Lake Okeechobee is back, we have water and we have bass and I mean a lot of both. The lake level is up over thirteen feet and rising everyday as the rain keeps dumping on south Florida, not that we are complaining. The bass have positioned themselves on the outside grass line almost everywhere on the lake that the water is good and clean, but as the water continues to rise they will move back in the thick grass. My clients and I have enjoyed the past month catching good numbers of bass from two to eight pounds and it seems that they can be caught doing a number of different things. With the water level where it is right now the lake is pretty safe to run your boat anywhere from the grass line out and it won't be long and we will be able to run back in the grass like we did last winter. My forecast for the rest of the summer is that the fishing here on Lake Okeechobee should be awesome and the fall and winter will be even better as long as South Florida Water and the Army Corp of Engineers leave the lake alone and let mother nature keep healing this wonderful fishery.
You don't need many lures to fish the lake right now, a 10" worm, Senko type bait, and a topwater lure is all that is needed. I have been starting the morning out with a Zara Super Spook or a baby Torpedo, but don't put these lures away after the sun gets up because you will be able to catch bass all day long on them. After the good morning bite on top water lures I switch to a 10" Gambler worm and a Gambler Ace. I have been fishing both of these lures on Gamma fluorocarbon line from twelve to twenty pound test, but as we move back into the grass farther I will use the twenty pound test exclusively. For rods I have been using a Deep South 7'2" medium heavy rod for the 10" worm and the Deep South "Mark King Shakey Head" rod to throw the Aces on. As far as colors you can't go wrong with junebug or green pumpkin. I have heard of fish being caught a variety of different lures from crankbaits to swimbaits to spinnerbaits but the lures listed above are what have been working best for my clients and me. If the water continues to rise it won't be long before we will be able to fish back in the grass like we did last winter so get the frogs, toads, and Skinny Dippers back out and get ready to fish in the thick stuff.
The key to fishing and catching bass right now on Okeechobee seems to be to target the outside grass line and any isolated grass or reed patches away from the grass line. The reeds seem to be better than the grass to catch bass but we one key factor to this fishing and that is the bluegill beds that are under the reeds and grass patches. A lot of the bluegill beds are empty and not being used but the bass are still hanging around. I have seen a lot of bass chasing bluegill around and even seen some bass coming clear out of the water to get a bluegill. The area that I would target is from the Bluehole to Pelican Bay, all of this area has been good. From Ritta Island to Clewiston has been an awesome area but very busy with other fishermen. The bluegill fishing is still good and a limit of big bluegill has not been to hard to come by, a Beetle Spin or a live cricket fished under a cork works great. Don't forget to drink lots of water while out on the water this summer and use a good quality sunscreen that you reapply often. Check out my new online store at www.markkingfishing.com for guide tested products that I use and keep an eye out for my new worm that will be out soon. Until next month tight lines and hope to see you on the water.
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
