Trip to Lake "O"

[macgyver]

Well I just booked Art Ferguson from Roland Martin's Marina for a full day on Saturday 4/23/05. It will be myself my father, and brother. Anyway we will be staying at the Marina for a night, and thought I might just go back out Sunday to fish without the guide. My first question is how will a 16' Flat bottom aluminum boat handle the big O? I've been told due to all of the vegetation, I shouldn't have a problem with waves. Also anyone that has any good info on any smaller bodies of water around lake O I would appreciate it. I should be able to fish sat-mon, and drive back on tues. I'm pretty fired up about it, can't wait to hook into that Hawg I've been looking for.

Lizards

[fredhatch]

Dont know a lot about the Big O. Coming out of Clewiston(MARTINS MARINA). The rim canal surrounds the lake. One spot that is productive is the west wall. Im sure the guide will fill you in. If the wind is up the lake gets as bad as any ocean will. Ive been there on a windy day and had 2-3 foot waves. If the lake is rough go to the rim canal. From there you can access numerous canals and runoffs. I personally do most of my fishing through here. A guide from Martins will probably tell you everything you need to know. 8)

[zman]

The vegitation thing both is and isn't true with those big lakes in florida. If you get a 15 mile wind from the south (which is what you can expect that time of year basically), then the waves that are created are big enough to still travel through 100 yards of maidencane and still make an impact on the inside of the weedline. White caps are pretty much eliminated inside the weedline and its not a dangerous scenerio by any means for a 16 foot boat, but it likely wont be glass. I've handled 25 mile per hour winds before in my 13 1/2 foot boat down there, so just don't do anything stupid and you will be fine. You may be in store for a bit of a rough ride, but I guess you knew that already.

I think RM's marina is on the west side of the lake around clewiston. That means lake Hippochee, maybe the kissimmee river, I'm told numerous canals and perhaps lake isotopga or walk in the water on your way back.

I know what you mean about being excited. I've decided that regardless of money issues, I'm heading to Kissimmee march 25th...if I'm broke then I guess I'll just have to camp in the bush.

[Infisherman1]

I don't know much about the big O other than its huge, shallow, weedy, and full of bass. I think the rim canal is supposed to be good fishing, at some parts it gets up to 30' deep on it (god fo c-rigging). Plus its got a lot of flooded timber and brush. I'd say try and flip a paca craw. I know someone who got 2nd in a BFL tournament doing that there.

[Bassin_Dude]

i was just near the big ''o'' a few weeks ago on a hunting trip. i went right through clewiston. unfortunatly u cant see the lake from the road due to the damming around the lake but all the canals look really good to fish. hope u have a good time and catch the biggun

[fredhatch]

the rim canal actually connects the west coast to the east coast of Fl through a series of canal and and locks. If you are there be prepared for big boats. Im talking large 30,40,50 footers. They run the rim canal until they get to the channel that runs through the middle of the lake towards the east. They usually will slow down....but there are a few @$%holes that will still run at a pretty good clip, these boats will put out 2-4 ft wakes. I know my boat got swamped down there last year. If I wouldnt have gotten my nose turned into it I would have flipped my liitle boat. Be careful. The rim canal and channel are well in the 30'+ depth. Just in case you dont know already the bIG "O" is 37-38 miles N-S and 34-35 E-W, talk about inland ocean. 8)

[Rob Mak]

yep and most of it anit ten feet deep


zooker

[profishermenkid16]

Lizards, Flip 'em your lizard. ;D Remember to say Oh Son! alot and stammer its a really, really big fish Oh son its a 6, 7, 9, 10,12lber son git th' net. ;D ;D ;D You th' man Lizards. 8) P N J

[BassNva]

i fished around roland's marina.caught fish right under his docks.there's a canal right by his marina.it's not very wide or deep.lots of pads and weeds from what i remember.it has been about 8 or 9 yrs since i been down to clewiston.good fishing.

[fredhatch]

Sorry I have more. When you exit through the lock into the rim canal that is the primary release area for tourneys. I have caught fish to the left and right and straight up the middle from there no more than a hundred yards. Ill try to quit now. 8)

[LEVI]

Lizard,
Good for you, I hope you catch that fish of a lifetime. One day I hope to get the chance to go to the "Big O" but until then I will continue to dream. Good luck

Kybasser

[danrw84]

And don't forget the digital camera so you can show all of us your prize! ;D

[Frank_Eagles]

If you want to catch a limit of copperheads, fish beetlespins in the rim canal. Or, fish for bass, and in shifts for bream. Have fun with the bass, have fries with the bream

[Bassin_Dude]

what is a copperhead ???

[Infisherman1]

[quote author=bassfisher02 link=board=MessBoards;num=1107974098;start=0#13 date=02/11/05 at 17:42:12]what is a copperhead ???[/quote]

Copperhead is a kinda poisonous snake. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herp...e/venomsnk.htm

[Bassin_Dude]

ok i no what a copperhead is. i thought he meant a fish

[zman]

It is also a type of bluegill, or could that be a coppernose...?

[Frank_Eagles]

I meant a bream, maybe it is a copper nose. Around here, they're copperheads. When they get really big, they grow a copper band across their forehead. Sorry bout the confusion