Hello Folks,
What a great weekend we had. Lots of folks are gettin’ on the water and enjoyin’ this chamber of commerce weather we have been havin’.
There were folks fishin’ for specks and bass in most all our waterways in the area. We had a full moon on Saturday and that got the fish bitin’. Specks are bitin’ in just about all the big lakes in Central Florida, Lake Monroe, Lake Jesup, Lake Harney, and the St. John’s River. Most of the specks are still bein’ caught on minners, and a few specks on jigs tipped with a minner. Some specks are bein’ caught in the Harris Chain and the Kissimmee Chain as well.
I wanted to let everyone know that the FWC approved new rules to support TrophyBass management. There are two rules that have been approved for two specific waterbodies. Lake Lochloosa and Orange Lake in Alachua County. There is no killing or possessing of any black bass that is 20 inches or more in total length. Also, the other new rule requires a circle hook when fishin’ with natural baits greater than 3 inches in length. These new rules will support the agency’s concerted efforts to grow larger trophy bass across the state. The goal of the FWC’s Florida Trophy Bass Project is to make Florida the undisputed Trophy Bass Capital of the World.
There was an Xtreme Bass Series tournament on the Harris Chain a couple of weeks ago. Congrats to Brent Stagg and Neil Davis for their win on the chain. They had 5 bass that hit the scales at 27.68 pounds. They also had a nice kicker bass that weighed 7.44 pounds. There were 6 bass that were caught durin’ the tournament that weighed over 6 pounds each. My point in reportin’ about all these tournaments is to say this: With all the tournaments we have durin’ this time of the year on our chains, these chains continue to produce big stringers and big bass each week. It’s just amazin’ to me how these lakes continue to provide the amount of bass that were caught and the weight that it takes to win one of these tournaments. It goes to show you that we are blessed to be able to fish these lakes and chains in our area and show-out what they can produce.
I know that I have whined about all the tournaments bein’ held in Florida durin’ this time of the year, but it’s cold up North and folks do want to fish; and Florida is the destination state in which to fish! All that bein’ said, it does generate income for all the businesses in our area. I guess my point is: I have been fishin’ my whole life here in Florida, and to be able to go fishin’ and have a chance to catch one of these big bass is awesome.
Kyle at Bitter’s B&T in Longwood reports that the folks in his area are catchin’ some nice bass on shiners. Folks are usin’ shiners and catchin’ some nice bass in our local lakes. So, if you have a pond or a golf course pond, first get permission to fish on the golf course, then get some shiners and head out for a couple of hours and enjoy the weather. You just might catch your personal best bass!
Well that’s it for this week. I’ll hope to see you on the water.
Tip of the week: Go Fishin
Save a few and good luck!
