Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

I'm heading down to Florida at the end of April or beginning of may and was wondering about fishing Lake Okeechobee. I have always wanted to fish their but don't know anything about getting a guide for the day, how the fishing is, or what to use. I'd LOVE to cath a nice bass that I could get mounted. Anyone have any suggestions.

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

if i were going i would contact hugh crumpler, he is/was a touring pro, good guy and you will catch fish, some of these guys fish stick marsh and farm 13, which in my opinion would give you a better shot a fish of a lifetime, best of luck

http://www.hughcrumpler.com/

http://www.imaginationbassin.com/

http://www.hawghunterguideservice.com/

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

m.t.hands, Thanks for the info. I just booked a trip with Hugh for the end of april. I'll let you know how I make out. Did you ever fish with hugh, and if so how did you do?

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

i have fished with him once, and against him several times in tournaments, he is a first class act and you will catch fish, i drew him as a partner back in the early 80's at lake seminole on the al/ga line we both had a limit that day mine weighed 16# and some change, not sure what he ended up with, been a lota years, which body of water are you going to fish, good luck and i'm sure you'll have a good trip....

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

We'll be heading out to stick marsh. The reports right now look pretty good. They are landing a ton of fish and some with decent size. I hope it keeps up through april. Did you ever gat out on stick marsh and if so how is the fishing towards the end of april?

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

i have fished stick marsh 3 times and all 3 trips were in feb., from what i've heard the fishing is still very good thru may, best of luck, catch a good'en...


my wife caught a 11.2 in 2001, thats been our biggest but we have caught several 9's a bunch of of 7-8 #ers and boat-loads of 3-5# fish

take a camera and plenty of sun-screen;)

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

bear, I usually catch huge bass down there thru the 1st week of June and I have No doubt that you will catch one to mount. The bass down there fight alot harder and are more aggressive. Dont be afraid to use large bait's, my favorite is a 9 inch culprit worm and my favorite color by far is June Bug. If you never fished FL. before you are in for a treat. I am heading back down May 29th. Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Thanks for the info guys. I can't wait to get out there. My goal for the trip is to catch one over 8 lbs. My dad had one mounted a few years back that size so of course I need a bigger one.:D I'm just glad I talked my wife into letting me go out. I guess she really wanted to go down so I made that my only stipulation.:D I'll let you know what the fishing was like when I get back.

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Bear what town are you staying in? Also the airlines have really cheap tickets right now from Baltimore to almost every airport in FL. Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

We are flying into west palm beach and staying at breakers west with my wifes grandfather. That is actually the real reason we are heading down but i wasn't going to waste this chance at some Fl largemouth so I booked all day on April 25th to go out with Hugh. i know it's going to be about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to stick marsh but that doesn't bother me in the least, I'm just pumped up to go.:D

p.s. I just saw you live in York so you're not too far from me. I live in columbia right across the river. Small world huh, it will be quite a change from the smallies we're used to fishing.;)

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Ive only been to west palm once but it looks real nice, and mise well go ahead and book a couple more days with Hugh because there is no way your going to be able to only fish 1 day while your there,lol. Im fired up, just booked my plane tickets today for the end of May and also the 1st week of July. Do me a favor while your there, if you get some extra free time try some Snook fishing, they are cross betwen a largemouth and a Muskie that is on steroids. Yeh I only live about 10 minutes from Columbia, near the Galleria Mall, and even though I still love fishing the river for smallies and eye's it is no comparison to fishing in FL.
If you want to keep tabs on the bass fishing in FL. until your trip check out the fishing forum at www.floridasportsman.com
Make sure you take lots of pic's to show us when you get back. Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Yeah, I agree, Fl largemouth will probably spoil me for the susquahanna but I'm willing to take that risk :D:D. As far as fishing 1 day I'm still taking my gear down. Her grandfather has a large pond out back with tons of nice largemouth as well. Don't worry about the pix, I'll have tons to share with everyone as well as some good stories. I don't know if I'll be able to get out for snook even though I would love it, my wife has a schedule set to visit other relatives in the area and if I push my luck she may burn my plane ticket home.:D:D

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Bear, Ive been in that same situation with the wife during every trip to FL.:D and dont be surprised if the pond has just as big of bass in it as the stick or the big "O" does. Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Yeah, from some of the pics he sent me it looks like I could still land a monster out back. LOL :D

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

I don't know, I'm like you guys and fish smallmouth streams in the ozarks. Catching a 8+ lb. largemouth would be fun, but I still don't think it compares to landing a 4 lb. smallie on ultralight tackle.

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

MO. dont get me wrong I love smallies and both bear and myself fish one of the best smallie rivers in the entire country ( according to Shaw Grigsby it is the best) One of the best area's of the river to fish is near the airport and I would much rather drive to the airport to get on a plane to FL. then to fish for smallies in front of it. In my opinion the FL. strain Largemouth fight just as hard and jumps just as much as smallmouth do and when you regulary catch smallies in the 5 lb. range and FL. largemouth in the 10lb range its twice the fun. :D Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

Also the Tarpon and Snook fishing is even better than the bass fishing.:D Pike

RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

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RE: Lake Okeechobee (sp) ?
 

MO_bowhntr, I'll have to wait to make that call until I get back. But I do agree with you on how much fun it is to catch those large bronzebacks. Like Pike said, the susquahanna is renowned for the amount of smallies it holds and I fish it just about every chance I get all summer and well into the fall. My parents have a cabin along the river they stay in all summer which is only 30 feet from the bank so even if I go to visit I can still find time to get the line wet. I think it's all in what you like. Pound for pound I think smallies fight harder than largemouth but the size of the Fl largemouth might put them above even the hardest fighting smallie. I'll just have to wait and see.;):D