FISHING REPORT OVERVIEW
Surf’s up dude! As writing this week’s Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report, I’m back at the Atlantic Coast to bring home a Snook or two for a Holiday appetizer and the wind and surf have been strong these past few days. This makes offshore fishing out of bounds but the inlets have been stacked with Snook. When the wind blows like this, steady 20-25mph, whether on the east coast or back at the lake, local knowledge is the key to successful fishing. Under these conditions certain areas become void of fish and in other areas the big fish become aggressive. Generally look for places that provide shelter from the rough water but act as a funnel for bait fish and other food being stirred up by the wind and currents. If fishing for bass in wind driven water, chose a lure than makes noise or creates a disturbance, for stirred up water limits the ability of the fish to see and they’ll be reacting to noise and vibrations.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
The cool front that came through last weekend ready hasn’t left us which is evident by the strong winds. Winds will remain high this weekend though the northern part of the area around Avon Park and Sebring will see the winds lie down at night. So get out early before they pick-up to 15+ mph. The south end of Lake Okeechobee like Clewiston and Belle Glade will have slightly stronger winds and steady 10-mph winds at night. Temperature-wise we expect lows into the mid 60’s in the morning and mid to upper 70’s during the day. Days will be mostly sunny with a possible shower on the stiff breeze. The barometer is falling all through the weekend and will bottom out when rain approaches the area on Monday. On Friday the Morning Major will be around 6:31 am while the Evening Major is around 12:17 pm. Add 1-hour per day for the following day’s Majors. If you can handle the wind and some chop on the lake, it should be a great weekend for fishing. The moon is coming off a full-moon so fish will be active and the extra light comes in handy when Snook fishing at 1:00am in the morning.
WATER LEVELS
Lake Okeechobee: 14.40-ft ASL, ↑ 0.13-ft, Surface Temp 73.1°
Lake Istokpoga: 39.40-ft ASL, ↑ 0.12-ft
Arbuckle Creek @ DeSoto: 4.02-ft, ↑ 0.25-ft
Fisheating Creek @ US 27: 3.87-ft, ↑ 1.62-ft
Peace River @ Zolfo Springs: 8.83-ft ↑ 3.01-ft
Kissimmee River, Lock S-65E, 20.65-ft Head, 14.37-ft Tail, 1500 CFS
St Lucie River Lock: Head 14.13-ft, Tail 1.92-ft, Flow 50 CFS
Port Mayaca Lock: Head 14.37-ft, Tail 14.03-ft, Flow 0 CFS
Caloosahatchee River
Moore Haven Locks: Head 14.41-ft, Tail 10.95-ft, Flow 0-CFS
Ortona Locks: Head 10.81-ft, Tail 2.99-ft, Flow 388 CFS
W.P. Franklin Lock; Head 3.19-ft, Tail 1.30-ft, Flow 729 CFS
LAKE OKEECHOBEE SOUTH END
Slim’s Fish Camp, Belle Glade; 561-996-3844: The winds have kept many anglers off the lake. Those venturing out and staying protected in the shoreline vegetation are finding some nice sized bass. Shiners are producing the best results. Speck fishing has been limited due to the winds.
Roland Martin Marine Center, Clewiston; 863-983-2128: Larger females are appearing on the beds. The fish seem to be responding to the cooler water temperatures. Getting out early to beat the winds seems to be the trick. Shiner fishing is remaining strong though some plastics are working. This week soft plastic flukes have been very active. Typical colors like watermelon seem to be the favorite.
The Bait Shop at Harney Pond, Lakeport; 863-946-0170: The Bait Shop at Harney Pond reports an up and down week. As the winds shifted so did the bite. Specks are being taken near Bird Island and the Monkey Box with chartreuse jigs being favored in the day and minnows at night. With the shifting wind, look for areas of clear water. The bass bite has seen more fluctuations then the Specks. Bass size still remains light though a few 7-8-pounders are showing up. Just a reminder, it’s duck season so there are a lot of duck hunters out there, so ‘Mind The Gap.’ The duck hunters are blinded in and are not moving so you need to make sure you have enough distance between you and their falling pellets. Also remember that pellets travel farther with the wind.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE NORTH END
Garrard’s Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-763-3416: The north end of the lake is where the action is at the moment. The bass bite is on both shiners and artificials though much stronger on wild shiners. Search out clear water and submersed grass beds and beginning looking inside for the bass beds. Speck fishing remains steady from Indian Prairie and Horse Island areas. Minnows and chartreuse jigs remain the staples for bait.
No Bad Daze Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-484-8126: No report this week but being on the north end of the lake, it should have been an improving week.
HIGHLANDS COUNTY
Admiral’s Cove, Lake Placid; 863-465-0982: Once again mixed results this week though this could be attributed to the arrival of our snowbirds. The new arrivals may skew the numbers a bit since one would think local regulars would have a better chance at adjusting to the changing weather than the snowbirds. The deeper lakes are still producing some quality bass and specks when conditions are right.
Performance Marine Bait & Tackle, Lake Placid; Rain and cooling temperatures had the fish in a holding pattern for a few days but they are on the move again. Big bass are holding to bottom structure in the deeper lakes and top water plugs and frogs are still producing in the mornings and at sunset.
Lorida Bait & Tackle, Lorida; 863-655-2323: Lake Istokpoga has seen light action due to the windy conditions. Those venturing out are finding bass and specks of nice size. Recent rains have cooled the water temperature which should improve the bite.
Tale Tales Bait & Tackle, Avon Park; 863-452-2248: Rob reports less activity this past week with bass fishermen showing up in less numbers. Those that are showing up have been working the leeward sides of the local lakes to stay out of the wind. Speck fishing seems to be strong in the lakes in Sebring, Lake June’s name pops up frequently among the better lakes.
CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER
Miller Bait & Tackle, LaBelle; 863-342-8264: Recent rains have brought increased flow to the river and with it an improved bite. Ortona Lock has had some nice flows and the Snook bite has been steady. With tributary streams having increased flow the bass have responded and became more active. Fishing the oxbows keeps you out of the wind and onto the fish.
FISHING REPORT SUMMARY
Once again another weekend with windy conditions and a falling barometer. Get used to it for fall is finally here. Cooling water temperatures will get the bass moving onto the beds so get out there and catch ya-self some.
Quick story and picture from a reader. A group of Kentucky Bluegrass Boys picked up a charter with Capt Jason Young out of Okeechobee and while shiner fishing for bass in the northwest part of the Lake Okeechobee they ended up landing a 12-lb tarpon. They were down to their last two shiners when the fish hit Jim’s shiner and broke off his 50-lb test line. Then the tarpon came back around and hammer Scott’s shiner and the fight was on. After several acrobatic jumps, the tarpon was finally landed. Stay tuned. I hope to get more information for the January issue of Coastal Angler: Okeechobee.
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