Lake Okeechobee fishing report for July/August 2021 submitted by Capt. Angie Douthit

 

Lake O’s water level is holding just over 12.5 ft., should continue to remain around that depth depending on rain and water releases. This time of year can be tricky when fishing on the lake due to areas that have a rock bottom, coming/getting your boat on plane and etc. If you plan to fish the lake, stay with the safe option and choose to fish the Kissimmee River, canals and deeper water areas like the dynamite holes located on the south-end. If you plan to fish the lake use extreme caution and keep an alert sense as to possible pop-up thunderstorms that we encounter during the summer as well. If you’re not comfortable fishing the lake, hire a Professional Guide. I take all walks-of-life people fishing ranging from Pro’s, weekender warriors, to “just a few times of year” type anglers, it does not matter, what matters is that a Professional Guide will gear the trip towards what a customer’s capabilities and comfort level is so the fishing experience will be both fun, productive and educational. When booking a fishing trip with a guide, if you’re not feeling “the right vibe” then that guide is not for you while communicating…I prefer the old fashion phone conversation myself so I can ask customers questions as well so that I may understand what they want to get from the trip such as fishing tips/pointers, lure selection and knot tying, rod/reel selection and etc. I respond to all my potential customer’s text, emails and phone calls in a very timely manner and I have always taken the time to answer all questions to make the customer feel comfortable and excited about their upcoming fishing day. Biting now are bass and bream and the Crappie bite normally starts back up in November. Live-shiners works best first thing in the mornings for bass before the water temperature gets hotter and kills the bait. I gear my trip around my customers needs/wants such as live-bait, then finish with artificial lures or just lures for the day. For the bream bite I use crickets, small red worms and beetle spins…what I use depends on what they are biting best and customer preference/comfort ability too. Depending on where the better is…I sometimes fish both the lake and the River so customers can experience both. Bass lures that are producing bites are: swim jigs; swim baits; frogs; hard top-water lures worked on the outer edges and grass pockets, flipping/pitching creature-style lures into smaller isolated vegetation clumps and reeds; big worms/senkos worked in flats where bream are known to spawn. My lure selection and how we fish depends on a few factors: how my customers can fish and their comfort ability, weather and bite. I customize the trip to your needs and wants…that’s what makes a great guide. Areas to try are: some hotter spots along the Shoal; certain areas around Dupree bar and the Monkey box; Worm cove and some areas around Horse Island, Tin house and some spots on Kings Bar, Hendry Creek and around Taylor Creek area.

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To book your next fun filled, productive day fishing Lake Okeechobee call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my newly revised website at while at the site you’ll see up-to-date customers and their catches; fishing guide rates; information to obtain a fishing license, hotel accommodation information, latest and most accurate fishing report and etc.  My Sponsors include:  Mercury Marine; Gill; Maui Jim Sunglasses; Bullet Weights; Pradco brands; Real Magic; Road Runner Crappie lures; Mega Strike; BnM Poles; Mid-South Tackle; G-Loomis Rods and Lews.

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For Past Reports Click Here