Fall has finally come to Lake Okeechobee and South Florida even though it doesn’t feel like it with the record high temperatures we have been experiencing. The water has been cooling off almost every night and has started to get the bass more active and moving toward there winter spawning areas. My clients have been experiencing some days of great fishing along with a few slow days but one thing is for sure it continues to improve everyday. The lake level is at 14.45 feet above sea level which will allow you to get to almost any area that you might want to fish from Eagle Bay at the north end of the lake to Pelican Bay at the south end of the lake. And do we have ever have some great vegetation growing almost everywhere I look. There is eel grass, pepper grass, hydrilla, and even a lot of hyacinth mats for flipping that the Corp of Engineers has not sprayed and killed yet. Lake Okeechobee is in great shape with clear water, great plant life growing, and an abundance of bass and other fishing almost everywhere you look.
Now let’s talk about areas to fish, I have been spending a good bit of time with clients in the Monkey Box, the Bluehole, East Wall, and around Uncle Joe’s Cut. Some of the bass in these areas are small and in other areas there seem to be some real nice bass, and yes it does change daily as these bass are on the move looking for bait and on the move toward spawning areas. There has also been a good number of schooling bass and if you can get on them you will catch some good size bass and the action is fast and furious to say the least. As far as what baits to use it has been real simple lately, frogs, Skinny Dippers, and Senkos seem to be the bait of choice. A Gambler Cane Toad and a Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper rigged on a Deep South heavy action rod and fifty pound test PowerPro should catch you all the bass you want, but on those days when the wind just don’t seem to blow a Gambler Ace or a Senko rigged weightless will get the job done. The wind seems to be the real key and if there is even just a little wind than the fish will be biting good somewhere on the lake and on those days when there just doesn’t seem to be any wind try places like Uncle Joe’s cut with a Gambler Ace rigged weightless or a shakey head worm. There has also been a few bass on the outside grass line that can be caught with a white spinnerbait as long as the water color is not to muddy.
We are still catching some bluegills on both crickets fished under a cork and on Beetle Spins. The outlook for crappies looks good for this winter but we will just have to wait and see what size and how many crappie the lake will produce this year. I’m looking forward to a great year here on Lake Okeechobee this year and can’t wait for the weather to cool the water off just a little more. I’m running an October special here on Lake Okeechobee that includes a half day guide trip and a room at Roland Martin’s Marina and resort for two people for only $249.00. You will need to contact me directly to get this special offer. I hope to see you on the water and tight lines to all. Capt. Mark King
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, Sebile Lures, 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, Fuel Medic Ethanol Treatment, 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
Tags: Markking Fishing Bass Fishing
