A little help, taking a trip to Lake Okeechobee

[Abuss55]

Hey guys I already knew it but I have the best girlfriend a guy could ask for and for Christmas she is taking me from St. Louis MO to Florida to fish Lake Okeechobee for a few days! Looks like she saw how many Scott Martin videos I watch online hahahha. We will be staying at J&S Fish Camp at the beginning of April, which is on the North East side of the lake, and are renting a bass boat for a day and I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips. My fishing experience in FL is a handful of trips, all were deep sea and all occurred before I had such a passion for fishing. I wanted to make sure that we both have a fun time, especially because now she has to put up with me for a 16 hour car ride :), she would be using one of my spinning set ups and I would be using spinning/baitcaster setups. Thank you for all of your help, this is the absolute nicest thing anyone has ever done for me as a gift and I cannot explain how excited I am to experience this with her!

[moretolife]

Lake O is huge and because of how it is constructed (dike all the way around) it is very easy to get lost.  My recommendation is to get a guide.  That way you fish from a nice boat, get to spend your precious few days on a hot spot and most importantly don't get lost on the water.  If winds are up, you do not want to be out on that lake (think ocean)!  You need to decide if you will fish with artificials or shiners.  Both work but some guides and fisherman lean towards the shiners so that the newbies catch something.  I hope you have a great time.  Just be careful.

[Abuss55]

Thank you very much "moretolife" I really appreciate it, the lakes that I have fished from a boat, even in Canada, I can always see shoreline from and with as large and as shallow as this lake is that was a big concern of mine. Hey whatever it takes to catch em I have heard that your FL bass can be a bit harder to catch on artificial baits, would you happen to have any recommendations or know any guides in the area? 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Monkey box and Harney pond, West side.... That's all. 

[Mike L]

The J&S area where you're launching from is IMHO the best frog water on the lake so I would start there. 

If you're gonna use artificial,

after that try paddle tail swim baits, ribbon tail worms, Cut R, and creature baits. 

 

Go into the marina and they will give you a list of guides. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Abuss55]

Thank you guys very much I really appreciate the help and insight  I cant wait to try out your Florida waters I'll have to let ya know what we did and how it went I think we'll be there April 3rd and 4th.

[Mike L]

Yes let us know!

Make sure you bring a flippin stick and be prepared for anything. 

 

Also, If you decide not to use a guide, (which I recommend you do) when it gets closer post again and we'll try to give you some specifics 

 

 

Mike

[bocabasser]

that time of year J&S should be on fire. lock through and and start fishing the heads on the other side of the lock. white spinner baits with gold blades work really well. frogs, spooks, swim baits will all catch fish. like mike said, f bring a flipping stick and flip those heads. depending on the size boat you get and the weather you get, you can head over to the west side of the lake and fish the grass in kings bar. make sure you keep your eye on the weather. lake O can get snotty quick. good luck

[Abuss55]

Thank you guys again! As is tradition I was wrong on the dates hahaha, I was a month behind it is April 30th and May 1st. Sounds like a plan, its 12 degrees here and its supposed to get down to -1 here in St. Louis New Years Eve, I cannot wait to feel that FL sunshine on my face!

[Stanley]

That’s towards the end of the dry season here.  Beware of water levels and any smoke from fires if any. Can cause low visibility dpneing on where you go. Lot of submerged sand bars that changes throughout the year and in low water, you could hit them.  Just take it easy if this is your first time out there.

 

im from St Louis originally.  Fishing is so much better here for lakes!  A nice fish in the St Louis area is considered an average fish here.  Have fun.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

On 12/26/2017 at 4:01 PM, Abuss55 said:

Hey guys I already knew it but I have the best girlfriend a guy could ask for and for Christmas she is taking me from St. Louis MO to Florida to fish Lake Okeechobee for a few days! Looks like she saw how many Scott Martin videos I watch online hahahha. We will be staying at J&S Fish Camp at the beginning of April, which is on the North East side of the lake, and are renting a bass boat for a day and I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips. My fishing experience in FL is a handful of trips, all were deep sea and all occurred before I had such a passion for fishing. I wanted to make sure that we both have a fun time, especially because now she has to put up with me for a 16 hour car ride :), she would be using one of my spinning set ups and I would be using spinning/baitcaster setups. Thank you for all of your help, this is the absolute nicest thing anyone has ever done for me as a gift and I cannot explain how excited I am to experience this with her!

You are in a good spot at J&S. Slide down to Chauncey Bay. It has a bit of protection and reeds, mixed grass. You can fish Government cut too.  Kings bar, Tinhouse cove, Monkey Box. You’ll see Mullet jumping, you could even catch a Tarpon, Red or even snook there. There are Manatees around and really big gators. There could be schoolers and that’s the lake I’ve doubled up on cranks baits to the point the rear treble broke off. A Great Lake, But be careful and watch for the wind. Get in to safety. Storms come up fast and that lake can be very very dangerous. There are many boats that were sunk there. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

I was out there Sat and had a pretty good scare in the wind. It picked up fast and white caps were rolling. Made it back to the ramp pretty wet and freezing!