Help With The Big O

[FD.]

The wife and I are planning a long weekend getaway to the big O around xmas. I need some help.

Where to stay? Some place decent with clean sheets and security for the boat.

Where to fish? Having never even seen the lake I am completely lost.

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Shane Procell]

Lee,

I had clients up there a couple of weeks ago. They rented a condo at Rolands. It was as nice as any home. There was a 3 day minimum and a rate of around $185/day. Sorta high but plush...with boat parking/electric.

[gar-tracker]

Rolands is nice the condos or the hotels, Tiki bar, restaurants, access to the south and northwest ares of the lake. Let me know when you get settled I can help on where to fish..

[piscicidal]

Fishing Daddy is always putting someone else on fish up in central Florida. If I'm on any fish at Big O, Lee, I'll send you a PM...I wasnt on em my last two trips.

[South FLA]

On the North end in the city of Okeechobee you have a chain hotels with some pretty good grub around them.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lake Okeechobee

3101 U.S. 441

Okeechobee, FL 34974

(863) 357-3529

From there you can trailer boat within 15 minutes of pretty much to the entire North or East Side ramps depending on wind direction. I like launching out of J&S and Henry Creek for the East side, or you can launch in Front of the Texaco station ramp on the other side if the Dike, since water is so high. You can also launch out of Okee-Tantie/Scott Driver Park, the nicest launch ramp facilities on the entire Lake. Send me an Email and I can send you some GPS coordinates for some spots I like.

[salmicropterus]

Fishing Daddy is always putting someone else on fish up in central Florida. If I'm on any fish at Big O, Lee, I'll send you a PM...I wasnt on em my last two trips.

This is correct...there is no one more forthcoming about fishing conditions in Central Florida than Lee. I suspect he has helped more than a few of us up there. Lee, check your PM from time to time

[FD.]

Thanks guys. I was wondering what to do if we go to Rolands and get a heavy north wind. Can I run the ditch to Sportsmans cut and get into Moonshine Bay? Is there a better plan? I could always trailer somewhere if necessary.

I made the reservations today at Rolands. A park model from Dec 26 - Dec 29.

[gar-tracker]

On the North end in the city of Okeechobee you have a chain hotels with some pretty good grub around them.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lake Okeechobee

3101 U.S. 441

Okeechobee, FL 34974

(863) 357-3529

From there you can trailer boat within 15 minutes of pretty much to the entire North or East Side ramps depending on wind direction. I like launching out of J&S and Henry Creek for the East side, or you can launch in Front of the Texaco station ramp on the other side if the Dike, since water is so high. You can also launch out of Okee-Tantie/Scott Driver Park, the nicest launch ramp facilities on the entire Lake. Send me an Email and I can send you some GPS coordinates for some spots I like.

And more stuff to do with the family.

Forget Moonshine inaccessible for years to thick, maybe tuck in up by Twin Palms or the monkey box.

[gar-tracker]

And to add what South FLA correctly mentions, if you get a stiff northeast wind/ front from there its about a 20 minute ride maybe a little more west to Harney Pond Ramp in Lake Port, which puts you in the North Shore area thats fairly well protected from Horse island all the way down to Harney pond, close to the Box and Bird Island.

Which also is historically one of the best places to fish this time of year, ask Tharp and McMillan.

[FD.]

13 days out and everyone in the family is excited.

We are staying at Rolands and hope to fish close. If that does not work out we will trailer to Harney Pond.

According to the lunar charts that is the best week of the month, hopefully the weather will hold.

Now all I need is for you guys to go out and prefish for me... I'm expecting both girls to get a DD this trip.

[piscicidal]

It's on my to-do list, Lee. I haven't fished Okeechobee in over a month...it's freaking killing me. That lake is ready to pop. Hope to get out there this weekend, or for sure next week.

[Bassn Blvd]

FD, good luck on your vacation. By the way, I don't think you received it yet, but I tailored your x-mas gift for your trip to lake O.

If all else fails then remember, you can NEVER go wrong with 7.5-9 inch worms in black, purple or june bug.

[roadwarrior]

Love your new avatar!

[FD.]

Thanks Doug. I just got it today.

Evidently you and I are both awesome fishermen with excellent taste in tackle.

Off to dinner with the wife and a tourney tomorrow but I will get some pictures up by the weekend.

[Bassn Blvd]

You're welcome. I haven't been to Lake O in several years, but swimbaits, jigs and spinnerbaits almost ALWAYS produce. Like I said earlier, black or purple worm if nothing else works. And if the worm don't work, then you're timing sucks and the fish just arent biting. hahahaha.

A lot of guys like the Big EZ and have very good success with them, but I don't like'em. I like the Lake Fork instead.

[FD.]

9 days out and the long range forecast is is for mid 70's with a light south wind.

[Bassn Blvd]

9 days out? I dont want to impose on your vacation, but it would be cool if we ran into eachother .

[FD.]

As long as you are not wearing that pink hat .

We are staying at Rolands and would love to meet all of you guys from the south. We are coming in next Wednesday and staying thought Saturday at least.

The girls don't normally fish early so I will most likely be by myself in the mornings. Maybe we could get a pack a boats together and get on some big ones. Getting pictures and video of everybody slammin fish would be cool.

[salmicropterus]

Lee, I'm planning to be up there the 27th and maybe the 28th. I'm an aqua, silver flake and bone TR-21 with a 250 HO.

[FD.]

Dave, just give me a call when you hit the water Thursday morning.

[gar-tracker]

Your guys timing may be a little off I came up Monday and they've been eating the banks down for 3 days, I'm gong out again this morning.

A bad fronts on its way for Friday. Heres a crappy picture of of one of the 20 or so fish a day Iv been averaging, I figure about 18lbs Monday, yesterday I got over 20 lbs twice from 2 different spots..

[FD.]

yea, you suck, mr retired, all I have to do all day is catch monster fish!

Looks like it's going to warm back up by Monday. Maybe they will be eating again by Wednesday.

[gar-tracker]

Check your message.

All this fishing is cutting into my drinking time.

[FD.]

14 hours and counting. We are leaving around 8 in the morning. That should put me on the water by noon. The wind is forecast to blow pretty good out of the sw tomorrow. I will probably stay around Clewiston along the West wall. With the wind switching over night to the NW I will most likely hit the Harney Pond area on Thursday. warmer's (Vince) is also coming down on Thursday. If you guys are around give me a shout or look for a white F550 hauler with a TR20 X2 behind it. Triton single console, Merc 250 in red and white, with a 6' 2" ugly bald guy on the trolling motor.

[tstone]

Have fun out there and catch some big ones!