By Staff
Mike Giles / outdoors writer
October 8, 2004
Each fall Ken and Jay Murphy plan a camping trip to Okatibbee Reservoir. Last year my nephew Justin Giles and I accompanied the father and son on their annual trip. This fall we planned to go to the reservoir for some more fun, relaxation and fishing with the guys. I've got three girls of my own, and we do plenty of things together. However, this annual trip has become something that the guys look forward to. Not everyone can camp together, but the four of us really get along favorably.
Last Friday morning I went to the Twitley Branch Campground to pay our fee for the camping spot for Friday and Saturday nights. Much to my chagrin I found the gate closed and a sign that said, "Closed due to Hurricane Ivan." Seems Ivan had wreaked havoc on the campground as well as other areas. We usually camp near the secluded beach where we can park our boat next to the water, but alas we would have to make do with something else.
Since Murphy has a full schedule of professional fishing tournaments this fall, and I have a trip to Colorado planned, last weekend was our only shot. Thankfully, we were able to secure a spot over at the Pat Harrison Water Park. Although I have lived within five minutes of the lake all my life, I haven't utilized the camping facilities very much. However, a few trips with my family and the Murphys have changed my mind about that. Now I would prefer sleeping in one of the cabins or in a hotel, but a tent is just fine if you have the right accommodations.
Relaxation
Camping at the Reservoir is very relaxing once you get the campsite set up. Boating, hiking, bike riding, swimming and even fishing are viable alternatives offered at the lake. If you just want to sit back and relax, then you can do that too. There's usually some nice people nearby if you get bored, and plenty of children for the kids to meet. Many folks meet other campers and form lifetime friendships at the lake. Some even plan and spend an entire week at the lake when their newfound friends can be there.
As for our crew, there was a little bit of relaxing, walking, hiking, and a lot of bike riding by Justin and Jay. One of the best parts of the trip was sampling the food. After a time on the water Friday afternoon, Murphy fired up the grill and cooked some of the best chicken wings that I have ever tasted. Man, they were some kind of good. After another daylight bout of fishing, we enjoyed a tasty breakfast of bacon and eggs compliments of yours truly. By the looks of it, they enjoyed that as well.
Although camping with the guys is fun, our main focus was the fishing to be had. They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Well, Okatibbee lake may be the Dead Sea to some people but it's really a treasure to me. I'm fortunate to have learned quite a few hot fall fishing spots on the lake that produce year after year in good and bad weather. Of course that's a result of practicing a lot of catch and release also.
Fall fishing at Okatibbee Reservoir can literally be feast or famine. Anglers might fish all day with only a bite or two. It's not uncommon to fish several hundred yards and not get a bite. However, if you know a thing or two about the bass favorite haunts you can really mop up. While Ken has been a lifelong fisherman, Jay has just recently gotten the bug. And believe me, he is catching on fast. Justin has been fishing all of his life and will put pressure on any bass fishermen to just keep up with him.
Fast bites
Although the weather wasn't conducive to catching fish, we really mopped up on the bass Friday afternoon and Saturday. Many times we had doubles and even triples on. The last couple of hours of the day were the best as usual. In fact, on both days dark finally drove us back to camp with the bass still biting. We finished up our fishing outing Saturday night by hammering quite a few bass. Our group caught and released in the neighborhood of 80 bass.
A fitting end to our Saturday came with the suppertime meal. Ms. Kathy brought the girls over and fried up some scrumptious bass fillets, French fries and hush puppies. Yes, we did keep just enough small bass for some tender fillets. The results were outstanding.
Good fishing, food, fun and fellowship, it just doesn't get any better than that. But don't take my word for it. Try a campout and fishing trip to the lake as soon as possible. You just might be glad you did.