geo g

A 7' MH rod, with 15 pound Trylene Big Game, and a fast quality reel. You can pull them out of almost anywhere, and still be able to cast a mile. Good luck!

I use 4.5" the most, the bite ratio is better then the larger ones. BPS stick baits are just as good as the senko for a lot less money. In south Florida a few great colors are Watermelon red, watermelon glitter, Okeechobee, Black, Junebug, and Morning Dawn. Good luck, experiment a little.

7/31/14, Vista View, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, overcast, water up. After the thunderstorms finally stopped I went out to the park for an hour of fishing. I walked the entire west side of the big lake with not so much as a bite. Off in the distance I saw some action at the point between the two lakes. First cast at the point I hooked up on a 1 lb fish, first action after an hour of fishing. Stayed in that one spot and caught 7 more in a ten square yard section of lake. Two fish were in the 3 lb range. Strange night at the lake! With all the rain, snakes were hunting the edge of the bank. I saw three good size snakes, one parked right where I was catching the fish. I hate snakes, but I'm amazed at watching them hunt. I kept one eye on him in the grass and one on my line. A little uncomfortable!

That is years of experience bank fishing in that post. Great job guys, I enjoyed the read!

Water temp out there is 90+. Water is way up. Bites come early or late. I cant wait until Nov. gets here. Try Lox out in the flats before the crap grows up too high.

A senko type bait, watermelon red. You can fish them in thick cover, open water, shallow, deep, Texas rig, wacky rig, Carolina rig, dead stick, jerk them back so they walk, and drop shot them. Extremely versatile bait, and they flat out catch fish all over the country. I love senko type baits.

Yes 20 pound braid will get the job done most of the time. I find thinner braid digs into itself more then thicker braid. I use 50+ because it does not dig in as much as 20 and that makes fishing easier, break-offs less, and cuts through plants as well. In Florida our thick nasty cover allows us to use heavier line.

I was at Lake Ida just east of 95 and Atlantic Ave on Thursday. I saw a bunch if Peacock fingerlings from the public dock on the east side of the lake. Peacock catches have been pretty good recently at lake Ida. I;m sure any canal you can find in the area of the airport have plentiful peacocks. You need to use the right baits to, they usually don't hit worms. Rapala stickbaits in gold and silver are good. Small spinners, inline spinners, and crankbaits are also good.

Saturday 7/25/14, Went out to Alligator Alley MM 41 west, then north and around the weir. On the run out we hit something big in about 8 feet of water. Most likely a gator. No apparent damage. Went out with a friend and it was brutal hot and humid. We started with top water early, Chugbug and a torpedo. After a half hour of nothing we were both throwing plastics. Today the catch of the day was the mudfish. We caught a bunch and some good size ones. If we were in a mudfish tournament we would have placed. We ended up with 5 bass and a bunch of big mudfish. We finished at 11:00 when the weather started to turn and storm clouds rolled in. Just got the boat in the garage when the sky opened up. I always nice to be out in the boat but a little less humidity would be nice.

Here in South Florida water temps can reach 90*+, with most of our lakes shallow bowls. Fishing for bass can be a challenge. If you fish at night it becomes a mosquito feast, and you'll be amazed how many red eyes are looking at you after dark. Gators come out of the wood work, like cockroaches. The one big summertime plus down here is peacock fishing. They love the heat, the hotter the better. They will hit at high noon, and will viciously attack crankbaits and top water bait. There is nothing like fighting a big Peacock. They love hot water, they just can survive water temps below 60*.

Her mind is not on food, so you must aggravate her. You may have to go through the nest 20 times before she can't take it any more, and she attacks with a vengeance. I really don't like doing this. I'd rather let her do her business and bring forth the next generation of fish.

I have a friend that often trolls the Stick Marsh with rattletraps and does very well. He trolls about 3 MPH and catches big fish in this shallow lake.

Yah, I figured it out. We have an International Drive and Mall in Miami. He never mentioned Orlando. I agree no Peacocks in Orlando. The Turkey Lake deal in Orlando is the best anywhere if you don't have a boat. Check out the rentals!

In Florida we have a lot of lakes with expanses of cypress. Many trees have nests in them. Focus on the trees with ospray and eagle nests. They are messy eaters and chunks of food and feces fall in the water below. Bait fish are active under these trees drawing big bass to the vicinity. Spend extra time in these areas. They do hold bass.

Wow, that's way to dangerous for me. I guess its just my age. I know the area well and there is no shelter anywhere out west. On top of that levee your the high ground around. Any doubt about the weather and I head for the Alley. I guess its just the old fart in me!! Be careful, those little ones need you to return. Other then that, GOOD FISHING AS USUAL!

You can catch a bass in almost any freshwater in south Florida, whether its a lake or a canal. If you want to catch a peacock you are in a good area. Peacock bass are prolific in that area. Good luck whatever you do.

If someone asks, I will give up the information. I like helping others on the lake. If I take someone out, I want them to have a good time, and catch fish. I have been out on others boat and your always struggling for a shot at a prime spot. I try to give them shots at unfished spots.

wow, nice!

February 26 2007, I caught an 11.4 at Loxahatchee on a weightless watermelon fluke at high noon on a sunny day.

I really don't get why you brought this one up. The answer is NO!

If you really want to master a new technique, go out with that bait and nothing else. If you take your comfort baits, you will soon be using those comfort baits defeating you purpose for being out there. If you want to learn to jig fish, take only jigs. If you want to be a better crankbait fisherman, take only crankbaits. You can get a variety of the baits your trying to master, but only take those baits. I am as guilty as anyone of not following this suggestion. I always wanted to be a better jig flipper, but would go out with 8 rods with 7 full of comfort baits. After an hour of flipping and no fish, I'm back to comfort baits. By only taking one type of bait, it forces you to experiment with that new bait. You will eventually figure it out, and master a new technique. Someday I will master that jig technique!

You did a good job on your choices. I would get some 4" senko type baits when you get a chance. Now if the bite is tough, slow down! Jerk and let it sit still for 30 seconds and jerk again. Watch your line the bite often comes while its sitting still. Good luck Buddy.

A few have mentioned how they like to fish during fronts. A little rain is one thing, but a lightning storm is something not to fool with. Here in Florida with our flat terrene, and surrounded by water, you don't need to stick up high to become a lightning rod. We have more people killed by lightning in this state then any other state. When there are signs of lightning, its time to get off the water and seek shelter. This should be monitory during tournaments. How foolish to risk a life to catch a fish.

If you fish a lot jt happens to everyone. I have lost them and found them. I was running the rim canal at Okeechobee wide opened and did not tie down my rods. STUPID!!!!!!! I watched a 200 dollar rod and reel go over the side. I have also accidently kicked one over the side, in six feet of water in the reeds, but big gators were in the area. Not worth the risk! Came back a few days later with a big three hook gaff, but no luck . Then one day while fishing I pulled in my line, and someone's line came in with it. I kept pulling in about 200 yards of braid and a nice rod and Team Diawa reel came up at the end of the spool. I was able to use the rod but the $250 reel was beyond help. That was an expensive set up, I know someone was ticked!