Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for October 19th, 2025. Sunrise hit at 7:25 AM and sunset will drop at 6:50 PM, right as the bass start prowlin’ again. Today we’re looking at a partly cloudy sky, highs near 88, lows about 70, and smooth southeast winds tickling out of the marsh at 5-10 mph. Afternoon storms could roll in, so best launch early to dodge that muddy churn.

This current waning crescent moon has the fish surging at dawn and dusk. Largemouth bass have been firing on all cylinders—local guides are seeing explosive action, with 3-8 pounders pouncing on baitfish and shiners, and some 8-pound hogs smashing jigs. On the best days, boats near Clewiston’s southwest shore are putting 25-40 bass in the boat, 40% of ’em cutting through grass flats and reeds. Want a strong bite? Try Eagle Island and Monkey Box in 4-8 feet, focus on wind-blown edges. Over at the Kissimmee River mouth northwest, anglers are finding steady hookups with current moving the fish.

Pelican Bay and Ritta Island are stacked with 2-5 pound schools. The top bait right now: live shiners. If you’re rigging plastics, Texas rig a JB Gambler Fat Ace in black/blue on a 6/0 hook with a 3/16-ounce tungsten weight. Flipping and pitching to structure is hot. Want to trigger reaction strikes? Bladed jigs in 6-8 foot grass flats are sparking explosive hits, especially along leeward shores just after dawn.

Crappie action is fair to good, especially at canal drop-offs and brush piles in 6-10 foot holes. Guides have reported days with 100-150 fish landed, most running 10-14 inches and up to 2 pounds. Monkey Box and north shore canals are productive, with small jigs under slip bobbers and live minnows being the pick for limits. The bite is strongest in low light, boosted by the moon phase.

Bluegill and redear sunfish are sprinting—families are pulling 2-4 pound bags from the shallows behind islands and grass flats over in Shoal and Coots Bay. Try crickets or red worms with ultra-light tackle for a steady popping bite.

Catfish numbers remain steady, with 5-10 pounders prowling deep holes and channels especially after dark. Rim Canal and main lake channels in 10+ feet are likely haunts; fresh cut shad or mullet on heavy bottom rigs remain the best ticket.

Vegetation is thick and varied—eel grass, shrimp grass, and new emergent plants are everywhere, giving fish plenty of cover, though spraying continues in some sections. There's rumor of a cold front rolling in by midweek, which could shake up the bite and maybe flush more spawners into the shallows.

Recent catches include a few 7-pound largemouths and several bags topping 25 pounds from spawning zones. There's evidence fish are staged at all levels—some on beds, some outside, and some mid-lake chasing bait. The frog bite is there, mainly on dark colored gambler popping frogs, especially fished slow on targets. Cover water quickly with swim jigs, spinnerbaits, or a Big EZ buzzbait if you’re working the back stretches.

Hot spots for mid-October:
- Clewiston’s southwest grass flats and reeds for bass blitzes.
- Monkey Box for both bass and specks (crappie).
- Kissimmee River mouth for current-driven fish.
- Ritta Island and Pelican Bay for 2-5 pound bass schools and panfish.
- Shoal and Coots Bay for bluegill and redears.

Local bait shops around Okeechobee and Clewiston are loaded with fresh shiners—grab some and keep braided line (20-30 lb) handy for flipping. Don’t forget, Florida license regulations allow one bass over 24 inches per day, crappie aggregate at 25.

The fall bite is full throttle and liable to pop off at any moment—one cast away from a lunker stampede. Hit that moving water while fish stage up for the pre-spawn. Thanks for tuning in, remember to subscribe for your daily Big O fix!

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