Opeka has plenty of feeesh- nice one

[Aux Pleins]

This lake has a lot of bass and they're pretty easy to catch. However, the big boys are stingy and just sit along shore. But, there is a lot of hungry 10-15inchers that are fun to catch. The weeds are really bad right now so the weedless road is one I've been taking. Never took a boat here, anybody know the rules? Launch times or fees?

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[JasonN]

The west shore of the lake (not shore accessible) has some great structure and boaters do well there. But the bass and even occasional pike can indeed be caught throughout the rest of the shoreline that is accessible.

[dangarcia630]

Thanks for the report Aux, I've gotta get back out to Opeka because I've been skunked the past 3 times I have gone. I've tried spinner baits, buzz baits, senkos, and topwater poppers/frogs...and not one bite!

I've been out as early as 6 am-8 am and as late as 7pm until the cops come to kick you out. During these times I have seen fishing boats with trolling motors fishing the SW shore.

I golf pretty often at the golf course, and the manager told me that at some point back in the day, someone crashed a jeep into the SW area of the lake...so that the fish use it as a makeshift kind of reef. Personally, that's the only place I almost caught a bass (see my post "The one that got away".) Thanks for your report!

[Aux Pleins]

Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,, Really they kick you out the park around 7pm? Is it a sunset thing or is 7 the closing time?
I got to get the yak on the puddle.

[Raydilla]

The cops kick you out when the sun goes down. They also ride through in their cars about every half hour all night. The weeds are good this year but the Algae has sucked. Been one of my best years at opeka so far. Been there a bunch this year and almost all the bass caught this year have been on finesse/wacky worms along the weed lines. Havent caught or heard of a pike caught there this year. Back in the day opeka had some nice size pike in there but those days seem to be gone. Still holds a few huge bass though. My friend caught a 5 pounder out of there for his first bass of the year this spring..

[JasonN]

You can fish there until the park closes at 10pm. After that, you can get ticketed.

[Busse Jim]

and the manager told me that at some point back in the day, someone crashed a jeep into the SW area of the lake...so that the fish use it as a makeshift kind of reef.

i doubt very much that they left the jeep there. and let gas and oil leach into the lake

[Aux Pleins]

I've seen a few cars at the bottom of the ponds and rivers....... Sometimes the right authorites either just ignore or are just unaware....

Through the water you can make out the motor, and chrome valve coversThis some sort of hot rod motor, pushing easily over 400ci. Looks way bigger then the small block my impala had. Check out the nice chrome valve covers, theres a rusty undercarriage still attached to this beast. Mostly under the mud, I can still see some of the tires.

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[learneveryday]

This summer I have been to Opeka on various occasions(weekdays/weekends) and so far the fishing has been good (aside from the water levels).
As far as the Police go it seems that whomever is working at the Golf house/bait shop has something to do with their appearence. When one of the older Gents is working they show up alot as stated before approx. every 1/2hr. When the younger guys have been there they rarely show up at all.(Or is it just me?) They have let me stay or haven't ticketed me up until 10pm, once they told me "your here a little late reel it in and get going" est. time 9:45pm another time "parks closed gotta go, reel it in" this was 9ishpm. I went ahead and asked the later officer with an apologetic tone "until what time can we fish here" his answer "park closes at sunset" then after a pause and under his breath " if there are still people we wont say much until 9:30ish".

The "feeesh", they are smart,finiky eaters and perplexing(in general but especially) at Opeka. I have seen them chase my shallow runners but not bite. They have taken my dingers more than once during the day but not at night/vice versa. Yesterday 8/19 I caught one 14" on a BPS rattle trap shortly after talking to Timeout that seemed like a ready to spawn female... anyone know more about that? They also take a shot at my frogs close to shore once you pass the pier going towards the boat ramps.

[Slow Burner]

the "fish" have seen everything you have to offer.....the only time I fish this lake is spawn in spring and in the fall when the good ones put the feed bag on....theres better lakes in the area for summer fishing IMO

[Aux Pleins]

..theres better lakes in the area for summer fishing IMO

True dat!

Sometimes I like to switch things up or chase the bite around.. cuz in that area there are quite a few nice puddles within 5 miles or so to do that.

[time_out]

Glad to see You joined the board!
Like we both agreed a feesh is a feesh somedays!
btw the wife was cool with me being late..LOL

[SKIPPY69]

At this point with the extremely low water, MASSIVE proliferation of the shitty stringy weeds, and now another algae bloom with it's attendant green muck (again), the whole place is jacked up bad. A LOT of the lakes are in this state of mega-crapdom and the fish are staying WAY off shore. I dumped a monster sat morning on a jig cast waaaaay out past two weed lines. It was at least 5.5 or 6 pounds, it hit the jig the instant it landed on the water, she ran right at me and even though I slammed her hard I don't think the hook ever penetrated, she jumped clear out of the water and as soon as she hit the weed bed... POP.....she was off. That was definitely the biggest bite I've had all year. I'll get her this fall....

[JasonN]

Sharpen those hooks and stop using wet noodle rods, putz.

[BASSPROMATUK]

and the manager told me that at some point back in the day, someone crashed a jeep into the SW area of the lake...so that the fish use it as a makeshift kind of reef.

i doubt very much that they left the jeep there. and let gas and oil leach into the lake

It is in there, I have seen it on my locator... My Dad believes it has been in there over 20 years... He snagged a line or two on it many years ago... He was the one that made me aware of it... Dont know the story behind it though... Southwest corner in 22-24 feet of water...

BPM

[SKIPPY69]

Sharpen those hooks and stop using wet noodle rods, putz.

THANKS for the support "buddy".... BTW Heavy action rod, 20 lb fluorocarbon line, new jig w/ razor sharp hooks. IF BMP wants to hit the lake in his boat, I pony up for his gas money to get there/here, and we'll stick some toads.

[Aux Pleins]

2012-09-12_18.22.19.jpg

Froggy pushing 3

[JustinCarf]

Damn! Danny didn't send me that one. Nice! He's been loving the frog lately

[Busse Jim]

[quote="BASSPROMATUK

It is in there, I have seen it on my locator... My Dad believes it has been in there over 20 years... He snagged a line or two on it many years ago... He was the one that made me aware of it... Dont know the story behind it though... Southwest corner in 22-24 feet of water...

BPM[/quote]

I stand corrected, thanks.

[SKIPPY69]

Nice frog fish AuxPie!