Lake Okeechobee

Capt. Ron Stevens, Professional Guide
Submitted on June 29, 2009

The fishing continues to be fantastic on the big lake. The water is coming up, the level this morning was at 12.17. The water temperature is at 84.2, and goes up slightly with the warm sun during the day. I am still fishing the same areas that have been working, scattered eel grass patches off of the cattails. I have tried to move up into the heavier cover during the day, and have caught some nice fish in there, but the majority of the fish we are catching have been off in the scattered grass. I have also found that in areas where the bluegill beds are heavier, there are more bass.
Any colors are working for me, as long as its watermelon!

We did have considerable action the other day on top water poppers. I like the "chug bugs", but not sure most wouldn't work. The day was pretty cloudy, and not much breeze, just a perfect day for the top water baits to work.

Artificial baits are still the top choice, but with the water levels coming up, we might give something else a try, just to see what happens. Pretty tough to give up things that are working though.

Capt. Ron Stevens
Sunrise Bass Fishing Charters
http://www.sunrisefishing.com

Fish for a trophy BASS of a lifetime on beautiful Lake Okeechobee in the warm Florida sun. Ron Stevens is an U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain who has guided for 20+ years. Ron is a full time professional guide and is also a Top 10 qualifier on the FLW Tour. Learn the latest and hottest tips using all new equipment. Click on our link above, or call us at (800) 236-8659

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Report submitted by Captain Mark King
June 11, 2009

As the water level rises on Lake Okeechobee the fishing continues to be great. The water level is up to 11.78 feet above sea level and still rising everyday as the rains continue to bring water to our lake. With the water rising the bass have moved back in toward shallow water instead of heading for deep water as is the norm for summer time bass here on Lake Okeechobee. Most of the lake has very clear water even with the inflow of the dirty water coming in from the farms surrounding the lake.

Drew Smith from Ohio

The bass have been hitting a variety of lures from lipless crankbaits to worms; it all depends on the area that you are fishing and the cover in that area. I have been catching bass on Zara Spooks, Lake Fork “Live” Magic Shad swim baits, Gambler Super Studs, Azuma Wake-Z wake baits, and the Shaker-Z lipless crankbait made by Azuma. The bass have been hanging around the bluegill beds and moving baits especially in a bluegill pattern has been the ticket to catch these bass. A Senko rigged weightless has also been good when the wind just does not seem to want to blow. The Azuma Wake-Z in the bluegill pattern has been accounting for a good number of the bass my clients and I have been catching, this bait swims on the surface to one foot deep depending on the retrieve and will not roll over like most wake baits. The Azuma line of baits are new and have all had a lot of research put into the baits before ever being introduced to the public and did I mention the finish is second to none and with every color and pattern you could want, check them out at www.fishazuma.com

Bass are being caught in a lot of areas right now from up on the North Shore, the shoal above Uncle Joes Cut, Coots Bay, around Ritta and Kramer Islands, and even in some of the dynamite holes. With the water rising daily the bass seem to be moving almost as fast, but the one thing to key on this time of the year are active bluegill beds. The areas I have list above all have bluegill beds you just have to find ones with bluegill on them. As far as the water level being safe to run your boat it seems to be good in most areas, but if you do not feel safe to run into these areas DON’T idle in until you know how much water depth there is. In some areas the bass are in the eel grass and some areas they are around pencil reeds but one thing for sure they are all looking for something to eat. Soft plastics like the Gambler Super Stud in watermelon-red and 10” worms seem to work best on days when the wind is calm and there doesn’t seem to be much activity.

The bluegill fishing has been awesome here on the lake and catching a limit of nice sized bluegill on either a Beetle Spin or crickets doesn’t seem to be a problem. I have also been doing a few saltwater trips and the tarpon, trout, redfish, and snook are ready to eat that’s for sure. Anyone wanting to book a trip for bass, bluegill or some saltwater action can contact me at 863-983-9950 or through my website at www.markkingfishing.com 

Captain Mark King is a full time guide and tournament angler guiding out of the world famous Roland Martin’s Marina and Resort in Clewiston Florida. Mark is an IGFA Certified Captain, active member of the Florida Guide Association and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Captain Mark is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Deep South Rods, Azuma Baits, Power-Pole, Lake Fork Trophy Lures, Minn Kota trolling motors, Gambler Lures, AFTCO clothing, Van Staal pliers, Smartshield Sun Protection Products, Northlake Marine, RMR Industries and Frigid Rigid coolers.

Mark can be contacted to book a guide trip, seminars, personal appearances, test rides in his Evinrude powered Ranger or to fish a tournament with him at 863-983-9950 or at www.markkingfishing.com and be sure and check out www.mybassclass.com

 

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