots of reading to catch up on. If you don't mind me asking how long does the expo take? Can it turn into a half-day sort of thing?

Depends on how fast you walk, how many friends you run into, how much you want to talk to people/vendors about their products......2 yrs ago.....I was there for about 4 hours the first time. And 3 hours the second time with my wife and son.

really depends on how long you 'want' to make it last. Although Saturday and Sunday tend to be more crowded=more time.

Time for KVD to get back on top

On 2/27/2016 at 0:06 AM, Jon burrows said:

Time for KVD to get back on top

If he learns how to finesse fish I think he can be. His biggest downfall was while other guys were catching them on drop shots and shakey heads he was power fishing. I still think he is one of the best pros out there. I always root for him.

Yah, I would like to see KVD make a run. He was commentating last year, which I enjoyed.

Does anyone know if they are going to have a pro commentating again this year?  

It's kind of like the biggest loser award.  You don't get to fish the classic and you have to watch and comment on how everyone else is doing.  

I'd like to see Hackney, evers, ike, Christie, Brandon P make it interesting. 

Anyone know the current lake conditions? 

Plans for class tomorrow..... "new tab, 2016 Bassmaster Classic Live"

4 minutes ago, everythingthatswims said:

Plans for class tomorrow..... "new tab, 2016 Bassmaster Classic Live"

Zero 7  30 - be there or be square.

Can't wait.

A-Jay

Streaming live for my second consecutive year!!! Woke up on my day off at 6:30 AM MST and will be watching all day.

I cant find it streaming , somebody give a link .

 

10 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I cant find it streaming , somebody give a link .

 

http://www.bassmaster.com/video/bassmaster-classic-live

 

Enjoy!

13 minutes ago, BigSkyBasser said:

http://www.bassmaster.com/video/bassmaster-classic-live

 

Enjoy!

thanks . First link I found would not work .