My father lives in Naples and is in his mid-seventies. I was talking to him about going down to the Big O for a couple of days and fish but he had been reading last year how they've been dredging Okeechobee and that the fishing isn't very good there, so I thought I would ask around. I realize January is always a tough month in Florida so ignore the timing and let me know if there are reasons we shouldn't go down this year.

If the lake is actually in good shape, any recommendations on renting a boat? Would a guide be pretty much a must?

The lake is just fine. Although the winds and waves can be a factor at times. Moore Haven, Clewiston or belle glade would be the area you want to check out.

The dredging is old news and with the Lake back up to 13.75 it is pretty near optimal. Weather during January will be important. It might be good to build in a little flexibility around the weather. I would certainly recommend a guide to maximize the quality of the fishing. I will PM you some names.

The fishing is insanely good and there's plenty of water, go to Moore Haven and go out the 7 mile canal it will bring you into the Monkey Box which is fairly protected, hopefully you'll be in between fronts on a warming trend.

There dredging a 1/4 mile section that will have no effect on anything. In fact it will be great when its done connecting Harney Pond to Mctush channel.

Plus 1 on the guide, its a very intemanating lake and a guide will cut you right to the chase and save you some time.

The fishing is insanely good and there's plenty of water, go to Moore Haven and go out the 7 mile canal it will bring you into the Monkey Box which is fairly protected, hopefully you'll be in between fronts on a warming trend.

There dredging a 1/4 mile section that will have no effect on anything. In fact it will be great when its done connecting Harney Pond to Mctush channel.

Plus 1 on the guide, its a very intemanating lake and a guide will cut you right to the chase and save you some time.

I agree with everything gar-tracker said 100%.

Being on the warming side of the cold fronts is huge.

Go with a guide. Money well spent.

Thanks for the good info. The trip will be at the end of January. Any recommendations on patterns to be prepared for?

Toads, Dippers, and Big EZs on heavy gear drug on top.

There dredging a 1/4 mile section that will have no effect on anything. In fact it will be great when its done connecting Harney Pond to Mctush channel.

Gar-tracker, What is the situation on the sportsman village(Mctoush) cut. Can I launch at the village and run to the box from there? Any water depth issues or boulders to be concerned about?

The Lakeport Locks?

I don't know where Sportsman Village is, I know Sportsman channel, the ramp off the rim ditch, can you clarify?

The Lakeport Locks?

I don't know where Sportsman Village is, I know Sportsman channel, the ramp off the rim ditch, can you clarify?

I was looking at a map of Okeechobee and the ramp area was called sportsman's village. I guess the ramp is one and the same.

I have never launched from there, so I thought I would ask.

Are you familiar with the ramp and the channel?

Or do you mean the Moore Haven ramp, is so the answer is yes, plenty of room and water to get to the box up the 7 mile canal, if you mean coming from Lake Port I don't know with all the work there, your better off in Moore Haven or Harney Pond.

I was looking at a map of Okeechobee and the ramp area was called sportsman's village. I guess the ramp is one and the same.

I have never launched from there, so I thought I would ask.

Are you familiar with the ramp and the channel?

i think it is called sportsmans channel. i am going tomorrow. i am staying south though. i will post after sunday because i got shalacked the last time i gave info.

i think it is called sportsmans channel. i am going tomorrow. i am staying south though. i will post after sunday because i got shalacked the last time i gave info.

Hey Bruce, good luck and thanks for helping out.

Or do you mean the Moore Haven ramp, is so the answer is yes, plenty of room and water to get to the box up the 7 mile canal, if you mean coming from Lake Port I don't know with all the work there, your better off in Moore Haven or Harney Pond.

Awesome. I want to get out there one more time before I focus on Holiday Park in the coming weeks.

bruce can u put me on some fish so i dont have to follow u around on tournament day

urs truly

bruce can u put me on some fish so i dont have to follow u around on tournament day

urs truly

That's funny! Follow the McMillans!

If your talking about the ramp north of moore heaven on st rd 78, there is no issues with depth.. I launched from there last week and took the channel into the backside of the monkey box and out to the main lake.

We are planning on a trip down there this Saturday (if weather permits). Probably putting in at Scott Driver.