Lake Okeechobee locals woke to a patchy fog hanging over glassy water, but by 8:30 a.m. the sun was just breaking through—a sunrise at 6:44 a.m.—lighting up those legendary lily pad fields and grassy flats that make this lake the “Big O”[1][2]. Today, the weather’s mild: northeast winds holding light, 5–10 knots, keeping the lake with just a comfortable chop, perfect conditions for both boat and bank anglers, with temperatures starting in the mid-60s and pushing toward the low 80s by afternoon[1].

Sunset rolls in at 5:30 p.m. and, with the cooler, shorter day, water temps are dropping closer to the mid-70s, which has really fired up the bite for Largemouth Bass. Reports rolling in from the Bassmaster EQ live coverage show that just yesterday, numbers were strong—anglers caught mixed limits, many pushing the 15–20 pound mark, with plenty of bass over five pounds on camera[6][7]. And, if you’re chasing quantity, some have stacked up 40–50 fish outings, working isolated pad beds and deeper canal cuts[3][2].

Best bet for lure choice? Soft plastics are still king right now: Texas-rigged Senkos and punch rigs in junebug and watermelon red. The bite is hottest in areas where pads mix with submerged grass—those irregular groups or stand-alone beds near channel drop-offs are Lunker City right now; fish are stationed waiting to ambush[2]. Jig anglers are doing damage with half-ounce black/blue jigs paired to a craw trailer, flipping directly into holes in the pads.

Swimbaits are giving up the giants—just ask local hotshots landing double-digit bass on six-inch shad patterns in pre-dawn hours[3]. Chatterbaits in shad and bluegill color are also finding reaction bites along the outside grass lines, and spinnerbaits are nailing moving fish when the wind picks up in the afternoon[4][8]. And don’t overlook a topwater buzz bait at first light near the north end or Harney Pond canal—more than a few seven-pounders have been smoked on them this week, according to the fall local tackle shop chatter[14].

Live shiners remain the old-school best bait for beginners and big bass hunters alike, especially near the rim canal and around Uncle Joe’s Cut, two spots that’ve produced since last weekend. Nightcrawlers and cut bait are scoring steady bluegill, catfish, and crappie in the shallows and near boat docks, but bass have been the top story all week.

Hot spots today:
– **South Bay:** Mix of pad beds, grass and shell bar transitions, fish holding in 3–5 feet alongside boat trails.
– **Tin House Cove:** Isolated pads on deeper water, perfect for punch rigs and big swimbaits.
– **Harney Pond Canal:** Shiner action, early topwater bite, and steady bass all day.

Tidal flow is minimal in the main lake, but the feed peaks between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m., then again just before dusk—prime time for active fish. The water’s clean in open spots, though watch for muddy runoff near the western basin.

If you’re coming this weekend, make sure to pack rain gear; the forecast looks dry but a cold front is ticking close by. Remember, the bite’s best before noon and the evening twilight. November has Okeechobee showing off: crisp, cool mornings, aggressive pre-front bass, and more big fish photos already hitting social media than any November in the last three years.

Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local tips, tackle talk, and big fish news. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI