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"Trophy Bass, Slab Crappie, and Tasty Cichlids Await Anglers on Lake Okeechobee this Spring"
Good morning anglers! Today, April 13, 2025, promises to be another action-packed day of fishing on Lake Okeechobee. With the sunrise hitting at 7:09 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, you’ve got plenty of time to hook into some of the lake’s famous fish. Mild spring conditions are in your favor as temperatures will hover around 71°F, with calm winds out of the west-northwest at about 8 mph. The lake’s water level currently sits at 12.34 feet, which is lower than average, so focus on deeper areas and edges of vegetation for the best results.
The bass fishing is excellent right now. Largemouth bass are in post-spawn mode for the most part but are still hanging near the spawning beds or on vegetation edges. Swim jigs, soft plastic worms, and crankbaits are doing most of the damage. Popular colors are Junebug, watermelon-red, and black/blue to match the water clarity and vegetation. For those targeting trophy-size bass, nothing beats a large, live golden shiner. Hotspots like the Monkey Box, Harney Pond Canal, and North Shore are producing solid bags of bass, so be sure to spend some time in these areas.
Crappie (speck) fishing continues to thrive this spring. Look for them near deeper brush piles or submerged vegetation, especially around the Kissimmee River and Harney Pond Canal. Anglers have had success limiting out using live minnows or jigs suspended at about 8 feet. The key is to move around until you locate schools, as these slab-sized crappies are often concentrated.
Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are also heating up with the ongoing spring bite. Shellcrackers are spawning in shallow sandy areas, especially in coves with calm water. Red worms, crickets, and beetle-spins are producing the best results. For bluegill, try small live crickets or grass shrimp in mid-April bedding areas. Clewiston and Buckhead Ridge are prime spots to target both species today.
If you fancy something different, the invasive Mayan cichlids offer fun for light tackle anglers. These aggressive fighters are being found in abundance near Indian Prairie Canal and Harney Pond Canal. Small artificial baits or live worms will do the trick, and they make for excellent table fare with no bag limits.
For those planning their day, the tips are simple: start early, as the morning bite is strongest, and focus on areas with clear water and healthy vegetation. The North Shore and Tin House are also worth checking out for a mix of species. Whether you’re casting soft plastics, flipping creature baits, or drifting live minnows, Lake Okeechobee is serving up outstanding fishing opportunities today. Tight lines and good luck out there!
The bass fishing is excellent right now. Largemouth bass are in post-spawn mode for the most part but are still hanging near the spawning beds or on vegetation edges. Swim jigs, soft plastic worms, and crankbaits are doing most of the damage. Popular colors are Junebug, watermelon-red, and black/blue to match the water clarity and vegetation. For those targeting trophy-size bass, nothing beats a large, live golden shiner. Hotspots like the Monkey Box, Harney Pond Canal, and North Shore are producing solid bags of bass, so be sure to spend some time in these areas.
Crappie (speck) fishing continues to thrive this spring. Look for them near deeper brush piles or submerged vegetation, especially around the Kissimmee River and Harney Pond Canal. Anglers have had success limiting out using live minnows or jigs suspended at about 8 feet. The key is to move around until you locate schools, as these slab-sized crappies are often concentrated.
Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are also heating up with the ongoing spring bite. Shellcrackers are spawning in shallow sandy areas, especially in coves with calm water. Red worms, crickets, and beetle-spins are producing the best results. For bluegill, try small live crickets or grass shrimp in mid-April bedding areas. Clewiston and Buckhead Ridge are prime spots to target both species today.
If you fancy something different, the invasive Mayan cichlids offer fun for light tackle anglers. These aggressive fighters are being found in abundance near Indian Prairie Canal and Harney Pond Canal. Small artificial baits or live worms will do the trick, and they make for excellent table fare with no bag limits.
For those planning their day, the tips are simple: start early, as the morning bite is strongest, and focus on areas with clear water and healthy vegetation. The North Shore and Tin House are also worth checking out for a mix of species. Whether you’re casting soft plastics, flipping creature baits, or drifting live minnows, Lake Okeechobee is serving up outstanding fishing opportunities today. Tight lines and good luck out there!
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning anglers! Today, April 13, 2025, promises to be another action-packed day of fishing on Lake Okeechobee. With the sunrise hitting at 7:09 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, you’ve got plenty of time to hook into some of the lake’s famous fish. Mild spring conditions are in your favor as temperatures will hover around 71°F, with calm winds out of the west-northwest at about 8 mph. The lake’s water level currently sits at 12.34 feet, which is lower than average, so focus on deeper areas and edges of vegetation for the best results.
The bass fishing is excellent right now. Largemouth bass are in post-spawn mode for the most part but are still hanging near the spawning beds or on vegetation edges. Swim jigs, soft plastic worms, and crankbaits are doing most of the damage. Popular colors are Junebug, watermelon-red, and black/blue to match the water clarity and vegetation. For those targeting trophy-size bass, nothing beats a large, live golden shiner. Hotspots like the Monkey Box, Harney Pond Canal, and North Shore are producing solid bags of bass, so be sure to spend some time in these areas.
Crappie (speck) fishing continues to thrive this spring. Look for them near deeper brush piles or submerged vegetation, especially around the Kissimmee River and Harney Pond Canal. Anglers have had success limiting out using live minnows or jigs suspended at about 8 feet. The key is to move around until you locate schools, as these slab-sized crappies are often concentrated.
Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are also heating up with the ongoing spring bite. Shellcrackers are spawning in shallow sandy areas, especially in coves with calm water. Red worms, crickets, and beetle-spins are producing the best results. For bluegill, try small live crickets or grass shrimp in mid-April bedding areas. Clewiston and Buckhead Ridge are prime spots to target both species today.
If you fancy something different, the invasive Mayan cichlids offer fun for light tackle anglers. These aggressive fighters are being found in abundance near Indian Prairie Canal and Harney Pond Canal. Small artificial baits or live worms will do the trick, and they make for excellent table fare with no bag limits.
For those planning their day, the tips are simple: start early, as the morning bite is strongest, and focus on areas with clear water and healthy vegetation. The North Shore and Tin House are also worth checking out for a mix of species. Whether you’re casting soft plastics, flipping creature baits, or drifting live minnows, Lake Okeechobee is serving up outstanding fishing opportunities today. Tight lines and good luck out there!
The bass fishing is excellent right now. Largemouth bass are in post-spawn mode for the most part but are still hanging near the spawning beds or on vegetation edges. Swim jigs, soft plastic worms, and crankbaits are doing most of the damage. Popular colors are Junebug, watermelon-red, and black/blue to match the water clarity and vegetation. For those targeting trophy-size bass, nothing beats a large, live golden shiner. Hotspots like the Monkey Box, Harney Pond Canal, and North Shore are producing solid bags of bass, so be sure to spend some time in these areas.
Crappie (speck) fishing continues to thrive this spring. Look for them near deeper brush piles or submerged vegetation, especially around the Kissimmee River and Harney Pond Canal. Anglers have had success limiting out using live minnows or jigs suspended at about 8 feet. The key is to move around until you locate schools, as these slab-sized crappies are often concentrated.
Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are also heating up with the ongoing spring bite. Shellcrackers are spawning in shallow sandy areas, especially in coves with calm water. Red worms, crickets, and beetle-spins are producing the best results. For bluegill, try small live crickets or grass shrimp in mid-April bedding areas. Clewiston and Buckhead Ridge are prime spots to target both species today.
If you fancy something different, the invasive Mayan cichlids offer fun for light tackle anglers. These aggressive fighters are being found in abundance near Indian Prairie Canal and Harney Pond Canal. Small artificial baits or live worms will do the trick, and they make for excellent table fare with no bag limits.
For those planning their day, the tips are simple: start early, as the morning bite is strongest, and focus on areas with clear water and healthy vegetation. The North Shore and Tin House are also worth checking out for a mix of species. Whether you’re casting soft plastics, flipping creature baits, or drifting live minnows, Lake Okeechobee is serving up outstanding fishing opportunities today. Tight lines and good luck out there!