Get Ready for a Productive Day of Bass and Crappie Fishing on Lake Okeechobee

If you're planning to hit Lake Okeechobee today, here's what you need to know. First off, the weather is looking a bit choppy, especially in the morning. Expect north winds at 15 to 20 knots, but they should die down to 5 to 10 knots by the afternoon[3].

Sunrise is at around 7:10 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:40 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing. As for tides, today you're looking at a high tide of 1.51 feet at 5:41 AM and a low tide of 0.75 feet at 12:02 PM, with another high tide of 1.31 feet at 5:25 PM[2].

The bass and crappie spawn is in full swing, making this a prime time to fish. Yesterday, a father-son duo caught over 15 largemouth bass, with one weighing close to 5 pounds, using wild caught shiners along the grass lines near the mouth of the Kissimmee River[3].

For bass, live bait like wild caught shiners, worms, and crawfish are your best bets. If you're after crappie, live minnows and specialist crappie jigs on light spinning gear work well[4].

Some hot spots to try include the Shoal from the Blue Hole up to just past the 2nd pole area and into Moonshine Bay. The Monkey Box, Whidden’s Pass, Dyess Ditch, and Indian Prairie are also good areas for bass. For crappie, Dupree Bar, Sportsman’s, Indian Prairie, and the Kissimmee River are worth a shot[1].

If you're looking for a specific location, Clewiston on the southwest shore is a great spot, especially the Monkey Box area which is notorious for largemouth bass. Belle Glade, between Grassy Island and Torry Island, is another excellent spot for both bass and crappie[5].

So gear up, and get ready for a fun-filled day on Lake Okeechobee