The great fishing continues on Lake Okeechobee. The big lake has been on an upward swing for several years now and just keeps getting better. Last year we caught record numbers of big bass as well as huge daily catch numbers. e lake level has not had highs above 14 feet for several years now and each winter we have seen low levels around 11 feet or lower. The somewhat stable low water periods have led to numerous great spawns that have exploded the fish populations of every species in the lake.
In the past we have experienced many great years of pan fishing. this year has provided some of the best summertime catches of shellcracker I can ever remember. Of course the big blue gill are caught in the same areas as the shellcracker, but anyone that has eaten freshly caught and fried shellcracker filets knows exactly what I am alluding to. The tremendous run of shellcracker started on the full moon in April and has continued on each moon phase up through August. How long it can and will continue remains to be seen. With the water level in the 11 to 12 foot range, the pan fish stayed mostly to the outside edges of the vegetation, some even fanning spawning beds well out into the lake, where the water is still only 2 to 3 feet. The primary baits have been grass shrimp, red worms and crickets. Many anglers target and catch large numbers of bluegill on a fly rod and popping bug when they are in such shallow water.
Bass fishing tournament anglers have found that it takes 5 bass that weigh 25 to 30 pounds to win a tournament on the lake. The numbers of quality sized bass in the 5 to 10 pound range in the lake right now are staggering, and these bass are growing each season getting bigger and fatter.
During the summer months we try to get onto the water before sunup, if possible, in order to take advantage of schooling action that takes place along the outside grass lines. Bass can be seen and heard blasting bait fish, such as shad and shiners, in the cover and sometimes well out into the lake. When they are schooling on bait, a spinner tossed well back into the grass and worked toward the outside edge can present heart stopping action. Some morning we catch 8 to 12 bass and the action ends quickly, other days we may catch 35 to 40 in the rst couple of hours. The catching can end in a second and the rhyme or reason eludes me but the sun rising higher into the sky is certainly one reason. Once they quit eating the spinner bait, we switch to soft plastics, flukes, speed worms and Senkos being a key part of our arsenal. Those anglers who want to target only large bass very often will opt to fl ip and pitch matted vegetation or thick clumps of bulrush with a creature style bait. There are many styles, configurations and colors of creature style baits, some use a jig with a trailer others uses a punch skirt and creature baits.
There really aren’t any secrets. The best anglers in the world are those who spend their time on the water constructively, dissecting depth and cover changes like a surgeon, taking advantage of every possible angle to get the most out of each area that may hold bass fish. Many amateurs, however, will stay in an area that is not producing for them, especially if they have caught bass there before; know when to move and be decisive about your game plan, all keys to success.
FORECAST BY:
Capt. Mike Shellen
Shellen Guide Service
Phone: (863) 357-0892
Email: sjmike7@aol.com
www.OkeechobeeBassFishing.com