How to Fish Okatibbee Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Okatibbee Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Okatibbee Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	56-68	Bass are actively moving from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, following temperature changes and becoming increasingly active Fish are feeding aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, targeting both shad and crawfish	Rip Rap areas, especially those adjacent to spawning flats Flooded brush in pre-spawn staging areas Main lake points with access to deeper water	Lipless Crankbaits worked through transition areas Swim Jigs around flooded brush and vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits parallel to rip rap	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	52-65	Spotted bass transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends Fish actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, showing increased aggression towards prey	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning pockets Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning flats Rocky main lake points with access to deeper water	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along transition areas Shakey Heads worked slowly through brush piles and around points Bladed Jigs around shallow cover during warming trends	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	56-65	Moving from deeper winter haunts to transitional staging areas, actively feeding while preparing for spawn Gradually becoming more aggressive in feeding as water temperatures rise, with peaks during morning and evening hours	Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet of water Deeper edges of flooded grass transitions in 6-12 feet Secondary points leading into spawning coves	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas Small minnows around brush and vegetation edges	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near grass, woody cover, and protected coves Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby points and drop-offs between spawning periods	Protected shallow coves with mix of grass and woody cover Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow grass flats adjacent to deeper water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and bedding areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating spawning areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas and points	Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas Shad moving into warmer, shallow water	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-72	Spotted bass actively preparing for and engaging in spawning activities, with males guarding nests in protected areas near shoreline cover Pre-spawn fish staging on secondary points and moving into spawning pockets during warmer periods Post-spawn females beginning to move back to deeper structure while males continue guard nests	Protected spawning pockets with hard bottom near laydowns and brush piles Secondary points leading into spawning coves Matted grass edges in 2-6 foot depth range	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas Shakey Heads worked slowly on secondary points Swim Jigs paralleling grasslines and through brush Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre-spawn fish	Bluegill gathering in spawning areas Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are actively moving into shallow spawning areas with flooded grass and brush, typically holding in 2-6 feet of water Fish are transitioning between pre-spawn staging areas and spawning sites, making frequent moves between deeper transition zones and shallow spawning areas	Flooded grass areas in shallow coves and protected pockets Brush piles along transition routes between deeper water and spawning areas Secondary points with gradual slopes leading to spawning areas	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Bobbers Finesse Hair Jigs	Small shad moving into shallow spawning areas Small minnows in and around flooded grass	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing shallow to mid-depth areas around vegetation and wood cover Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior during stable weather, with a focus on ambush points near woody structure and grass edges	Brush piles in 5-15 foot range, especially those with standing wood Submerged vegetation edges and patches Secondary points with mixed vegetation and wood cover	Bladed Jigs worked through and around vegetation Texas Rigs (Worming) around brush piles and wood cover Swim Jigs along grass edges	Crappie, as evidenced by recent fishing reports Shad beginning their shallow water patterns Bluegill moving into spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	65-75	Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, focusing on high-percentage ambush points near deep water access Moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper rest areas throughout the day, with peak activity during morning and evening Relating strongly to woody cover and grass edges, especially where these intersect with points and ledges	Main lake points with laydowns or brush piles adjacent to deeper water Grass edges near channel swings or creek mouths Secondary points with submerged brush in 8-15 foot depth range	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush piles and along grass edges Spinnerbaits parallel to points and through scattered brush Shakey Heads worked methodically around woody cover and point transitions	Shad beginning to school in post-spawn patterns Bluegill moving to spawning areas near cover Crawfish active in rocky areas and around woody cover	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, with groups staging along depth changes near flooded grass Feeding activity is increasing as fish recover from spawn, with most active periods during morning and evening	Flooded grass edges where shallow areas transition to deeper water Brush piles in 8-15 feet of water along migration routes Secondary points with submerged vegetation near deeper water access	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around grass edges Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along depth transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near brush piles and structure	Minnows gathering around grass edges and brush Small shad schools beginning to form in slightly deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	65-86	Bass are actively feeding in and around shallow cover during early morning and evening, transitioning to deeper areas during midday heat Fish are relating strongly to vegetation and structure, using these areas as ambush points for feeding on shad and bluegill	Matted grass and lily pad fields in shallow water, especially those adjacent to deeper water Ledges near creek mouths with grass coverage Points and laydowns providing shade and ambush opportunities	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with brush hogs and worms around vegetation and cover Swim Jigs worked through grass edges and creek mouths Shakey Heads worked along points during midday periods	Shad schooling around vegetation edges Bluegill holding in and around grass and lily pad fields	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	65-86	During summer, spotted bass become more active and aggressive, especially during early morning and late evening. They often suspend near points and ledges during midday heat. Fish are actively feeding on shad and bluegill around woody cover and matted grass, using these areas as ambush points	Main lake points and ledges with woody cover, especially in 10-20 foot depth range Matted grass areas adjacent to deeper water Brush piles and laydowns near creek channel swings	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and brush piles Swim Jigs through matted grass and along edges Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along ledges and points	Shad schooling in open water and around points Bluegill relating to shallow cover and grass Crawfish in rocky areas and around wood cover	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-86	Crappie are moving to deeper structure during hot summer days, typically holding in brush piles and deep vegetation edges in 15-25 feet of water Fish become more active during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed on shad and minnows Schools are tightly grouped around specific pieces of structure during midday heat	Deep brush piles in 15-25 feet of water, especially those near channel edges Deep edges of flooded grass lines where they meet deeper water Shaded areas under docks with good depth, particularly those near deep water access	Crappie Spider Rigging for precise vertical presentations to deep brush piles Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) during early morning and evening periods Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for targeting suspended fish around structure	Shad schools suspending near structure Small minnows relating to vegetation edges Young-of-year baitfish around brush piles	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Okatibbee Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass actively feeding on shad and transitioning from summer patterns, following baitfish movements to creek arms and coves Moving between shallow feeding areas and nearby deeper structure throughout the day, with more active shallow feeding during overcast conditions	Creek channel bends adjacent to shallow flats with remaining grass Main lake points with access to deep water Woody cover (laydowns and brush piles) near depth transitions	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to depth transitions Spinnerbaits around remaining grass and wood cover Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush piles	Shad schools migrating into creeks and coves Bluegill remaining around shallow cover Crappie schooling near channel edges	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	65-75	Spotted bass actively chasing shad schools in the mid-depth ranges, moving between points and creek channels Becoming more aggressive in feeding as water cools, utilizing woody cover and grass edges as ambush points	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those with brush piles Creek channel bends with laydowns and woody cover Grass edges adjacent to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked along grass edges and through brush Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through brush piles and laydowns	Shad schools moving into creek arms and along points Bluegill relating to remaining vegetation and woody cover	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Crappie	58-72	Crappie are transitioning from summer deep water patterns to more active feeding in mid-depth zones, following baitfish schools as they move into creek arms and coves Fish are schooling more aggressively and actively feeding during low-light periods, especially around structure that concentrates baitfish	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-18 feet of water near channel swings Creek arms with remaining vegetation in 8-15 feet Main lake points with access to deeper water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves Small minnows around remaining vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-56	Concentrating around woody cover in relatively shallow water, particularly laydowns that provide ambush points and thermal protection Maintaining a more lethargic, conservation-oriented feeding pattern typical of winter conditions, but still actively feeding during prime periods	Laydowns and woody structure in protected coves Secondary points with access to deeper water Areas with standing timber near depth transitions	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked slowly around wood cover Finesse Jigs worked methodically through laydowns Texas Rigs (Worming) with slow presentations near structure	Shad concentrating in protected areas Bluegill holding tight to cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Spotted Bass	48-58	Spotted bass tend to school more tightly in winter, following baitfish to deeper main lake areas and suspending near significant structure Feeding periods are more concentrated during warmer parts of the day, with fish moving up in the water column as temperatures rise	Deep ledges and points adjacent to main lake areas, especially those with brush piles Steep rocky banks with nearby deep water access Bridge pilings and deep dock areas that provide vertical structure	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Shakey Heads worked slowly along deeper structure Drop Shot with subtle presentations in deeper water	Suspended schools of shad in deeper water Smaller bluegill around deep structure Crawfish in rocky areas during warmer periods	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Crappie	45-56	Crappie are schooling tightly in deeper water, typically suspending near structure or following baitfish schools Feeding activity is most intense during warmer parts of the day, with fish moving slightly shallower during these periods	Deep brush piles in 15-25 feet of water near channel bends Deep water adjacent to creek channel intersections Suspended schools near deeper dock structures	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging Ice Fishing Jigs	Suspended shad schools in deeper water Small minnows around brush piles	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Okatibbee Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rip Rap areas, especially those adjacent to spawning flats	Flooded brush in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning pockets	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet of water	Deeper edges of flooded grass transitions in 6-12 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with mix of grass and woody cover	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Protected spawning pockets with hard bottom near laydowns and brush piles	Secondary points leading into spawning coves
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Flooded grass areas in shallow coves and protected pockets	Brush piles along transition routes between deeper water and spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in 5-15 foot range, especially those with standing wood	Submerged vegetation edges and patches
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main lake points with laydowns or brush piles adjacent to deeper water	Grass edges near channel swings or creek mouths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Flooded grass edges where shallow areas transition to deeper water	Brush piles in 8-15 feet of water along migration routes
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Matted grass and lily pad fields in shallow water, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Ledges near creek mouths with grass coverage
Summer	Spotted Bass	Main lake points and ledges with woody cover, especially in 10-20 foot depth range	Matted grass areas adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Crappie	Deep brush piles in 15-25 feet of water, especially those near channel edges	Deep edges of flooded grass lines where they meet deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Creek channel bends adjacent to shallow flats with remaining grass	Main lake points with access to deep water
Fall	Spotted Bass	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those with brush piles	Creek channel bends with laydowns and woody cover
Fall	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-18 feet of water near channel swings	Creek arms with remaining vegetation in 8-15 feet
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody structure in protected coves	Secondary points with access to deeper water
Winter	Spotted Bass	Deep ledges and points adjacent to main lake areas, especially those with brush piles	Steep rocky banks with nearby deep water access
Winter	Crappie	Deep brush piles in 15-25 feet of water near channel bends	Deep water adjacent to creek channel intersections

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas	Small minnows around brush and vegetation edges
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas	Shad moving into warmer, shallow water
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Bluegill gathering in spawning areas	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small shad moving into shallow spawning areas	Small minnows in and around flooded grass
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crappie, as evidenced by recent fishing reports	Shad beginning their shallow water patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad beginning to school in post-spawn patterns	Bluegill moving to spawning areas near cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows gathering around grass edges and brush	Small shad schools beginning to form in slightly deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling around vegetation edges	Bluegill holding in and around grass and lily pad fields
Summer	Spotted Bass	Shad schooling in open water and around points	Bluegill relating to shallow cover and grass
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools suspending near structure	Small minnows relating to vegetation edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creeks and coves	Bluegill remaining around shallow cover
Fall	Spotted Bass	Shad schools moving into creek arms and along points	Bluegill relating to remaining vegetation and woody cover
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves	Small minnows around remaining vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating in protected areas	Bluegill holding tight to cover
Winter	Spotted Bass	Suspended schools of shad in deeper water	Smaller bluegill around deep structure
Winter	Crappie	Suspended shad schools in deeper water	Small minnows around brush piles

Bait Colors by Season for Okatibbee Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

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