Lake Okeechobee fishing report for December, 2022 submitted by Capt. Angie Douthit

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Fishing the big O has been steady, fun and exciting with the start of the bass and crappie spawn season. My guide customers that fish for bass have been using live wild shiners and artificial lures. If you want to relax and let the bass come to you then using live-bait is the way to go but if you want to cover water throw/use various lures then artificial lures is the trip for you, some customers do both. If you’ve ever wanted to fish for big specks (crappie) here on the big O, now is the time to book your next fun day on the water. Don’t’ know how to jig? Not a problem, all that’s needed is a quick 5 minute lesson using the BNM 10-11ft jig pole tipped with a small round jig head and small plastic tube. Catching crappie is fun, exciting and is one of the best tasting mild white fish you’ll ever eat. The creel limit is 10 inches long, 25 per person per day, you will go home with a limit. Areas on the lake that you’ll see boaters fishing for bass and crappie are: Observation Shoal area(s), Widens Pass, east/south part of Dupree Bar, around Dyess Ditch, some parts of the Monkey Box, Worm Cove/Horse Island, parts of Indian Prairie and Tin House, 2-3 points (Buckhead Ridge), parts of Kings Bar, Hendry Creek and some areas around J & S. Bass lures that have been producing bites have been a top water lure such as a devils horse or Zara spook, popping frog in and around the lily pads, worms, spinner baits, shallow jerk baits and flipping/pitching creature-style lures into isolated grass clumps. Lures colors are: Junebug, black/blue, white, crawdad and bluegill color patterns, plum/red shad and watermelon/red. For your tackle and live-bait needs visit Jack and his Big Water Bait & Tackle store located in Lakeport just west of the Harney Pond Canal boat ramp. To book you’re next day fishing the big O for bass and crappie call me at 863-228-7263 or log onto my website www.southfloridabassfishing.com where you’ll see up-to-date pictures of customers and their catches, hotel info, guide trip rates and current/past fishing reports. I can accommodate groups, multi-day trips, fishing lessons, latest tips/tricks and lake info. My sponsors are a big part of my success and they include: Toho Marine in St. Cloud, Florida, Mercury Marine, Gill, Lews, Gene Larew, Pradco Brands, Mid-South Tackle, BnM Poles, G-Loomis, Maui Jim, Bullet Weights, Rapala, Tru-Turn hooks, Reel Magic, Road Runners, Big Bite Baits and Navionics.