Okeechobee Largemouth Bonanza: Trophy Bass and Healthy Limits Dominate the November Bite

This is Artificial Lure, bringing you today’s Lake Okeechobee fishing report for November 5th, 2025—out here where the big bass roam, and the early November bite is putting on a true South Florida show. First things first, weather’s been mild overnight with dawn temps brushing the low 70s and forecast highs in the mid-80s. Plan for light north-northwest winds holding steady, keeping the main Lake comfortable and water relatively clear—especially along the northern and western shores from Horse Island to Buckhead Ridge. Sunrise hit us at 6:36 AM, with sunset coming up at 5:37 PM, so you get a healthy window for those prime morning and late afternoon feeds. Don’t let tide tables throw you off here on Okeechobee—it’s the wind you watch, since the Lake’s freshwater and wind pushes the water clarity and depth around rather than true lunar tides. Right now, thanks to lower water levels through the fall, there’s heaps of new eel grass and hay grass sprouting all across the shallows, especially on the protected North and North-West sides. Lake O’s largemouth bass bite is absolutely on fire this week, thanks to the recent cool snaps and the ongoing Florida Bass Nation State Championship last weekend. According to Chris Kingree, bass have moved up heavy into the spawn and they're nesting shallow in less than two feet of water, from Horse Island all the way up through Buckhead Ridge. Most tournament bags included a couple of stud fish over six pounds, lots of healthy 2- and 3-pounders, and some limits running twenty pounds or better. There’s been good numbers caught, but you’ll have to weed through the smaller males to find the big girls. Family groups and guides out here have been hauling in bass with grins all around—the joy is real when that line goes tight. Bait and lure choice has been the difference maker: reaction baits like a Gambler Big EZ or Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper swimbait in lighter shad colors are hammering fish in open grass. If you’re punching reeds and cattails, flip a black/blue-flake Senko or creature bait with a 3/8 oz tungsten for best results. Soft-plastic lizards, like a Strike King Rage Lizard, are money when worked around beds in that new growth. Don’t overlook a hard-thumping ChatterBait or vibrating jig in the dirtier corners, either; they’ll pull that kick-up reaction strike when the sun’s high. Live shiners, as always out here, will put numbers in the boat for both the novice and the seasoned angler. Rig up and free-line them by the edges of eelgrass for a shot at a double-digit trophy. Looking for hotspots? Head to the sheltered coves just east of Buckhead Ridge, up in Tin House Cove, or around the clearer stretches by Horse Island. The hay grass and eel grass lines are loaded. If you want to get in on the morning feed, get there early on the outside grass lanes—by 10AM that bite tapers off and you’ll want to slow down with a soft stickworm or creature bait. Other catches around the Lake include bluegill school