Outdoors » Nick Tankersley

Power Lunch chat: Outdoors with Ed Godfrey

Nick Tankersley — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:13:46 +0000

Power Lunch chat: Outdoors writer Ed Godfrey

Sooner Run leftovers

Nick Tankersley — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:35:37 +0000

Why is Michigan’s Kevin VanDam so good? VanDam won the Sooner Run on Grand Lake last weekend, giving him 12 Bassmaster tournament titles in his career.
An impressive total considering the anglers he is fishing against every other weekend of the season and the fact they are bouncing around the country to different lakes.
“He has just been doing longer than anybody else,” Talala angler Edwin Evers said.
Experience helps, but there are other pro angler with just as much.
I am not a tournament angler. I always went fishing just to relax and enjoy the outdoors, although I can see the allure of the competition.
But tournament fishing seems to me to be a game of choices. Where to go? What to fish with? Should I stay? Should I go? VanDam must think like a fish. He seems to make the right choices more often than not.
Four members of the University of Oklahoma Bass Club were at the Sooner Run following the anglers on the lake and even blogging for ESPN Outdoors. They were donned in OU angler jerseys and fans were asking where they could buy one. And I will admit it. I even ordered an OU Bass Fishing cap from one of the club members. The attire is pretty cool looking.
Oklahoma State University also had two anglers from its club there. One of them was James Elam, who caught a near state-record smallmouth on Lake Eufaula earlier this month.
It’s amazing to me the number of people who stayed through a downpour on Sunday to watch the pro anglers weigh-in. I hope the pros appreciate it.
Speaking of the pros, all of the anglers on the Bassmaster Tour seem to be pretty good guys. Everyone I talked to was courteous and cordial and put up with my stupid questions except California’s Skeet Reese.
“Not happening,” Reese said as he kept walking by when I asked for an interview.
I admit my timing wasn’t very good. Reese had just left the stage after Friday’s weigh-in and was no doubt upset about not making the cut, which assured him of falling out of the lead in the Angler of the Year race.
Hey, the First Amendment works both ways in this country. But there is no need to be rude about it.
It’s easy to have class when you are winning. The true character of a person is best judged not during good times, but when times are tough. But I will give Reese the benefit of the doubt on this one and chalk it up to a bad day.

Big bass, big hog

Nick Tankersley — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:38:53 +0000

You think fishermen lie? Today is the 75th anniversary of bass fishing’s biggest record: the 22 pound, 4 ounce largemouth bass caught by George Perry in the backwoods of Georgia on June 2, 1932.
But was it really that big? Count me among the skeptics that say no.
Biologists have been trying to grow bigger bass for decades and by and large have been successful with better habitat and improved genetics. State largemouth bass fishing records have consistently fallen, but the world record has remained untouched for 75 years? Doesn’t seem likely to me.
Perry weighed the fish on a scale in a country store, then took it home and ate it. The International Game Fish Association, the fish record-keeping authority, grandfathered in Perry’s record, but such measly documentation on a fish today wouldn’t even be considered for a world record. But it’s given bass anglers for the past 75 years something to shoot for…
Much like Perry’s bass, I have my doubts about the 1,100-pound hog shot in Alabama by an 11-year-old boy. I hate to be distrusting, but I have seen to many trophy photos on the Internet that have been doctored.
If you believe everything you see on the Internet, then there are mountain lions roaming the streets of Watonga and 244-pound alligator gar swimming around in Broken Bow Lake. I know hogs can get big, but 1,100 pounds? It could be true, but I would have to see it with my own eyes to believe it.

Fishing Oklahoma

Nick Tankersley — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:00:15 +0000

The recent rains and swollen rivers are causing major movement of all three species of catfish (channel, blues and flathead). Anglers have been reporting some outstanding catches in the tailwaters of major reservoirs using live sunfish starting at dusk…
Anglers looking for big bass should not overlook the small Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservationlakes. Electrofishing surveys turned up some real brutes in the act of spawning two weeks ago at Lakes Elmer and Watonga, said John Stahl, northwest Oklahoma fisheries supervisor for the state Wildlife Department. The spawn should be winding down soon and these bass should be on the feed…
I was at Lake Eufaula Monday and had a blast catching surfacing sand bass early in the morning. The fishing was hot around Porum Landing and Bixby Creek as the sandies were in shallow around boat docks…
Most of the lakes are full again and that bodes well for future bass fishing. Vegetation that had grown up on exposed lake bottoms are now underwater and will provide good nursery cover from predators for little bass.
It will be a good recruitment year for largemouth bass if the water stays high enough through the summer to provide cover, said Gene Gilliland, fisheries biologist for the state Wildlife Department.
“It can make a huge impact on the fish population two or three years from now.’’ he said.
Although the high water is good for shoreline-oriented species like bass and sunfish, the huge water releases during the flooding was not good for open-water species like striped bass hybrids and walleyes, he said.
“There are going to be a lot of adult fish flushed downstream (during flooding),’’ Gilliland said. “The downstream lakes may benefit in some respects.’’
Even small crappie will get flushed out of lakes because of the swift currents, he said.

Ed Godfrey
Outdoors Writer

Sand bass

Nick Tankersley — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:29:24 +0000

Head now to Lake Tenkiller for some hot sand bass action.
Large schools of sand bass were surfacing this past weekend and anglers were having a great time catching big sandies on top-water.
“It was like Texoma of old,” said Gene Gilliland of Norman, who was fishing a black bass tourney on Tenkiller, located north of Gore in northeastern Oklahoma.
Anglers were catching sand bass weighing 2 and 3 pounds along shallow humps and points. Hordes of threadfish shad were spawning on the lake and the sandies were chasing.
Now is the time for threadfin shad to spawn, and other likes such as Broken Bow could see the same kind of white bass action in the near future.

bass fishing tips

Nick Tankersley — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:02:41 +0000

April showers and cold spring weather has delayed spawning at many Oklahoma lakes, but fish should be moving back into shallow water as the weather warms.
The rain has raised lake levels to the point where bass anglers can actually fish some cover instead of a mud bank. The bass fishing should be getting good soon.
Edwin Evers of Talala and Stacey King of Reed Springs, Mo., have qualified for 18 Bassmaster Classics between them, so they know how to catch fish.
Evers said if you see a large bass swipe and miss your lure, immediately toss a different
lure back in the same place.
“Plastic worms, hard or soft jerkbaits, suspended minnow plugs, and other slow-moving
lures are the best,” he said.
“Try a large triple wing buzzbait around cover on cloudy days, when the water is warm
and the surface is calm and unrippled.
Troll with deep diving plugs in deep water. Use big lipped divers that will dig along the
bottom. Slowly troll within 60 to 100 feet of line out. Pay special attention to channels,
humps, and shoals.”
Small lakes that are not heavily pressured tend to be very good bets for catching
large bass because the fish are more accessible throughout the season, he said.
Most Oklahoma lakes will be moving into a post-spawn stage of bass fishing soon, and King likes soft jerkbaits when bass are in shallow water during the post-spawn period.
“During this time, bass usually ignore other baits but they love this lure’s
tantalizing action,” he said. “They sink slowly, which means you can put them right in front of a bass.”
The design of these baits causes them to ride horizontally in the water instead of sinking nose down, he said.
It can be fished on the surface or let it sink a little, then twitch it between
pauses. This will cause it to dart upward like a wounded baitfish and then slowly
settle.
“Six-inch baits are the most popular but when they get really picky, go to smaller
sizes,” King said. “Best conditions to use them are clear water and calm weather.”

Bass Fishing

Nick Tankersley — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:59:54 +0000

The hottest bass fishing in Oklahoma this year has been on Arbuckle Lake.

The lake with the emerald waters in south-central Oklahoma near Davis has a reputation for quality smallmouth bass plus numerous largemouth bass with the occasional trophy-size largemouth of 8 pounds are better.

But this year Arbuckle Lake has coughed up several double-digit size largemouth bass, including a 13-pound brute for one angler. Last month during a tournament of the Little Dixie Bass Club of Durant, the seven-fish winning stringer from Arbuckle weighed more than 41 pounds, anchored by an 11 and 1/2 pound fish.

Bob Myers of Pauls Valley, who guides for smallmouth bass on Arbuckle, said he knows of two other 11-plus pound largemouths and another 10-pounder that have been caught there this year.

“The lake has always been good in early spring, but to catch that many good fish is really unusual,” he said. “There’s more this year than I ever heard of before. I don’t why.”

Barry Bolton, acting chief of fisheries for the state Wildlife Department, also was puzzled why Arbuckle was fishing so strong this year.

“We have been hearing about the trophy-size fish this year, but there is not really a good explanation why these fish are showing up now,” he said. “But I think anglers ought to take advantage of it.”

Myers said fishing at Arbuckle Lake is often “hit and miss” but he expects it to be good once again when the water warms up.

Before the recent cold front, the bass fishing had been going strong on several southeastern Oklahoma lakes – McGee Creek, Broken Bow, Pine Creek, Hugo – where anglers were catching 20-plus pound five-fish stringers to win bass tournaments.

And Konawa Lake – which always has quanity but not always quality when it comes to largemouth bass – does have some big bass in it, as evident by the recent electrofishing survey of the state Wildlife Department.

Danny Bowen, in the Holdenville fishery office of the state Wildlife Department, reported shocking up a 7-pound, 11-ounce largemouth during last week’s sampling of Lake Konawa. Also shocked up was a 7 pound, 8 ounces largemouth; a 7 pound, 4 ounce largemouth; and a 6-pounder.

“And lots and lots of smaller bass as usual,” Bowen said.

Ed Godfrey
Outdoors Editor

Some tips for turkey hunting

Nick Tankersley — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:37:17 +0000

Spring turkey season is open in Oklahoma and the National Wild Turkey Federation urges hunters to practice the following safety tips when it comes to hunting attire.

1. Never wear bright colors, especially not red, white, blue or black because these are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.

2. Wear dark undershirts and socks, and pants long enough to be tucked into boots.

3. Camouflage your gun.

4. Keep your hands and head camouflaged when calling.

5. Select a spot that is in the open timber rather than thick brush: wearing camouflage clothing and eliminating movement is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover.

6. When using a camouflage blind or netting, maintain a clear field of view

In addition, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation also has issued the following safety tips for turkey hunters.

1. Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.

2. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

3. Be sure of your target and what is beyond.

4. Know your hunting area and its safe zone of fire.

5. If hunting with companions, know their locations.

Most hunters, when hearing a gobbler, try to get as close as possible before calling. However, other hunters may be calling or working the same bird. Don’t compete with other hunters. If you’re unsure about another hunter’s position, stop calling and reassess the situation.

When you are ready to start hunting or calling, sit at the base of a tree which has a trunk wider than your body. This way you can see an approaching hunter and you are protected from the rear. Use this position to call so you can see in all directions for turkeys or hunters.

Safety-conscious hunters are very careful when using a decoy. If you decide to use one, place it so you will be out of the line of fire. Put a tree between you and the decoy. If you are in the open, place the decoy so it faces directly toward or away from you and can be seen by approaching hunters from all directions. Always carry decoys in a bag or backpack going to and from hunting sites.

Your turkey calls may sound like a real turkey to other hunters, so be alert. Don’t use calls that imitate a gobbler. Experienced turkey hunters believe it’s dangerous and unnecessary. Also, electronic turkey calls are illegal in Oklahoma.

When another hunter approaches you, don’t wave your hand as a signal. This movement could trigger a shot. Instead, shout to the other person since there isn’t much chance a hunter will mistake your voice.

The most critical moment of any turkey hunt is when you decide to pull the trigger. Be absolutely sure the bird you see is a legal turkey. In the ‘gobbler only’ season, this means you must see the beard as a positive means of identifying the bird. Never shoot at noise, movement or color.

Once you have bagged your turkey or have decided to quit hunting for the day, unload your firearm. If you’re an annual license/permit holder and have shot a turkey, you are required to complete the Record of Game section on the back of the license form.

All persons, including lifetime license holders, taking a turkey must immediately upon harvesting a bird, securely attach their name and hunting license number to either leg of the harvested bird. Then wrap the bird in camouflage or blaze orange before carrying it through the woods. Walking through the woods wearing a blaze orange vest using the most visible route to your vehicle will also help protect you

- Ed Godfrey

Mountain Lions

Nick Tankersley — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:28:35 +0000

Mountain Lions are a controversial subject in Oklahoma. State wildlife officials acknowledge there are a few here, but not nearly as many as the sightings that are reported by the public. On the flip side, some Oklahomans think there are a lot more big cats here than state wildlife officials care to admit.
No one really knows, but photos on the Internet such as the ones e-mailed to me Tuesday night help spread the suspicion. The photos show a mountain lion on somebody’s patio in Watonga.
I traveled through Watonga a couple of weeks ago, and after seeing these photos, decided the next time I better be packing a sidearm.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission last month passed a measure making it legal to shoot a mountain lion if deemed a nuisance or a threat, but Gov. Brad Henry has yet to sign it into law. Judging from these photos, this menacing mountain lion looks threatening enough.
But then I called Micah Holmes at the state Wildlife Department to see if anyone there knew about the Watonga cat and who took the photos. I wanted to interview this guy. Holmes had seen the photos before, and directed me to www.snopes.com/photos/animals/patiomountainlion.asp
Posted there on that Web site devoted to debunking Urban Legends and rumors were the same mountain lion photos. And according to the Web site, those photos have been circulated via numerous e-mails which reported the mountaion lion as being on patios in Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, New York and South Dakota.
Now add Oklahoma to the list. According to the Web site, the photos actually were taken in 2001 or 2002 in Wyoming.
Just like that photo of the huge alligator gar that was reportedly caught at Broken Bow Lake a couple of years, this was another Internet hoax. Too bad the truth gets in the way of a good story.

- Ed Godfrey
Outdoors Editor