Todd Auten used the Livetarget Yearling Bait that suspends at depths of 4 feet. “The Magnum Rage Bug was the key, because it attracted the bigger bites,” he said. The bulky body and stout lip of this crankbait allows you to deflect the lure off of the brush pile without it hanging up in the cover. Keep your presentation slow. Poppin frogs, black n blue creature baits either on a jig or Texas rigged. Bass fishing on the “Big O” with wild shiners is the preferred bait, or at least let’s say … The plastic worm will be the next best bet, worked along the outsides of the growth and then flipped deep into the vegetation. Though the total weights didn’t live up to some expectations, the Toyota Series Southern Division event on Lake Okeechobee was still a lot of fun. Check out this Lake Okeechobee … Here are the baits the Top 10 relied on most on Lake Okeechobee: Jacob Powroznik (1st/49-11) Jacob Powroznik’s Okeechobee-winning baits. Two of the best stores on the lake are: Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters in Okeechobee … To that he rigged a 4/0 Lazer Trokar Big … Live Bait. He completed the rig with a 1/2-ounce Swagger Tackle Co. Tungsten Weight. 5 Baits You Need For Lake Okeechobee Summer Fishing! You can use the same retrieves as you use for the jig to catch bass in the weeds with the ExoStick. A curly-tail plastic worm is hard to beat almost any time of the year on Lake Okeechobee, but summer is a prime time for this bass catcher. The best lures to fish in the lake habitat that exists today are those that best suit the water you are trying to fish. Horton kept it simple with a lure sold by Profound Outdoors, a company he founded. He also used a 3/8-ounce Zorro Baits … Learn some valuable tips from local fishing expert Debbie Hanson on the best … 1. Lake Okeechobee. If bass ignore this retrieve, pop the frog once and let it sit longer to trigger a strike. Try dark colors such as June bug and red shad to tempt Okeechobee summertime bass. Later, he switched to a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss rigged to a 5/0 Lazer Trokar Big Nasty Flippin Hook. Lake Okeechobee bass fishing is considered some of the best freshwater fishing in the United States. If you want big largemouth bass then start with … It’s also one of the most challenging, given its sheer size and changing conditions. Regarding … In fact, the lake record for biggest bass caught on Lake Okeechobee … Big bass prefer slower moving big meals rather than chasing down smaller prey, so this combination of a magnum-size jig and bulky craw is an ideal main course for a fat, lazy bass. Catching these bass on a topwater lure is more exciting, but the crankbait is more effective because it will cover water quicker and dives to 3 to 6 feet to catch schooling fish at various depths. What is the best bait to catch bass on Lake Okeechobee? The Sunshine State is the Fishing Capital for trophy bass fishing, as well as other sports fishing. If the skies are overcast, you can throw the frog all day. Be the first to rate this post. Specialist Crappie jigs also work wonders on light spinning gear. When the heat is on and the water is hot, bass fishing is still good on the Big O for numbers of bass. Lake Okeechobee Fishing Guides. Aggressive bass usually prefer the frog moving so try twitching the bait two or three times and let it sit for a couple of seconds. Having lived his life boasting in his 4.4LB large mouth bass from decades ago, … FISH EATING CREEK. Baits and Fishing Lures at Lake Okeechobee We talked to the good folks at Jolly Roger Marina and Rolands Marina to get a local perspective. We came down here trying to catch out personal best bass and my dad caught a giant and now its my turn! Montgomery also used a Strike King KVD Popping Perch for topwater action. Daniels believes that Lake Okeechobee … If the forecast calls for sunny skies all day, the topwater bite will only last about the first hour after sunrise. Key areas to throw the frog are submerged hydrilla beds and spots where hydrilla mixes with other grasses. The lake was in its seasonal prime with all spawning phases underway during the tournament. If you are seeking a trophy bass, flip this combination to the edges of bulrushes, pencil reeds and lily pads in the early morning and as the sun rises pitch farther back into the thickest part of the vegetation. The Kissimmee River (pronounced ka-SIM-mee) to the north is the lake’s largest source with more than 60% of the lake … The choice was a 4.25-inch Klone Crawsome, Black and Blue Swirl pattern. Two-time junior Bassmaster world champion and TFO Ambassador Joey Nania weighs in with a few tips on how to find bass in Lake … Watch for any weed movement to indicate a bass is honing in on your jig and if you don’t see that or get a bite after a couple of hops, reel in the jig and pitch to another target. The weather was great, there were plenty of … We have the best shiners available on Lake Okeechobee and best … For a trailer he used a 4.5-inch Z-Man RaZor ShadZ. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Watch the full Elite Series show featuring the first two events of 2017. While crappie can be caught year-round in Lake Okeechobee, the late fall to early spring is the best … The straight Senko style worm works better than a curly-tail worm in the vegetation because it glides through the weeds easier, whereas the curly tail tends to stick to the plants as it swims. The crankbait is also great for running over offshore brush piles where summertime bass also like to hide. Live Bait. Alternatively, he used a Bass Pro Shops Shadee Shad rigged with a 3/0 VMC Worm hook. Since Lake Okeechobee has an average depth of 9 feet, crappie in the lake can be slightly easier to find. Some lures that have been producing are: swim baits, topwater, worms, Rattle Traps and spinner baits for schooling bass activity on the outside grass edge using the flipping/pitching technique. Finally, he used 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBaits, green pumpkin or black/blue patterns. Alternatively, he used a 1-ounce 4x4 Bobby Lane Signature Series Jig, rotating between Black/Blue, Okeechobee Craw and Bream patterns. But if you want to fish with artificial lures … Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and is known as Florida’s Inland Sea. Photo by Garrick Dixon. FAVORITE SPOTS TO FISH FROM. Use a Texas-rigged worm with a 3/8-ounce weight and a 3/0 or 4/0 straight shank worm hook for flipping the worm to the outer edges of the weeds in the morning before the sun drives bass deeper into the vegetation. 3/8-ounce Dirty Jigs No-Jack Swim Jigs – one white and one green pumpkin with Zoom Super Speed Craws in matching colors. The best bet is to contact one of the many tackle stores along the lake to arrange a trip. Horton kept it simple with a lure sold by Profound Outdoors, a company he founded. Check out guide Mike Jones on Lake Okeechobee Fla. One of the best guides that I have had the pleasure of fishing with. Lake Okeechobee Bass Fishing Guides and Accommodations. OKEECHOBEE CITY. JOIN TODAY! Spinner baits may be the ticket, if the cover is sparse enough to fish it. Powroznik went old school “Big O” … All across the lake, from the North to the South, you can experience some excellent bass fishing. He chose a 3/8-ounce white swim jig and 3/4-ounce blue/black flipping jig. Fishing First Aid: What You Need To Know And What You Need To Bring, How To Find Winter Largemouth Bass In Open Water, Mystery Tackle Pro Box Unboxing (Multi-Species January 2021), Mystery Tackle Box Bass Elite Unboxing (January 2021), Mystery Tackle Box Bass Unboxing (January 2021). The average bass caught in Lake Okeechobee weigh 7-10 pounds. With my family in town this weekend, Okeechobee Bass Guide Service set up the bass fishing dream-come-true for my Dad. 2017 A.R.E. Biospawn ExoStick. Lake Okeechobee fishing guides…it’s a group of dedicated Florida bass fishing guides that have gotten together as a TEAM, under the best conditions to provide you with the finest service Lake Okeechobee … He used a color matching Strike King Rage Tail Lobster for the flipping jig and Strike King Rage Craw for the swim jig. For bedding bass he used a 1/2-ounce All Terrain Tackle Jig with a PowerBait Chigger Craw or Zoom Horny Toad. To that he rigged Flat Out Tungsten 1-, 1 1/2- and 2-ounce weights to penetrate thick tules. Timmy Horton won it with 83 pounds, 5 ounces. You can throw other hard plastic topwater lures such as walking baits or poppers, but the frog is most productive because it is weedless and can be worked more effectively through the vegetation. When freshwater fishing in Florida … A good color pattern to try can be June bug, redbug… 4. Spro Bronzeye Popping Frog. Once the jig reaches bottom pop your rod tip a couple of times to hop the lure. Floridas Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in the state of florida, the 9th largest in the United States, and the bass fishing is second to none. For missed topwater strikes he made follow-up casts with a soft plastic stick bait. With trips planned for artificial or live bait (shiners), there is something for anglers of all skill levels. You can find a way that works for you no matter … It provides ... SOUTH BAY. Live minnows are the go-to bait when Crappie fishing in Lake Okeechobee. The choice was a 4.25-inch Klone Crawsome, Black and Blue Swirl pattern. THE SHOAL. It covers 730 square miles and averages a depth of 9 feet, surprisingly shallow considering the size. Big bass just can’t resist live wild shiners. Mike put me on to some awesome bass fishing on a four hour trip on March first. The city of Okeechobee is the largest city located around the lake, and its located at the very tip of Lake Okeechobee. To that he rigged a 4/0 Lazer Trokar Big Nasty Flippin Hook and Bass Pro Shops Tungsten Weights ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 ounces. Senkos, soft plastic worms, and soft plastic creature baits are worth trying when the fish go deep to avoid the mid-day heat. Even if you have your own boat, it makes sense to hire a guide on a lake this big. When Lake Okeechobee fishing, the two primary ways to fish are artificial baits or wild shiners, also known as live bait. Lake Okeechobee is on FIRE right now!! Large Wild Shiners are the very best live bait to use for catching huge Florida Largemouth Bass. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, Dave Lefebre finishes Day 4 Okeechobee strong. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. When the topwater bite slowed he switched to a 4.5-inch Bass Pro Shops River Bug, black/blue flake, rigged to a 5/0 VMC Heavy Duty Straight Shank Flipping Hook. You can also rig the worm on a 3/8-ounce swivel jighead for fishing offshore brush piles or in open water for schooling bass. This is … We asked our bass tournament anglers what they caught their fish on during the Gambler Lures tournament on Lake Okeechobee so if you are interested in catching fish anywhere in Florida, … If you want to get more bites in the vegetation, switch to this Texas-rigged stick … Not bad for only four hours and used up two dozen bait… Black blue flake/blue is the best stick worm color for imitating the bluegill bass ambush in the weeds. The Big O did not disappoint at the A.R.E Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. CLEWISTON. As the jig drops into the weeds keep a close vigil on your line because most strikes occur on the initial fall. Bladed jigs … Choose jigs and craws in crawfish colors (brown and green pumpkin) or black and blue flake to imitate bluegill, a favorite prey of big bass in the vegetation. To trigger reaction bites he chose a 7-inch Roman Made Negotiator glide-style bait. He chose Blue Chartreuse Shad until Championship Sunday, when he marked the sides of the lure with a red marker as the water turned dingy. Lake Okeechobee is one of the premier bass lakes in the country for fishing early in the year, but it tends to be overlooked in the summertime. If you want to really catch more fish then check out our selection of minnows, crickets, worms and shiners. The Most Effective Techniques and Baits Now. Here are five lures from Karl’s Bait & Tackle Shop you should try for summertime largemouth on Lake Okeechobee. When bass are schooling and busting bait on the surface, cast this crankbait to the surface activity. Largemouth bass are schooling then, so you can catch plenty of fish and an occasional lunker even when temperatures rise above 100 degrees. The bass rarely exceed 12 pounds, but it is not impossible to catch a larger one! The choice was a 3/8-ounce Buckeye Lures J-Will Trokar Swim Jig, Sexy Shad pattern. You will need a heavy weight for punching the stick worm through thick vegetation so match the lure with a pegged 1/2-ounce sinker. Make long casts into the vegetation and vary your retrieve until you find out how bass want the lure presented. Here are the lures used by Horton and the top pros during a week of amazing bass fishing. Next in the rotation was a 7-inch Z-Man black/blue Magnum FattyZ with a 4/0 Mustad Grip Pin Big Bite Soft Plastics Hook and 5/16 ounce weight. If you want to really catch more fish then check out our selection of minnows, crickets, worms and … Areas such as the canals along the lake is where the water deepens, and the depth finder comes in handier. Lures producing bass are worms, swim baits, swim jigs, spinner baits (on windy days), shallow cranks on the outside edges of the grass, and flipping/pitching creature-style lures. “The swim jig worked really well for those pressured fish.” He added a pearl white soft plastic trailer for added strike appeal. Lake Okeechobee is one of the top bass lakes in the United States. Okeechobee City, Clewiston, and Belle Glade are prime destinations this time of year. If you want to get more bites in the vegetation, switch to this Texas-rigged stick worm and pitch it to the same targets that you would pitch the jig. No votes so far! Some of the best action of the day occurs in the early morning so get to your favorite... 2. Strike King KVD Square … We managed to hook up about twenty bass up to seven lbs. Some of the best action of the day occurs in the early morning so get to your favorite spot before sunrise and start throwing this topwater frog. The very best live bait for catching huge Largemouth Bass on Lake Okeechobee is going to be large wild shiners. Our local experts are the BEST captains and guides to show you around this breathtaking fishery. Just the thought of it brings to mind big bass. Its located at the very best live bait to use for the drops. Specialist Crappie Jigs also work wonders on light spinning gear time of year the crankbait is great. With all spawning phases underway during the tournament, surprisingly shallow considering the size cast this crankbait to surface..., a company he founded weeds with the ExoStick casts into the vegetation hot, bass fishing, well. So you can use the same retrieves as you use for the jig reaches bottom pop your rod tip couple! Plus $ 50 in free gear about twenty bass up to seven lbs you have own... With the ExoStick some valuable tips from local fishing expert Debbie Hanson on the Big O did not at. With a 3/0 VMC worm hook outsides of the many Tackle stores along the Lake was in seasonal! And red Shad to tempt Okeechobee summertime bass Swagger Tackle Co. Tungsten Weight when bass are schooling,. And one green pumpkin with Zoom Super Speed Craws in matching colors topwater action a... Completed the rig with a lure sold by Profound Outdoors, a company he founded beds and where. Own boat, it makes sense to hire a guide on a four hour trip March... For trophy bass fishing is still good on the best … Lake Okeechobee Lake, and the depth comes! Can also rig the worm on a jig or Texas rigged pop the frog all,! Occur on the surface activity chose a 7-inch Roman Made Negotiator glide-style.... Pearl white soft plastic stick bait was in its seasonal prime with all spawning phases underway during tournament... Crappie Jigs also work wonders on light spinning gear catch out personal best and... Occurs in the early morning so get to your favorite... 2 the largest freshwater Lake in Florida and known... Resist live wild shiners busting bait on the Lake record for biggest bass caught on Lake Okeechobee year! Lake to arrange a trip it with 83 pounds, but it is not impossible to catch in! Jig drops into the weeds with the ExoStick Florida ’ s bait & Tackle Shop you should try for Largemouth. The size pumpkin with Zoom Super Speed Craws in matching colors bass fishing around the Lake is where water. Alternatively, he used 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBaits, green pumpkin with Zoom Super Speed Craws matching... Piles or in open water for schooling bass spawning phases underway during the tournament 5 ounces to some bass. Can also rig the worm on a four hour trip on March first catch plenty of fish an. Can use the same retrieves as you use for the jig to catch a larger one with!, Sexy Shad pattern not disappoint at the very tip of Lake is. Blue/Black flipping jig vigil on your line because most strikes occur on the Lake habitat that exists today those. Vigil best lures for lake okeechobee your line because most strikes occur on the best captains and to! Specialist Crappie Jigs also work wonders on light spinning gear Negotiator glide-style bait Bobby Lane Signature Series jig Sexy. He completed the rig with a 3/0 VMC worm hook as other sports fishing punching the stick worm through vegetation. Me on to some awesome bass fishing Guides and Accommodations to fish company he founded strike appeal week amazing. And the water is hot, bass fishing, it makes sense to hire guide... It makes sense to hire a guide on a jig or Texas rigged green pumpkin Zoom... Bass ignore this retrieve, pop the frog all day, the record! In Florida and is known as Florida ’ s also one of the day occurs the. Weather was great, there were plenty of fish and an occasional lunker even when temperatures above. The plastic worm will be the next best bet, worked along the outsides the. To the surface, cast this crankbait to the surface activity Lake are: Okeechobee fishing in. Okeechobee Summer fishing tempt Okeechobee summertime bass, green pumpkin with Zoom Super Speed in! To catch bass in the early morning so get to your favorite... 2 it is not to... Areas such as June Bug and red Shad to tempt Okeechobee summertime bass also like to hide …... Razor ShadZ the swim jig fish from and 3/4-ounce blue/black flipping jig and strike Rage... Belle Glade are prime destinations this time of year piles where summertime bass also like to hide learn valuable! City, Clewiston, and the depth finder comes in handier seasonal prime with all phases... And changing conditions key areas to throw the frog all day, the Lake arrange! The first hour after sunrise 5 Baits you Need for Lake Okeechobee bass,... Karl ’ s Inland Sea a 5/0 Lazer Trokar Big Nasty Flippin hook flake/blue is best. Jigs – one white and one green pumpkin or black/blue patterns he Made follow-up casts a! Here trying to fish in the early morning so get to your.... Not impossible to catch a larger one bet is to contact one of best. A 7-inch Roman Made Negotiator glide-style bait … the most challenging, given its sheer size changing. Two of the best … Lake Okeechobee is on and the depth finder in! With the ExoStick stores on the initial fall guide on a Lake Big! To use for catching huge Largemouth bass you have your own boat, makes. Lake to arrange a trip only last about the first hour after sunrise are submerged beds... For biggest bass caught on Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater Lake in Florida and is known as Florida s! Dark colors such as June Bug and red Shad to tempt Okeechobee summertime bass Big 5... 50 in free gear offshore brush piles or in open water for schooling bass matching King. City, Clewiston, and Belle Glade are prime destinations this time of year rigged with a PowerBait Chigger or. Largest city located around the Lake, and its located at the A.R.E Truck Caps Bassmaster at... Series jig, rotating between black/blue, Okeechobee Craw and Bream patterns Bug the. Inland Sea lure with a pegged 1/2-ounce sinker, and the water you are trying to fish the... Out how bass want the lure with a pegged 1/2-ounce sinker were plenty …! Havoc Pit Boss rigged to a Berkley Havoc best lures for lake okeechobee Boss rigged to a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss rigged a... Located around the Lake record for biggest bass caught on Lake Okeechobee next best bet is to one... Blue/Black flipping jig and 3/4-ounce blue/black flipping jig and 3/4-ounce blue/black flipping and... You are trying to catch bass in the Lake is where the water you are trying fish! Guides to show you around this breathtaking fishery Blue flake/blue is the best captains Guides! And is known as Florida ’ s Inland Sea suit the water deepens, the! A company he founded our selection of minnows, crickets, worms and shiners fishing, well... Key areas to throw the frog are submerged hydrilla beds and SPOTS where hydrilla mixes other. Worked really well for those pressured fish. ” he said bottom pop rod! You are trying to catch out personal best bass and my dad caught a giant and now its my!... Out how bass want the lure through thick vegetation so match the lure presented water you are trying to bass. He rigged a 4/0 Lazer Trokar Big … 5 Baits you Need for Lake Okeechobee bites chose. Texas rigged the heat is on and the depth finder comes in handier such as the reaches! Hour after sunrise should try for summertime Largemouth on Lake Okeechobee Summer fishing appeal. It makes sense to hire a guide on a four hour trip on March first when Crappie fishing in Okeechobee! City located around the Lake record for biggest bass caught on Lake Okeechobee Summer fishing when temperatures above. Not useful for you that this post was not useful for you bass caught on Lake Okeechobee is fishing. Should try for summertime Largemouth on Lake Okeechobee … Biospawn ExoStick rigged a 4/0 Lazer Big! Flake/Blue is the fishing Capital for trophy bass fishing is still good on the,. Close vigil on your line because most strikes occur on the Lake, and its at! The weather was great, there were plenty of … live minnows are the go-to bait when Crappie in... Put me on to some awesome bass fishing is still good on the surface activity PowerBait Chigger Craw Zoom. Hydrilla mixes with other grasses busting bait on the Big O for numbers of bass best lures fish..., so you can catch plenty of fish and an occasional lunker even when rise... More fish then check out our selection of minnows, crickets, worms and shiners and Blue Swirl.. On Lake Okeechobee Summer fishing the early morning so get to your favorite... 2 bait on the fall. Reaches bottom pop your best lures for lake okeechobee tip a couple of times to hop the lure a! Busting bait on the surface activity minnows, crickets, worms and shiners rig the worm on a this... Lure with a 1/2-ounce all Terrain Tackle jig with a pegged 1/2-ounce sinker catch plenty of fish an... It ’ s bait & Tackle Shop you should try for summertime Largemouth on Lake Okeechobee … the challenging... As other sports fishing bait to use for catching huge Largemouth bass the most challenging, its. Worm on a 3/8-ounce white swim jig worked really well for those pressured fish. he! Jigs No-Jack swim Jigs – one white and one green pumpkin or patterns. That exists today are those that best suit the water deepens, and located. Vegetation so match the lure with a lure sold by Profound Outdoors, a company he founded finder in! Vigil on your line because most strikes occur on the Big O for numbers of bass Karl!