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Fishing Florida's Top 12 Bass Lakes - Volume 2: Lake Okeechobee

by Larry Barker and Mark Fann; co-published with BEI Outdoor Publishing

109 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0981; ISBN 1-4120-3154-0; US$19.95, C$24.95, EUR15.95, £10.95

An in-depth guide to fishing Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida, and one of Florida's Top 12 Bass Lakes. Includes hot spots, maps with GPS coordinates, photos, tips and resources.

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About the Book      About the Authors      Table of Contents and Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

This book, the second in a series, is designed to help anglers catch more and bigger fish in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. The authors are both tournament fisherman. One is a professional bass guide on Lake Okeechobee and the other an outdoor writer. They share tips, techniques and some closely guarded secrets about catching trophy largemouth bass on "the Big O."

The book also provides a wealth of information about the lake, its fish and the surrounding resources available to anglers. Of particular value is an up-to-date map with GPS coordinates that identifies year round hot spots for trophy bass. Each "hot spot" is clearly described in the book, including information on seasonal changes, best baits, techniques, and vegetation near the area.

Numerous photos or graphics are included which add interest to the book.

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About the Authors

Larry Barker, Ph.D., a freelance writer and video producer, holding active membership in the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, has more than 30 years of experience fishing Florida and Bahamas fresh and saltwater tournaments. He has published over 20 books and 100 articles in such magazines as Florida Sportsman and BASSMASTER. He has also been interviewed on NBC's Today Show and ABC's 20/20. Larry was given the nickname "Dr. Bass," by the editorial staff of The North American Fisherman for the record number of trophy bass he caught in 2003. In addition, he currently holds 10 world records certified by either the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame or the International Game Fishing Association.

Capt. Mark Fann is a Florida native with over 35 years of fresh and saltwater experience. Since 1992 Capt. Mark has been competing in Bassmaster, Everstart and now Wal-Mart FLW events. He and his wife Brenda Fann own and operate Fann-Tastic Fishing, Inc., a guide service specializing in helping clients catch trophy Largemouth and exciting Peacock Bass! Mark guides on several fisheries in South Florida in addition to Lake Okeechobee. These include the Florida Everglades and the canals of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Mark and Brenda have guided clients to three current catch-and-release world records.

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Table of Contents and Excerpts

Acknowledgements
Preface
Florida's Top Fishing Lakes

Top 12 Black Bass Lakes

Top 10 Speck (Black Crappie) Lakes

Top 12 Panfish Lakes Introduction
Chapter 1: About Lake Okeechobee

Location

Brief History of the Lake

Arrival by Boat or Plane

Lake Okeechobee Characteristics and Creatures

Access points

Map
Chapter 2: Lake Okeechobee Fish

Largemouth Bass

• Preferred Habitat
• Weather Influences
• Spawning Habits
• Feeding Habits
• Tackle and Baits
• Shiner Fishing 19
• Baitcasting with Artificial Lures
• Spincasting with Artificial Lures
• Fly Fishing 20
• Selecting Lures for Bass at Different Depths
• Shallow Water
• Medium Water
• Deep Water

Black Crappie

• Preferred Habitat
• Weather Influences
• Spawning Habits
• Feeding Habits

Tackle and Baits

• Cane Pole Fishing
• Spincasting with Artificial Lures
• Fly Fishing

Bluegill and Shellcracker

• Preferred Habitat
• Weather Influences7
• Spawning Habits
• Feeding Habits
• Tackle and Baits
  • Cane Pole Fishing
  • Ultralight Spincasting
  • Fly Fishing

Other Species

• Catfish
  • Bullhead
  • Channel Catfish
• Gar
  • Longnose Gar
  • Florida Gar
• Bowfin 32

Chapter 3: Fishing Lake Okeechobee Hot Spots Through the Seasons
Hotspots

Hotspots Map

Monkey Box

• Location and Characteristics
• Vegetation
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Fisheating Bay : Harney Pond Area Out to Dupree Bar

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Moonshine Bay

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Observation Shoal

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Clewiston Area : West Wall to East Wall

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Clewiston Offshore : Uncle Joe's Spoils-McMillan's Cross-Clewiston Spoils

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September

Ritta Island and Buzzard Roost

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

South Bay Bottom and Winnie Cove

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Kreamer Island and Pelican Bay

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Horse Island-Indian Prairie Canal to Tin House Cove

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Eagle Bay-Grassy Island to J&S Lock

• Location and Characteristics
• Fishing Patterns
  • May through September
  • October through Mid December
  • Mid December through April

Chapter 4: Fishing Tips and Techniques

Introduction

Soft Plastic Techniques for Lake Okeechobee

Spinnerbaiting On Lake Okeechobee

The Art of Fishing Crankbaits

Shiner Fishing Tips

Crappie Fishing Tips
Chapter 5: Fishing Records and Awards

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

Certified State Records

Big Catch Program

• Sample Big Catch Recognition Certificate

IGFA Certified State and World Records

• Sample IGFA World Record Certificate

NFWFHF World Records

• Sample NFWFHF World Record Certificate

Other Awards for Trophy Fish

• Sample Shimano Recognition Certificate
• Sample NAFC Recognition Certificate

Chapter 6: Lake Okeechobee Resources

Lodging

Restaurants

Trolling Motor Repair

Bait/Tackle/Guides

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Government Contacts

Organizations that Maintain Fishing Records

Lake Okeechobee Area Chambers of Commerce
Appendices

Appendix A: Reproducible Fishing Logs

Appendix B: GPS Way Points for Lake Okeechobee Hotspots
About our Contributing Editors

Capt. Brenda Fann

Captain Lenny Crispino

Dan Richardson

Introduction

Lake Okeechobee is probably the most famous bass lake in the world! As one of the Top 12 Black Bass Lakes in Florida, so designated by the Florida Fish and Game Commission, anglers from all over Florida, the US and the world flock to the "Big O" to try their luck at catching a lunker bass or setting a world record.

Boasting some 470,000 acres, Lake Okeechobee is the second largest freshwater lake within the United States' borders. Only Lake Michigan is larger. The name "Okeechobee" actually is the Seminole Indian designation for "big water!" Okeechobee attracts thousands of tourists and anglers each year, but because of the size of the lake, it rarely seems crowded. Most out of towners visit the Okeechobee area in the cooler months of the year. The heat and insects make summer fishing less popular, though early morning fishing in the hottest months usually produces lots of lunkers and high quality fish.

Fishing tournaments are held year round on the "Big O." Virtually every major fishing trail in the US schedules Okeechobee for one or more tournaments. Classic end of year tournaments are often held on Lake Okeechobee!

This book is written for local and visiting fishermen (and women)* who want to catch more and bigger fish in Lake Okeechobee. Our focus is primarily on black bass fishing, with an emphasis on trophy bass. However, it also includes fishing tips and specific locations for the lake's other species such as bream (bluegill), shellcracker, specks (crappie), catfish, gar and bowfin. All of these species are abundant in Lake Okeechobee and usually are willing to bite year 'round.

*We use the term "fisherman" in this guide to designate the person who fishes. Being aware that many women enjoy fishing and are highly skilled, we don't want to slight them in the least. However, we feel that the term "fisherperson," although more politically correct, is cumbersome and sounds a bit contrived.

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Catalogue Information

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