The bite is on and the bass are moving shallow. With water temps on the rise, the largemouth bass on West Okoboji are preparing for the annual spawn. This is a great time of year to chase bass on the Okoboji chain. Numbers of decent-sized males can be had all day long, with a few very nice females thrown into the mix. Add the near perfect Spring weather into the equation and you really can’t ask for better fishing.
This past weekend I fished the Iowa Great Lakes Bass Club tourney on the Okoboji chain of lakes near Milford, Iowa. Although many techniques produced fish, pitching plastics appears to be the ticket right now. Power anglers can still get their thrills with spinner baits, chatter baits, and even cranks. But I suggest you slow down and finesse these fish for best results. A bait familiar to many walleye anglers, the BFT Ringworm (pictured), also works well for bass this time of year. Fish it slow, or even drop shot this bait for good action.
One of the things I really like about the Okoboji chain of lakes this time of year is that you can fish any of the lakes on the chain and you can pretty much choose any of your favorite techniques. The water on East Okoboji is about 10 degrees warmer than West Okoboji, and is also much more murky. Brighter colors can help bass locate your bait on East. On West, the water is VERY clear in most areas. Use more natural colored baits in this clear water for the best results.
As for the tourney, I was pleased with my performance, being new to the tourney game. I weighed a limit of healthy bass, with some in the 3 to 3.5 pound range. But that wasn’t good enough to even break the top four on this day. Each of the top four finishers had a 5-pounder of better! A guy needed to average a bag of near 4-pounders to be in the money today! All the guys really did well. Congrats to IGL Bass Club member Bob who won today’s tourney by bagging this massive large mouth that went over 6 pounds! Way to go Bob! 
As always, all fish were released after weigh-in. Please practice catch and release or selective harvest. The future of our fisheries depends on all of our efforts. Thank you!
Correction: Bob got big bass and 2nd place. Jim Grave got 1st place.
Excellent Report, Wade!!! Thanks!!!
Great advice!!!!! Remember, people… Fish are a resource…do not deplete. Catch a couple fish to eat… but release what you do not need…don’t be a glutton.
Thanks Wade!!!
Anyone get into the smallies?
Glad to hear you actually got out to fish!
thanks for the report Wade,
I just may have to look at I O W A, sometime in early season.
that big one looks terrific.
Jack.
Hey Wade !!!
You look pretty good in that shirt buddy
Nice fish and report too
Mike, We got into some prefishing and there were a few mixed in with the largemouth in some areas. But for the most part, guys were targeting largemouth Saturday. Most of these guys know this lake inside and out, and the common belief was that it would take a few hefty largemouth to be in the money. From what I understand, the guys that did chase smallies for a while did not find them in the same areas they were two weeks ago. It’s amazing how much fish move and the lake changes in two weeks, especially in the Spring. It’s a good lesson for everyone to keep in mind. You may have found fish on Friday, but they may be gone Saturday. You always have to be ready to adjust on the fly.
Jack, Come on down next Spring. I believe the Bass Seekers out of Minnesota plan a tourney on Okoboji every April since the MN bass season is closed at that time. This year there were 60 teams. They run a class tourney too, very well done.
Thanks Dave! I know most BFT plastics are designed for walleye but the ringworms, paddletails, and K grubs really work well for bass too. I’ve got a BWCA trip in less than a month and I suspect the gruns will get a thorough workout!
way to go
Great job Wade.
Nice report Wade, looks like you got those Bass dialed in good.
Very nice Wade…
Wade…
Good report. Keep it up.
Great report Wade, hopfully I can make it up that way again this year.
Another walleye guy gone bad.
Seriously Wade, Congrats. Nice report and pics. Those bass are fun and I’m glad to see you get out and fishing them. 
Is Ryan doing any tournies down there this year?
Thanks, Bill
Thanks Bill. I still fish eyes plenty. I really like to mix it up. I have more fun chasing bass, eyes, cats, and panfish than I would just targeting one species all the time.
I don’t think Ryan is doing any tourneys this year. I believe his plan is to hold an annual Harbor View Ice Tourney every January (blue gill).