A look at Okeechobee

The second event of the Elite season presents the anglers a 180-degree turn from the first. From finesse fishing for smallmouth on Tennessee's Cherokee Lake, the Elites will go power fishing for monster Florida strain largemouth in the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 23-26.
The second event of the Elite season presents the anglers a 180-degree turn from the first. From finesse fishing for smallmouth on Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake, the Elites will go power fishing for monster Florida strain largemouth in the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 23-26.
The largest freshwater lake completely within one of the lower 48 states, Lake Okeechobee dominates southern Florida. Okeechobee is often called “Florida’s Inland Sea” as well as “The Big O.” Water from as far away as the Orlando suburbs makes its way down the Kissimmee River to Okeechobee.
The largest freshwater lake completely within one of the lower 48 states, Lake Okeechobee dominates southern Florida. Okeechobee is often called “Florida’s Inland Sea” as well as “The Big O.” Water from as far away as the Orlando suburbs makes its way down the Kissimmee River to Okeechobee.
Lake Okeechobee is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the U.S., and, at 730 square miles, it is about half the size of Rhode Island. However, Okeechobee is extremely shallow, averaging approx. 9 feet deep.
Lake Okeechobee is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the U.S., and, at 730 square miles, it is about half the size of Rhode Island. However, Okeechobee is extremely shallow, averaging approx. 9 feet deep.
Although its name given by local Indian tribes translates to “Big Water,” Okeechobee translates into “big bass” for Elite Series anglers. Ish Monroe earned his second Century belt there in his 2012 Elite victory.
Although its name given by local Indian tribes translates to “Big Water,” Okeechobee translates into “big bass” for Elite Series anglers. Ish Monroe earned his second Century belt there in his 2012 Elite victory.
Chad Morgenthaler won the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card event held on Okeechobee. By averaging 21 pounds a day in the Dec. 5-7 event, Morgenthaler punched his ticket to the Guntersville Classic.
Chad Morgenthaler won the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card event held on Okeechobee. By averaging 21 pounds a day in the Dec. 5-7 event, Morgenthaler punched his ticket to the Guntersville Classic.
If you’re not on the water when the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the event is caught, the place to be for the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee is C. Scott Driver Park, 10110 Highway 78 West in Okeechobee. The anglers will take off there each day at 6:45 a.m. ET and weigh-ins will be in the park each day at 3:15 p.m. ET.
If you’re not on the water when the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the event is caught, the place to be for the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee is C. Scott Driver Park, 10110 Highway 78 West in Okeechobee. The anglers will take off there each day at 6:45 a.m. ET and weigh-ins will be in the park each day at 3:15 p.m. ET.
The Elites will see differences in some areas of Okeechobee from 2012. One historically productive area was the target of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission. Moonshine Bay in western Lake Okeechobee had become overrun with cattails, so the FWC targeted the area for habitat improvement, said Andrea Dominguez, a resource biologist for Lake Okeechobee.
The Elites will see differences in some areas of Okeechobee from 2012. One historically productive area was the target of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission. Moonshine Bay in western Lake Okeechobee had become overrun with cattails, so the FWC targeted the area for habitat improvement, said Andrea Dominguez, a resource biologist for Lake Okeechobee.
In 2015, the FWC conducted a prescribed fire of roughly 6,500 acres in the bay and worked to prevent plant material from falling to the lake bottom. Reducing sediment benefits sportfish spawning habitat and allows a more desirable and diverse plant community. More recently, there was a burn on 20,000 acres in a marsh area south of the Kissimmee River and north of the Indian Prairie (C-40) Canal.
In 2015, the FWC conducted a prescribed fire of roughly 6,500 acres in the bay and worked to prevent plant material from falling to the lake bottom. Reducing sediment benefits sportfish spawning habitat and allows a more desirable and diverse plant community. More recently, there was a burn on 20,000 acres in a marsh area south of the Kissimmee River and north of the Indian Prairie (C-40) Canal.
In cooperation with other entities, the FWC’s prescribed burns safely allow for natural processes while ensuring ecosystem health and reducing the potential for wildfires. Ecologically responsible burns help improve habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife.
In cooperation with other entities, the FWC’s prescribed burns safely allow for natural processes while ensuring ecosystem health and reducing the potential for wildfires. Ecologically responsible burns help improve habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife.
The FWC also monitors its fisheries via trawling and electrofishing surveys every year. In Okeechobee, electrofishing is done in October at several sites, helping the FWC evaluate the trends in relative abundance of each species.
The FWC also monitors its fisheries via trawling and electrofishing surveys every year. In Okeechobee, electrofishing is done in October at several sites, helping the FWC evaluate the trends in relative abundance of each species.
Electrofishing sends a temporary electrical field in the water to stun the fish that swim close to the radius of the booms. This allows the FWC to safely collect the fish, place them in a live-well, weigh and measure them, and safely release them back to their original location after they’ve recovered.
Electrofishing sends a temporary electrical field in the water to stun the fish that swim close to the radius of the booms. This allows the FWC to safely collect the fish, place them in a live-well, weigh and measure them, and safely release them back to their original location after they’ve recovered.
The FWC conducts lakewide trawls in December and black crappie trawls in January to assess relative abundance of species. Electrofishing samples from October 2016 yielded excellent catch rates for the lake. The past seven years have yielded the highest success rates in the 37-year history of the modern creel survey for Lake Okeechobee.
The FWC conducts lakewide trawls in December and black crappie trawls in January to assess relative abundance of species. Electrofishing samples from October 2016 yielded excellent catch rates for the lake. The past seven years have yielded the highest success rates in the 37-year history of the modern creel survey for Lake Okeechobee.
Trawling numbers for largemouth were positive, ranging up to .67 fish per minute in 2015 from .45 in 2011. During 2012, the trawling survey had its highest number at .75 fish per minute. Ish Monroe could attest that fishing was stellar – he opened the Elite tournament with the big bag of 34 pounds, 5 ounces.
Trawling numbers for largemouth were positive, ranging up to .67 fish per minute in 2015 from .45 in 2011. During 2012, the trawling survey had its highest number at .75 fish per minute. Ish Monroe could attest that fishing was stellar – he opened the Elite tournament with the big bag of 34 pounds, 5 ounces.
Ish held an 8-12 lead over South Carolina’s Davy Hite, the largest Day 1 lead in Elite history. Monroe followed up with 24-25 and widened his leader’s margin to 13-11 on Day 2.
Ish held an 8-12 lead over South Carolina’s Davy Hite, the largest Day 1 lead in Elite history. Monroe followed up with 24-25 and widened his leader’s margin to 13-11 on Day 2.
That lead, the largest on Day 2 in Elite history, was over Florida native Chris Lane. Then when Monroe stumbled a bit on Day 3, Lane smashed 31-3 to cut Monroe’s cushion to just 10 ounces.
That lead, the largest on Day 2 in Elite history, was over Florida native Chris Lane. Then when Monroe stumbled a bit on Day 3, Lane smashed 31-3 to cut Monroe’s cushion to just 10 ounces.
Monroe had a day on Championship Sunday, weighing 30-15 to total 108-5 and top Lane by 12-12. It was the second time the California pro eclipsed 100 pounds, the first (104-8) coming in his victory in the Elites’ inaugural event on Texas' Lake Amistad in 2006.
Monroe had a day on Championship Sunday, weighing 30-15 to total 108-5 and top Lane by 12-12. It was the second time the California pro eclipsed 100 pounds, the first (104-8) coming in his victory in the Elites’ inaugural event on Texas’ Lake Amistad in 2006.
Justin Lucas caught this difference maker during the Okeechobee pre-practice period. The Elites will enjoy a fishery where they might hook into their biggest fish, one that draws their fellow pros to the tank, thrills the crowd watching and catapults him up the leaderboard.
Justin Lucas caught this difference maker during the Okeechobee pre-practice period. The Elites will enjoy a fishery where they might hook into their biggest fish, one that draws their fellow pros to the tank, thrills the crowd watching and catapults him up the leaderboard.
Bass fishing legend Roland Martin lives on Okeechobee and posts shots of himself with huge largemouth quite often. “Here on Fishbrain my whole deal is to help everyone catch more fish so I explain exactly where, when and how I'm having success. Now I don't always catch much because things like dingy water, cold weather and high winds mess me up just like everyone else, but I fish almost every day so I post a lot of good days.” These two 9-pound class bass came in the last week of 2016.
Bass fishing legend Roland Martin lives on Okeechobee and posts shots of himself with huge largemouth quite often. “Here on Fishbrain my whole deal is to help everyone catch more fish so I explain exactly where, when and how I’m having success. Now I don’t always catch much because things like dingy water, cold weather and high winds mess me up just like everyone else, but I fish almost every day so I post a lot of good days.” These two 9-pound class bass came in the last week of 2016.
Martin and his wife run a marina in Clewiston, which is a major stop on the Okeechobee Waterway, so our Elites might see some larger boats during the event. The waterway stretches 154 miles from the Atlantic Ocean near Stuart, Fla., to the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers. It is the only true cross Florida canal and river system that joins the east coast of Florida to the west coast.
Martin and his wife run a marina in Clewiston, which is a major stop on the Okeechobee Waterway, so our Elites might see some larger boats during the event. The waterway stretches 154 miles from the Atlantic Ocean near Stuart, Fla., to the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers. It is the only true cross Florida canal and river system that joins the east coast of Florida to the west coast.
On Valentine’s Day, Martin landed this largemouth, prompting this post: “Okeechobee is alive and well. This 9.1 pounder hit a heart tail swimbait by Yamamoto. This lake is so huge with over 100,000 acres of weedy bass filled cover and that's not counting the open water. You could have 1,000 bass fishermen on the lake and still find many places to fish all to yourself.” Let’s see if the Elites disprove that.
On Valentine’s Day, Martin landed this largemouth, prompting this post: “Okeechobee is alive and well. This 9.1 pounder hit a heart tail swimbait by Yamamoto. This lake is so huge with over 100,000 acres of weedy bass filled cover and that’s not counting the open water. You could have 1,000 bass fishermen on the lake and still find many places to fish all to yourself.” Let’s see if the Elites disprove that.
The Great American Fisherman can certainly catch them, but California native Chris Zaldain shows he can certainly find Florida fish with this sack caught Thursday. (Zaldain wouldn’t give his exact spot, but these weren’t on Okeechobee, which is off-limits until Monday’s practice.)
The Great American Fisherman can certainly catch them, but California native Chris Zaldain shows he can certainly find Florida fish with this sack caught Thursday. (Zaldain wouldn’t give his exact spot, but these weren’t on Okeechobee, which is off-limits until Monday’s practice.)
Okeechobee looks like ocean, and the big water can act like one when the wind blows, requiring more thought into the formulation of winning there. The vast expanse of water includes more than 150,000 acres of productive vegetation. A 100-yard wide rim canal circles the lake, and many secondary canals and cuts are linked to it, resulting in hundreds of miles of fishing water.
Okeechobee looks like ocean, and the big water can act like one when the wind blows, requiring more thought into the formulation of winning there. The vast expanse of water includes more than 150,000 acres of productive vegetation. A 100-yard wide rim canal circles the lake, and many secondary canals and cuts are linked to it, resulting in hundreds of miles of fishing water.
Millions of largemouth bass inhabit Okeechobee and can be caught year-round. Anglers from around the country have come and many have claimed Okeechobee as the Black Bass Capital of the World.
Millions of largemouth bass inhabit Okeechobee and can be caught year-round. Anglers from around the country have come and many have claimed Okeechobee as the Black Bass Capital of the World.