Okeechobee First Time/small Boat

[Mattbasscrusher]

Hey guys, I'm going to be heading up to lake okeechobbe soon in a 12 ft jonboat and a 5 hp motor. I'm going to be fishing out of clewiston since that is closer to me than anywhere else. I would like to know if it's worth it and if anyone could point me in the right direction of where to go then that would be awesome, my range is only 3,4 miles as well. I'm not asking for techniques or baits, I'd like to figure that out on my own. But I'd just like a little push in the right direction.

Send me a PM if you'd like as well, I'll trade all the holiday park information I know for a little okeechobbe info.

Thanks guys

[topwaterrob]

If youre from MIA belle glade should be closer.  Also in a small boat watch what the wind is doing.  It can get bad fast up there. 

[MichaelE]

Goodluck man!

[GLADES]

IMHO,

If I were you with that small boat and limited range, I would launch at Moorehaven which is about 15 minutes west of Clewiston and fish the rim canal. The 9 mile ditch leading to the monkey box is not a good place to fish, very narrow, shallow, and boats are usually running fast through there. I would stay out of there for safety.

 

Better yet, drive a bit further and find a spot to lauch near Fish eating creek or the Harney pond area. You will be close to the monkey box and fisheating creek bay.

Fish early to avoid the winds. If the winds are coming out of the west or southwest, you have little problems with the wind or chop.

Hope some of this helps.

 

Fish eating creek is very nice as well. It is west of the lake.

 

http://www.jimporter.org/lakes/okeechobee/map.shtml

[geo g]

If your set on fishing out of Clewiston you can fish the rim canal either north or south of the lock. I would not venture out in the main part of the lake. The wind can come up quick. South of the lock about a mile you have the dynamite hole in which a bunch of quality fish have been caught. I caught a 8 lb fish right at the mouth of the hole and the canal. The hole is deep with allot of old wood in the opening that leads in. I met one of the biggest friendliest gator early in the morning by myself. He won the stair down session and I left. If you go north of the lock you wil hit Uncle Joes fish camp. There is a small canal off to the right. A half mile down there is some good fishing off to the left side. It opens into a shallow flat. Two good spots with good shelter. Watch for big boats in the rim canal. You could run into some 30 footers that put out a big wake. Just be careful and take lots of clean water. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

My favorite part of the lake is the Harney Pond area on the west side. Sandy bottom over there.