Lake Okeechobee is alive and well. Water levels are rising and that is a good thing, but what’s even better is that it is rising slowly. This helps the vegetation to keep up with the water as it rises and doesn’t die off because of higher water. Another good thing with slower rising water is it gets a chance to mix in good with the water that is already in the lake, this helps keep oxygen levels strong and fish feeding.
Right now we are still in a summer pattern, start early on the outside edges with a spinner bait or top water, but start paying attention to the spawning areas on the lake. The first signs of spawning fish starts in October, and a good place to start looking is on the Henry Creek side of the lake, this is where they show up first just about every year. From there start looking towards Eagle Bay as fall moves in. Look for grass such as hydrillia, pepper grass and ell grass as fall temperatures start to come down, this is probably your best bet to locate fish that are spawning. Remember to practice catch and release when catching spawning fish, they are our future. Tin House Cove, Indian Prairie and Kings Bar have been producing good catches as of late on skinny dippers and swimming jigs. The morning bite has been best, but if you can get on the lake late in the afternoon without getting run off by a thunderstorm, it can be just as productive. Shiner fishing has been steady with catches on half day trips up to 40 bass a morning, with a few fish up to the 8 pound range, Bluegills and shell crackers are still being caught in Tin House Cove and on Third Point. Get them while you can because they are on the way out. Grass shrimp and crickets work best. A few specks are being caught in the Kissimmee River around the weir up river. Try a minnow down about 10 feet on the edge of the current and you should catch a nice mess for dinner. As fall gets closer, specks will start showing up in the grass out in the lake, so get your jig poles ready, they will be here before you know it.
Remember to stop by Garrard’s Bait and Tackle for all your fishing needs, artificial or live bait, they have it.
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