Lake Okeechobee

[Jigboy]

I have fished all over the country. I fish Weiss Lake and KY Lake a lot and find them both to be the very best in the country. I guy I work with is always talking about Okeechobee. Anyone ever been and if so, how was it? What time of year is best and is there a guide you would suggest? The guy I know just fishs from a dock and he does it while on vacation. I am always lookin for a new adventure but only if it is truly something great, because it will take a lot to be better then Weiss Lake and KY Lake.

[CrappiePappy]

I have fished all over the country. I fish Weiss Lake and KY Lake a lot and find them both to be the very best in the country. I guy I work with is always talking about Okeechobee. Anyone ever been and if so, how was it? What time of year is best and is there a guide you would suggest? The guy I know just fishs from a dock and he does it while on vacation. I am always lookin for a new adventure but only if it is truly something great, because it will take a lot to be better then Weiss Lake and KY Lake.

but, family members of my late Stepfather have not had much luck down there ... over the last couple of years. They don't fish out on the lake, itself, but in the canals. It's been so bad that they've sold their boats, and their camper is up for sale. I think it's not been so good, because of the hurricaine that went thru there, a few years back. Supposedly it really messed up the vegitation and hasn't quite recovered, just yet. No first hand knowledge ... just what I've "heard".
Personally, even if they were jumping in the boat, I wouldn't travel that far when you'd be bypassing so many good lakes to get there. If I go South of the (KY) border, I'm generally headed to Watts Bar. I have fished Weiss a few times, and KY/Barkley (many years ago) ... and have done well on them, at times. I agree with you, that they're some of the best waters in the country.
If you've got a hankerin to make a trip to "new waters" ... consider going to the Fall Crappie Camp in Arkansas. Jerry Blake & Darryl put on a good get-together, from what I've heard & seen posted. From what I've read of their get-togethers, a minner drowner is right at home on their lake. Or, if you're adventurous enough, you might want to try Watts Bar. It's a dock shooters lake, jig casters lake, and minner drowners fair pretty good, as well :p It might be a good choice for next Spring ... pretty much anytime during the month of April.

... cp

[HarleyMan08]

I have fished all over the country. I fish Weiss Lake and KY Lake a lot and find them both to be the very best in the country. I guy I work with is always talking about Okeechobee. Anyone ever been and if so, how was it? What time of year is best and is there a guide you would suggest? The guy I know just fishs from a dock and he does it while on vacation. I am always lookin for a new adventure but only if it is truly something great, because it will take a lot to be better then Weiss Lake and KY Lake.

I have a friend that fishes KY Lake & Okeechobee, he said he would goto KY Lake any day over Okeechobee. Just his opinion but it may be of some help to you.

[GREENFISH]

I've got an uncle that goes to Okeechobee occasionally and I never hear any exceptional stories about the crappie. It's usually some excuse about the low water levels or a cold front or something.

Take care,
Greenfish

[blairarnold]

This is another old, third hand report, but I had a couple of friends who fished there several years ago, and they did extremely well, but it was several years ago.

[3's]

Dad stayed down there for a few years in the winter. They would catch crappie but nothing to get excited about. The last year they spent most of their time chasing Oscars in the canals somewhere

[Jigboy]

Sounds like I need to staqy local. I catch plenty of fish here anyway, but like to be adventurious. I might check out Watts Bar next year. I keep hearing about it so I need to head south.

[CrappiePappy]

Sounds like I need to staqy local. I catch plenty of fish here anyway, but like to be adventurious. I might check out Watts Bar next year. I keep hearing about it so I need to head south.

Normally, you can expect to find Black Crappie under deep water docks from late March to mid April ... then White Crappie on wood cover from late April til mid May. Mid April to late April is a transitional buffer zone ... where there's a chance to get in on either species. That's when we usually go, depending on weather pattern and water level movement.
Now, I say "normally" because that's the pattern I've observed over 10+ yrs. The last two Spring trips were not "normal". We caught White Crappie in mid April, spawning in 10fow. But then, the weather was the main factor in those two Spring's. Prior to that, we mostly caught Black Crappie, under docks. Our more successful White Crappie trips had come in May (pre 2006).

We usually take two trips per year, there. April & Oct ... the Fall trips being strictly Black Crappie oriented. They come back into the docks, following the shad, whereas the White Crappie seem to stay out deep. I would have suggested a Fall trip ... but, they're more unpredictable. Last Fall's trip was almost a complete bust, due to the long hot Summer/drought conditions lasting well into Fall. It remains to be seen whether or not this year will be a repeat of last year, or more in line with prior Fall weather patterns.

Any particulars you may be interested in, concerning a WB trip, feel free to PM me ...
You might also find some interesting info, by searching "Spring Fling" or "Watts Bar", and looking for my posts. :p

... cp

[huntinslabs]

You are better off at home. The fishing here is good but you must time it perfect. Bass come January and Febuary. Crappie in November December and January. Yesterday the river was 87.1 degrees nothing doin anything. Ever thought about trying Santee Cooper if you want a change.

[MinnerDipper2]

I also have an uncle who spends the winter months down there and the big thing with them is night fishing off these pontoons boats lined with lights. They absolutely slay 'em that way. I think the best months are Dec., Jan. but I have no personal experience , I've never been. I do know that Okeechobee has been suffering with really low water for quite a while although I've heard nothing about this years levels.