By Capt. Mike Shellen special to Treasure Coast
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http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/dec/05/no-headline---tc_spt_lakeo/
OKEECHOBEE -
It's hard to conceive that December's fishing could possibly be any better than
the incredible fishing we experienced in November. There are huge numbers of
bass in the lake, period. The lake is presently at a perfect level, with huge
areas of native vegetation, and the water for the most part is clear.
The past few
years we have caught great numbers of 7 to 10 pound bass from the lake, but the
for the last three years the single largest bass of each year has been landed
in December. In 2009 it was a 12.65 pound giant that was caught Dec. 23. In
2010 it was a 12.2 pound bass caught on Dec. 29, and last year it was an 11.18
pound bass caught on Dec. 15. Call that a coincidence
perhaps, but I see it as a pattern.
The water
temperatures are hovering around 70 degrees and the fish continue to bite on
both artificial baits and shiners. Most of our larger bass are falling prey to
a large, live wild shiner. Artificial baits may account for larger numbers of
fish, but they normally will not be of the quality that can be caught on a
shiner.
If on the lake
before sunup it is still possible to catch bass on a topwater bait and a number of baits produce. What is
more critical is getting one's offering in the right place at the right time,
than a particular color or style of bait. Spinner
baits have been producing some very nice bass catches when worked through and
around the clumps of weeds and heavy cover. A skinny dipper is still producing
for those dedicated enough to stick with it. Several colors are working.
Houdini and
For catching
smaller fish, a fluke with little or no weight worked over and through the hydrilla will keep the action going all day. Many anglers
that are targeting primarily big bass are flipping or pitching with creature
type baits like an ugly otter or sweet beaver.
Speck fishing
has been good early this fall with anglers catching good sized keeper specks
both in the grass and in the open water areas. Anglers targeting the
A guided
fishing trip makes a great Christmas present for an experienced angler or
someone that has never fished before. We furnish all tackle and can teach an
angler what he or she needs to know to catch bass on
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See ya next year!
Capt. Mike Shellen is a fishing guide at