[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith Lake Okeechobee hovering around the 12.5 feet above sea level range, bass fishing has been excellent. Early morning action is as good as it gets. Spinner baits, top water, and swim jigs have produced very good catches. Bass are feeding on shad schools on the outside edges of the reeds and Kissimmee grass as the sun rises. This lasts for about an hour or two depending on how much cloud cover you have first thing in the morning. As the sun rises and the outside slows down, pick up a jig and start pitching the bull reeds. Shiner fishing is hot as well, catches of 50 to 80 fish a day are not uncommon, half-day trips have catches of 25 to 40 per morning, with fish ranging up to 8-pounds. Remember that it is very important to start early, be at your fishing spot before the sun gets up, if you’re late you can miss the best part of your trip. This is the typical summer fishing pattern on the Big-O, it’s the same way year in and year out in the summer time. Tin House Cove, Kings Bar, and Grassy Island are your best bets. The same thing is happening at J&S and Henry Creek, stick to the outside edges and you will catch plenty.
Bluegills and shell crackers are going strong. Bluegill limits are being reported from Indian Prairie to the Kissimmee River. Be sure to pay attention to the full moon cycles, pan fish will move in ahead of the full and new moons to spawn. If the water is off color or too deep to see beds, learn to follow your nose. Bluegills and shell crackers will send out a musky smell that you can smell when moving around, if you pay attention you can follow your nose right to them. Ultra lite spinning gear with six-pound mono line, with a small split shot and a number 4 long shank bronze hook is all you need with a live bait. Cast to the middle of the bed and let it go to the bottom, slowly move your bait a foot at a time, letting it set for a few seconds, and it shouldn’t take long to get a bite. If you’re on a good bed of fish, you can limit out in an hour or two. Crickets, grass shrimp, and worms are all good bait for pan fish. Beetle spins and small jigs slowly pulled though the beds will also catch fish. Take advantage of the great pan fishing we have this time of the year, it only lasts for a few months so get them while you can.
Specks and catfish are being caught in the Kissimmee River and in the rim canal at J&S. Look for deeper water this time of year for the specks. The Kissimmee River Bridge is always a good place to start and always produces summer-time specks. Fish a minnow deep around the bridge and you should have success.
Don’t forget to stop by Garrard’s Bait and Tackle for all your fishing needs, live bait or artificial, plus rods, reels and tackle, they have it. Good fishin’!
