August is starting out with lots of water here on Lake Okeechobee with the lake level hovering at around sixteen feet above sea level. Yes this means we have a lot of water everywhere on the lake and the locks at Clewiston are not wide open any more, you have to lock through if you use the public boat ramps. It is strange to be able to run almost anywhere on the lake in the middle of the summer when we usual don’t have much water in the lake this time of the year. The fishing has been pretty good so far this summer even with the high water levels and high water temperatures. As of right now the live bait fishing has been better then the artificial lure bite but as more fish move back in the grass from open water I think the lure bite should really pick up. The wild shiner or live bait bite has remained good all summer and I see no reason that it will slow down.
I have been fishing a lot of different areas trying to find the best but most of the areas I have been fishing all seem to be about the same. From Kramer Island to the Blue Hole area is where I have been fishing and the only reason I am moving around is that the fish are not really concentrated in any one area right now. It is typical summer fishing, get out as early as you can and fish for about four hours or when the fish quit biting and then get off the water. It has been really hot out on the lake fishing and on most days by ten o’clock the fish are done biting. I have been catching a few bass real early out on the reef with lipless crankbaits and then the bite stops move in to the outside grass line in areas like Long Point, Ritta Island, and around the lake end of Uncle Joe’s cut.
It is summer time here on Okeechobee so be sure to drink lots of water and use that sunscreen that you brought with you on the boat. Now is the time to start booking those fishing trips for the prime season here on Okeechobee that starts in November and goes through the month of May. I think that it is going to be an awesome season here on the Big ‘O’ and I am starting to fill my calendar up. Good luck, tight lines, and I hope to see everyone on the water soon.

Captain Mark King is a full time guide and tournament angler guiding out of the world famous Roland Martin’s Marina and Resort in Clewiston Florida and also in the Florida Keys out of Marathon area. Mark is an IGFA Certified Captain, active member of the Florida Guide Association and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Captain Mark is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Roland Martin's Marine Center, Power-Pole, Minn Kota trolling motors, Gambler Lures, Mojo Sportsfishing, Smartshield Sun Protection Products, Moon Shine Attitude Attire, RMR Industries, Fuel Medic Ethanol Treatment, and Yeti coolers.
Mark can be contacted to book a guide trip, seminars, personal appearances, test rides in his Evinrude powered Ranger or to fish a tournament with him at 863-677-0983 or at www.markkingfishing.com and www.tarponinthekeys.com