I just moved down to Wellington about a month ago and recently found out I can put the bass boat into the rim canal of the preserve. Which I plan to do so in the near future. I have read about "the flats", where are they located? I plan on putting in at the ramp at the Arthur Marshall entrance off of 441, unless there is a better place to? Any tips on an area where I should focus my efforts? I understand how to fish grass for the most part; flip, swimjig, bigEZ, traps, chatterbaits, etc. I've also fished Okeechobee several times, but haven't caught any over 3lbs. Osborne is the closest and where I have had the most success for LM and peas, but I like to explore and am always open to dragging the boat somewhere else..

15 hours ago, Tyler Schmidt said:

I just moved down to Wellington about a month ago and recently found out I can put the bass boat into the rim canal of the preserve. Which I plan to do so in the near future. I have read about "the flats", where are they located? I plan on putting in at the ramp at the Arthur Marshall entrance off of 441, unless there is a better place to? Any tips on an area where I should focus my efforts? I understand how to fish grass for the most part; flip, swimjig, bigEZ, traps, chatterbaits, etc. I've also fished Okeechobee several times, but haven't caught any over 3lbs. Osborne is the closest and where I have had the most success for LM and peas, but I like to explore and am always open to dragging the boat somewhere else..

Look on Google Earth. You are launching from the main entrance of the preserve. On google earth, you will see Lox is a giant box. If you look at the South and South WEST corner of this box you will see the flats. I personally have never launched from the main entrance since so I can't tell you how long of a run it is from that location. I launch from Lox Rd on the South end and its a straight run WEST to the flats from that location. 

2 hours ago, BassinLou said:

Look on Google Earth. You are launching from the main entrance of the preserve. On google earth, you will see Lox is a giant box. If you look at the South and South WEST corner of this box you will see the flats. I personally have never launched from the main entrance since so I can't tell you how long of a run it is from that location. I launch from Lox Rd on the South end and its a straight run WEST to the flats from that location. 

I appreciate the info, I looked at Earth and saw the flats. That'd be about a 20mile, 35 minute run via boat, or about the same distance via truck but a little longer driving time. I was told there have been semi regular truck break ins down there, any truth to that?

4 hours ago, Tyler Schmidt said:

I appreciate the info, I looked at Earth and saw the flats. That'd be about a 20mile, 35 minute run via boat, or about the same distance via truck but a little longer driving time. I was told there have been semi regular truck break ins down there, any truth to that?

Don't know about break ins, but at the ramp BassinLou is talking about is pretty close to the flats. You do have to beware of vultures certain times of the year. Seen the damage they can do to any plastic on your truck. 

I fish the Lox road ramp on the south end quite often.  The real threat to your vehicle is the vultures this time of year.   They love to destroy the molding, wiper blades, and rubber gaskets on your truck.  You can tie plastic shopping bags to your antenna for movement to keep them away from your vehicle.  Don't park by any trees close to the ramps.  They seem to hit those vehicles more often.

 I have never heard of a break in, in over thirty years of fishing Lox.   There is often wildlife officers in the area.   The flats all hold bass and all you need is the right baits.  Swimbaits, frogs, trick worms, senkos and creature baits will put you on the fish.  If your a flipping guy there are endless opportunities.   You don't need to run far to find fish in the flats.

21 hours ago, BassinLou said:

Look on Google Earth. You are launching from the main entrance of the preserve. On google earth, you will see Lox is a giant box. If you look at the South and South WEST corner of this box you will see the flats. I personally have never launched from the main entrance since so I can't tell you how long of a run it is from that location. I launch from Lox Rd on the South end and its a straight run WEST to the flats from that location. 

Just like Big G and SFL Basshunter said, your main concern are going to be the vultures as surprising as that sounds, break-in's I haven't heard of that out there. Good luck. Also, remember there is a speed limit on Lox, and yes, I' am not kidding. 35mph is the max. LEO will sit on the levy with speed guns and stop you. 

13 hours ago, geo g said:

I fish the Lox road ramp on the south end quite often.  The real threat to your vehicle is the vultures this time of year.   They love to destroy the molding, wiper blades, and rubber gaskets on your truck.  You can tie plastic shopping bags to your antenna for movement to keep them away from your vehicle.  Don't park by any trees close to the ramps.  They seem to hit those vehicles more often.

 I have never heard of a break in, in over thirty years of fishing Lox.   There is often wildlife officers in the area.   The flats all hold bass and all you need is the right baits.  Swimbaits, frogs, trick worms, senkos and creature baits will put you on the fish.  If your a flipping guy there are endless opportunities.   You don't need to run far to find fish in the flats.

Thanks G for the heads up about the vultures. I have a roll over rubber truck bed cover that I'm sure they'd destroy. I guess I'll have to take it off whenever I fish there. Do reflective objects scare them off also, i.e. the silver dash protector you put against the windshield? 

2 hours ago, Tyler Schmidt said:

Thanks G for the heads up about the vultures. I have a roll over rubber truck bed cover that I'm sure they'd destroy. I guess I'll have to take it off whenever I fish there. Do reflective objects scare them off also, i.e. the silver dash protector you put against the windshield? 

The plastic grocery bags tied to the antenna do a good job.  I also put a reflective window shade in the front window.  They have not touched the truck since.  Just don't park close to the trees close to the ramps.  I try to find a spot out away from the ramps.  Before taking precautions, they tore up my wiper blades, and crapped over every inch of the truck.  It was quite a mess.  These guys are also at the Stick Marsh in Sabastion, and Everglades National Park.  They are seasonal visitors from southern Illinois, Black Vultures!   Lots of information on them on-line.  

2 hours ago, geo g said:

The plastic grocery bags tied to the antenna do a good job.  I also put a reflective window shade in the front window.  They have not touched the truck since.  Just don't park close to the trees close to the ramps.  I try to find a spot out away from the ramps.  Before taking precautions, they tore up my wiper blades, and crapped over every inch of the truck.  It was quite a mess.  These guys are also at the Stick Marsh in Sabastion, and Everglades National Park.  They are seasonal visitors from southern Illinois, Black Vultures!   Lots of information on them on-line.  

When I still lived in Georgia and fished Clark's Hill, I knew a gentlemen who'd stand on his front deck of his boat and shoot buzzards with a 12ga after he got back from fishing. DNR never hassled him surprisingly.