When we speak of bass spawning, we typically envision fish “moving up”; progressing toward the bank to do the deed in shallow water. That’s certainly part of the game on Lake Okeechobee, but it’s not necessarily the only option.
Florida pro John Cox believes some of his better opportunities may come from areas farther off the bank. That, in itself, is nothing novel, because Okeechobee’s vast shallows find attractive vegetation features growing a football field from shore.
However, Cox is basing his assessment on two factors: The lake’s currently high water level (15.8 feet) and the lack of filtration due to hydrilla and eel grass herbicide treatments.
With warming weather and the lunar cycle coming up on a new moon, the fish are looking for the bedroom. Essential to this plan — clean bottom. Finding suitable areas up close may be a tough task.
“A lot of the backwater, up-against-the-bank stuff still has nasty bottom, so your better bottom is out in front of it,” Cox said. “Even though the water’s higher, I don’t think the fish are going to go up and spawn in (the shoreline zone) because it’s so nasty. I think the outside reeds, where they can spawn on cleaner bottom is what’s going to play.”
As Cox noted, viable spawning areas will be in high demand. Lake Okeechobee boasts 734 square miles, but water conditions have greatly reduced the realistic playing field.
“There’s really only a couple of areas with clean water,” he said. “The rest of the lake’s pretty muddy.”
