Friday, June 8, 2012

All About Lake Okeechobee Fishing

By Chloe Gib


Lake Okeechobee, known as the largest mass of freshwater in Florida, covers approximately 730 square miles. That would be the same as half of the size of Rhode Island. On average, it is only 9 feet deep, which is fairly shallow for a mass of water this size, making it a super spot for Lake Okeechobee fishing. Locals refer to it as either, The Big O or The Lake, and the majority of the water fed into it comes from the Kissimmee River.

The Big O is accessible from all popular visitor destinations. These Florida fishing resorts are a popular location for freshwater angling, and are well known for having the best locations anywhere for catching Largemouth Bass. Other fish that can be caught are Bluegills, Shell-crackers, Crappies and Pickerels.

There are many resorts around, offering ideal spots for catching the Largemouth Bass. It is preferable to book a local guide, as they are familiar with the conditions, and where to find the best fish. This will help to ensure that your trip will be a memorable one.

For the greater part people come to fish for bass and these can be caught using either man made lures or live baits. Largemouth Bass are relatively simple to identify, mainly olive green in color, there are dark splotches which form a stripe along either side. The top jaw line extends past the eye socket area, as a general rule the females are larger than the males.

Crappies are also called Speckled Perch, or Specks, as they are known to the locals. They make for a good meal when they are fried in a pan. They can be hooked at anytime during the year, but the ideal time is probably between late fall and early spring. Daily catch limits are in place, so make sure that you confirm with your guide.

The Bluegills will give you a challenge, as they put up a lot of fight regarding their size. They are an interesting fish to catch, and during the breeding season will display some amazing colors. This is possibly why the males are commonly known as a Copper Head.

Should you wish to do some Lake Okeechobee fishing, March until late September is a popular time for Shell-cracker, or Red Ear Sunfish. They grow big and put up a real fight. It is no wonder that they are a popular sport fish, and once again taste great from the pan. It is also possible to catch Pickerels, but they seem to getting scarcer.




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