Lake Okeechobee bass fishing has been off the hook the past month and as we move into January it should only get better. Bass in good numbers are being caught from the Kissimmee River to the south end of the lake and when you add in a few big bass over six pounds it makes for a great day of fishing. The lake level is at 13.55 feet above sea level and this water level is giving good access to most areas that we fish and also keeping the water pretty clear in most areas. We have hydrilla, eel grass and pepper grass growing everywhere and the bass are loving it.
We have already had a few bass moving in and spawning in December but January and February should be the months we see a lot of bass on the beds. My clients enjoyed a couple great days over the new years catching bass off the beds. But most of the bass are coming from traditional areas for this time of the year like the Monkey Box, East Wall, and the West Wall. Gambler Flapp’n Shad and Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers are accounting for most of the bass that my clients and I are catching. I’m fishing some pretty thick vegetation and this type of lure works best to cover a lot of water and get the kind of strike we are looking for. Everyone loves to catch bass on topwater and when you can do it all day long what could be better. My rig for fishing these baits consist of a heavy action Deep South rod that is 7’2” long and a new braided line that is made by Diamond Fishing Products that is awesome to say the least. This new Diamond Braid is round not flat like other braided line which allows this line to cast farther and not get pulled down in the spool like other braided lines, I’m not easily impressed with new product but this line is without a doubt the best new product I have seen in a long time. In areas that are a little open you can throw a 10” worm or Senko and catch some nice bass also but these areas are few and far in between. If you like to fish with wild shiners than now is the time to get out and look for areas next to reed heads and water hyacinth patches that have clean open water next to them and pitch some shiners in close to them. My clients have been catching some really nice bass on shiners and if you enjoy fishing this way now is the time to get to Lake Okeechobee for some great shiner fishing.
The crappie fishing here on the lake has been slow but with these cold fronts we have moving through the area there should be some moving in off of the open water. Now is a great time to book a guide trip on Lake Okeechobee and get out of the frigid cold north for a few days, we don’t have any snow for you to worry about shoveling here in South Florida. Just want to let everyone know that I will be guiding from Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys in June, July, and August this year for tarpon, bonefish and permit. Book a trip of a lifetime for bass or saltwater fishing with me this year and you won’t be disappointed.
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, 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
