Hello Folks,
Happy 4th of July, and Happy Birthday to America! We will be 249 years old this year. I hope everyone has a great weekend and that you get to celebrate it with your family and friends.
The days’re gettin’ hotter and the fishin’ is startin’ to slow down in most of the lakes in our area.
There was a tournament over the weekend on Lake Griffin, and it only took 13.3 pounds to win. Congrats to all the teams that endured the heat and caught fish. The big bass for the day was a 5.32-pounder.
The bass fishin’ on the Headwaters is still producin’ some nice stringers of bass, but you’ve got to get on the water early.
Most of the guides are fishin’ half-day trips due to the heat, but their clients are catchin’ some nice bass on shiners, swim-jigs, and chatter-baits. Folks’re doin’ a lot of bass fishin’ at night since it’s so hot durin’ the daytime.
The Johns Lake Wednesday Night Shootout this past week saw three bass weighed in at the scales at 10.65 pounds. Congrats to Justin Evans and Nikko Cannata on their win. They also had big bass for the night that weighed in at 6.65 pounds. There were 24 boats in the tournament.
If you’re interested in fishin’ one of these tournaments, they’re held at Johns Lake each Wednesday from 5:15 p.m. until 9 p.m. You’re allowed to weigh-in three bass, and the cost is $40 per boat.
I wanted to mention that the FWC is undertaking an historic restoration effort to promote native plant communities through large-scale revegetating on Lake Kissimmee. The FWC has allocated an unprecedented $2.35 million over two years to support this restoration. As you know, Lake Kissimmee is one of the largest natural lakes in Florida. In recent years, the vital aquatic grasses have declined due to grazing by exotic apple snails, hurricanes, and artificially stabilized water levels. This project is designed to re- store healthy aquatic habitat that will enhance water quality and improve habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife.
Lake Kissimmee is the home of the Everglade snail kite. The wetland tree planting will provide perching and nesting habitat for wading birds and snail kites. So, thanks to all those folks in- volved in this project. I’m sure it will make Lake Kissimmee a great place to fish and to visit.
The fishin’ on the Maitland Chain has been doin’ pretty good if you fish at night. They also have a Wednesday night tournament on the Maitland Chain, which goes out of Dinky Dock in Winter Park. They take off at 5:30 p.m. and weigh-in at 10 p.m. It’s also a three-fish limit, with a 14-inch minimum. They have a 100% payback. It’s $40 per boat, and you can fish with a partner or fish solo.
Well, that’s it for this week. I hope y’all have a great 4th of July weekend and you get a chance to do some fishin’ and eat some great Bar-B-Q with your friends and family.
Tip of the week: Early mornin’ or nighttime fishin’.
SAVE A FEW AND
