My 45 year bass fishing buddy and I will be fishing Okeechobee for the first time April 9-17. We have only missed fishing together 1 year since we started taking a spring bass trip in 1967. I sold my BW Dauntless 220 this winter so we are trading our annual spring trip(since 2005) to Lake Erie for smallmouth for Okeechobee. This year we can only stay a short time but plan to come annually for at least 3 weeks between Mar 15 and April 15 in the future. We are staying in Okeechobee and my friend has a fully equipped Ranger minus PowerPoles we will be using.

Have spent the last few days GOOGling fishing reports/articles about Okeechobee this time of year. To say we are excited would be an understatement. Seems the lake has really come back and will just be getting better in the future.

Some conclusions...yes? no? maybe?

I have the Navionics mapping chip.

+12' Lake level will allow us to generally move around as needed.

Most fish will be post-spawn and moving towards main lake.

Should have a top water bite, spinnerbait, rattle trap bite

Bluegill will be starting to spawn and provide a bite.

Will be rigged for swimjig, big worms, and lures like Big EZ

Not planning on heavy duty punch baits or sight fishing

Since time is short this year, we want to use the time as efficently as possible to begin to learn the lake in prep for future trips. From the reports/recent tournaments, seems we will need to plan our fishing locations based on wind direction and strength. Yes? No?

I realize the lake is HHHUUUGGGEEE, so any thoughts on how to break it down into fishable areas would be great. Should we try to hit 2 or 3 areas or just stay in one?

Thanks for any advice....

Will you be fishing out of Clewiston?

I have only been out a couple of times this year, but I will chime in.

Your conclusions IMHO are spot on. Punching mats might be an option you will want to include.

The weather conditions and wind really affect the bite and where you can fish. The clearer the water the better is a good general rule, Sometimes you have to get back into the grass to find it. If we have steady weather and light winds you should do real well. Last minute fishing reports will be the most helpful.

You should get a topographical map of the lake to get some idea where the shallow/deep water is.

Staying in Okeechobee, but can run or trailer to any area. thanks.

Send me a PM. I can show you where to go, fish the lake 4-6 times a month.

Thanks South FLA. PM sent.