Lake Okeechobee

[eeb72]

I'll be in Florida the end of the month and plan on fishing Lake Okeechobee. Looks like we'll be staying at the Roland Martin Marina & Resort. I been to Florida a bunch of times now but never did any fishing so this trip will be to fish. What type of baits/colors work good on the lake? I plan on bringing some lures with me and wanted to get an idea of what will work so I don't have to bring a ton of stuff. Also will most likely be renting a boat for a day.

Appreciate and tips/info

Thanks, Ed

[bocabasser]

skinny dippers are hot on the lake now. colors i like to throw are watermelonseed, watermelon red, and most natural florida colors. if you are staying at roland martins, get a map of the lake and fish spots like observation shoal, coots bay, pelican bay and ask the guys at the tackle shop for other areas. the water level (as of yesterday) is 10.92 and dropping so be very careful when running the lake. there are some big fish being caught on the lake right now so you are coming at a good time. check out http://markkingfishing.com/lake_okeechobee_fishing_report.htm

his last couple of reports are spot on. hope this helps

[chobeegators]

Just got off the lake a few hours ago and heres what worked for us.  Zoom worms black and also red with green glitter.  Top water poppers as well.  Hope that helps you out.

[gar-tracker]

The lake is dropping faster then I can remember, its gone down a foot in a month. They are pumping like mad.

[South FLA]

The lake is dropping faster then I can remember, its gone down a foot in a month. They are pumping like mad.

Is it the drought? Is it pumping? Is it a combination? SWFMD can screw up an orgasm.  >

[GLADES]

Big Sugar is probably filling its canals to the brim before the water is too low for the pumps and flood control gates to supply.

I guess the SFWMD is scratching their heads about all the water they released in the ocean a couple of months ago.

[bocabasser]

The fact is, it's not SFWM, COE or Big Sugar's fault that we are in a drought. The big O is very shallow and highly not recommended for inexperienced anglers or anglers with little to no navigational experience. There are hundreds of places in Florida to catch lots of bass and big ones do to the low water that are much safer to navigate.

In most cases the marina's on Okeechobee will not let you take the rental boats out of the rim canal when the water is low, you may want to check on this! Also, if renting a boat, I would suggest jollyrogermarina.com over Rolands. They are right next to each other and are cheaper with newer boats!

Good luck and be safe!

actually it is sfwm that is moving the water. they are moving it through the caloosahatchee river to the west coast. the water levels on the west coast are dangerously close to salt water intrusion.

[gar-tracker]

The fact is, it's not SFWM, COE or Big Sugar's fault that we are in a drought. The big O is very shallow and highly not recommended for inexperienced anglers or anglers with little to no navigational experience. There are hundreds of places in Florida to catch lots of bass and big ones do to the low water that are much safer to navigate.

In most cases the marina's on Okeechobee will not let you take the rental boats out of the rim canal when the water is low, you may want to check on this! Also, if renting a boat, I would suggest jollyrogermarina.com over Rolands. They are right next to each other and are cheaper with newer boats!

Good luck and be safe!

For the most part you're correct. however they are pulse pumping out of the lake and have been for the past month, this along with the drought causes the low water. I am one of the few that don't complain the low water is beneficial to health of the lake and when the water returns, like it always does, we will continue to have one of the best fishery's in the country.

If the lake wasn't at the low level when hurricane Fay dumped 4 feet of water all over the state the lakes grass and flats would have been destroyed. I love the fishing when the lakes low, however I'm one of the handful of people who know the lake well enough to navigate it without destroying my lower unit,like mentioned above if you dont know the lake stay in the rim ditch.

Fishing has been Off The Charts!

[gar-tracker]

Great minds think alike.  

[South FLA]

The fact is, it's not SFWM, COE or Big Sugar's fault that we are in a drought. The big O is very shallow and highly not recommended for inexperienced anglers or anglers with little to no navigational experience. There are hundreds of places in Florida to catch lots of bass and big ones do to the low water that are much safer to navigate.

In most cases the marina's on Okeechobee will not let you take the rental boats out of the rim canal when the water is low, you may want to check on this! Also, if renting a boat, I would suggest jollyrogermarina.com over Rolands. They are right next to each other and are cheaper with newer boats!

Good luck and be safe!

For the most part you're correct. however they are pulse pumping out of the lake and have been for the past month, this along with the drought causes the low water. I am one of the few that don't complain the low water is beneficial to health of the lake and when the water returns, like it always does, we will continue to have one of the best fishery's in the country.

If the lake wasn't at the low level when hurricane Fay dumped 4 feet of water all over the state the lakes grass and flats would have been destroyed. I love the fishing when the lakes low, however I'm one of the handful of people who know the lake well enough to navigate it without destroying my lower unit,like mentioned above if you dont know the lake stay in the rim ditch.

Fishing has been Off The Charts!

You can always be one of those that is not in the handful of people and buy an AIRBOAT!