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The current Lake Okeechobee water level is 10.63 ft. above sea level. With the daily rain showers the level should continue to rise. The water clarity has been real clear in a lot of areas throughout the lake but some algae has been present lately which is normal for this time of year and hasn't seem to affect both bass and bluegill fishing.
We are still catching bluegill in good quantities with the best times to catch them is around the full/new moon phrases. The lure I've been having success with is a beetle spin with colors yellow w/some black rigged on Trilene 4-6 pound test line. The areas on the south-end that have been producing are: East wall; West wall; Observation Island and Bare Beach areas.
As for bass fishing of late, the fishing has been great with some really big ones being caught as evidence of the recent Bass Busters tournament trail in which the winners have been weighing in some 27+ pounds. Because of the hotter temp's and rising water on the lake, you have to change up a bit on your presentations to catch the bigger bass such as fishing slower than you normally would or throwing a slower falling bait. Either way, the bigger bass are out there, they always have been, so be patient, it will pay off.
For the morning bite, I've been having success with a Zara spook in colors clear, white or bluegill and a chug bug or a pop-r in colors shad will work as well. As the morning bite slows, I always keep handy my Gene Larew 11" salty snake is colors plum; red shad and june bug. The slower you work the plastics the better…..the bite has been real light lately and most times you don't feel it and that's where conditioning yourself to be a line watcher pays off big time. I also keep on hand a tube pegged and ready to go and one color that I never leave home whether on the road touring or here on the big O is pumpkin pepper/chartreuse. I recently just returned from fishing the women's bassmaster event held on Old Hickory, TN., and Gambler's tube in that particular color helped me to secure a second place finish.
I also recommend throwing a jig, particularly a brown or black/blue 3/16 Eakins jig rigged with your favorite trailer but one that works very well with that particular size and shape is the Gene Larew 4" salt craw in black/blue or pumpkin and I usually cut the crawdad down a bit before rigging it to the jig.
Throughout the day you'll more than likely see and hear some schoolie's come up and when you do I throw a lipless crank bait in colors green shiner or shad and don't forget the "original" chatter bait in colors black/blue or brown/chartreuse especially if your fishing in off-colored water.
Despite the hot/humid days, the lower-than-normal water levels and some algae here on the big O, fishing has been really awesome both in quality/quantity, sure there's going to be tough days where we just don't get the bites we want or need but all-in-all, day in and day out Lake Okeechobee is still fishing strong and I'm especially remindful of that as I travel throughout different parts of the U.S. pursuing my dream as a professional bass angler and thankful that I have the opportunity as a professional bass fishing guide here on the big O to help share this unique experience with others.

As always, be safe, have fun and be courteous to your fellow boaters !!

Angie

WBT Tour Facts:
Angie Douthit started off on the Women's Bass Tour with a Top 6 showing. After leading day 1 of the competition with the heaviest single day weight of the entire event, she fought rough weather and high winds to still make her mark. Her goal is to attain the esteem position of being AOY on the WBT's 2008 season. The AOY from the WBT will also qualify for the Bassmaster Classic for 2008.
Douthit said her biggest accomplishment to date was winning a $50,000 paycheck and the ability to create her own television show pilot. Douthit won these items when she appeared on a Canadian reality show, called “Last Cull”, featuring 50 competing anglers .

About Us!
Professional Guide, Angie Douthit, when not traveling on Tour, she is guiding anglers on the waters of Lake Okeechobee. World famous for the quality of the bass fishing, Okeechobee is an expanse of water covering 735 square miles. When most anglers see this small ocean for the first time, they are immediately notice that it all looks the same. Needless to say, that is not true in the case of the huge bass that ply the waters in search of golden shiners or other baits. The fish select certain areas of the lake, based on season and weather conditions. In order to have the trip of a lifetime, a professional guide can save you days of wandering around just looking for that secret area.
Angie loves the sport of bass fishing and even more, loves to help others to learn how much fun it can be. Whether its artificial lures or live-bait used, Angie will see to it that you have a great day on the water.While on the waters of Lake Okeechobee you will also see the wildlife that makes the trip a special memory.
As a current touring professional angler and Lake Okeechobee guide, sponsors play a very important role, without them I could not enjoy doing what I love most, which is FISHING. My sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Motor Guide, Bob's Hi-Performance Machine Shop; Bass Pro Shops; Gene Larew Soft Plastics; Rapala; Navionics; Mega Strike; Trilene; Sure Life and Real Magic.