gar-tracker

Sounds good Lee, Iv been busy chasing those rascals around Big O. Its been feast or famine. I came in 2nd last week, my partner lost an 8 plus that would have given us the win and big fish. The week prior I had a hawg short strike me at the boat, she had only the legs of the toad in her mouth, I set up and heard the rubber snap. 1/2 hour later my partner has the same thing happen with another Pig. Maybe my luck will change this Saturday.

Traveling west on 60 yesterday crossing Kissimee , those pad fields down by the bridge looked nice,I don't know the depth but they seem worth checking out. You been there FD?

I made my yearly visit to Bridgemasters on my way to Tampa yesterday, I could spend a day in this place. Anyone passing by should make it a point check it out. The on line shopping doesnt do it justice, they have bins full of bulk plastics, great fro trick, sinkos, and other stuff. http://www.thebridgemaster.com/

Try 13 inch worms. Or large swim Baits.

Stick an Alka Seltzer in a worm, toss it in and hold on.

I like to toss a grenade in the bed.

When Okeechobee is concerned everything is proportion to the shallowness, the fish are used to hot water so it doesnt take a big temp dip to trigger them, they've been feeding like mad which is another trigger. This carry s on with everything there. Deep water can be 4 feet or 5 feet. A drop off can be 6 inches and have an effect on the fishes location. A hole can be a subtle depression. When they pull off the beds at times they'll just go 10 feet to some cover.,not necessarily 50 yards to the next big depth change or cover like in many lakes up north.

Theres already been a spawn on Okeechobee, they were on beds 2 weeks ago, Iv posted this before, it happens every years here. They pulled out and will be back and forth for several more, in different groups. They will spawn until late May. With the strongest spawn usually being the last week moon phase.

OK thanks guys, T&H has the one I was looking for, much better made and heavier duty then the Big Foot. However, they make one with the continues switch and one without, make sure you get the one WITH the bar, its a big plastic button, the one without is just like the Big Foot, a rubber cap, they dont stand up to the pressure and it breaks the copper tab inside just like the Big Foot. http://www.thmarine.com/product8ba8.html?PRID=97 You can see the size difference in the picture.

I seem to remember another heavy duty switch years back, I''m tired of replacing these every 5 months, their getting cheaper and cheaper.

Take your pick, your in prime bass country. I can tell you this, look shallow, their moving in big time.

Garmin user friendly.....Lowrance better maps.

I used to catch a lot of fish on those, and the motor oil Manns as well. Yup purple was the first color besides black I remember throwing. Signed: Another Old Fart

The following is my opinion while it may differ from most techniques, it has worked for me after much trial and error. Its related to Florida fishing in extremely thick grass. I use Gammy WG 4/0, I do a lot of toad fishing in extremely thick grass fields of Florida, keep in mind we have been fishing top water worms and Flappin Shad baits way before the toad craze. I use a 7'6": heavy however I look for one with a little bit of a tip to help with the casting. I DO NOT WAIT, if you v ever seen a bass eat something the bait is in his mouth instantly, combine that with the distance between you and the fish its never an instant hook set. That fish is turned on your bait in a micro second. I do this with all my fishing especially submerged plastics, as you're waiting that bass is swimming away putting more grass between you and your fish. I also use the plastic screw in tip made by the company that makes Skinny Dippers, this helps the toad last longer. You may want to run the tip of the hook through the bait to help with your hook set, I don't do this but, it may help with your handicap. If the vegetation is not as xtream you could cheat the rod down a bit for better castibility. Top water plastic fishing in grass is hard when done right, a hard hook set with constant pressure to keep the head up and the fish coming towards you. Hope this helps.

This about sums it up.

The photographers thumb must weigh at least 2 pounds.

"check the laws, bro. " In reference to what?

I was just up there by Indian Prairy last week but didn't spend much time there, it did look great and theres giant bream everywhere, in fact it was on my list for some checking next weekend.

I have caught and eaten many of Snook, I feel its probably one of the best eating fish that swims, however, any Snook taken from freshwater taste like soap, its common knowledge that the fish caught in the ocean and ICW are much better eating then landlocked Snook. You would think it would be the other way around but trust me on this one.

That area over there is tough, unless theres a local lake I don't know off I would stick to Red fish and Snook.

We were coming into the weigh in yesterday to find a Storm in front of the ramp with crime scene tape around it, apparently the father fell over board while fishing, and when the son jumped in to save him the son had a heart attack. I remember seeing them before the blast off of the tourny, the reason I remember they had they same year Storm as I have and it was in great shape, what a horrible thing to come in to after a great day on the lake. Prayers for the family. http://www.wptv.com/content/news/okeechobee/story/William-Allen-Reed-John-drown-fishing-Tequesta/wWGmcYfzNkWjCTw_kQ0Cvg.cspx

December will be great, you'll have pre spawn, and spawn, the lakes in absolutely pristine shape. Heavy gear, chucking and winding frogs, or pitching cattails.

You were oh so close to a winning stringer, I came in 2nd Saturday with a nice sack, a kicker away from 20 lbs, and I was very close to were you where fishing, so don't be discouraged, with the exception of being lucky you don't just go to Okeechobee and do good without pre fishing.

Sounds like the jack plate was on the transom, it fell off of the jack plate, i would assume.

As far as what, how to fish them? If your intention is to fish the retention pond one should always stand at attention, and fish for redemption, just hope there's no intervention by the land owner, if he gets mad you may have to practice abstention.