Florida
Bass Fishing
Fall is an excellent time of the
year for big bass. While most people think of the spring
spawn as the best time to find trophy fish, more 10-pounders
are caught between September and December than any other
time of the year.
Bass sense the change of season and
the falling water temperature and tend to feed heavily to
prepare for the upcoming winter and for the spawn. Shiners
provide a perfect food, loaded with protein and fish oils
that help develop their roe for spawning. A large wild shiner
dangling under a float is an easy target for a hungry bass.
Another bait bass will feed on is
the small fries of the recent panfish hatch. Also plentiful
and full of nutrition, this is an excellent time to catch
a few small bluegill and fish them as you would a shiner.
One thing to keep in mind, to use bluegill as bait they
must have been harvested legally and in the same body of
water you plan to fish them in.
Clermont Chain of Lakes Fishing
Bluegill and redear sunfish are biting
on crickets and worms, while channel catfish are hitting
chicken liver and prepared baits in lakes Minneola, Minnehaha,
and Louisa. Largemouth bass fishing is slow with some caught
in Lake Minneola on crankbaits and plastic worms. Lake County
Florida Fishing.
Conway Chain of Lakes Fishing
The Conway Chain remains good for
schooling-sized bass. Go out at first light and work all
three lakes. Use topwater lures and small diving plugs.
Fishing deeper waters in the middle lake with jigging spoons
has produced catches of bigger fish, in the 2-to-4 pound
range. Osceola County Florida Fishing
Lake Blue Cypress Florida
Fishing
Largemouth bass anglers can expect
to find fish between the weedline and the cypress trees
in the southern portion of the lake and around grass or
lily pads along other shorelines. If adequate rainfall continues
and water is released through the water control structure
in Big-M Canal, bass may also school up around the mouth
of the canal when there is current flowing northward. The
vegetated banks of Big M Canal and Zigzag Canal may also
harbor a few good fish. Dark-colored plastic worms, topwater
chuggers, propeller plugs, spinnerbaits, and live bait (golden
shiners) are generally favored. Bluegill and redear sunfish
catches may slow down a bit, but a few should still be found
along grass-lines in 1 to 3 feet of water and also around
the open-water fish attractors. Big M Canal and Zigzag Canal
should also be productive for panfish. Fly-rod popping bugs,
small jigs, beetle spins, and live bait (crickets, grass
shrimp and worms) are the favored methods. Indian County
River Florida Fishing
Clearwater Florida Fishing
Catch mackerel and kings with a No.
3 spoon or a “greenie” skirt. Rig the greenies
with a 2-ounce led and a 6/0 hook on eight to 10 inches
of wire. Grouper are moving into the bay’s rock piles
and the ships channel. Offshore grouper reports are good,
as these fish move in to the rocky outcrops closer in.
Crescent Lake Florida Fishing
Crescent Lake has been strong for
bass fishing. Fishing guides are throwing topwater lures
early and late, but you had better have shiners the remainder
of the day. Docks in deeper waters along the western shore
of the lake are the best bet for largemouth bass anglers
using either artificial baits or live shiners. Numerous
deadfalls scattered on the eastern shore often hold bass.
Try the deeper edges of the bulrush and grass patches along
the west shore of the lake. Cooler temperatures bring out
the black crappie (speckled perch). Anglers should have
good luck drifting or trolling minnows or crappie jigs,
particularly in the southern end of the lake. Flagler County
Florida Fishing.
Deerpoint Lake Florida Fishing
Try fishing in early morning or late
afternoon along the weedlines of the old creek channels
in Bear, Econfina, and Cedar Creeks and along the south
side of Bayou George. Try fishing for bass with dark-colored
artificial worms, live shiners, and weedless lures. Bay
County Florida Fishing.
Everglades Fishing
Bass fishing remained tough in the
Everglades, but if you can find running water, you should
be able to catch some fish. The flats at Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge were producing fair numbers of bass. Flipping
in the canals was producing most of the bigger fish. Big
plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom and topwater
plugs were catching some fish in the canals at Everglades
Holiday Park.
Harris Chain of Lakes Fishing
Largemouth bass fishing has been
good on the Harris Chain. Fish early near lily pads with
spinner baits, jerkbaits, plastic frogs or toads or with
shiners. Schools are holding in deep, grassy waters. Use
diving plugs or jigging spoons to produce hits. On Lake
Harris largemouth bass are being caught on crankbaits and
plastic worms near grasslines and drop-offs found around
SR 19 bridge pilings. Large redear sunfish and bluegills
are being caught throughout the lake on grass shrimp and
worms. Lake County Florida Fishing.
Lake Harney Florida Fishing
Lake Harney has been strong for largemouth
bass. Fish open waters with small diving plugs, topwater
lures or crankbaits. Work near docks and lily pads for bigger
fish and use jerkbaits and topwaters. Try plastic frogs
or lizards over pads. Use jigging spoons and shiners later
in the morning in deep water. Fish near lily pads for plenty
of bluegills and shellcrackers. Redworms and crickets work
best.
Osborne Chain of Lakes Fishing
Peacock bass are being taken regularly
in the lake by anglers working spinnerbaits, stickbaits
and topwater plugs - the smaller the better. Anglers have
also been catching a lot of bluegill and numerous small
bass along the shoreline edges especially in and around
vegetated areas. Grass shrimp, crickets, small jigs have
been the preferred baits for bluegill, which should continue
to cooperate through October. Most bass are taken on live
baits such as shad and shiners. However, many can be taken
in the early morning with topwater lures and later in the
day with plastic worms and crankbaits. Jigs and live minnows
should be excellent producers. Nice size channel catfish
can be caught using chicken liver or live worms. Mayan cichlids
continue to be prominent in the lake and can be taken near
shore next to the vegetation using grass shrimp, live worms,
crickets, and small artificial lures such as beetle spins
and jigs. Palm Beach County Florida Fishing.
Indian River Florida Fishing
Try fishing the eastern side of the
Indian River with live shrimp, jerkbaits and topwater lures.
Larger fish will be lurking near the causeway feeding on
shrimp and crabs.
Florida Bay/10,000 Islands
Fishing
Fishing from East Cape Canal to Lostman's
River has really turned on with snook and redfish holding
around Gulf side shorelines, creek mouths and beaches. Lots
of sharks have been in the area as well. With a change in
the weather the snook might really break out. Currently
there are more reds caught easier. Goliath grouper can be
a thrill or a nuisance as they are everywhere, displacing
grouper and snapper.
Florida Keys Fishing
Very good yellowtail action in depths
of 40 to 100 feet of water and the fish are averaging 1
½ to five pounds. Offshore boats continue to do well
on blackfin tuna to 20 pounds off the Hump and a few dolphins
outside of 400 feet.
Florida Treasure Coast Fishing
Hot action on sailfish and dolphin
in 100 feet of water eating live baits or trolled dead ballyhoo.
And along the beaches, mackerel, bluefish and croakers are
biting and inshore loads of large sea trout are available
for catch-and-release on the grass. Redfishing has been
good around the spoil islands near Little Mud Creek. Snapper,
small snook, pompano, bluefish and mackerel have been biting
around most inshore bridges.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Fishing
Speckled perch have begun the annual
pre-spawn ritual and good catches of mixed sizes are being
caught. Bass numbers are much better than they have been.
Osceola County Florida Fishing
Lake Istokpoga Florida Fishing
Specks have started to be caught
during the daylight hours as well as at night. Bass action
is mostly the bucks getting ready for the spawn to come
soon. Highlands County Florida Fishing.
Lake Lochloosa Florida Fishing
Catches of quality largemouth bass
have been steady, and bass anglers should have success in
the knotgrass patches on the south and west shores of the
lake in the months to come. Bluegill and redear sunfish
can be caught on crickets, grass shrimp and live minnows
in the pads at the northwest side of the lake, most of Little
Lochloosa and the south end of the lake. The knotgrass patches
on the east shore and around Burnt Island are also worth
a try. Alachua County Florida Fishing
Miami Dade Fishing
Anglers have been catching kingfish,
sharks, dolphin and a few mutton snappers. Reported catches
of cobia to 32 pounds, kingfish to 12 pounds and mutton
snappers along the outer reef line in 800-plus feet of water.
Dolphins to 15 pounds are feeding along broken weedlines.
North Biscayne Bay Florida
Fishing
Lots of sea trout have been available
to those working the grass flats in three to six feet of
water. Catching fish in the 12 to 20 inch range using ¼
ounce Hook Up lures tipped with a soft plastic shrimp or
baitfish tail and a piece of Fishbites for added scent.
Rapala Twitching Raps that track just under the surface
and Skitter Walks that work the surface have also been getting
their fair share of large sea trout. Cajun Thunder corks
with a live shrimp or pilchard has been deadly on the trout
for those that don’t like throwing artificial lures.
A few small mackerel and jacks have been working the baitfish
schools in the and if your lucky you might have a school
of 10 pound jack crevalles pay you a visit while you are
fishing the trout. Snook fishing has been slow.
Sarasota Florida Fishing
Sarasota Bay was producing trout,
redfish and snook. On the outside, the little tunny were
scattered but mackerel were taking flies around Gasparilla
Island. Trout also were taken on flies in Charlotte Harbor.
Reds were scarce, but one broke off on a fly. Mackerel will
take an Ultra Hair Clouser in olive and white colors. Strip
and pause should get their attention.
South Biscayne Bay Florida
Fishing
The bonefish have been hitting live
shrimp and the permit live crabs. Best action has been on
the last of the outgoing tides and the first couple hours
of the incoming. Tarpon continue to work their way south
along the shallow Oceanside flats and are hitting soft plastic
baitfish lures.
Lake Okeechobee Florida Fishing
Lake Okeechobee's water level is
at 10.36 feet. Steady action on bass in the JNS canal and
the Kissimmee River on wild shiners and bluegills; cichlids
plus a few speckled perch are being caught on jigs and minnows.
Alligator Alley anglers west of mile marker 41 reported
strong largemouth bass bite on Pop R's, slider worms and
Bang O lures. Water levels were very high on the Alley.
Try fishing in deeper waters near
edges of the canal shoreline drop offs and the pilings under
the Highway 78, the Rim Canal, Harney Pond Canal, Indian
Prairie Canal, and other canals around the lake. Angling
effort should be concentrated near the edges of vegetation
stands especially near smartweed and hyacinths. The best
angling will occur early and late in the day. Use the usual
fishing techniques for crappie throughout this time. Minnows
should be suspended at various depths to locate schools.
Jig fishing is most productive, as you can cover a great
deal more area. The secret to successful crappie fishing
is to move often, until you locate a school. Okeechobee
County Florida Fishing.
Orange Lake Florida Fishing
Catches of bluegill and black crappie
have been outstanding over the last several months amongst
the emergent vegetation and open water, respectively. The
trend for bluegill should continue until water temperatures
start to decline, using grass shrimp and minnows as your
best. As the water temperature starts to cool down, black
crappie anglers should drift or troll minnows and/or jigs
along the emergent grass edges. Largemouth bass anglers
can currently enjoy catches of 1 to 2-pound bass around
the majority of the lake shoreline, although catches of
larger fish have become more abundant. Spinnerbaits, jerkworms
and plastic worms will be the top baits. Alachua County
Florida Fishing
Lake Tarpon Florida Fishing
Speckled perch have started, and
in the next three or four weeks more should be taken. Bass
are still the hot ticket, with as many as 40 or so caught
in a five-hour period, although most are small. Flip them
off without touching and they will grow to dinner table
size soon. Pinellas County Florida Fishing.
Lake Panasoffkee Florida
Fishing
Limits of speckled perch are not
being taken yet, but you can fish this lake and bring home
dinner of speckled perch filets. Bass action is fair. Sumter
County Florida Fishing.
Lake George Florida Fishing
The shrimp continue to surprise on
the north end of Lake George. Bass fishing has been solid
on the south shore of Lake George. Largemouth bass anglers
may find success using live shiners and artificial baits
fished near the outer edge of deeper eelgrass beds and pilings.
Live shad and grass shrimp fished near the jetties when
the river is flowing should produce catches of largemouth
bass and stripers. Later in the quarter, cooler waters should
bring success to black crappie (speckled perch) anglers
fishing the sunken barge at the center bombing target and
Willow Cove on the east shore. Striped bass become more
active around Nine-mile Point, the jetties, and the bombing
targets as fall progresses and waters cool.
Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes Fishing
Live golden shiners are always good
in this system for largemouth bass. Use crickets and worms
on the bottom for bluegill and redear sunfish. Water moving
through any canal (whether by wind or current) is a likely
spot for largemouth bass to congregate. However, until water
levels rise these canals can be very shallow and difficult
to navigate. Continue to target submerged willow tree bases
for these sanctuaries are known holdouts for largemouths.
Texas-rigged plastic worms with no weight will allow anglers
to flip baits within the security of these shaded environs.
Black crappie fishing picks up this time of year and many
successful anglers dip hooked minnows close to lily pads.
Citrus County Florida Fishing.
Lake Seminole Florida Fishing
Seminole is currently producing some
truly outsized bass for a lake so far north. We're seeing
a lot of 5- to 6-pound fish on a regular basis. The lake
has a huge shad population, so there's lots of forage. Those
shad play a key role for fall anglers on this lake. So too,
does hydrilla. Though any deep hydrilla edge can hold fish,
savvy anglers often find them faster by concentrating on
irregularities along the edge. Bends in a creek channel,
points where one channel intersects with another, or the
sharp end of a drop from a shoreline flat can all pay off.
Bass actively feed on shad, but may not be chasing them
in open water. Often, the largemouths are ambushing from
the edge of the hydrilla. Frogs or white Trick Worms have
proven deadly when twitched over those edges. Topwater plugs
like the venerable Zara Spook or virtually any of the "chugger"
baits like the Rebel Pop-R or Storm Chug Bug can be effective.
Jackson County Florida Fishing.
St. Johns River Fishing
Fish near Marina Isle in the St.
Johns River at first light for bass. Water levels remain
low in the river, so use caution moving throughout the area.
Use soft plastic jerkbaits, plastic toads or small diving
plugs. Bluegills, warmouth and catfish can be caught near
turns in the river. Fish near Lemon Bluff in the St. Johns
River for largemouth bass, bluegills and shellcrackers.
Bass can be caught near most flowing waters. Use jerkbaits,
spinnerbaits and diving plugs. Bluegills and shellcrackers
have been bunched up near turns in the river. St. Johns
County Florida Fishing.
You can experience the spectacular
fishing of the Sunshine State every year if you buy timeshare
in Florida. A timeshare is a great way to ensure that you'll
be able to return to your favorite fishing region every
year. And because timeshare units tend to be larger and
better equipped than do hotel rooms, they're a great option
for the outdoorsman who'll be traveling with a lot of gear.
The added space means that you'll be more comfortable on
your vacation, and isn't that the point. You'll also find
hundreds of timeshares for rent all over Florida. When you
rent timeshare you'll be afforded many of the perks of buying
(like extra room and luxurious amenities) without any commitment
to buy.
Florida Bream Fishing
Every state in the U.S. has its good
and bad points. Florida is no different. While it may seem
that we have more people than you can shake a stick at,
we have tremendous opportunities for fishing. Quality-of-life
issues aside, Florida still is one of the best places in
the country for bream fishing. From Lake Ocheechobee north
to Lake City and into the Panhandle, there are hundreds
of Florida lakes open to the public, not to mention a number
of good rivers that are rarely visited.
These are the top three bream
fishing lakes in Florida:
Lake Kissimmee Florida
Just a stone's throw northeast of
Avon Park is 35,000-acre Lake Kissimmee. Kissimmee stretches
in a rectangular fashion for a dozen miles from State Route
60 north along the western edge of Osceola County. As central
Florida waters go, the lake is fairly shallow, with most
of it less than 10 feet deep. The lake has a number of recognizable
islands, such as Stern, Rabbit, Ox, Bird and, the largest
of them all, Brahma Island.
Lake George Florida
Farther north, but having an equally
good reputation for bream fishing, is Lake George. A hefty
46,000 acres, the lake is due east of Ocala. The mighty
St. Johns River empties into the lake on its southern end
and exits on the north end, to continue its journey to the
Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville. Lake George is shallow,
the deepest spots are about 15 to 16 feet deep.
Lake Talquin Florida
One of the best fishing lakes for
panfish in the Florida Panhandle is Lake Talquin. The reservoir
covers 8,850 acres and is south of Quincy in Gadsden County.
Back in the 1960s, the Ochlockonee River near SR 20 was
dammed, forming the impoundment. Streams that flow into
the lake include Ocklawaha Creek, Rocky Comfort Creek and
Little River. Lake Talquin has some shallower areas, but
the impoundment is deeper than your average Florida lake.
It is 20 to 30 feet deep in places, and because of its depth
it does not have as much vegetation as some lakes. Still,
it is a good destination for catching bluegills.
Florida Bass Fishing
Florida bass are well-known as strong
fighters, and are fished recreationally. Depending upon
species and various other factors such as water quality
and availability of food, bass may be found in Florida lakes,
Florida reservoirs, Florida ponds, Florida rivers, Florida
streams, Florida creeks, even roadside ditches. Largemouth
bass are known for their overall size and resistance when
hooked, favoring short, powerful runs and escape to cover
such as submerged logs or weedbeds. Florida Smallmouth bass
tend to jump more and fight aggressively on the surface
when hooked, in order to throw the hook. Bass are usually
fileted when taken for the table, however, more and more
Florida bass anglers are adopting "catch and release"
angling, where the bass are returned to the water after
being hooked and retrieved.
|
