We wanted water on the Big 'O' and now we have it, water level is at 14.60 feet above sea level and going up every day. The fishing has been really good, which is more than I expected with this water coming up so fast. Most of the bass that my clients and I have been catching are holding on the outside of the grass for the time being. The non aquatic grass that has been growing back in the areas that did not have any water in them for two years is now covered with water and dying off. This plant life that is dying off has made this water smell bad and lacks oxygen for fish and bait fish to live in for now. But as soon as this grass does die off the bass will be moving back into these areas and Lake Okeechobee will once again be the famous lake that people come from afar to catch trophy largemouth bass. For now you can catch bass on the outside of the grass from Kramer Island to the mouth of Cochran's Pass.
Some of the better areas this past week have been outside Coots Bay, East Wall, West Wall, and around Observation Island. I was really surprised at the number of bass that have moved in toward this grass so fast. You have to cover some water to catch the bass holding on this grass, you may catch two or three and than go a quarter of a mile down the grass line and catch four or five more. There is some areas along this grass line that have some eel grass growing in with the other grass and these spots seem to be the best. There is plenty of water to get around almost anywhere on the lake without fear of hitting the bottom with your motor or boat. If you haven't been out on the lake for awhile you will be in for a big surprise as there is water everywhere and nothing looks familiar any more.
A ten inch Lake Fork worm and a Snag-Proof Frog have been the best lures for the past couple weeks. For worm fishing along the outside grass thirty pound test PowerPro line would be my choice but if you prefer twenty pound test fluorocarbon will also work. I prefer braided line once we start fishing in the grass like we are now and PowerPro is my choice for braided line. For fishing the Snag-Proof Frog I would suggest fifty pound test PowerPro line, the best colors in the frog seem to be black. The worms that I use from Lake Fork Trophy Lures are a ten inch ribbon tailed worm and I use the junebug and blue bruiser color most of the time. I also did catch a few bass on a shakey head rig on the outside of the grass line. I was using the new worm from Lake Fork Trophy Lures called a Hyper Finesse worm on my shakey head and I'm really impressed with the action of this worm. The Snag-Proof Frog that I have been using is the Bobby's Perfect Frog in black color, fished on a Deep South 7'2' heavy frog rod. This rod has a heavy backbone for getting bass out of the heavy cover and is 7'2' long for making long casts back into the grass. The new line of Deep South Rods are a great rod for beginners to seasoned pros and everyone in between, and are offer in spinning, baitcasting, and specific technique rods. If you have any questions about the line of Deep South Rods give me a call and I can let you know all about them.