By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — As Florida’s largest lake and the 10th-largest nationally, Lake Okeechobee boasts 730 square miles of surface area. However, when the Bassmaster Elite Series visits the storied fishery this week, anglers will focus on relatively small sections defined by the right habitat.

As with most Florida lakes, “the right habitat” refers to plant life, both submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) like hydrilla and emergent species such as lily pads, Kissimmee grass and various reeds. In recent years, Okeechobee has lost vast areas of its vegetation, largely due to high water, which reduces sunlight penetration necessary for photosynthesis and limits plant growth.

Two weeks prior to the tournament’s commencement, Lake Okeechobee’s water level was 14.11 feet. That’s well within the historic average for mid-February, and barring any major influx, that number will decline.

Typically, productive areas exist at the lake’s upper end where the tournament is based, as well as the southern portion, where the famous Roland Martin Marina resides. Notably, late January saw the 2025 Bassmaster College Series won in Pelican Bay at the lake’s southeast side.

“The tournament could be won in the north or south end, but this time of year, if the south end turns on, it’s hard to beat,” said shallow-water guru Drew Cook. “If they’re eating in South Bay, it’s going to be the deal.

“It’s always been that way. South Bay is a long (boat) drive from anywhere, so maybe it’s a little less pressured.”

The lake’s annual cycle ensures a dynamic and challenging scenario. Essentially, summer rains can raise the lake level by several feet until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases the excess through dams on the lake’s west and east sides.

Adding to this truth, Tyler Rivet, who won the 2023 Elite Series event held on Okeechobee, unveiled the previously underutilized potential found in the Kissimmee River. As the backstory goes, the Louisiana native fished the river prior to the event primarily to catch sac-a-lait (black crappie) for dinner but also located a previously unknown gold mine of unpressured bass.

Rivet got off to a quick start, and, during the first day’s weigh-in, he boldly stated that he was on the winning pattern. Three more days of Kissimmee River productivity earned the win and added a new facet to the Lake Okeechobee mystique — one that will, no doubt, receive serious attention at this year’s event.

While Cook expects a mostly spawn-centered tournament, he’s also aware the southern Florida bass work on a more relaxed schedule than the rest of the country. That could bring a mix, including prespawn and postspawn action that places a premium on prudent positioning.

“Any time in Florida, you’re going to have to have fish coming to you,” Cook said. “Whenever you find that area where they’re coming to you, you’re going to succeed.

“That area used to be a hard reedline, then you’d move back into the ponds to look for spawners. Now there’s not much of that left. If there are any offshore grasslines, they should be absolutely stacked with staging fish.”

Less habitat shared by a full field of 103 competitors means competition for prime areas. Predicting several groups of anglers fishing within sight of one another, Cook said success will require a measured pace and a disciplined focus.

“You’ll have to slow down; and if you think you're going slow, go slower,” Cook said. “You can’t pay attention to what other people are doing, and you can’t worry about fishing behind other people.

“Someone in front of you might catch the males in a spawning area, and then you might come behind them and find the larger females will eat your bait.”

In 2023, Rivet won with a four-day total of 86 pounds, 15 ounces. Cook finished 10th with 66-11 and is expecting similar numbers for this year’s event.

“It’s not going to be a home-run-type spawn, but it will still be good; I think it will take 85 pounds to win,” Cook said. “I think you’ll need about 17 a day to make the Top 10.”

Daily takeoffs will be at C. Scott Driver Park at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day will be held back at the park at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will stream on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel Thursday and Friday as well as on FS1 from 8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 a.m.