The water level on Lake Okeechobee is sitting 15.03 putting plenty of water in the Big O which has helped scatter the fish out this year. Though the fish have plenty of extra water to hide in we've been catching plenty of fish both on artificial baits along with the tried and true big fish catching wild shiners. As many now the best bet on catching a trophy of a lifetime on the Big O is putting a active wild shiner in their face. We've been fishing shiners on the outside grasslines in front of spawning bays and along migration routes from the main lake to spawning areas. We have also targeted reed and cattail heads on the inside of the spawning flats picking up some really nice fish staging to spawn.


Our artificial bite had been on and off depending on weather and fronts that push through the area. Targeting spawning flats we been catching fish on moving baits like Outkast Tackle swim jigs, Big Bite Baits swim baits along with pitching stick worms into holes in the reeds, kissimmee grass and pads. There has also been some fish being caught on lipless baits on the outside grasslines.

Speck (crappie) fishing has held steady with 3 techniques being used. Trollers and drifters using livebait have been targeting the open water areas including Kissimmee River, Indian Praire, Taylor Creek and J&S canals along with Government cut. There are also those using livebait but targeting fish set up in the grass, reeds and cattails as they will spread out a 3-8 rods with floats and a minnow picking off from specific open areas. Many of us are moving around dipping jigs into the holes in the thick grassy areas and thick reed clumps. Jig color hasn't seemed to matter as long as you have confidece in it. One key is to look for the cleanest water you can not to say you can't catch them from stained or muddy water but the cleaner water is much easier to catch fish in. You may have to move around day to day as the wind shifts pushing clean and dirty water to different areas.

Capt. Brian Brown
fishing hype guide service
www.fishinghype.com
www.bassonline.com
612-889-2423