Hello Folks,
I hope everyone is havin’ a great start to the new year. We are startin’ the new year off right with some cold weather, and more cold weather is comin’ our way. The good news is we don’t have to deal with any snow.
Before this latest cold front came to town, the fishin’ wasn’t too bad. Kyle at Bitter’s Bait & Tackle reports that lots of folks were catchin’ some specks in Lake Monroe and Lake Jesup.
Folks have been catchin’ some specks in the Kissimmee Chain as well. Most of the specks are bein’ caught on minners driftin’ open water in Lake Monroe. Folks are still catchin’ most of their specks under the 417 bridge in Lake Jesup. Most of the specks in the Kissimmee chain are bein’ caught around the pads. We have a full moon on Monday the 13th. If the weather settles down a little and we don’t get too much wind, the specks should be bitin’ this weekend.
The bass fishin’ was doin’ really good until this cold front came to town. Some bass were goin’ on the beds to spawn, but I’m afraid these cold fronts will pull them off the beds. I’m sure there is goin’ to be some beddin’ goin’ on, but usually our Florida bass are very susceptible to the weather. When those ole bass get on the beds and when these cold fronts come to town, they will pull off their beds in a heartbeat. So, don’t be afraid to see if they are on the beds while you are fishin’.
Folks were catchin’ some bass in the Butler Chain and the Maitland Chain before these cold fronts. Most folks are draggin’ shiners out the back of the boat over the submerged hydrilla and eel-grass beds. The bass fishin’ has been hit or miss on the Harris Chain.
Folks are catchin’ a few bass on shiners, but due to a fish kill on Lake Eustis, the bass fishin’ has slowed down a little in there. Some folks are reportin’ that the fish kill is due to the sprayin’ in the chain, and the FWC is claimin’ the fish kill is due to the cold weather. The FWC is reportin’ that the cold weather may be depleting the oxygen out the water, and that is causing the fish kill. Also, the FWC is reportin’ that the fish kill may be due to algae blooms, extreme weather, or herbicides in the water.
If you want more information about what’s goin’ on in the Harris Chain, you can go to the FWC’s website and see how the investigation is goin’. If you want to report dead fish sightings, the FWC has a Fish Kill Hotline that allows the public to submit reports by calling 1-800-636-0511. You can also go to myfwc.com and fill out a report on the fish kills in your area.
Well, folks I don’t know how these fronts are goin’ to affect your fishin’, but hopefully we can get a few days of good weather so we can get out there and catch a few fish.
See ya next week.
Tip of the week: Full Moon on Monday.
Save a few and good luck!
