Okeechobee Advice

[Timberdogg]

It looks as though I will be in Clewiston next week, and need some info on what to use and where to fish. I will be fishing out of a bass boat with my father, who doesn't fly fish, and have all of about three months experience with a fly rod. I will be using my 5 weight and would like to catch bass and panfish.
Thank you all for what I've learned already from this board, and thanks for any advice concerning my trip. Jeff

[jtysone]

I leave next thur. morning for clewiston.Im going with work, we are taking some clients. Fishing friday and sat. with guilds.I wish we where fly fishing but were not. We had a great time there last year, my biggest bass was an 8 lbs. also got a 10 lbs cat, we all (8) caught a lot of fish all on shinners. Im sure a clouser would work. Anything that looks like a shinner. The whole lake looks the same to me, reeds and more reeds. I was told to fish the boat paths that go though the reeds if using a fly. Lot less hang ups. Josh England

[This message has been edited by jtysone (edited 02-10-2004).]

[Timberdogg]

I was thinking minnow or frog imitation, but all I can do is guess.
Are you the Josh I met at the Hatchery? If you are, give me a shout at jeffsouth@charter.net, I lost your number.

[B983]

I fished the Big O Years ago about this same time of yr. Most folks will be using large shiners for BIG BASS. For flies I would say bring some large baitfish patterns. Also make sure you bring a GPS to naviagate, once you leave the canals that BIG Lake looks the same everywhere you go. You should have a blast and keep an eye out for gators.
Tight Lines
Brent

[Timberdogg]

Thanks guys, for the help. I will be visiting several family friends, two of which are guides, so I hope to be put on the fish by those guys also. As a beginner I need all the help I can get, and maybe it won't rain too much. For those who are interested I will report upon my return. Thanks again, for the help! Jeff

[GonetoSeed]

The new issue of American Angler arrived with an article on Springtime bass fishing. One technique they described reminded me of a technique a friend of my father taught me as a kid living in Orlando.

Use a large profile diving fly on a short, strong leader on a sinking tip line (in those days almost all line was sinking tip http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif ). Cast (more like chuck and duck), then pause to let the tip sink (to the top of the weed bed), strip hard and fast to get the fly to dive deep, then slow the retrieve almost to pause to let the fly start floating back to surface. Keep it moving like a Shiner. We used to use Dalhberg Divers for the profile and bubble trail, but I think one of Kent's Stealth Bomber style divers would be great.

I will say that a 5 wt is light for this technique. Might be better if you could maybe borrow an 8 wt.

[jtysone]

Hey Jeff, Yea that was me you talked to. Good to hear from you . How fishing been for you lately? I would e-mail you but my email is down.I talked to my dad who has fished there for years, He said he has caught alot of bass on rubber worms and lizards. I've been working on a lizard pattern for bass this summer. give me a call mabe i can give you one to try out for me. Josh 770-569-9683

[This message has been edited by jtysone (edited 02-11-2004).]

[Timberdogg]

Thanks for all the tips guys, got back Sun. morning about 3am. Caught about 45 on Thurs. and about 35 on Fri. The fly rod didn't see much action due to windy conditions and lots of action with the plastics. Biggest was by my partner -family friend and local guide- about 9 lbs., my largest was about 6 lbs. I'll be going back soon, as my father goes about 6-8 times a year. Josh, I'll call you. Jeff