geo g

Yah that sounds like the same guy. He would race at us and then stop about two feet away from the boat. If we trolled away he would wait and then race at us again. I hope some fool has not been feeding him out there!!!!! Crazy

Yes it was well east of the bridge, but super aggressive.

Great idea.

Alligator Alley MM39 north side, 6:30-noon, Temp 87*, wind 10 east, water temp 84*, clarity stained, water at a season low, Went to the Alley with Dave (canesfan) to verify the Oscars have truly left the area. Dave and I were out there several months ago and your bait was under attack on every cast by these exotic fish. We are both amazed that these aggressive fish have left this section of the glades. We ran east all the way to the dead end in the canal, and fished back with the wind helping us stay off the trolling motor in stealth mode. Second cast I hooked into a nice chunk and the bite was on. We both caught fish all morning at a constant rate. About 10:00 the bite slowed. We fished the bridge and I caught a few under the bridge among the pilings. We moved into the south canal and noticed the water was very dirty, After ten minutes and no bites we moved again back to the north canal. The bite continued all the way to the ramps. There were loads of gators in the canal and one that stalked up for about a 1/4 mile, coming to within a foot of the stern of the boat. Dave's voice went up about 3 octaves when it got close enough to touch. This guy was very upset we were in HIS canal. It was a little unnerving. I would not want to be in a kayak or canoe. We finished the morning with over 50 bass caught between us, a handful of 2 pounders in the mix, and a monster mudfish. Not one exotic fish bite all morning. It was a fun day, with easy fishing, and lots of action.

I may be out there again tomorrow at 39 north side.

When you plan your trip check the weather carefully. Find a location where the wind can be your friend. Don't fight the wind, if its blowing 15 or more. You will have a much more relaxing day if you let the wind help you. Time on the water will answer many of the questions you now have. Enjoy the boat, and don't worry about the catching. The fishing will get better as you become more proficient and confident. Good luck, and enjoy!!!!!!!

I would definitely get a reputable guide for Okeechobee. Water is low and it can be dangerous with rock walls in some spots. Also the bass move around so much with weather fronts, you need up to date info on the latest patterns.

Jack let us know how you do out there.

Try MM 39 little further a west, it would be alot less traffic when your in a kayak. It is west of the Miami River and a different water supply, different from the east side of the river. Watch for the big gators, they can be a little more aggressive and protective of their territory.

I have seen some wounds caused by gar in heavily infested areas. They will sometimes cause a wounds that then becomes infected on bass.

It happened to me twice on the same trip. My backseater was fixing his line and extended his rod forward toward the front of the boat. I was casting and had my back to his rod. My line caught him two times, with two different rods. It really would not bother me much, but these two rods were spooled with Berkley Professional Grade Floro. These could not be picked out, but were professional grade bird nests, LOL. Big money for me! He did offer to pay for my line, but I just told him to forget it. Backseaters need to know where their equipment is, when someone up front is casting. We don't have eyes in the back of our heads. It bothered me for a while, but that's just part of fishing. In the whole scheme of things, it's just not a big deal. Accidents will happen from time to time, and he is a friend. !

They will be tight to cover. Fish the shady side of cover with a weightless Senko, trick worm or u vibe. Fish the shady side of a drop off or lay downs. Fish slow and just shake the bait after letting it sit. If that doesn't work, swim the u vibe through the cover.

Enjoy mother nature in her purest sense. These are marvelous creatures and highly intelligent. You are lucky to have them in the neighborhood. .

Alligator Alley MM39 North side, 7:30-11:00, partly cloudy, wind 15-20 SSW, water clear, water temp 84*, no current, water levels lower. Went this morning solo, all the usuals were tied up for the day. Decided to go to the alley because the ramps are good and easy to load. Last time out there the exotics were relentless, an oscar would hit your lure as soon as it entered the water. I was expecting the worst for bass on the Alley. To my surprise I did not get one single oscar bite all morning. It was like a million oscars just disappeared. Maybe an alien thing!!!!! I started with a W/R U-vibe. Started catching right away. Had some short bites so I switched to a senko. It was every cast for a while. All the bass were about the same size, a pound to a pound and a half. Switch to a jig and craw trying to find bigger fish deep. The bite was slower catching the same size fish. Thenwent to a deep diving crank and got no bites. Final went back to a weightless W/R senko and it was almost every cast again. Finished early because the wind kept climbing. I had the canal to myself until just before I left. The guy told me he too caught a bunch of dinks and no oscars. I ended with 30+ bass and one big mudfish. Even with a bunch of small fish, its still fun when the action is good. That's the nice thing about recreational fishing, you can relax and enjoy the moment. Where the Oscars went is beyond me! The Holey Lands is also Oscar free.

Lake June just north of placid has deep holes that often hold good size bass. Good ramps.

The number one thing is keep your line wet!!!!!!!!!!!!

All those lakes hold a decent number of big fish. There are at least ten lakes in close proximity to where you are staying. Contour maps are on line free for all those lakes. Go to the University of Florida Lake watch, all those lakes are included. Good quality maps. I print them, and then laminate them.

I have a good size head, Costa's have a size for everyone. Its just a matter of going to a good outlet, and trying them on until you find a comfortable fit. Costa's are expensive but worth the money. Do your homework before buying. Once you find the model, size, glass or plastic, and shade, shop for the cheapest price.

With thick south florida weeds and big bass, bait casters 95% of the time!

Put the extra side guards on. This will help greatly with wind, current or torque problems.

If you think there is one there, reel down and set the hook.

This is now several incidents of boaters being killed at dam sites. With high water and big releases we need to keep out of these areas and not risk the dangers!

I always look for break points where the water drops off significantly. I fish these areas methodically. These transitions points can produce a number of big fish. Bass will often stage in these areas after or before a sudden change in the weather, and during the pre, and post spawn. I have caught loads of decent bass around the break points Fish a trick worm, senko, or fluke on both sides of the drop-off. Let it flutter all the way down to the bottom, or up on the flat, and work it slow. Break points, with vegetation on the shallow side, can be magical.

If you don't want to share a spot, don't post pictures of that spot on any site that promotes fishing. I am an open book, and almost always share spots, and techniques, on several web sites. But just recently a strange thing has happened that has got me on a mission. Four weeks ago I went to a small lake in South Florida that I have never seen anyone fish. It is a man made lake and very difficult to get to. My first day there I caught a 26.5 inch bass, and when I tried to take a pic of it my phone would not let me, because there was no gigs left. That bass was well over 11 lbs and I did not want to risk its life by keeping it out of the water too long. I released it healthy, and was so upset with no pic. I've been on a mission to caught that bass again, its only a thirty acre lake. Since that time I have deleted hundreds of bass pics off my phone, and while trying to find that fish over a four week period, caught a 23.5 inch, a 22.5 inch, a 22 inch, a 20.5 in, a 19 in. all from this small lake. The monster has still evaded me, but I know where she lives. Although I have pictures of all the other big bass, this little lake will just remain a secret between me and myself. A lake this small could be ruined quickly of all these decent size bass, and peacocks. When I find the big one again, I may release some pics at that time to good friends. It is an amazing spot!!!!!!!

Thanks Rick, it was for the most part a fun day, under some less then ideal conditions.