Friday Fishing Report: Late-Summer Lunkers on Lake Okeechobee

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Friday, September 5th, 2025. Sunrise hit the water this morning at 7:01 AM, and you can expect sunset at 7:42 PM—a good stretch for a full day of casting and cranking. We’re sitting in that late-summer pattern, with temperatures climbing from the low 70s at dawn and hitting mid-to-upper 80s by mid-afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, with a warm, humid breeze outta the south-southeast about 7 knots, pushing some surface chop around the open lake.

There's no tidal swing since Okeechobee's a freshwater giant, but water levels are up from recent rain, and visibility is good along most of the eelgrass and hydrilla lines. According to Lake Okeechobee, Florida Daily Fishing Report, the bite’s steady, with bass getting active at first light and again just before sunset—typical for this warm stretch.

Largemouth bass remain the main event. This week, local anglers have been boating solid numbers just outside the reeds at Tin House Cove and King's Bar, with several reports of 4-6 pounders caught on weedless swimbaits and Texas-rigged worms. For those chasing a true lunker, a few 8-to-10 pound fish have been taken on big golden shiners and black-blue jigs, especially once the sun gets up and bass tuck deeper into the mats. Captain Dave Miller, who's out here nearly every morning, said it best: "When you get a hit in these weeds, you better hold tight—sometimes it’s like hooking a freight train!"

If panfish are your speed, the Kissimmee River mouth is seeing solid crappie action around dawn; live minnows on slip bobbers about two feet down are pulling respectable slabs. Catfish have picked up in the Rim Canal on cut bait and nightcrawlers, especially near the Port Mayaca Lock.

Best baits right now:
- For bass: live shiners, watermelon-red speed worms, black and blue jigs, and white/chartreuse chatterbaits have all put fish in the boat.
- For crappie: small crappie jigs (white or pink) and live minnows.
- For catfish: fresh cut shad or nightcrawlers.

Top lures: I’m steering folks to use weedless soft plastics early, then switching to vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits once the sun’s high. If you’re pitching into heavy mats, a heavy tungsten weight and creature bait will get down where those big girls are hiding.

Hot spots to try:
- King's Bar and Tin House Cove: Both holding good bass, especially along the edge vegetation.
- Kissimmee River mouth: Crappie and bass are schooling around the edges, and you can drift or spot-lock and work the water column.

And don’t overlook spots like South Bay for consistent panfish and budding action on the outside grass lines, especially if you want a quieter paddle or wade.

It’s warm, so stay hydrated and keep an eye out for summer storms popping up later in the day. Remember, early morning and late evening are your best windows for the biggest bites. If you’re boat fishing, keep your tackle simple and be ready to move—you’ll find fish willing if you cover water and work every pocket along the hydrilla.

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