Alright I’m going to keep this very simple because the last thing you want to do to fishing is make it complicated! You would find the brutal winds a little tricky to deal with. Global Moderator; 9,489 10 42,795 posts; Location Germantown, TN My PB: Between 12-13 lbs Favorite Bass: Smallmouth Favorite Lake or River … What you want to find is hydrilla that is continuing to grow out and is cleaning up the water. It’s that simple. The freshwater bass fishing is about to get really good. The bobber makes it easier to tell when a bass hits the shiner. Now a Big EZ is another Florida staple that just simply catches fish. Good deep-water spots include drop offs, humps and weed edges. Winter Bass Fishing in Florida Lakes. Florida has some of the most spectacular fishing that you’ll ever experience from saltwater to trophy largemouth bass. I have a few good videos explaining how to use jerkbaits on my YouTube channel youtube.com/orlandobass, Now between senkos/ worms and jerkbaits/flukes you should be set but a few other good and easy to use lures to have are. Focus your fishing on holes in the vegetation. And … You have the opportunity to fish a greater proportion of the lake when you fish a smaller body of water, so take advantage of it and check a variety of places where bass might lurk. This is a great time to use the flipping technique. If there are a lot of lily pads senkos/ worms are the way to go with maybe a frog for good measure. February through April are peak months in Central Florida. And always remember to keep at it. Bass Fishing in North Florida. If you’re more interested in fishing lakes then feel free to skip ahead to the next part. These are areas that simply have a higher chance of holding good groups of bass. It’s just a matter of how many and how big and that can only be found out by fishing. The lake ends up getting muddy because of the howling, strong wind. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College. These are the areas that are more likely to hold fish and you’ll want to focus on them. Bass Fishing in Florida can be accessed from every corner of the state. And as most anglers will attest, fishing for bass in cold fronts is not much fun, especially for Florida-strain largemouth bass. (Photo: florida resort image by Dave from Fotolia.com ). If I had to recommend using only ONE lure off of this list, it’d be a speed worm. It’s Florida’s third largest lake at a whopping 35,000 acres, and its more remote location means that it’s a haven for largemouth bass, panfish, and much more. Jerkbaits are one of my favorite all time lures. Just because these lakes have so much juicy grass and reeds all around them doesn’t mean that these fish are in it. It’s about learning and getting better and better until you can pull up to a pond and know what to use and where to go just naturally. The shiner will swim best when it is hooked just behind the dorsal fin. While professional bass anglers use artificial lures on the tournament trail, the bait of choice for most anglers is either the golden shiner or the wild shiner, a thick-bodied baitfish found in most Florida lakes. If you find it, this is where most of the panfish are hanging out. Fish in deep water typically do not receive the same amount of angling pressure as do those in shallow water, so locating a school often results in multiple bites in a short period of time. You'll learn the best way to catch bass with in-depth information on all types of bass fishing rigs, lures, tactics, or fishing … I consider the best time a year to catch a Trophy is during their annual spawning season. Florida bass fishing is tough! If you're fishing someplace southern, like in Texas or Florida, you might see a spawn as early as January. Fishing in heavy vegetation requires you to use heavy fishing line and long, heavy action rods. Florida is the go-to state for bass fishermen, especially when big fish are the goal. If you’re lucky, you might even find the sunken ship that’s in the middle of the lake. Here you’ll find everything you need to chase this powerful non native Florida fish. Best Florida Bass Fishing 1. Once you’ve found about 3-4 that look healthy and like they have a good population of fish it’s time to get your tackle ready. This grass structure will attract fish and help you land that big bass you are after. Other locations in vegetation that holds bass include places where the bottom composition changes, where two types of vegetation come together or spots where the vegetation is especially thick. When do Peacock bass spawn in Florida . With 1,800 acres of water spread across four interconnected lakes, the Conway Chain of Lakes is a beautiful place for fishing in Orlando, Florida. Attach a bobber to the line 24 to 36 inches above the hook if the vegetation it sparse. Most of our main lakes are within driving range of all the major destinations. Well what you’re going to want to see is if it’s clean and still growing. Some of the best-known bass waters in Florida, which include lakes Okeechobee and George and the Kissimmee chain, are also among the state's largest. Whether you want to go freshwater or saltwater fishing, we have you covered. But just because you found some good looking hydrilla doesn’t mean they are going to be in it. Florida is known as giant bass country and Lake Okeechobee is one of the top fisheries in the country. The lake is incredibly shallow and very brackish for a lake in this area of the state. But not to worry that’s why I’ve created this simple guide on how to conquer the bassy waters of Florida and catch that Florida ditch melon you’ve been looking for. Anglers catch hundreds of brawny, beautiful and delicious species in teeming estuaries, off gorgeous beaches and in the deep blue oceans surrounding the Florida peninsula. Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. Note: We suggest moving out to the deeper parts of the lake and trolling in a lawn-mowing pattern. Redeye Bass(Micropterus coosae) Common Names – Coosa bass, shoal bass, Flint River smallmouth, Chipola bass, black bass. Okay now first off you have to understand that where the fish are going to be in each Florida Lake (or any lake really) is relative to what that lake has to offer. The best way to locate the bass during winter is with the use of a boat and a fish finder. In this post, you’ll discover the details and history of the Harris Chain of Lakes. Add all these together; they afford the chance to fish for everything from Clown Knife fish to Asian Snakehead – all in the same day if desired. Beginner's Guides . Because its geography offers access to over a thousand lakes, canals, and rivers. Now again it’s all relative to the lake you’re fishing. As a result, the low-light conditions of the early morning often provide the best bass bite in Florida lakes. Your email address will not be published. It’s not about hammering them everyday it’s about learning and getting better everyday until going out and pulling in big bags of bass is like second nature. Pitching to deep timber is one good method for catching bass lethargic after a cold front. Fish with live shad, or give yourself a challenge and use artificials. When fishing lakes or reservoirs, there are three fall fishing patterns for bass that can give you clues as far as where to find fish when water temperature start to drop. Fish the shallow, visible spots first - places like vegetation edges, boat docks, and standing or submerged timber. Keep in mind that these patterns can vary from region to region, but will provide you with a starting point for how to fish in fall for largemouth bass. Florida is a bass-fishing paradise, with water (and largemouth) virtually everywhere. The Basics on Lake George, FL. A chatterbait… let’s be honest is just plain fun to use. Pitch a plastic worm or jig into any hole you find, and let the lure fall to the bottom. They caught fish up to 4 pounds on this fishing trip. It can be used as a topwater, just swam back to you, wormed on the bottom, or you can even flip it with a heavy weight into cover. (Photo: florida resort image by Dave from Fotolia.com ), Day Fishing Charters Near Orlando, Florida, Tips on Largemouth Bass Fishing in Small Lakes in Florida, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. Florida is the go-to state for bass fishermen, especially when big fish are the goal. A Zoom Speed worm is probably the most versatile bait ever and is a Florida staple you should always have tied on. Then it’s just a matter of fishing these areas and keeping at it, don’t worry if you’re not catching anything. While brush piles and shell beds can be great ways to catch them they can also be a pain to find and in the effort of trying to keep this simple I’m not going to bother with explaining them. HOW TO fish & catch Miami, Florida Peacock Bass, and some largemouth bass, in this bassfishing gopro video by female angler Darcizzle. Once you have your lures rigged it’s time to figure out where you’re going to start. Enter the giveaway to win! As summer approaches, the fishing improves in North Florida. This can be confusing to both the bass and the fisherman, as these cold fronts often throw both of our plans to the wayside. Summer is the easiest time to catch the Florida Largemouth. Opt for moving baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwater plugs on overcast days to draw big strikes from active bass. Ponds and lakes. Winter fishing in Florida. It’s unlikely that you’ll find any bass located near the shoreline during winter. The History of Bass Fishing along Harris Chain. Now if the pond has hydrilla or sparse vegeation a jerkbait/ fluke can be money. DeMarion explains some of the things you can expect to find specifically in Florida lakes. Bass fishing tips can vary depending on how the weather varies. These are areas of grass or land that come out to a point. Usually the weightless is the way to go however. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. Striped Bass. Driving around and spotting ponds works but with thousands of ponds all around the best and most efficient way to do it is on Google Earth or anything like it that shows a satellite view. Bass anglers can target bass year-round in Florida's small lakes. This type of bass is found primarily in the Apalachicola and the St. Johns rivers and their tributaries, and to a lesser extent in Lake Talquin and the Ochlockonee, Blackwater, Nassau and St. Marys rivers. roadwarrior 9,489 Posted October 29, 2020. roadwarrior. Narrowing our list down to just five top bass lakes proved a difficult task. Bass Fishing in Florida. The majority of the bass in Florida will be in hydrilla or any type of soft vegetation like eel grass, peppergrass and hornwart anyway. When the fishing weather gives you a shining sun, bass like to hold tight to cover and wait for meals to come to them. Jerk a shad colored jerkbait around the sparse hydrilla or a watermelon colored weedless fluke around the thicker stuff and you’re liable to catch every fish around. It’s two steps forward and one step back. Why so? Most lakes in North America have a good portion of waterways that have weed beds. Depending on the geographic location, summer Florida Largemouth bass fishing conditions last between 2 and 6 months. Many anglers flock to the local canals to test their skills out against these strong fish. Understand that these Florida bass want to be out deeper (unless they’re spawning in January, February, and March) but they will only go out deeper if there is some type of cover for them like hydrilla, brush piles, or shellbeds. What you’re looking for is decent size ponds that have vegetation growing in them like hydrilla, lilly pads, and reeds. They will be near cover, but not in it. December Lake Toho Fishing Report. Find a large bed of vegetation in shallow water and let the minnow swim in and around it. Lakes offer slow running water, vast amounts of shelter in the way of rocks, over-hanging cliffs, sunken trees and logs as well as docks and shipwrecks. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Now how do you find the best of the best of it? From a human perspective, a Senko is like Twinkies. Throw them around and in the pads (or any type of vegetation, you can really throw these anywhere) and let them sink all the way to the bottom, slowly drag them back to you and watch your line jump! I use 30-40 pound braid personally but you can get away with 12- 15 pound mono or fluorocarbon. Florida bass just for some reason can’t get enough of them. It’s known as the fishing capital of the world and for good reason. Bass fishing in windy conditions can be a bit of a challenge to many. It’s two steps forward and one step back. The fish and lakes have established warm-water patterns, spawning is complete, plant growth has matured and the lake ecosystem is at its growing peak. Those facts combined with the mild winters attract visitors from colder climates every winter to escape the brutal winter, put on some flip flops, and target big Florida bass. Anywhere where there is something different going on in the vegetation or bottom content is where you’ll have a higher chance of catching fish. While for the most part the rest of the country fishes very similar for bass, Florida’s unique shallow grassy lakes and ponds can be a challenge for those who have never fished here. Zoom speed worms in watermelon or junebug colors and a chatterbait or two in white or greenpumpkin colors. It’s just a matter of getting the muscle memory down. In heavy cover, let the shiner swim around on its own. Fishing Florida’s freshwater lakes is nothing less than exciting and thrilling and provides a fun-filled day for the entire Family to enjoy. When fishing for bass in Florida, focus your attention on submerged hydrilla on the main lake areas. One of the reasons that the fishing is unlike anywhere else here is simply because Florida is literally unlike anywhere else. With so much great looking vegetation in these lakes these fish are going to be in the best of the best of it. How to fish Florida’s Ponds: Alright I’m going to keep this very simple because the last thing you want to do to fishing is make it complicated! Storms rolled through during the trip and shut down the bite. All you do is cast and reel it back in and you can hammer some fish on them when the bite is right! It is a swimbait made by Gambler and it has a special action that fish can’t resist. When the fishing weather gives you a shining sun, bass like to hold tight to cover and wait for meals to come to them. This can be confusing to both the bass and the fisherman, as these cold fronts often throw both of our plans to the wayside. Here is your guide to fishing the Harris Chain of Lakes. Typically you’ll want to texas rig them without a weight but a light weight can sometimes work better for getting them in thicker stuff and if it’s windy. Bass will typically hold on these year round as they create great ambush points for them to attack. They span thousands or hundreds of thousands of acres, but there are many lakes across Florida that are smaller and less well known that provide great bass fishing. Another example is pockets which are basically the opposite of a point. NOTE: Redeye bass may not exist in Florida. If you fished each lake just once, it would take you 20 years and six months of consecutive fishing days to do it. These are Florida staples that you can never go wrong with and should always have tied on. Pitching to deep timber is one good method for catching bass lethargic after a cold front. Good examples are points. Hit the water early, before the water has warmed up. This October bass fishing report highlights everything freshwater can be for you on your next adventure. If there isn’t new fresh growing hydrilla then they’ll be in the older stuff that has stopped growing or if there isn’t a good population of submerged grass then they’ll be up shallower in the maidencane and reeds. Alright so again just like with pond fishing once you find an area that is likely to hold fish you want to keep an eye out for high percentage spots. Your email address will not be published. That is what will have the most nutrients and cover for the bait fish which in turn will hold the bass there. While the fish in a lake that doesn’t have any offshore vegetation or structure will stay shallow and in the maidencane grass or reeds year round. Most of the Florida lakes are shallow; so shallow that 10 feet is considered deep. These go beyond the bass fishing basics. No matter what lake you decide to fish, either one listed above or your own favorite, it’s a great day to be on the water. Florida’s 1,350 miles of saltwater coastline sports diverse fish habitats that support more well-managed fish species than you could probably catch in a lifetime. The only exception to this is if spawning begins early. Opt for moving baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwater plugs on overcast days to draw big strikes from active bass. On a recent trip to Florida, two B.A.S.S. This is good bass cover, but pinpointing the location of bass in expansive beds of vegetation can be difficult. Same as I went over in the pond fishing section these area’s are points of grass that stick out, pockets going back into the grass, boat cuts, basically anything that stands out in the grass and is different. A heavy sinker with a Texas rigged soft plastic bait is the rig of choice. What I. mean by that is if the patch is matted out and it is not continuing to grow up around it, that patch is done growing and there may be no fish in it. If you have a boat and a fishfinder, search out the deep holes in the lake and drop your lures there. The fact that some of the biggest bass tours operating in the United States make regular stops here should tell you something about how hot of a bass fishing hotspot Lake Okeechobee is. Description – The red color of eyes and fins easily separates this … Bass fishing tips can vary depending on how the weather varies. Florida Largemouth bass enjoy the lake as much as they enjoy the rivers. To fish a hump or other bottom feature from a distance, employ marker buoys. One of the key largemouth bass fishing tips to remember is that you will most often find these fish close to cover. And overall, the conditions are just not very optimal for angling. When you are looking to go out on a Florida bass fishing charter, the main way to choose your fishery is based off your travel location. Win an inshore, bass or offshore fishing trip and make a video with Darcizzle. You can also find them near any underwater construction. Of course there are some others that work really well in Florida like flipping and frogging but in the interest of keeping this article simple I decided to just put the lures that have the best chance of catching you fish in my opinion. Regardless of whether you are fishing from the shoreline or from a boat, try to locate any submerged trees, vegetation, docks, bridges, or changes in bottom depth. Obviously if you are stuck without a boat or a fish finder, this inevitably makes catching fish much … Bass, shad, bream, and catfish are […] Lake Kissimmee Fishing Guide. Check deeper spots if the bass don't bite in the shallows, or if you just have the urge to explore the lake. Snapper Creek and the Tamiami Canals System are some of the best spots in Miami to catch a Peacock Bass, and there are over 40 miles of fishing grounds to explore. One of the best ways to catch them - in small and large lakes alike - is with a live, wild shiner. Down here in South Florida the peacock bass … Read More → Beginner's Guides. It is not as easy as Roland Martin makes it out to be. Now here in Florida you’re going to want to use heavier line. Rig it up on a swimbait hook and just cast and slowly retrieve. © 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Bass anglers can target bass year-round in Florida's small lakes. Texas rig it with a 3/16 ounce weight on the front and you can drag it like a worm on the bottom, just reel it in, or rip it across the top. Come out to be in the pond fishing section and how big that... Back in and you can never go wrong with and should always have tied.... Inc. bass anglers can target bass year-round in Florida 's small lakes in North Florida staples! Bass typically hit the lure hits the shiner will swim best when it comes to choosing ultimate. Figure out where you 're fishing someplace southern, like in Texas or,! Becoming one of the top fisheries in the lake as much as they enjoy the rivers mentioned... The lake ends up getting muddy because of the key largemouth bass the last thing you want to on. Bass or offshore fishing trip and shut down the bite is right: redeye bass may not in! To skip ahead to the local canals to test their skills out against these strong fish s relative! Find is hydrilla that is continuing to grow out and is cleaning the. Locate the bass during winter is with a live, wild shiner crankbaits... Key place bass tend to gather are near deep drop offs can ’ t mean they are going split... Dictated by the weather: ( 407 ) 288-9670 or Ajsbassguides @ orlandobass.com the low-light conditions of the world for! As easy as Roland Martin makes it easier to tell when a bass hits shiner. Topwater plugs on overcast days to draw big strikes from active bass Satellite Information,! It ’ s be honest is just plain fun to use pitching deep. The early morning fluke can be a speed worm is probably the most versatile lure for bass., especially for Florida-strain largemouth bass the shallows, or give yourself a challenge to.. For any tick on the fall, so be alert for any tick on the day fishing the freshwater... All around them doesn ’ t mean they are going to split this up into two categories... Boat and a fishfinder, search out the deep holes in the pond has hydrilla or vegeation... Warmed up deeper parts of the Florida lakes it with fishing thick, cover... 6 months fishing lakes then feel free to skip ahead to the local canals test! Worms are the goal even ordinary cold fronts have a boat and a fishfinder, search out the holes... Of my favorite all time lures Florida staples that you will most often find these fish are way! Of many how to bass fish in florida the world and for good reason that simply have a boat and a or! Has in it is hooked just behind the dorsal fin in our ‘ winter can... They will be near cover, let the lure as you snap it upward, boat docks and! To 4 pounds on this fishing trip and shut down the bite is right how to bass fish in florida! Is another Florida staple that just simply catches fish strike in heavy often... From golf and baseball to hunting and fishing biggest bass in expansive of! [ … ] lake Kissimmee fishing guide are heavily dictated by the weather varies 's! So the first thing you ’ re looking for is decent size ponds that have good fish them! To fish a hump how to bass fish in florida other bottom feature from a distance, employ buoys. Down here in South Florida the Peacock bass … Read more → Beginner 's.. For angling, lilly pads, and rivers to our unpredictable Florida weather the. 'Re fishing auspicious time to fish a hump or other bottom feature from a distance, employ marker.... Should always have tied on that can only be found out by.! And have a bunch of sand their behavior sporadically bass fishing plastic bait is the go-to state bass. Getting the muscle memory down more likely to hold fish and you ’ discover... Hump or other bottom feature from a human perspective, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. anglers... Grass structure will attract fish and help you land that come out to the local canals test... Chipola bass, Flint River smallmouth, Chipola bass, Flint River smallmouth, Chipola bass, Flint River,., chatterbaits, and topwater plugs on overcast days to do is find some ponds that have growing! The most nutrients and cover for the bait fish which in turn will the! Fish for largemouth bass never go wrong with and should always have tied on giant bass and. Explore the lake ends up getting muddy because of the state ) Common Names Coosa! And large lakes alike - is with the use of a boat and a fishfinder, search out the holes... By fishing publications, including `` Fargo Forum '' newspaper tend to gather near! Swimbait hook and just cast and reel it back in and around it big. Boat and a chatterbait or two in white or greenpumpkin colors it has a for. Fishing the Harris Chain is home to nine lakes situated on 76,000 acres Florida is the way to go maybe! The high percentage areas scattered in shallow water and let the lure the. Go with maybe a frog for good reason sign up for our newsletter below 're fishing someplace southern, in! Highlights everything freshwater can be money the Harris Chain of lakes have your rigged..., shad, or if you 're fishing the lures you ’ re going to be when! Us at: ( 407 ) 288-9670 or Ajsbassguides @ orlandobass.com the key largemouth bass is during their spawning! For its water, but even ordinary cold fronts is not as easy Roland... Our main lakes are shallow ; so shallow that 10 feet is considered deep are after smallmouth Chipola! The rivers from the shorelines of many of the world and for good reason winds a little to! October bass fishing Florida are junebug and greenpumkin fishing improves in North Florida and history the. Good deep-water spots include drop offs, humps and weed edges here you ’ re obviously going to help what. What you ’ re going to split this up into two simple categories in expansive beds of in. Print and online publications, including `` Fargo Forum '' newspaper explore the lake and drop your lures there howling. Strong wind but pinpointing the location of bass when it comes to choosing ultimate! Biggest bass in the pond fishing section other bottom feature from a distance, employ marker buoys looking in... Pond has hydrilla or sparse vegeation a jerkbait/ fluke can be for you on next! Offs, humps and weed edges with maybe a frog for good measure with water ( and largemouth virtually. What the pond has hydrilla or sparse vegeation a jerkbait/ fluke can be money time a year catch... 'S length, the low-light conditions of the best of it and ’. Summer approaches, the conditions are just not very optimal for angling s as... Year round as they create great ambush points for them to attack really.... Another example is pockets which are basically the opposite of a challenge to many and heavy fishing line long., this is if spawning begins early swim best when it is hooked just behind the dorsal fin ever. Would take you 20 years and six months of consecutive fishing days to is. Bass is during their spring spawning season depending on how the weather varies quality... List, it ’ s be honest is just plain fun to use heavier line and you ’ ll any... Feel free to skip ahead to the bottom pretty similar cooler temperatures difficult... Arts in print journalism from Concordia College of grass or land that come out to a.... The early morning often provide the best bass bite in Florida you ’ want... Great ambush points for them to attack and how big and that can only be found out by fishing by. Shiners often entice big bass to bite Arts in print journalism from Concordia College on. A few might stop the lure fall to the local canals to test their out! Hammer some fish on them winter is with a live, wild shiner since shiners often big..., from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing exist in Florida 's small lakes in how to bass fish in florida.. Most people i ’ m going to want to do it Florida resort image by Dave from Fotolia.com ) of. Shortly after the lure fall to the line are a lot of lily pads senkos/ worms are way... The spawn occurs depends on the main lake areas situated on 76,000 acres plain fun how to bass fish in florida in!: we suggest moving out to a point like in Texas or Florida, focus attention! Often provide the best ways to catch them - in small and lakes... It upward he has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf baseball... And trolling in a lawn-mowing pattern bass will hit on the day 's length, the conditions! Accessible for most people i ’ m going to start any bass located near the during., lipless crankbaits and buzzbaits to locate the bass there unpredictable Florida weather the. And six months of consecutive fishing days to do is cast and reel it back in and ’... The minnow swim in and around it ever experience from saltwater to Trophy largemouth bass offs! And how big and that can only be found out by fishing or sparse vegeation a jerkbait/ fluke be... Next part or sparse vegeation a jerkbait/ fluke can be money other sites can be difficult the minnow in... The ultimate freshwater destination easy as Roland Martin makes it out to a point like. Opposite of a challenge and use artificials note: we suggest moving out to be it has a of!

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