Camp Mack Report 2024
Nitro 882 reply :
I started a thread a couple weeks ago regarding boat break-ins and tackle theft reported by folks staying at Camp Mack.
I just returned and feel compelled to report my personal experience.
Neither I nor anyone else during my week there had any problems.
My cabin was very nice and comfortable with a driveway next to it where I could park my boat and hook up to power. I didn't even need an extension cord, it was so close. Although I had arranged for a boat slip, the ramp was convenient enough to simply load up at the end of the day and tow a couple hundred yards to the cabin making it less likely to be broken in to if there was intent.
My Florida trips have always coincided with a major cold front and this was no exception. My son and I got in a couple good days with weather in the hi 50's to lo 60's and managed to catch a number of "buck" bass each day with the number diminishing each day the weather got colder.
My boys' goal for this trip was to catch a 6# bass as he had never caught one larger than 5 1/2#. We did a lot of pitching to grass and pads (almost exclusively) and a pitch to a small isolated patch of pads produced a heart stopping, Iaconelli hollerin', 9.25# "BIG MOMMA" bass of a lifetime.
I'm gonna figure out how to post pictures on here and proudly show you guys. Probably not a big deal to some of you fellas but to this Northerner it's Moby Friggin' Dick.
Anyway, if my original post created any concern or made someone think twice about going there, I apologize and I can happily say that Camp Mack is a great camp and well worth the effort. I know I'm going back. 
Under the Radar reply :
Great fish congrats!!!
Nick
suzukibullfrog reply :
what area of the lake were you fishing
FL Knifemaker reply :
It sounds like good time considering the weather. Congrats on the Whopper!! I'll be heading to Camp Mack or up to Toho, hopefully around the end of the week.
Hopefully Camp Mack has increased their security for the new season.
JohnnyBigger reply :
Glad you guys had a great time, just remember to come back often and enjoy the great Florida fishing
EricBev reply :
I will be headed down there in 10 days. Staying in Camp Mack from the 28th till the 7th. We stayed there last year and our trip was also beaten up by a cold front. I can attest to the friendly and comfy atmosphere of this camp. I enjoyed my time there.
It appears our trip this year may fall perfectly on a nice warming trend. After all weather they have been having down there, we may have just lucked out! One can only hope mother nature will be kind to us.
If anybody have any suggestions on locations, techniques this time of year dont be afraid to chime in. I will be fishing Kississime and Toho all week.
Nitro 882 reply :
Quotewhat area of the lake were you fishing
We caught one or two here and there but, our best numbers came on the northeast side of Strum Island.
About 80% of our fish came pitching soft plastics (beavers and vibri-king tubes in black or black/blue) through mats of broken up cane blown up next to shore or caught up in the pads. We got a few to bite texas rigged worms dragged through the pads and one day just prior to the front coming through the fish became agressive and I took 6 or 7 on a spinnerbait. All our fish came in less than 5 feet of water.
Good luck.
Nitro 882 reply :
QuoteI will be headed down there in 10 days. Staying in Camp Mack from the 28th till the 7th. We stayed there last year and our trip was also beaten up by a cold front. I can attest to the friendly and comfy atmosphere of this camp. I enjoyed my time there.It appears our trip this year may fall perfectly on a nice warming trend. After all weather they have been having down there, we may have just lucked out! One can only hope mother nature will be kind to us.
If anybody have any suggestions on locations, techniques this time of year dont be afraid to chime in. I will be fishing Kississime and Toho all week.
Hey man, the 28th of Feb is supposed to be the best fishing day of the month and possibly the best of the year according to Bassmaster magazine. The full moon will trigger some great action with spawners.
Good Fishin'!
FishinDaddy reply :
I told you it would be fine...
I'm glad you had a good time despite the weather. As for the 9 lber, that is a great fish even for Kissimmee. Get those pictures up so we can see her.
suzukibullfrog reply :
QuoteQuotewhat area of the lake were you fishingWe caught one or two here and there but, our best numbers came on the northeast side of Strum Island.
About 80% of our fish came pitching soft plastics (beavers and vibri-king tubes in black or black/blue) through mats of broken up cane blown up next to shore or caught up in the pads. We got a few to bite texas rigged worms dragged through the pads and one day just prior to the front coming through the fish became agressive and I took 6 or 7 on a spinnerbait. All our fish came in less than 5 feet of water.
Good luck.
Awesome, yea im fishing there this weekend and hopefully my boater will want to fish areas that are good like that area
Al Wolbach reply :
QuoteI will be headed down there in 10 days. Staying in Camp Mack from the 28th till the 7th. We stayed there last year and our trip was also beaten up by a cold front. I can attest to the friendly and comfy atmosphere of this camp. I enjoyed my time there.It appears our trip this year may fall perfectly on a nice warming trend. After all weather they have been having down there, we may have just lucked out! One can only hope mother nature will be kind to us.
If anybody have any suggestions on locations, techniques this time of year dont be afraid to chime in. I will be fishing Kississime and Toho all week.
Eric, I will be there at the same time. We are arriving on Sat the 28th and leaving on the Sat the 6th of March. We are staying in the motel part of Camp Mack. If you want to say hello look for the white 20' Champion w/225 Yamaha. Should not be more than one there...............Al
RoLo reply :
I'm real glad you had a good time, and you can rest assured
ANY Floridian would be very proud of a 9-pound bass
QuoteQuotewhat area of the lake were you fishingWe caught one or two here and there but, our best numbers came on the northeast side of Strum Island.
Holy smokes, we went through the Pig Trail on Monday,
and drove right past "northeast Strum Island" on our way to Seven Palms.
Roger
EricBev reply :
Good stuff Al.
I am also staying in the hotel part of the camp and it appears I will be seeing you there. Look for the black Yukon Denali and the blue/mica Ranger 520vx with a 225 optimax.
You ever been to Camp Mack before? Are you at all familiar with the waters? Tell me that you have been fishing down there for 15 years and you know all the secrets. 8-)
I am have been getting increasingly excited for this trip as of the past few weeks. I am more than ready for some sunshine and bass fishing. I am sick of this cold weather already.
suzukibullfrog reply :
QuoteI'm real glad you had a good time, and you can rest assured
ANY Floridian would be very proud of a 9-pound bass
QuoteQuotewhat area of the lake were you fishingWe caught one or two here and there but, our best numbers came on the northeast side of Strum Island.
Holy smokes, we went through the Pig Trail on Monday,
and drove right past "northeast Strum Island" on our way to Seven Palms.
Roger
howd you do at seven palms?
FL Knifemaker reply :
QuoteGood stuff Al.I am also staying in the hotel part of the camp and it appears I will be seeing you there. Look for the black Yukon Denali and the blue/mica Ranger 520vx with a 225 optimax.
You ever been to Camp Mack before? Are you at all familiar with the waters? Tell me that you have been fishing down there for 15 years and you know all the secrets. 8-)
I am have been getting increasingly excited for this trip as of the past few weeks. I am more than ready for some sunshine and bass fishing. I am sick of this cold weather already.
I'm sure I'll be down there at least one of the days you guys will be there. I've never really done any better in the various recommended "hot" spots" more so than just heading out and fishing where it looks bassy based on the time of year and conditions. I'd take the time on the first day to get a good look at the lakes see where other bass boats are hanging out and try similar "terrain". I like to fish off the beaten path.
We need BFRG T Shirts or something so we can spot each other!! Does the forum have anything like that or am I not looking in the right place??
RoLo reply :
QuoteQuoteI'm real glad you had a good time, and you can rest assured
ANY Floridian would be very proud of a 9-pound bass
QuoteQuotewhat area of the lake were you fishingWe caught one or two here and there but, our best numbers came on the northeast side of Strum Island.
Holy smokes, we went through the Pig Trail on Monday,
and drove right past "northeast Strum Island" on our way to Seven Palms.
Roger
howd you do at seven palms?
Not as good as we'd hoped.
Lois boated 3 legals on a Gambler Ace (T-rigged)
and I boated a 4½ on a Gambler Sweebo (W-rigged).
There are lush hydrilla beds at Seven Palms, but the water was 57 degs.
With this little warming trend, fishing at the Big-K should pickup nicely this weekend.
Roger
Al Wolbach reply :
QuoteGood stuff Al.I am also staying in the hotel part of the camp and it appears I will be seeing you there. Look for the black Yukon Denali and the blue/mica Ranger 520vx with a 225 optimax.
You ever been to Camp Mack before? Are you at all familiar with the waters? Tell me that you have been fishing down there for 15 years and you know all the secrets. 8-)
I am have been getting increasingly excited for this trip as of the past few weeks. I am more than ready for some sunshine and bass fishing. I am sick of this cold weather already.
I wish I could tell you that I know all the secrets but that would be a lie. I have never fished the K chain at all or stayed at Camp Mack. I have 75 or so days on Okeechobee and half that many on Istapoga(still can't spell it) but never been to K chain or Toho. I have not been to Florida since the trio of hurricanes a few years ago, so there may be a big learning curve for us. The last few years we have made our winter trip to Santee-Cooper instead of Florida.
One thing I have learned is fishing shiners offers a great deal of forgiveness. However very expensive. We will probably trailer our boats to several other lakes in Central Florida as well. But I intend to fish shiners exclusively the entire trip and have not ruled out a little speck(crappie) fishing. If we run out of shiners or the bass won't hit then I'll start crappie fishing.
Although we hope to catch a lot of bass we are truly after one or more picture fish. In my home waters you are lucky to catch one 5lb fish in a days fishing. In Florida any bite could be the fish of a lifetime and I believe you improve your odds fishing shiners, and it makes packing tackle much easier.
No matter what we do it will be a blessing to be in warmer weather. This has been the coldest winter I can remember and it seems to snow every d**n day. At least we don't have to shovel as much as you have had to do.
Look forward to seeing you there.............Al
PS- I'm 62 years old and the excitement starts to build weeks before one of these trips. I hope that never changes.
RoLo reply :
QuotePS- I'm 62 years old and the excitement starts to build weeks before one of these trips. I hope that never changes.
It's only the body that ages, the mind stays impetuous and naive 8-)
Roger
flyboy reply :
QuoteI started a thread a couple weeks ago regarding boat break-ins and tackle theft reported by folks staying at Camp Mack.I just returned and feel compelled to report my personal experience.
Neither I nor anyone else during my week there had any problems.
My cabin was very nice and comfortable with a driveway next to it where I could park my boat and hook up to power. I didn't even need an extension cord, it was so close. Although I had arranged for a boat slip, the ramp was convenient enough to simply load up at the end of the day and tow a couple hundred yards to the cabin making it less likely to be broken in to if there was intent.
My Florida trips have always coincided with a major cold front and this was no exception. My son and I got in a couple good days with weather in the hi 50's to lo 60's and managed to catch a number of "buck" bass each day with the number diminishing each day the weather got colder.
My boys' goal for this trip was to catch a 6# bass as he had never caught one larger than 5 1/2#. We did a lot of pitching to grass and pads (almost exclusively) and a pitch to a small isolated patch of pads produced a heart stopping, Iaconelli hollerin', 9.25# "BIG MOMMA" bass of a lifetime.
I'm gonna figure out how to post pictures on here and proudly show you guys. Probably not a big deal to some of you fellas but to this Northerner it's Moby Friggin' Dick.
Anyway, if my original post created any concern or made someone think twice about going there, I apologize and I can happily say that Camp Mack is a great camp and well worth the effort. I know I'm going back.
Please don't think I am prying, but what type of rig did you park beside your cabin. My wife and I plan to go to Camp Mack soon, have scoped it out already and were a little concerned and surprised to hear about the earlier break-ins. We will most likely stay in one of the hotel rooms and love those sixty foot long parking spaces. I felt it was a very remote chance that you could encounter any problems with your boat right by the door. I have an alarm so I feel fairly safe.
Thanks
Nitro 882 reply :
QuoteQuoteI started a thread a couple weeks ago regarding boat break-ins and tackle theft reported by folks staying at Camp Mack.I just returned and feel compelled to report my personal experience.
Neither I nor anyone else during my week there had any problems.
My cabin was very nice and comfortable with a driveway next to it where I could park my boat and hook up to power. I didn't even need an extension cord, it was so close. Although I had arranged for a boat slip, the ramp was convenient enough to simply load up at the end of the day and tow a couple hundred yards to the cabin making it less likely to be broken in to if there was intent.
My Florida trips have always coincided with a major cold front and this was no exception. My son and I got in a couple good days with weather in the hi 50's to lo 60's and managed to catch a number of "buck" bass each day with the number diminishing each day the weather got colder.
My boys' goal for this trip was to catch a 6# bass as he had never caught one larger than 5 1/2#. We did a lot of pitching to grass and pads (almost exclusively) and a pitch to a small isolated patch of pads produced a heart stopping, Iaconelli hollerin', 9.25# "BIG MOMMA" bass of a lifetime.
I'm gonna figure out how to post pictures on here and proudly show you guys. Probably not a big deal to some of you fellas but to this Northerner it's Moby Friggin' Dick.
Anyway, if my original post created any concern or made someone think twice about going there, I apologize and I can happily say that Camp Mack is a great camp and well worth the effort. I know I'm going back.
Please don't think I am prying, but what type of rig did you park beside your cabin. My wife and I plan to go to Camp Mack soon, have scoped it out already and were a little concerned and surprised to hear about the earlier break-ins. We will most likely stay in one of the hotel rooms and love those sixty foot long parking spaces. I felt it was a very remote chance that you could encounter any problems with your boat right by the door. I have an alarm so I feel fairly safe.
Thanks
I've got a 2005 Nitro 882. I also bought an alarm just to be safe but didn't feel the need to even install it after I saw the layout.(My paranoia cost me $200 for the alarm.)
EricBev reply :
QuoteQuoteGood stuff Al.I am also staying in the hotel part of the camp and it appears I will be seeing you there. Look for the black Yukon Denali and the blue/mica Ranger 520vx with a 225 optimax.
You ever been to Camp Mack before? Are you at all familiar with the waters? Tell me that you have been fishing down there for 15 years and you know all the secrets. 8-)
I am have been getting increasingly excited for this trip as of the past few weeks. I am more than ready for some sunshine and bass fishing. I am sick of this cold weather already.
I wish I could tell you that I know all the secrets but that would be a lie. I have never fished the K chain at all or stayed at Camp Mack. I have 75 or so days on Okeechobee and half that many on Istapoga(still can't spell it) but never been to K chain or Toho. I have not been to Florida since the trio of hurricanes a few years ago, so there may be a big learning curve for us. The last few years we have made our winter trip to Santee-Cooper instead of Florida.
One thing I have learned is fishing shiners offers a great deal of forgiveness. However very expensive. We will probably trailer our boats to several other lakes in Central Florida as well. But I intend to fish shiners exclusively the entire trip and have not ruled out a little speck(crappie) fishing. If we run out of shiners or the bass won't hit then I'll start crappie fishing.
Although we hope to catch a lot of bass we are truly after one or more picture fish. In my home waters you are lucky to catch one 5lb fish in a days fishing. In Florida any bite could be the fish of a lifetime and I believe you improve your odds fishing shiners, and it makes packing tackle much easier.
No matter what we do it will be a blessing to be in warmer weather. This has been the coldest winter I can remember and it seems to snow every d**n day. At least we don't have to shovel as much as you have had to do.
Look forward to seeing you there.............Al
PS- I'm 62 years old and the excitement starts to build weeks before one of these trips. I hope that never changes.
Well at least you have some pretty solid experience fishing similarly constructed waters around the area. I really hope the weather behaves itself. I would love to put a couple nice fish over the side of the boat.
I am getting the boat into the garage tomorrow and starting its final preparation. I plan on tearing down all my reels and oiling and greasing them as well. Then all I have to do is spool them up and start packing stuff away. The days are passing by quickly now. The big drive is on the horizon! *crosses fingers*
Al Wolbach reply :
Quote
QuotePS- I'm 62 years old and the excitement starts to build weeks before one of these trips. I hope that never changes.It's only the body that ages, the mind stays impetuous and naive 8-)
Roger
Well said Roger, however I'm not sure that is a blessing.
Eric be careful on your drive down...................Al
TimJ reply :
Eric...have a safe drive down. We will be leaving with our boat from Windsor (Detroit) on March 11 for Kissimmee and Toho. We booked a nice house 11 minutes from the ramp on Toho, a great deal. I'm getting pumped just typing this!
TJ
PS...I'm tired of this d**n snow, too!
EricBev reply :
Thanks guys. You two do the same. Towing a 20ft boat all that way is always a pain but slow and steady wins the race. I can already see myself gazing at the tripometer.....watching every agonizing mile tick away......Just kidding... We share the driving duties so its not all that horrible. I dont think anybody actually enjoys being stuck in a car that long but we make the best of it. Its the means to a wonderful end. Plus, the new tow vehicle is miles ahead of the last one as far and comfort, space, and pulling prowess are concerned.
Too bad you werent a week earlier Tim. Me you and Al could have our own BassResource party consisting of beer and charred mammal. 
Windsor.....*whew*..... and I thought I had a drive!
tboydva reply :
Gents - borderline hijack here, but it appears you guys know this area well. I'm from Northern VA and fish the region and inshore Outer Banks, NC. This forum is very active for the former, and another for the latter. I can't seem to find much information on the Tampa area lakes and the ones your discussing seem to be the "closest" to the Tampa area (at least with an unknowing look at the map).
Anyway, I'm going to visit a friend in Tampa. We were going inshore fishing one day - the other we hoped to bass fish. Are the lakes you guys are discussing the closest Bass waters? Are there guides or boats for rent? Can anyone point me to a thread or web resource?... I have found quite a few sites which offer guide service, but they're not really clear on where they fish (or maybe i just can't get a bead on it).
Any of your local knowledge would certainly be appreciated. And, best of luck to those fortunate enough to be trailering their boat! If I had the time, I'd be doing the same - nothing like exploring in your own rig (even if you don't know exactly where the best spots are). I can offer tips in return on fishing the Potomac should any of you be coming north (you know, for our Goliath bass!).
EricBev reply :
Sorry Tboydva I am not from around the area maybe one of the others can chime in and give you some information.
Al it appears the weather has taken a turn for the worse and the temp is going to drop again.... Its showing a drop from Wednesday to Thursday and low of 32 for the 25th...thats a little disheartening..but it looks like it may warm back up before we arrive...I only hope that it stays nice for the remaining week and that the fish are active.
I know fishing early in the year in florida is either feast or famine but two years in a row of cold front fishing might turn me off of coming down when the seasons are changing. Only time will tell.
FL Knifemaker reply :
QuoteSorry Tboydva I am not from around the area maybe one of the others can chime in and give you some information.Al it appears the weather has taken a turn for the worse and the temp is going to drop again.... Its showing a drop from Wednesday to Thursday and low of 32 for the 25th...thats a little disheartening..but it looks like it may warm back up before we arrive...I only hope that it stays nice for the remaining week and that the fish are active.
I know fishing early in the year in florida is either feast or famine but two years in a row of cold front fishing might turn me off of coming down when the seasons are changing. Only time will tell.
Here's the forcast for Lakeland, I don't see a severe drop.
http://www.baynews9.com/Klystron9.html?image=7day
EricBev reply :
Well I figured a 10-15 degree drop and nightly lows near freezing could put a damper on things. You would know better than me as I have only fished the area once before and am not experienced on how the fish down there react to cold. It was my understanding that anything near freezing is a bad thing. Please tell me that things are going to be ok!
I just wish it would stay 75 from today till the day I leave.
Al Wolbach reply :
QuoteWell I figured a 10-15 degree drop and nightly lows near freezing could put a damper on things. You would know better than me as I have only fished the area once before and am not experienced on how the fish down there react to cold. It was my understanding that anything near freezing is a bad thing. Please tell me that things are going to be ok!I just wish it would stay 75 from today till the day I leave.
I have been checking the forecast for Orlando and it looks like a cold front to me. Anytime it is near freezing the bite sucks from my experience. But it is what it is and we must adapt. When you plan a trip this early in the year, you run a gamble. The end of March or early April improve your odds significantly. But we will still catch plenty of fish......................Al
EricBev reply :
I sure hope so. After a rather frustrating outing during our first visit I was crossing my fingers for a shot at redemption. Last year the bait shop owner told us about "How people caught soo many bass" the week before we arrived and how "nobody was cathing anything" during the week we were actually there! I would like it to be the other way around for us this time! I will remain optimistic till the fat lady sings... but a stable thermometer sure would have eased my woes!
frogtog reply :
Anyone have an address for camp mack so I can put in my gps? It's been a while since I've been there. I remember something about a Boy Scout Rd. i have had all this weather I want so I'm pulling out Monday at noon.
Parcall reply :
Here you go:
Camp Mack's River Resort
14900 Camp Mack Road
Lake Wales, Florida 33898
(863) 696-1108
Toll Free: (800) 243-8013
frogtog reply :
Thanks Parcall!!!
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