Hello Folks,
I hope everyone is gettin’ on the water and doin’ some fishin’. The weather has been great and the fish are bitin’, so that makes for some great days on the water.
Kyle at Bitter’s Bait and Tackle reports that folks are still catchin’ some bluegills and shellcrackers in Lake Monroe and Lake Jesup. You can also catch ’em in the St. Johns River. Most folks are usin’ wigglers and red wigglers. If you want to catch some grass-shrimp, they work really good for panfish. I see folks along the roadways dippin’ for ’em before they go fishin’.
The bluegills and shellcrackers are still bitin’ real good on the Kissimmee Chain as well. Folks are catchin’ ’em around the pads and the shellbeds located throughout the chain.
The bluegills and shellcrackers are movin’ to the shallow waters in the Harris Chain, too. Most folks are usin’ red wigglers and grass shrimp to catch ’em.
Kyle also reports that folks are catchin’ some bass in just about all the major chains and lakes in our area.
The Harris Chain has been really good for bass fishin’, especially last week when we had the full moon. You can still find a few bass on the beds, but a lot of bass have spawned and moved to deeper water. You will find the bass around the submerged hydrilla and eel grass beds. Also, make sure you fish the shellbeds throughout the chain.
When those bass move up on the shellbeds, they are there to feed. If you time it just right, you can have a great time catchin’ ’em, when they move up to feed.
The Butler Chain is fishin’ real good for bass, too. Folks are catchin’ bass in just about all the lakes in the chain. Lake Butler and Lake Tibet have been really good lately. Most folks are fishin’ with slow-sinkin’ Senko-type baits, and lipless crank-baits for the schoolers. Always keep your eyes on the birds divin’ on the baitfish. You can also try fishin’ a chatter-bait in the submerged hydrilla beds or try fishin’ top-water baits along the grassline early in the mornin’.
My neighbor John and his nephew Chet are still catchin’ numbers of bass on the Butler Chain. They are catchin’ 20 bass to 30 bass per trip. They are catchin’ their bass on jigs, speed worms, and Senko-type baits. John’s Lake has been fishin’ really good as of late. Early in the mornin’ at first light, top-water baits will get you a bite.
Once the sun gets up, try fishin’ the submerged hydrilla and eel grass beds. Also, try the shellbeds for bass that are feedin’ on the baitfish.
So, before it gets too hot, get the family and let’s go catch some fish. See ya next week.
Tip of the week: Panfish are bitin’.
Save a few and good luck!
