06 September 2025
Late Summer Fishing on the Big O: Lake Okeechobee Update
Lake Okeechobee Florida Daily Fishing Report
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Artificial Lure reporting in from the “Big O” with your Lake Okeechobee fishing update for Saturday, September 6, 2025.
We started with a golden sunrise at 7:01 AM this morning, and we’re looking at sunset coming right around 7:38 PM. Weather’s been classic late summer—humid but stable, with high pressure dominating, wind holding light out of the east at 5–8 mph, and a mix of sun and cloud cover. Expect those scattered afternoon storms to pop up, typical for September, so keep an eye on the sky if you’re out late.
Tidal influence isn’t much on the lake proper, since Okeechobee’s more about water level managed by the locks, but outflows are steady. The water’s running a little high from recent rain, clarity is decent in sheltered areas, and temps are climbing into the high 80s by midday.
Bass bite started real strong in the morning—topwater action was hot from daybreak until about 9 AM, then the fish settled into cover as the sun climbed. Local guides and anglers checked in with good numbers of largemouths up to 6 pounds, mostly caught working spinnerbaits and white or silver shad-patterned swimbaits along outside grass lines and at the mouths of canals.
Steve Daniel, the voice of Okeechobee fishing, has been hammering home the effectiveness of a classic black-and-blue jig or a stickworm like a Senko around hydrilla and bulrush patches once the sun’s high. If you’re only taking one lure, a topwater frog still puts big fish in the net early, especially if you can work the edge of the peppergrass before the boat traffic picks up.
Live bait—shiners—remains king for folks looking to hook into a trophy. Shop catches this week are reporting healthy numbers of 2–4 pounders coming out of Tin House Cove and the Monkey Box on a regular basis, especially for anglers dragging shiners near isolated pads. Bluegill are still bedding in the shallow, sandy spots. Crickets or red wigglers under a float will fill a stringer fast, especially on the north end around Harney Pond and Buckhead Ridge.
A few reports came in about a blue green algae alert over on Lake Jesup but nothing substantial to report here on the Big O at this time; remember, fillets from healthy fish are considered safe to eat, but always clean your catch with awareness of water conditions.
Anglers are seeing some healthy shad spawns in the morning, which means predator fish are keyed up on moving baits. Buzzbaits and swimming jigs in white and chartreuse colors have been a top producer when the baitfish are thick.
For hotspots, Tin House Cove on the west side is still putting up mixed bags of bass, and the Monkey Box is a sure bet if you want both numbers and the chance for something giant. Harney Pond Canal is another sleeper with solid bluegill and shellcracker action, and don’t sleep on the Rim Canal if the main lake is busy or stirred up from wind.
Water’s up, the grass is green, and the bite is steady—Okeechobee’s living up to its reputation here at the tail end of summer.
Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss another fishing update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
We started with a golden sunrise at 7:01 AM this morning, and we’re looking at sunset coming right around 7:38 PM. Weather’s been classic late summer—humid but stable, with high pressure dominating, wind holding light out of the east at 5–8 mph, and a mix of sun and cloud cover. Expect those scattered afternoon storms to pop up, typical for September, so keep an eye on the sky if you’re out late.
Tidal influence isn’t much on the lake proper, since Okeechobee’s more about water level managed by the locks, but outflows are steady. The water’s running a little high from recent rain, clarity is decent in sheltered areas, and temps are climbing into the high 80s by midday.
Bass bite started real strong in the morning—topwater action was hot from daybreak until about 9 AM, then the fish settled into cover as the sun climbed. Local guides and anglers checked in with good numbers of largemouths up to 6 pounds, mostly caught working spinnerbaits and white or silver shad-patterned swimbaits along outside grass lines and at the mouths of canals.
Steve Daniel, the voice of Okeechobee fishing, has been hammering home the effectiveness of a classic black-and-blue jig or a stickworm like a Senko around hydrilla and bulrush patches once the sun’s high. If you’re only taking one lure, a topwater frog still puts big fish in the net early, especially if you can work the edge of the peppergrass before the boat traffic picks up.
Live bait—shiners—remains king for folks looking to hook into a trophy. Shop catches this week are reporting healthy numbers of 2–4 pounders coming out of Tin House Cove and the Monkey Box on a regular basis, especially for anglers dragging shiners near isolated pads. Bluegill are still bedding in the shallow, sandy spots. Crickets or red wigglers under a float will fill a stringer fast, especially on the north end around Harney Pond and Buckhead Ridge.
A few reports came in about a blue green algae alert over on Lake Jesup but nothing substantial to report here on the Big O at this time; remember, fillets from healthy fish are considered safe to eat, but always clean your catch with awareness of water conditions.
Anglers are seeing some healthy shad spawns in the morning, which means predator fish are keyed up on moving baits. Buzzbaits and swimming jigs in white and chartreuse colors have been a top producer when the baitfish are thick.
For hotspots, Tin House Cove on the west side is still putting up mixed bags of bass, and the Monkey Box is a sure bet if you want both numbers and the chance for something giant. Harney Pond Canal is another sleeper with solid bluegill and shellcracker action, and don’t sleep on the Rim Canal if the main lake is busy or stirred up from wind.
Water’s up, the grass is green, and the bite is steady—Okeechobee’s living up to its reputation here at the tail end of summer.
Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss another fishing update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn