Lake Okeechobee late march

[Johnpenguin]

Heading down to Florida and renting a boat on Lake Okeechobee. Will be there late March(specifically from the 21-29) and I am not quite sure what to expect. Renting from the Roland Martin boat rentals, so does anyone have any advice for me?

[crypt]

lots of grass......seriously though, worms,jerkbaits,swimbaits,traps,topwater. all work look for the edges of grass lines, boat cuts, eelgrass pad fields. it can be overwhelming at first, it all looks good. just be patient and ask when you go to get the boat. the people to Rolands are great. also go to youtube and look for "its a guides life" with capt. Dave Schneider,he always has a lake report that is very good. another thing to consider is hiring a guide. it will pay off.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Pray that the March winds haven't set in

[Johnpenguin]

I got a guide last year and landed a 7 but that’s too expensive to do every day. Renting a boat is a much cheaper option. 

[frogflogger]

It is imposing but if you get bit stay in the area - take your time - I get a 7+ most every year - I throw topwaters and swimbaits - last trip the sebile soft swimmer was very good for me.

[Mike L]

That time of the year is one of best on the lake, you can expect to find fish in all 3 phases. 
 

That lake is huge and can be very intimidating if you don’t know where you’re at and where you’re going. 
Since you’ll be on the south end, once you leave the basin and through the lock, I would head for the South Bay Area. 
Go past the rim canal into Coots Bay, turn right and start right there. 
@crypt gave good advise. 
 

If you decide to take the rim canal East, keep going until you reach Pelican Bay. There should be cleaner water with beds all through there around the edges of the shell beds along the many reed lines and isolated clumps. 
 

Pay special attention to blown over reeds. You may have to punch through them but on that end of the lake until early summer, the big girls will be waiting there buried up. 
Males will be very aggressive and will hit most anything. 
 

Have a great time but be smart!

Big O is no place to go joy riding and then lose your way. 
If you have tracking on your electronics use it. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Johnpenguin]

Wow that’s great advice. Thanks so much. @Mike L is it possible to land a 8+ anywhere? And ya I’m kinda nervous about navigating thru the big O.

[Mike L]

John

There are boat ramps at Rolands place but if all you have is an 8 ft boat I would not venture too far from the lock!

Watch the weather and water conditions VERY closely. 

 

Be Safe

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[DINK WHISPERER]

17 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Pray that the March winds haven't set in

This^^ especially in a small boat! I've had some scary rides back even in a 20ft boat. Be safe and bring a flipping stick. 

[Johnpenguin]

I just looked at google maps and I don’t exactly understand what you mean @Mike L. When I’m heading out of the lock which way should I go to get to to bed?

[Mike L]

Sorry but You’ll have to find the beds.
As I said that time of year they’ll be in all 3 phases but not all concentrated in one particular area. 
(I wish they were)

 

The 2 places I suggested you try on the South end are South Bay, and Pelican Bay. 
To reach So Bay, come out of the lock, go through the rim canal then you’ll be in Coots Bay on the right. 
You can fish all the way down to get there. 
 

The easy way to get to Pelican is turn right into the rim canal and take that all the way. 
 

Also, if you’re gonna travel to each or even just one, I suggest you try to get a bigger boat. 
Both places are a ways down. 
 

I would get a map of the lake itself. 
You’ll see what I mean. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Johnpenguin]

I wanted to get a bigger boat but I’m not entirely sure how to drive one. Also won’t I need a boaters license? 

[Mike L]

The boat would have to be and you’ll need a fishing license unless you’re over 65. 
 

In my opinion, If the weather is not good, the best option would be is to stay in Coots Bay nest the lock, or fish Uncle Joe’s Cut.
It’s a 20-30 yd wide canal that opens into the lake. 
It would be more protected and you can fish both sides. 
Turn left out of the lock and it’ll be a few miles up towards Moore Haven. 

If you do that, and wanted too you could come out of there and head for the Monkey Box. 
That time of the year the water could be low there which would be perfect for a smaller boat. 
 

Now, I can’t stress this enough,

I WOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES go anywhere into that lake with a small under powered boat without some type of mapping and perfect weather. 

Please be smart, that is no place to mess with if you’re not prepared. 

Let us know how you do. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[Johnpenguin]

Thanks. I’ll make sure to stay safe.

[SC53]

Mike is right, Okee is no place for a small boat in any kind of weather. And in March you’ll be dealing with wind.

Mapping is crucial as it’s easy to get turned around in a lot areas especially the Monkey box.

Uncle Joes cut is a great suggestion and I’ve caught some nice fish in it years ago. There used to be some cuts on the south side that you could get back to some sloughs but don’t know if they still exist.

You always have the rim canal as well.

good luck and be safe 

 

[geo g]

Lots of good advice, and warnings about the dangers of the lake.  The lake changes so much within a short period of time.  If you have been there before it will probably look totally different this time.  The south end of the lake has been sprayed to death recently.  Screwed up fishing big time.  It's a wonderful place, but very frustrating for the occasional fisherman.  Remember a good hard wind will change lake depth on both sides of the blow.  Places with enough water yesterday can be too low today.  Mother nature can do some strange things. 
 

 

My fav part of the lake is the Harney Pond Canal area.  Lots of sandy bottom for breeding.  From there across to the Monkey Box and Moon Shine Bay.  Many TX won at these spots.  Good luck!

[Johnpenguin]

11 hours ago, geo g said:

Lots of good advice, and warnings about the dangers of the lake.  The lake changes so much within a short period of time.  If you have been there before it will probably look totally different this time.  The south end of the lake has been sprayed to death recently.  Screwed up fishing big time.  It's a wonderful place, but very frustrating for the occasional fisherman.  Remember a good hard wind will change lake depth on both sides of the blow.  Places with enough water yesterday can be too low today.  Mother nature can do some strange things. 
 

 

My fav part of the lake is the Harney Pond Canal area.  Lots of sandy bottom for breeding.  From there across to the Monkey Box and Moon Shine Bay.  Many TX won at these spots.  Good luck!

Where is harney pond canal in reference to where I’m launching?

[geo g]

It is on the west side of the lake above Moore Haven and below Buckhead Ridge, it's actually in Lakeport.  Great ramps, bathrooms, and picnic areas.

[Johnpenguin]

2 hours ago, geo g said:

It is on the west side of the lake above Moore Haven and below Buckhead Ridge, it's actually in Lakeport.  Great ramps, bathrooms, and picnic areas.

Alright thanks