Good morning, folks. This is Artificial Lure, bringing you the latest from Lake Okeechobee, Florida, for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025. The weather’s been mild, with light winds out of the north at 5 to 10 knots, and the lake’s surface is showing just a light chop. The forecast calls for similar conditions through the week, with no big fronts on the horizon. Sunrise today is at 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at 5:39 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with.
The fish are definitely active, especially largemouth bass. After the recent cold front, the bite has rebounded, and anglers are seeing good numbers. Caleb Hudson just took the top spot at the Bassmaster Elite Qualifier with a three-day total of 52 pounds, 6 ounces, and he did it fishing the Rim Canal on the southwest side of the lake. He was targeting bass just under the surface, using a Spro McDart jerkbait and a jighead minnow, switching to the minnow with a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jighead when the water calmed down. Fisher Anaya, who finished third, was on the Harney Pond Canal with a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader and a Rapala Mavrick jerkbait, and he landed the big bass of the tournament, an 8-13. Most of the pros are seeing quality fish, but it’s been tough to fill limits—only one 20-pound bag hit the scales on the final day.
If you’re heading out, the best lures right now are jerkbaits and finesse minnows, especially in the canals and along the rim. The water’s a bit dirtier in those areas, which seems to be helping the bite. For bait, live shiners are always a solid choice, but the artificial minnows and jerkbaits are producing well, especially when the bass are suspended or just under the surface. The bite is strongest in the early morning and late afternoon, so plan your trip around those windows.
Two hot spots to try are the Rim Canal on the southwest side and the Harney Pond Canal. Both have been producing quality bass, and the canals are holding fish that are willing to bite. The J&S Canal on the east side is also worth a look, especially if you’re targeting bass feeding on baitfish.
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