Go Fish! Like a Co: Lake Okeechobee

Ever wonder what it takes to do well out of the back of the boat? Jim gives us a recap on his 8th place FLW Series showing.

Gambler’s Paddle Tail Worm and Flappin’ Shad factor big in finish

Although Jim Folks of Melborne, Florida is a regular boater in Bass Fishing League competition, he entered the FLW Eastern Series as a co-angler on a whim. His past experience of learning bass behavior on Lake Okeechobee combined with three favorite Gambler Lures helped transform his impulse entry into an investment.

If one phrase could describe Jim’s back boat approach, it would be to “keep it simple.” He used the Gambler Ace, Flappin’ Shad, and Paddle Tail worm to improve his catch throughout the three day tournament en route to an 8th Place finish.

Jim’s Day 1 partner, FLW Pro Dwayne Horton, targeted spawning fish in the southern end of the lake with various topwater lures. After fishing for a few hours and missing some quality bites, it became clear that the fish would not respond to their topwater offerings. It was so challenging in fact, that by 11 o’clock, Jim failed to place a keeper in the boat. He made a key adjustment that afternoon, however, in changing to a Red Bug-colored Gambler Ace. The change allowed him to squeak out a four fish catch and stay in contention with a 58th place standing.

The second day of competition would not unfold as a slug-fest, either. With his boater targeting pressured spawners, Jim knew that he had to capitalize on the less-stressed, cruising fish with a Gambler Paddle Tail worm to improve his rank.

He explains, “I call it a fish finder rig. During the spawn, I’ll take the Paddle Tail and cut a notch in it like a Flappin Shad, working it across the bottom and around isolated cover. I catch a lot of fish swimming it also, covering water like a spinnerbait. It is a great bait during the spawn to catch a limit. Throughout the tournament, that was really what I wanted to do – to catch my five.”

Specifically, Jim worked the Paddle Tail across shallow grass pockets. Just before moving to the north end of the lake at noon, he managed to box two fish at 2-1/2 pounds a piece. Once they arrived near the boat launch, Jim and his partner focused on fish meandering through shallow hydrilla clumps. Just before returning to check-in, he managed to round out a limit for 8-1/2 pounds and moved up another 20 places in the standings.

Jim’s “fish finder rig” consisted of a 5-inch Gambler Paddle Tail worm in Watermelon color, affixed to a 1/8-ounce Gambler Screw-In Weight and 5/0 hook. He rigged the Paddle Tail, cut down in relation to the hook, and cast the assembly on 15-pound test monofilament line.

When Jim heard that his Day 3 partner was targeting a good number of spawning bass a short distance from the launch, he knew immediately what he wanted to do: cover as much water as possible. The morning started slow, but after switching to a Gambler Flappin’ Shad, caught a chunky 2-1/2 pounder. Shortly thereafter, Jim changed back to a Paddle Tail worm when his partner maneuvered the boat into a section of open water. There, he caught three more quick fish and eventually managed to finish his limit. With over half the day still remaining, he once again changed tactics to improve his overall weight.

Jim clarifies, “After I had my limit, I picked up a Gambler Flappin’ Shad and threw it the rest of the day. I wanted to catch a decent-sized fish, and I was confident that I could catch one on it. I threw it, threw it, and threw it even more. I had some good blow-ups, and ended up catching one towards the end of the day that was close to 5-pounds.”

The last cull of the day added nearly 4 pounds to Jim’s limit and vaulted him into the Top-10.

Jim rigged the Gambler Flappin’ Shad on 50-pound braided line, a heavy-wire 5/0 wide-gap hook, and a 1/32-ounce Gambler Screw-In Weight. Jim relied on Gambler’s Green Pumpkin Watermelon Candy color.

“Those two baits are exceptional lures for covering water, especially for co-anglers down here. In Florida, you are generally surrounded by fish. If you pull into an area that has grass all around the boat, even if the guy in the front focuses on a big bedding fish, there are so many fish that you can cast to. And, the Gambler Flappin’ Shad and Paddle Tail worm are perfect baits for casting long distances and covering lots of water.”

Hopefully, Jim did not get too winded for winding those baits for three days straight… Congratulations, Jim, on your Top-10 finish!