Lake Okeechobee

[94 200SuperPro]

Well since theres nothing on the board really about lake O, ill start up somethin up. Lately Ive found myself every weekend up on the lake. Ill share what conditions, water depth of lake and spots where I fished, water clarity ect... Feel free to write what you find also! Ill write up a report after each time I go out to keep posted. As to the lake, this past weekend the water level was 11.49 feet and I fished mainly out on the shoal, and around bird island. My focus last weekend was trying to find the thicker bull grass with a little grass/weeds in or around the bull rush. The key is to find the bigger areas of grass which make sort of a canopy where you can flip around in. I caught between 40-50 fish and the biggest being just shy of 6. The water depth was < 2 feet and super clear. There was a federated tournament out on the lake and one of my friends caught a 24 pound bag in the bay bottom, and bare beach areas of the rim canal. He also said go out the bare beach channel into the lake. He did great and got 2nd place throwing crankbaits all day. 1st place came out somewhere around kramer island. I have been doing well on the shoal throwing a gambler big ez and when the sun comes up I flipped the thicker bull rush with an ugly otter with a 3/4 ounce weight. A couple other guys said that areas of the west and east walls were real hot out on the edges of the grass. Well that wraps this report out and im back off to the lake tomarrow! Another thing I wanted to mention is be careful especially running the south end of the lake! There are lots of rocks and is paying a toll on props and gearcases. Just be patient and idle in and out and save yourself the trouble. [img][/img]


Modified by 94 SuperPro at 2:17 PM 4/1/2011

[storm 22]

big O is on fire now anywhere you go you will catch fish the water is low so be carfull 2 weeks ago at the okkie rally I cought a 9 and a 5 by uncle joes cut just out side and many 4-6 lbers between uncle joes and cockrens pass but I got 2nd place and big bass by kramer island cought a few 4-6 lbers and 2 8 lbders down there on the big easy in the cat tails and spinner baits on the out side

[Warpath]

I've been reading all the posts about the Big O. My wife is due for a conference in Fort Myers the first week of May, and we think we'll have to drive. Why not bring the boat?

Is it a bad idea for a 1st timer to bring his boat to Florida and fish the Big O? It's on my bicket list! Thanks!

Eric

[Shef]

If we are still void of rain, be careful the lake is low.

[94 200SuperPro]

I wouldn't let the lake level keep you off the lake... there are still a lot of places you can still fish safely. There are a lot of bass being caught out of uncle joes cut, but nothing really big being reported. Another place to start would be head south and fish all the cuts and dynamite holes headed towards south bay. One of my best friends caught a 10-6 on saturday right infront of the bare beach canal fishing one of the two spillways. Fish the main rim canal at the south end of the lake by bay bottom and go up in the cuts. If you do come to our great lake, and want to run the lake, either follow someone that knows the lake or idle out or in to the outer grass lines. Idling may be the difference in you having to buy a new prop or gearcase here right now.

Well for me, I didn't get to go out Saturday, but I got out yesterday and man it was WINDY in the morning... and it was a NE wind at that too... there was maybe 15 boats who came out in the morning brave enough to fight the wind. However, it was nice not having all the fishing pressure on a Sunday, which rarely happens. The water level was at 11.59 and came up a little from all the rain on Thursday but not enough to notice. I started out of uncle joes and headed north to the first bull rush point that sticks out. It was super windy and the waves on the outer grass line were going over the back of my boat as I was fishing in. The water was stained from all the wind so I started throwing a spinnerbait and caught a dozen bass right off the bat. One of which being close to 5. I then fished back south towards uncle joes. I went in a little deeper into the grass to get the clearer water and the fish were there too. I saw so many big fish I could have potentially caught but my trolling motor chomping through the grass in the wind spooked em in the clear water. I caught probably 30 bass there and then I went to the west wall. There was a couple boats there and right when I pulled in I watched a guy catch a 7 pdr. I didn't catch as many over here, but the size was a lot better on the ones I caught. I went into the cattails here and started throwing a gambler big ez and flipping the thicker patches with an otter and did well. I saw a few bass that were 8 plus but couldn't get any... now it was about 11 and the wind died down making it easier for me to get to cochrans area where I really wanted to fish. I caught two 6's, three 5's, and a bunch more between 4-5 pds. 2 other boats were having the same luck in the area. I caught 75 plus fish today and 7 were over 5 pds! This is why i come here every chance i get! How much better can it get? That's it for today and hope what I found on the lake for myself helps you. Be safe and good luck!


Modified by 94 200SuperPro at 4:45 AM 5/26/2011

[Warpath]

I'm pretty sure I want to bring the boat and brave it. I should be there Wednesday and Thursday of the first week of May. If anyone is fishing, let me know.

I've grown up alot fishing Erie and St. Clair, and how treacherous new water can be. Hopefully, I can wonder around and catch some big Florida LM on Okeechobee. I'd rather avoid getting a guide but it has crossed my mind. It would save me from dragging the boat down there from Cincinnati. I know my brother's in-laws fish there quite a bit.

I wonder if I could find a place at one of the marnias to park my rig? My wife's conference is on Estero Island, and it is short on parking. Should I just assume I'll need nothing but braid on my rods?

[storm 22]

eric you can call me I may be able to help you on the lake 239-357-9683

[Stratos Steve]

Nice info. I am heading to the Northend this weekend fishing a small club tourney any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Warpath]

You mean, you actually slow down enough to fish too! I can't imagine going that fast. I will definitely keep you in mind. We are still trying to solidify plans.

Eric

[cwilt]

love them bigEZ's

[94 200SuperPro]

Well I went out last Saturday and had another great day of fishing! I caught two nine pound hogs and my father who rarely pulls his boat out came and he caught a bass that weighed 12-4!
C
The morning was slow for me because the spot I went to initially, the fish were not there. I was about a mile north of cochrans and the fish were deep up in the grass last week and this week I had to adjust and move out. The fish were right on the edge of the grass lines this week. I was throwing a Sammy paralleling the grass and man they were going crazy for it. It took me about an hour to realize that the fish were not up in the grass and it was slow. The water level was at 11.57, and it didn't Change enough notice any difference fro last week to this week. I also fished the pass and did great along the bull rush flipping an other into the bigger pockets. I also fished a little offshore today along the shoal and fished a good eel/spaghetti grass line which is about 150 yards out and caught one about 7 throwing a 7 inch white fluke and probably caught 15 keepers here. You don't have to go far to catch the big ones though.. we were right outside uncle joes when my father caught the 12 pounder! In the end we caught two 8's, the 12, 2-3 between 6-7, and a bunch more right out to the north of uncle joes. My father said he could have fished with his big EZ all day long. The fishing was great and I encourage everyone to get out to the lake and take advantage of how great the lake is right now.

You can pretty much go anywhere on the lake and catch fish right now though! I also did good on the west wall, and heard many people doing well around kramer and what's left of pelican. The cuts and dynamite holes are still producing numbers but not as much the big fish. I would still recommend fishing the west wall, and observation island/shoal just because I personally havnt been to the south end of the lake lately. If you have any questions feel free to ask and be safe out there.. the lake is low so take your time getting to where you're going. Good luck!

[Warpath]

T minus 15 days and counting......!

Eric

[Warpath]

Can anyone give me an idea where I might find boat storage for Wednesday and Thursday evening? The resort I am staying at has limited parking so I need to find a place for my boat. It looks as if I will be fishing Wednesday, Thursday, and a half day Friday, if anyone is available or interested. Thanks for any info!

Eric

[jbasslouie]

Has anyone been out lately? Off tomorrow and thinking about fishing the Big O

[jomo924]

Me and wife going down may 9 and fishing 10-11-12 ,,,staying at Roland martins ,,,BBC' ers in area stop by the tiki and say hi to a NJ brother

[94 200SuperPro]

If it were on a weekend, i would say hi and maybe send you in the right direction on the lake...

Well, since i posted last, ive been on the lake two more times. The water level is dropping even faster than 3 years ago when we had record lows... The lake wast at about 10.9 and most of the fish are starting to move offshore or to the farthest out grass you can find. The fish are starting to come a little farther apart and you have to find them... its not like a month ago, where everywhere you went there were bass... I still caught some decent bass off the grass just offshore turners cove. I also fished areas of the shoal, but with the water dropping you have to idle out like 1/2 a mile now to be able to get on plane without damaging anything.. The Clewiston channel has been good for better numbers and areas of the rim canal are on fire right now. More towards the south end of the lake though. Uncle joes and the spoils there are still producing some nice bass also. The lake this past week was WINDY! I caught fish either offshore, or as far as you could go back in whats left of the grass. Ive been catching a lot on my big ez along the grass, but i have caught a lot of schooling bass out in the channels on a lipless crank or jerkbait paralleling the drop off. The spoils further out of clewiston are holding bass now, but be careful around there... lots of rocks... idle in and out. The south end of the lake along kramer is still holding bass but with the water dropping so fast now and the water is getting real skinny quick.. I dont know how much longer the bass will hang in there. Thanks and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Be PATIENT on the lake ... idle aroung before running an area... i know it takes time... but its better than taking your gearcase...

[jomo924]

Not bringing my boat , going out with mark Sheppard he has been great in the past for us

[HARDHEAD]

Good lookout on your reports Super Pro. Very detailed and helpful. Keep on goin buddy! Take care out there.

[cwilt]

the water is droping down here in the glades to! i won't go to the lake untill she gets back to at least 11. i got stuck out their by the sportsman canal when the water was real low, after a hurricane. cost me $$$ to get pulled out 100 ft. i guess i was on a sand bar the the storm made. ankle deep ( i thought i new the lake i been down that way a doz times )

[jomo924]

Got home Friday was there all week,,,water is very skinny but still got 30 a day just nothing over 5 lb but a big mudfish which was easily over 10 lb,,, but had lots of fun on all kinds of lures