Big Lake Geography Question?

[CrappieHound]

Good Evening,

 

Newbie to this forum. Just today (01/26/17) a friend and I launched my Tracker Pro 170 from Slims boat ramp for the first time. I fished Dynamite holes #1 and #2 with minnows and beetle spins with no success.

I decided to run North and fish grass island. After catching a few bass and a channel cat, I ventured into the big lake and was pretty intimidated by how large and vast the water is (first time in the lake as I usually fish the North end of Loxahatchee Refuge)

 

My question is if I enter the lake from this area, where can I go to fish the grass, pads and cattails...etc. I saw water for as far as I could see and do not know where to go for bass/crappie fishing. I have a Lowrance Hook4 with GPS and I consider myself an Avid boater...Im just trying to learn where to go if i decide to enter the lake from the rim canal. 

 

Thanks for your time and guidance any info y'all share is greatly appreciated. 

[geo g]

One of the things about the lake is it never stays the same.  Weather conditions and fronts will move fish miles from where they were last week.  Guys that fish it a couple times a week can stay up with the latest movements.  The weekend angler it is a hit and miss situation at best.  Just because you caught them once, means nothing for the next time.  It takes years and countless hours of exploring to be able to study the conditions, water levels, scheduled pumping,  current, and make a wise decision.   Heavy Wind alone can change the depth in a given area as much as two feet.  Areas you fished yesterday could leave you grounded from a strong wind.  Areas that were gin clear, can be chocolate in days.  That's why it is a struggle for many of the best tour pros when they get to the lake.  What you really need is time on the lake, and as much documented info on catches under different conditions, and times of the year.  I do know one thing, if you find clean water your odds go way up on finding fish.  I learned that 35 years ago from an old timer that I spent a year fishing the lake together.  There are traditional spawning areas with sand bottom that produce year after year during the spawn.  Other then that it is a crap shoot, unless you know people that frequent the place and up on the latest info.

[CrappieHound]

Geo G, Thanks for your response. Hopefully next weekend will produce since this cold front is moving through and it's suppose to stay cool most of this coming week. I agree with you, the more time and experience on the water the better.

I haven't decided if I want to fish Okeechobee again or go to my usual place at Loxahatchee Preserve where I tend to do well this time of year. 

[geo g]

I will be fishing Lox soon, they should be bedding. or positioning themselves to bed.  I find it a little easier to fish then the O.  I always fish the south end from the Lox Road ramps.  Wind is my key factor of whether I go or stay home.  Above 12, forget it for Lox.  Maybe I'll see you out there.  Good luck!