The Coming Florida Spawn 2024
MrPerfect reply :
I know in the Central Florida area the spawn seemed to come early last year and I was wondering if any of the more knowledgeable fisherman on the boards have an idea of when I should expect to see the bass start spawning in the Orlando area.
gar-tracker reply :
With all the rain you guys had this summer I would say an early spawn would be in order, the water temps were cool and the fish fed like mad all summer.
I have a tourney on 1-7-11 at Toho Ill be in the skinny stuff like a mad man.
Bassn Blvd reply :
Between now and March and as late as April. Heck, some will spawn yaer round.
Gotfishyfingers? reply :
By this time next month, there will definitely be 10lbers on beds. The full moon for this month just happened this past weekend.That will start to bring them up. Cold fronts and warming trends will also be a factor when planning a trip. I've seen plenty of beds already on Okeechobee, but I've yet to see big mommas on them yet.
FishinDaddy reply :
I was on Kissimmee, Cypress and Hatch on Saturday. Water temps were in the mid 60's, overcast, with a light wind. I expected to see a heavy pre spawn feeding frenzy and could not find any fish. Late in the day in protected waters there were a few fish cruising but not eating. I would say the first weekend in January with good weather would be the first major spawn.
South FLA reply :
There was a mini spawn or attempt at spawning already on the Big O, the big phase will get here very SOON, but as Gotty pointed out cold fronts can quickly make them swim away!
BasskingKeith reply :
I am highly anticipating the spawn this year, or next more likely. Hopefully it's real SOON!
MrPerfect reply :
Any recommendations on bait to use from the shore? I intend to go out and rent one of the boats at Turkey Lake during the spawn and hit Toho with a friend of mine, but until there your recommendation would be much appreciated.
FishinDaddy reply :
Right now i would throw a swimbait or a swimbait or a swimbait. Big EZ, Skinny Dipper, Super Fluke.
salmicropterus reply :
I pretty much suck when it comes to pure sight fishing on beds. My strategy is to go to known bedding areas and long cast senkos, lizards, 10" worms. What I am seeing is that most of the fish at the Lake are in pre-spawn staging positions but I'm thinking that could change soon. The really good sticks can do what I can't do and when they come in with 30#+ bags. I am sure they are on bedding fish.
SirSnookalot reply :
Up until about a week ago the bite from shore was hot, anything was working. It has slowed down considerably and I've been using senkos that last few days, no question about it, even when it's slow senkos produce.
MrPerfect reply :
Does anyone have a good source on how to wish swimbaits? I have worked really hard on improving my technique, but I just never feel like I'm getting the hang of it. I've still never caught a bass on one. I typically do a lot of jig, grub, senko, or creature fishing. I'm also pretty good with the majority of hard lures.
gar-tracker reply :
On 12/29/2011 at 9:35 PM, MrPerfect said:Does anyone have a good source on how to wish swimbaits? I have worked really hard on improving my technique, but I just never feel like I'm getting the hang of it. I've still never caught a bass on one. I typically do a lot of jig, grub, senko, or creature fishing. I'm also pretty good with the majority of hard lures.
You have to see if their chasing, sometimes they'll just explode on them, and sometimes you have to stop it at a hole and let it sink. Like any bait the fishes mood dictates the presentation and retrieve.
On 12/29/2011 at 11:21 AM, salmicropterus said:The really good sticks can do what I can't do and when they come in with 30#+ bags. I am sure they are on bedding fish.
This isn't always the case, many of times the big bags are caught on staging fish. Grouped up females waiting to go in. Either buried under cover or feeding on the outskirts.
FishinDaddy reply :
I never sit on a bed and sight fish. I always fish for the staging fish either on the way in or out. Bass hate blue gill because they are always around the beds trying to get the fry so a swim bait works well. I start on the first hard break between deeper water and the spawn area and work my way in with a search bait (usually a skinny dipper or a swim jig).
salmicropterus reply :
I think you two are on to something. Think about it logically: this time of year and for the next several months there are going to be three types of fish: the pre-spawners staging, the actual on-bed spawners and the post-spawners. Looking at it the way Gar and FD say, you are working with 2 of the 3 groups at worst and all 3 at best. Thinking about it further, when I have my good days, it's pretty much doing what you are saying to do. I just won a club tournament doing that all the while wishing I was sight fishing. Duh!! Where's the emoticon for hitting one's self in the head with a hammer?
salmicropterus reply :
PS- course none of this explains why when I was fishing 150 yds from Brandon, he's catching 6s and I'm catching 3s LOL. At least I knew I was in a good spot
gar-tracker reply :
I would guess he was flipping or hitting key spots that he might have been aware of.
There's always a pattern within a pattern, hence the reason I get a kick out of "Information", to me its useless, if you don't know what little idiosyncrasy ones doing then being near fish that someone told you about is almost useless, unless they went on to tell you this as well, but to my experience somethings always left out.
FishinDaddy reply :
150 yds might as well be five miles. I find that if you look at 1000 yds of shore line, there will be a spot 10 yds wide that will produce more fish than the other 990. I use the search bait to find the fish, then hit it hard with a worm, and finally pitch a bug at every thing that looks good. Most of the time I catch 2 or 3 without moving the boat. Last January, the wife and I caught 25 2-3 lbers out of a little pocket in the Kissimee grass that was not 10 yards wide.
South FLA reply :
On 12/30/2011 at 7:42 AM, FishinDaddy said:150 yds might as well be five miles. I find that if you look at 1000 yds of shore line, there will be a spot 10 yds wide that will produce more fish than the other 990. I use the search bait to find the fish, then hit it hard with a worm, and finally pitch a bug at every thing that looks good. Most of the time I catch 2 or 3 without moving the boat. Last January, the wife and I caught 25 2-3 lbers out of a little pocket in the Kissimee grass that was not 10 yards wide.
On 12/30/2011 at 4:49 AM, gar-tracker said:I would guess he was flipping or hitting key spots that he might have been aware of.
There's always a pattern within a pattern, hence the reason I get a kick out of "Information", to me its useless, if you don't know what little idiosyncrasy ones doing then being near fish that someone told you about is almost useless, unless they went on to tell you this as well, but to my experience somethings always left out.
I agree 100%, Mike and I were discussing the other day how awesome we did on the South side of the lake about 2 months ago. We noticed other fisherman around us that were not doing nearly as well, but we had this one pattern that was limited to a very specific area within the area and tore them up.
I will disagree with information mentioned by Gar Tracker, since I still believe that information tends to get someone into a general pattern or area and its up to the fisherman to do the rest.
salmicropterus reply :
Good stuff all that. Just to clarify, we were in a spot in an area and the mentioned angler came in later, obviously not coming in on us. We didn't have information-we just went to an area we thought was promising. My joke was based on the idea that we were all doing the same thing-flinging dippers. I totally agree with all said. In a team tournament up at Lake Kissimmee about a month ago, we worked a 300 yd area back and forth for two days. Within the area, there were three spots, 5-10 yds wide and within that a very specific type of varied vegetation, that consistently produced quality fish. We won the T by 14+ #. Let's just say we were dumb enough not to outsmart ourselves and move out of there. We locked in on 2 patterns that changed as the day progressed. Saved a lot on gas too.
FishinDaddy reply :
Would ya care to share that spot with a brother? 
gar-tracker reply :
When I use the term information I mean fishing areas based on what other fisherman told you.
I understand at times some info can be helpful as far as the general pattern or what the fish are doing but there's fisherman that spend more time trying to find out where people are catching fish rather then just go and finding fish themselves.
IMO, it just brings you to worn out fish that have been beat up, if someones telling you about it then 5 other people already know about it. Have you ever noticed many of times that the good fisherman are in another new spot while a crowd of people are where he was the last tournament.
Salmicropterus I didn't mean to insinuate that you went in on him I was just using that situation to comment on the topic of "information". I apologize if sounded that way. It probably deserves its own thread.
salmicropterus reply :
"Salmicropterus I didn't mean to insinuate that you went in on him I was just using that situation to comment on the topic of "information". I apologize if sounded that way. It probably deserves its own thread."
Gar, I didn't take it that way at all. We were at opposite ends of a large flat and they were moving one way and us the other. When we recognized who it was we said "we must be in a good area" .
BTW, I agree that information, if it means spots, is fairly useless. I used to chase information too and if I made any improvement at all this last year in my thinking it's in listening to the feedback from the fish and not the dock talk. The "spot" I mentioned in my post above at Kissimmee was a first stop on Saturday where I told my "non" I thought we could catch a quick but small limit and we did. Then inexplicably, the fish just kept upgrading all day-same phenomenon Sunday. If I told any of you the spot, you would laugh and say that you have been there many, many times as it's usually a community hole. But, for some reason, no one was there but us the entire weekend. We did have a rocket-launcher on board just in case.
GLADES reply :
If I may chime in. I think that the 'T dock information' can be useful or counter productive. Sometimes ms-information can ruin your day. You have to use your head and let your instincts guide you to search for your own spots while pre-fishing or while entering a T blind.
To be fair, a couple of my BR brothers have put me on bass, with exact instructions! I always try to do the same. I appreciate that good stuff, but tourneys are another story.
I have won a couple of club T's, and in every case I went against the prevailing thoughts at the dock because I want to fish areas that are clear of other boats that are spooking the bass.
Just my .02
BasskingKeith reply :
Had a dream that bass were spawning everywhere. It was mayhem.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 12/31/2011 at 12:33 AM, Bank said:Had a dream that bass were spawning everywhere. It was mayhem.
That was not happening today. Taylor and I got blanked on the south end of Kissimmee. We did however, lock down to the river and have an awesome bacon cheeseburger from River Ranch!
South FLA reply :
On 12/31/2011 at 12:33 AM, Bank said:Had a dream that bass were spawning everywhere. It was mayhem.
I have that dream often!
Dock Talk:
What were they hitting, where at and what was the predominate pattern. Maybe your "information" may lead me to fish.
Good information:
Capt. X, go out the third cut, find the first cove and look for the eel grass and arrow heads, flip and pitch a white Hydra and hold on! If the wind is blowing hang on the inside edge and throw spinner-baits around Kissimmee grass.
Its up to the fisherman to improvise and go by experience based on Dock talk or valid information.
FishinDaddy reply :
Dock talk.
I share and get information from a select few people. The information I get is always truthful from these guys. The last three BR guys that asked for info have all found their biggest fish on my spots and the last 2 cashed checks. I would say that is pretty good "dock talk".
piscicidal reply :
On 12/30/2011 at 12:15 PM, South FLA said:I agree 100%, Mike and I were discussing the other day how awesome we did on the South side of the lake about 2 months ago. We noticed other fisherman around us that were not doing nearly as well, but we had this one pattern that was limited to a very specific area within the area and tore them up.
Yeah, that was just sick. +80 fish/27 lbs by noon. Boats around us not doing anything. Funny thing, I was fishing in the same boat as you and didn't start catching until I changed my setup to EXACTLY match yours. I even had to change my rod to get the right action. Point is...we could have given someone the exact GPS coordinate to that spot, but odds are they would not have had that kind of success.
I was on the lake Thursday morning. Water temp = 66 degrees. I didn't see anything on the beds but I caught some nice fish staged up nearby. Caught a couple flipping mats near the beds also. I heard water temps were 62 yesterday, so we should see a wave moving up soon.
gar-tracker reply :
On 12/31/2011 at 11:11 AM, piscicidal said:Yeah, that was just sick. +80 fish/27 lbs by noon. Boats around us not doing anything. Funny thing, I was fishing in the same boat as you and didn't start catching until I changed my setup to EXACTLY match yours. I even had to change my rod to get the right action. Point is...we could have given someone the exact GPS coordinate to that spot, but odds are they would not have had that kind of success.
This is exactly my point.
Like South Fla mentions and like much about everything in life, the BS filter has got to be on and in high gear when fishing is concerned.
MagicMoment reply :
The bass around my area (Central Florida) are still staging with smaller males still coasting around bedding areas. Hopefully this weekend after this cold front and during the full moon will bring some of the big females on beds. Hopefully
BasskingKeith reply :
Hopefully man!! Just need to figure out the water temps too, see if they're ready for it...On 1/4/2012 at 10:08 PM, MagicMoment said:The bass around my area (Central Florida) are still staging with smaller males still coasting around bedding areas. Hopefully this weekend after this cold front and during the full moon will bring some of the big females on beds. Hopefully
piscicidal reply :
On 12/31/2011 at 10:12 PM, gar-tracker said:This is exactly my point.
Like South Fla mentions and like much about everything in life, the BS filter has got to be on and in high gear when fishing is concerned.
AMEN.
One more thing....no one will ever convince me that color doesn't matter after that day. Robert had me down 12 fish to 1 at one point with identical setups and only a color change. And this was fishing in the slop with about a 50% catch rate. So basically he had 24 takes to my 2, before I wised up and switched. After that we got hit an even amount.
i.e. Florida Spawn. I took the golf cart out day before yesterday and for the first time saw some bucks circling around the beds. Caught a few of em, before deciding to leave the poor guys alone. I imagine after this cold snap, and once the water warms up a little we might see some females move up. I'll be looking for them tomorrow...
MrPerfect reply :
On 1/5/2012 at 12:48 AM, Bank said:Hopefully man!! Just need to figure out the water temps too, see if they're ready for it...
What type of water temp should we be looking for? I've seen a couple fish in the Winter Park/Maitland/Oviedo area starting to move up, but none of the big females yet.
BasskingKeith reply :
I don't own a boat, nor have a thermometer to actually tell. I'd say around 65-70 degrees. In the past, it seems like I've caught them on beds when the air temps got low, like 40s, and also when the air temps were nearing 80. So I really don't know, I just go when I think it's been warm enough, and look around the shallows.On 1/5/2012 at 3:13 AM, MrPerfect said:What type of water temp should we be looking for? I've seen a couple fish in the Winter Park/Maitland/Oviedo area starting to move up, but none of the big females yet.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 12/31/2011 at 10:12 PM, gar-tracker said:the BS filter has got to be on and in high gear when fishing is concerned.
What're you talkin about. Fisherman are the most honest people on the planet. 
piscicidal reply :
I checked the beds around my house this morning. Nothing. Even the small bucks were blown out by the cold weather. Over the next couple of days, we should see the fish move back up. Hopefully big momma comes up also.
Captain Shane Procell reply :
I'll be on Lake O sat and sun, hopefully the big uns are in tight. Staying at Rolands and will be at Tiki bar saturday for supper if anybody is up that way.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 1/7/2012 at 5:06 AM, Captain Shane Procell said:I'll be on Lake O sat and sun, hopefully the big uns are in tight. Staying at Rolands and will be at Tiki bar saturday for supper if anybody is up that way.
Good luck, Shane. Sometime in the next couple of days there should be some really good fishing going on as the water temps come back up a couple of degrees. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this weekend and into early next week.
gar-tracker reply :
On 1/7/2012 at 5:06 AM, Captain Shane Procell said:I'll be on Lake O sat and sun, hopefully the big uns are in tight. Staying at Rolands and will be at Tiki bar saturday for supper if anybody is up that way.
What kind of boat do you have?
South FLA reply :
On 1/8/2012 at 7:33 AM, gar-tracker said:What kind of boat do you have?
I'll answer for him since most likely he is at the Tiki Bar in a sweater pounding some beers and watching football.
gar-tracker reply :
I talked to him/you Saturday, I came in back of you about 11:30 in the Box. You asked me if I had any fish.
Told you a small limit, I was in a white Storm. Twin Talons fishing with a big guy.I went way in the grass for about a 1/2 hour and left.
I just returned from the lake, fishing has been brutal since that front. We came in about top ten just out of the money. Lots of no limits and zeros. I think 2nd was 13 lbs
When 20 lbs wins with 60 some odd boats at that lake you know the fish are shut down.
That boat must scoot with that 50 on it.
Captain Shane Procell reply :
On 1/8/2012 at 9:04 PM, gar-tracker said:I talked to him/you Saturday, I came in back of you about 11:30 in the Box. You asked me if I had any fish.
Told you a small limit, I was in a white Storm. Twin Talons fishing with a big guy.I went way in the grass for about a 1/2 hour and left.
I just returned from the lake, fishing has been brutal since that front. We came in about top ten just out of the money. Lots of no limits and zeros. I think 2nd was 13 lbs
When 20 lbs wins with 60 some odd boats at that lake you know the fish are shut down.
That boat must scoot with that 50 on it.
The fishing was poor for me and my co-angler. We struggled to get a limit and they were all small.
That area was smoking hot for the last 6 weeks. Dan/JD'sCustomBaits and I got a 10 fish sack for 42#s in that stretch 6 weeks ago.
That was a beautiful Storm!
gar-tracker reply :
Thank you.Not bad for 20 years old. I had it re done awhile back and re powered 2 years ago for the 3rd time.
Me and my son got a couple of 7s out of there a couple of weeks ago. I posted pictures.
The waters dropping. It pulled them out of that grass my guess is there out in the hydrilla
South FLA reply :
Went out yesteday afternoon, let's just say the early bird doesn't get the worm 
, and heading back to weigh-in is a major dissadvantage.
!Stroked them! Fishing should be ON these next couple of days, water was 62.3 to 64.3 depending on areas, and NO they are not on beds where I am at, still staging.
Triton Bob reply :
I saw a lot of beds yesterday in the fingers. But no body home. Saw fish crusing the banks they just were not eating.
salmicropterus reply :
On 1/9/2012 at 9:21 PM, South FLA said:Went out yesteday afternoon, let's just say the early bird doesn't get the worm
, and heading back to weigh-in is a major dissadvantage.
!Stroked them! Fishing should be ON these next couple of days, water was 62.3 to 64.3 depending on areas, and NO they are not on beds where I am at, still staging.
Totally agree on the part about them still staging. We caught some quality fish this weekend working the intermediate areas between the outside and inside. I call it the "inside of the outside". People struggled fishing the obvious spawning flats and areas. All that said, I would have loved to be up there today or tomorrow. Hope the good conditions hold for the upcoming weekend. I've got the BFL on Saturday and a club classic on Sunday. I'm never gonna win a slugfest but it'd be fun trying.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 1/10/2012 at 11:14 AM, salmicropterus said:Totally agree on the part about them still staging. We caught some quality fish this weekend working the intermediate areas between the outside and inside. I call it the "inside of the outside". People struggled fishing the obvious spawning flats and areas. All that said, I would have loved to be up there today or tomorrow. Hope the good conditions hold for the upcoming weekend. I've got the BFL on Saturday and a club classic on Sunday. I'm never gonna win a slugfest but it'd be fun trying.
Ya might want to check the weather. They are not going on the beds this weekend. Wed morning is the time to slay them, then you might as well play checkers for the rest of the week.
GLADES reply :
Fishindaddy is right, the cold front will arrive over the weekend. Lows to the mid 40's.
It is going to be tough out there.
salmicropterus reply :
I see what you all mean. I had thought the front was going to come through earlier and conditions would settle by the weekend. Looks like it is Friday in Central Florida and maybe Friday night at the Lake.
piscicidal reply :
The bucks were back on the beds at my house this morning. I left them alone and probed around for momma, but didn't find her.
MrPerfect reply :
I was able to go out this past Saturday and pond hop around the UCF area and while I caught some a few decent fish, and a couple of bigger females in pre-stage, there were no beds at any of the ponds or lakes.
Biggest I caught was a 4lb female just starting to really get that belly.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
I got out onto one of the bigger strip pits down by me on Sunday. Caught a bunch of fish all staged up just outside of spawning areas. Shallow and deep cranks were getting the majority of the bites for me. Spent a little while flipping a tube into some mats and managed a couple of larger fish, but not much in the thick stuff. Another week or two and it'll be on.
gar-tracker reply :
On 1/10/2012 at 11:55 AM, FishinDaddy said:Ya might want to check the weather. They are not going on the beds this weekend. Wed morning is the time to slay them, then you might as well play checkers for the rest of the week.
I would give anything to be fishing today, full moon, pending front, January.
This weekend is going to be tough is right.
South FLA reply :
I was out yesterday from 11:30 to 3:00 and did alright, fish were still scattered on outside weed edged in staging mode. Fished hard though to find them, had to cover water, but was able to find the spot within the spot and managed to catch 20-25 total up to 3 1/2lbs fishing with Dwight. Today would be great, but the wind is going to do a number on the outside.
SirSnookalot reply :
Hard fishing? Have had a total of 2 fish in saltwater since the New Year and no strikes for about a week, I haven't talked to anyone that has done better in my area, but that's winter and not unusual. Real glad to be catching bass everyday, at least the rod is bending.
South FLA reply :
On 1/13/2012 at 11:27 PM, SirSnookalot said:Hard fishing? Have had a total of 2 fish in saltwater since the New Year and no strikes for about a week, I haven't talked to anyone that has done better in my area, but that's winter and not unusual. Real glad to be catching bass everyday, at least the rod is bending.
Jacks aren't in the surf yet? One of my best trips ever was right after the New Year while in college surf fishing for jacks off the Breakers Hotel, talk about FUN!
piscicidal reply :
On 1/13/2012 at 11:05 PM, South FLA said:I was out yesterday from 11:30 to 3:00 and did alright, fish were still scattered on outside weed edged in staging mode. Fished hard though to find them, had to cover water, but was able to find the spot within the spot and managed to catch 20-25 total up to 3 1/2lbs fishing with Dwight. Today would be great, but the wind is going to do a number on the outside.
Yesterday was not that great, although by the time I started fishing the front had already moved in. Strong, cold north winds and bluebird skies made fishing pretty tough. I think the morning bite might have been pretty good, warmer, overcast and slight winds.
I did find some fish and like you, Robert, they were staging...I had my best luck WAY off the weedlines (300-400 yards). Was pretty much by myself out there most of the day, although by the time I left there were about six boats with me (some BFL guys doing the old "bent rod" scouting technique). I missed a lot of bites yesterday...they were short-biting the baits. There were so many floating weeds in the area, about the only thing that wouldn't get fouled up every cast was a skinny dipper (anyone have a good idea for adding a trailer to a paddletail, that doesn't get fouled up?). Even with the dipper, we were fouled up every other cast. I think we had a pretty good area...even with the fouled baits, short bites we managed about 12lb bag in ~3hours. We both lost one big fish also. I would guess that some of those BFL guys would take that today...I think it's going to be tough out there.
I fished a couple shallow flats/spawning areas up around the shoal and on the south end and did nothing in there. I was fishing with my dad so we were a little bit limited in the type of fishing we could do. I didn't flip at all.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 1/14/2012 at 10:55 PM, South FLA said:Jacks aren't in the surf yet? One of my best trips ever was right after the New Year while in college surf fishing for jacks off the Breakers Hotel, talk about FUN!
Last year both snook and jacks up to about 10# were on in January, but not this year. I don't give up, that's what I like the best. People that don't fish saltwater think there is a fish on every cast, nothing could be further from the truth. This time of the year there is just no fish around, I can go a week or 2 without a strike. I casted cuda tubes for 2 days and didn't even see one. The old adage, when the snook turn off the bass turn on and when the bass turn off the snook turn on, makes for a good year.
Bassn Blvd reply :
My brother caught a dozen bluefish, several jacks (small), couple sharks and one S mack today off sloans curve in Palm Beach. He said a school of tarpon, about 60-80 pounds each, came by. He got two of them to hit but couldn't hook'em. He was throwing spoons and gotchas.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 1/15/2012 at 8:48 AM, Bassn Blvd said:My brother caught a dozen bluefish, several jacks (small), couple sharks and one S mack today off sloans curve in Palm Beach. He said a school of tarpon, about 60-80 pounds each, came by. He got two of them to hit but couldn't hook'em. He was throwing spoons and gotchas.
Nice to hear.
Sloan's Curve......A mile or so north of Lake Worth, near Phipps Park off the beach?
15-20 mph, 5 footers and chilly, think I'll take a pass, lol.
salmicropterus reply :
Well sad to say but the Lake really kicked my butt this weekend. Never could get a consistent pattern on fish. Tried, in no particular order: inside, way inside, outside, inside the out side and way way outside. Skinny dipper, senkos, soak a 10" worm, flip mats and pitch reed clumpies. Tough, tough and tough. Hat's off to the big bags on Saturday's BFL
1234567 reply :
On 1/17/2012 at 2:08 AM, salmicropterus said:Well sad to say but the Lake really kicked my butt this weekend. Never could get a consistent pattern on fish. Tried, in no particular order: inside, way inside, outside, inside the out side and way way outside. Skinny dipper, senkos, soak a 10" worm, flip mats and pitch reed clumpies. Tough, tough and tough. Hat's off to the big bags on Saturday's BFL
Sorry to hear it was so TOUGH out there. I think that would be an understatement as far as Sunday.
I launched out of Moore Haven at 600 am sunday, froze for three hours on the main lake looking for clean water which I never found. Made my way to the shoreline areas and flipped the heck out of it with one missed bite. Made my way back to the rim canal and caught about 6 in the three pound range. Not too impressive for my first time on Lake O. I did find them in the rim holding off the dropoff near the rocky banks. They were hittng the jig on the fall pretty hard and then it died when these massive boats when cruising through and the water around the shore turned dirty. I thought the waves from these boats were going to capsize me! Until then I thought I had a good pattern going. In the rim I saw some nice clumps of hyacinth mats ( I think thats what they are) and thought for sure I'd pull fish out of there but nothing as well. Next time maybe. Anyone do good out there Sunday?
FL_Sharpshooter reply :
On 1/17/2012 at 2:44 AM, 1234567 said:Sorry to hear it was so TOUGH out there. I think that would be an understatement as far as Sunday.
I launched out of Moore Haven at 600 am sunday, froze for three hours on the main lake looking for clean water which I never found. Made my way to the shoreline areas and flipped the heck out of it with one missed bite. Made my way back to the rim canal and caught about 6 in the three pound range. Not too impressive for my first time on Lake O. I did find them in the rim holding off the dropoff near the rocky banks. They were hittng the jig on the fall pretty hard and then it died when these massive boats when cruising through and the water around the shore turned dirty. I thought the waves from these boats were going to capsize me! Until then I thought I had a good pattern going. In the rim I saw some nice clumps of hyacinth mats ( I think thats what they are) and thought for sure I'd pull fish out of there but nothing as well. Next time maybe. Anyone do good out there Sunday?
I would say you did good for your first day. I'd be more than happy with some 3lbers. With it being as chilly as it has been lately, it's getting a little bit harder to see what they're biting on. As most Floridians know, our bass tend to shut down during colder weather. You should try some of Chris's(Northstar Custom) hair jigs around this time, I always kill em on those.
I have seen a ton of spawning beds on the canals lately, but no one is home yet. Can't wait for the spawn, it's gonna be killer!
1234567 reply :
Thanks man, I've been on the Rim canal before (once) but I figured it would be slow with cold. I thought for sure I'd find some flippin. Hopefully when it's warmer I'll get into some of these schools these guys have wrote about! A 50-100 fish day is something I've yet to experience.
GLADES reply :
Drop shotting around deep rocks, drop offs, and structure in the rim canal is sometimes productive this time of year. It takes a lot of patience though.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 1/17/2012 at 7:51 AM, 1234567 said:Thanks man, I've been on the Rim canal before (once) but I figured it would be slow with cold. I thought for sure I'd find some flippin. Hopefully when it's warmer I'll get into some of these schools these guys have wrote about! A 50-100 fish day is something I've yet to experience.
Give it some time and you'll find some of those giant schools. Pay attention to what some of the locals here tell you. Some of them know the lake really well.
1234567 reply :
Thanks for the encouragement! I knew yesterday was going to be bad. I don't know the lake at all but I'm sure someone figured out where they were and caught em. The main lake already seemed pretty choppy by 0830 am and the water looked awful. I could barely see my 6 inches below the surface. I putted around in the main lake as well looking for any type of structure change but it always read the same at about 4 feet. Maybe a significant change were I was could be 6 inches?? I didn't go out too far as the waves were limiting my mobility. Now I see why guys have the 20 foot glass boats!!!! Even the pockets inside the cattails were murky where the water was dead calm.
piscicidal reply :
On 1/17/2012 at 2:44 AM, 1234567 said:Sorry to hear it was so TOUGH out there. I think that would be an understatement as far as Sunday.
I launched out of Moore Haven at 600 am sunday, froze for three hours on the main lake looking for clean water which I never found. Made my way to the shoreline areas and flipped the heck out of it with one missed bite. Made my way back to the rim canal and caught about 6 in the three pound range. Not too impressive for my first time on Lake O. I did find them in the rim holding off the dropoff near the rocky banks. They were hittng the jig on the fall pretty hard and then it died when these massive boats when cruising through and the water around the shore turned dirty. I thought the waves from these boats were going to capsize me! Until then I thought I had a good pattern going. In the rim I saw some nice clumps of hyacinth mats ( I think thats what they are) and thought for sure I'd pull fish out of there but nothing as well. Next time maybe. Anyone do good out there Sunday?
Six three pounders is a pretty good day, given the tough conditions. A 15lb bag would have been top-25 at the BFL Saturday. Okeechobee can be tough...yeah, there's a ton of fish but there's also a ton of water.
1234567 reply :
On 1/18/2012 at 12:36 AM, piscicidal said:Six three pounders is a pretty good day, given the tough conditions. A 15lb bag would have been top-25 at the BFL Saturday. Okeechobee can be tough...yeah, there's a ton of fish but there's also a ton of water.
I appreciate that really. I thought I was doing horrible out there wandering around aimlessly looking for an area that "looks" good. I also figured that a 30 pound bag that took the win, many others probably weighed in 20 pound bags.
You're absolutely right about "ton of water" as soon as I left the canal and hit the main lake I was completely overwhelmed! I had no idea where to start and what to do, I motored around for awhile and the depth kept reading 4 feet, since I could never find deeper water that I was looking for with the cold front I moved back to the shoreline. How far out do you have to go to find 8-10 fow? My little boat was getting bounced around bad Sunday and I'm sure that was a normal or calmer day.
I noticed the area I came out to looked like it was just full of eel grass but the water was very dirty. I was thinking this would be a good spot if the water was clean but I have no idea about the bottom composition, although with the grass I think it would be good to hold bass.
Now I see why alot of guys out there have 200 plus horsepower motors, it would take me an eternity to travel long stretches of this lake!
The cattails looked good but I had no idea where to flip, so I just flipped everywhere when I was on the main lake.
I can't wait to start learning this lake although it is intimidating!
gar-tracker reply :
It kicked my but as well, a sorry scrawny bag of 4 fish. And no check.
But it happens.
South FLA reply :
Fishing and not catching, that is what its called!
MrPerfect reply :
Just to let you guys know I'll be out around the UCF/Lake Mills/Econ area on Saturday and I'll let you know if I start seeing any progress in terms of bedding bass. Last time I was out I didn't even find any bed, but the fishing wasn't to bad thanks to some staging bass.
MagicMoment reply :
On 1/21/2012 at 2:35 AM, MrPerfect said:Just to let you guys know I'll be out around the UCF/Lake Mills/Econ area on Saturday and I'll let you know if I start seeing any progress in terms of bedding bass. Last time I was out I didn't even find any bed, but the fishing wasn't to bad thanks to some staging bass.
Please do.
BasskingKeith reply :
I am making a prediction: I predict spawning this coming weekend. We'll see how that goes. Another thing...For all you boating guys, or anyone with a device to measure water temps.... Can you tell us the water temps you're experiencing and at what regional location? That would be awesome.
FishinDaddy reply :
Haines City private lake - no spawning activity in 65 degree water today. I did bag a staging 4lb female this morning.
MrPerfect reply :
Sorry guys, came down with a bad case of the flu and the only body of water I came into contact with this weekend was my bathtub. Hopefully I'll get out this week.
BasskingKeith reply :
LOL ^ ......... Well, caught some spawning fish today boys..... A small pond near my house "hosted" a couple bedding. Caught a 3 pounder and a 4. That was the only bed I found in the 200 yard or so diameter of a pond, but it's a start. Gonna fish my more secret and notorious grounds real soon. Good luck guys, as I am gonna try to spot a "teen" 
(hopefully, if it works as envisioned)
1234567 reply :
Haha, good luck!! i'll be out tomorrow too. I'll give an update hopefully??
rubba bubba reply :
Water temps are 67-69 in Naples and they are both starting to spawn (some bedding action but not a lot) or are literally on the cusp of spawning. They're all staged and ready to go.
The Guy reply :
Water is around 65 here(about an hour south of orlando) with some beds showing up
1234567 reply :
Went out to the everglades today and didn't fare so well. Water temp was 69 degrees, maybe hit 70 buy late afternoon but I left around 100. Couldn't see any beds as the water was to murky to see down any depth. They may be there???
BasskingKeith reply :
Damnnnn that sucks. They could be there, and should be there or where ever they spawn in that place. Water Temps are right, according to studies and what not.
MrPerfect reply :
By the sound of everything this weekend could shape up to be a decent time fishing. Any thoughts on what would be the best day to go out: Saturday or Sunday? Obviously I'd do both if I could.
MrPerfect reply :
Went out around the UCF, research parkway, and Oviedo area pond hopping on Sunday and didn't see any beds, but caught a couple of fish staging again. I'm wondering when I'll start seeing the fish finally move up, but for the most part they were only hitting hard baits just about 35 feet off the shoreline.
When they slowed down I had limited success with a wacky worm.
BasskingKeith reply :
Possibly the next full moon? February 7 is the date, hopefully then.
piscicidal reply :
I believe that the recent warming trend has promoted some spawning activity. Pre and post spawn females are being caught, right now. Sight fishing for spawning females has produced some big fish lately also...I think Bobby Lane won on Kissimmee last week catching two 10+ off of beds.
My partner Jack (shallow thinker) caught this beauty in the gambler tournament Saturday (7.22lbs). I think this was a post-spawn fish. We were targeting pre/post spawn bass all day.
MrPerfect reply :
Anyone getting out this weekend? We just bought a new house so I'll be busy all weekend, but I'm hoping to sneak way for an hour or two at least on Sunday. If at the very least to provide a report on the spawning activity in the East Orlando area.
piscicidal reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 9:41 PM, MrPerfect said:Anyone getting out this weekend? We just bought a new house so I'll be busy all weekend, but I'm hoping to sneak way for an hour or two at least on Sunday. If at the very least to provide a report on the spawning activity in the East Orlando area.
i caught a fish on the lake yesterday with eggs dripping out of her, so there is at least some spawning activity on Okeechobee. Saw a few beds that looked pretty clean also, but were empty.
The Guy reply :
Caught one that went around 9lbs yesterday. I don't know if she was on a bed I was just casting towards cover not sight fishing. Water is around 70-72 here.
MagicMoment reply :
I went out to Lake Caloosa (Crooked Lake) yesterday and nailed them. Water temps were in the 70s with 80 degree whether. The beginning of this week should be prime.
MrPerfect reply :
Anyone getting out this weekend?
1234567 reply :
I will be, not at Okeechobee though as I had planned. After that huge tourney and the wind I figure alot of areas were punished hard enough that I'll wait for another time. I'm heading out Sat. night/Sunday morning and looking to flip/punch mats with the 40 degree temps moving in. If that isn't going, I'll try dragging a jig reall slow in deep water hoping to find a big one holding tight to structure, maybe recouping from the spawn.
piscicidal reply :
I just returned from a three day trip to Orlando (Disney). The relatively stable weather last week must have precipitated some spawning activity. Big females were on the beds all over on Friday. At the lake there @ Epcot (over on the east side, near Mexico exhibit) there were several pairs of bass bedding. One big ol girl looked to be about 8lbs, accompanied by a about a 3lb buck. Super clear water...dozens of people at a time peering over the bridge right on top of them.
MrPerfect reply :
On 2/21/2012 at 3:59 AM, piscicidal said:I just returned from a three day trip to Orlando (Disney). The relatively stable weather last week must have precipitated some spawning activity. Big females were on the beds all over on Friday. At the lake there @ Epcot (over on the east side, near Mexico exhibit) there were several pairs of bass bedding. One big ol girl looked to be about 8lbs, accompanied by a about a 3lb buck. Super clear water...dozens of people at a time peering over the bridge right on top of them.
Are you talking about the big lake that is at the Center of Epcot? I have never seen fish in there.
piscicidal reply :
Yeah, the bass we saw spawning were around the walking bridges stretched over the fingers on the east side of the lake (see picture). Tons of sunfish and some huge carp in there also.
MrPerfect reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 11:24 PM, piscicidal said:Yeah, the bass we saw spawning were around the walking bridges stretched over the fingers on the east side of the lake (see picture). Tons of sunfish and some huge carp in there also.
My wife is one of the project managers at the Park and I'm wondering if there is a way to get in there and night fish some bedding bass....
MagicMoment reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 11:56 PM, MrPerfect said:My wife is one of the project managers at the Park and I'm wondering if there is a way to get in there and night fish some bedding bass....
That would be awesome if you could. I'd pay admission to fish there.
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