The Big O

[Ifish4keeps]

Hi,

I will be fishing Lake Okeechobee next week and i was wondering if anyone had fished it recently and what would be some good lures to use.  Thanks

[-HAWK-]

Bring lots of Plastics, 5 & 6' senkos, senko swim baits, Flukes, etc. Watch out water levels are very low still. Do you have a guided trip arranged?

[Ifish4keeps]

yes i do have a guided trip arranged

[-HAWK-]

You should be fine then, your guide will show you what baits to use and where to use them.

[Ifish4keeps]

yeah i know. one more thing, what does the drop in the water level do to the fishing?

[South FLA]

Low water levels mean less places for fish to hide, therefore there is a larger concentration of fish for less acreage which is GOOD! It also means the bass maybe hard or impossible to get to if the water level is too low for safe boat operation.  

Your guide should have a good lay of the water and you should clobber them, but then again it is FISHING.

Are you live bait fishing or strictly fishing artificial? I recommend first timers on the BIG O to fish with live wild shiners, they will make your chances of landing a BIG O LUNKER go way up, even if it is cheating    

Tight lines and good luck, hopefully we can see some pictures of those Florida Hogs in their natural untrout fed, warm water, gator avoiding state (jabbing Fourbizz in the ribs, with the California beauties, or should I say Florida beauties in the perfect environment)!!

[bocabasser]

the water in lake okeechobee is low, but it is up 6 inches since last year. the fishing on lake O is red hot right now. you and your guide will be fishing in the rim ditch-guaranteed. he will probably have them, but bring some giggy/shakey heads with dark floating worms. also bring some lipless crankbaits like the spro or lucky craft variety. there are some big fish being caught in the ditch right now. some anglers are venturing into the lake, but with extreme caution. you will catch fish with your guide. believe it or not, but the artificial bite is BETTER than the shiner bite. good luck and i hope you get a toad.

[Ifish4keeps]

thanks a lot guys and one more thing.. are the bass spawning yet on okeechobee? because that would be a dream scenario if they were, being able to sight fish for hawgs would be sick!!!

[South FLA]

I am pretty sure the majority of the spawn is over.  

[-HAWK-]

I am pretty sure the majority of the spawn is over.

Agreed, your a little too late for that.

[George Welcome]

Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from December through May, but usually begins in February and March in most of Florida when water temperatures reach 58 to 65 degrees and continues as temperatures rise into the 70s.

What I fail to understand with this post is the possible reasons for not asking the guy that your group will be paying to fish with. Don't you think that your parties "guide" would be the best equipped to answer these questions?

[Ifish4keeps]

yeah, i have emailed him and he hasnt gotten back yet, thats why i went to the forums

[George Welcome]

If your group has e-mailed a booked "guide" and that "guide" fails to get back to you, then you need to find another "guide". I would think that his "guiding" skills are probably even less than his communication skills.

[South FLA]

Ifishforkeeps,

Not to toot Mr. Welcomes horn, but the gentleman is a great guide, knows what he is doing and will put you on fish, he even helped me get on fish and I was on my own boat.  If your schedule allows it go to Fellsmere and fish with him.

If your fishing the Big O and are committed I had good success with Steve Daniels, not sure if he is still guiding, but he was clear and a great guide.