Fort Myers Area Bass Ponds ?

[MrMopar]

I will be travelling to Fort Myers in Jan 2014. I was down last year but did not have much luck for largemouth. Does anyone know of any spots to cast from the bank, canals, or specifically some ponds in the area ?  Last year I tried Lakes Park and Marl ponds. Any hot spots within an hours drive would be great. I mostly used spinner baits, maybe shiners would have been better ?

[fstr385]

Forum blvd and champion ring rd area. Some nice spots back in there.

[MrMopar]

Thanks fstr385 !

Just loaded it in my gps. Can't wait to check it out.

[etommy28]

Forum blvd and champion ring rd area. Some nice spots back in there.

 there are no fishing signs on every one of those lake.

[1234567]

Etommy is right. They've closed down a crap ton of spots. Ft myers sucks if you bank fish. Lehigh and cape coral have more access. Ten mile canal is about the only area left that's worthwhile. Lakes park is always another nice option and if I were you I would go back there.

[MrMopar]

Ok thanks guys. After doing some research here are the locations I'll give a shot :

 

Lakes Regional Park

Ten Mile Canal

Big Jim Lake

BMX boat ramp - Cape Coral

Canals along Burnt Store Road - Cape Coral

Golden Gate near Naples

Hammond Pond

Lake Kennedy

Miromar Lake

Seahawk Park

Lake Trafford

Webb Lake

 

I am also going to drive to Alva, Labelle and to Moore Haven along the river. I can assume any water coming out of Okeechobee would be worth trying ?

 

Appreciate the previous comments and any new comments on the spots above.

[fstr385]

there are no fishing signs on every one of those lake.

figures. I havent lived there since early 2010. Guess they put those up since then. I dont miss that place!

[Mike L]

Other than the canals off Burnt Store Rd thats on your list, there area couple of others that I hit every once in awhile but they're in Charlotte Co.

Continue on Burnt Store, just past Zemel Rd there is an abandoned sub division on your left called Tern Bay.

There are a few ponds in there that you can fish from shore. Most are on the small side tho.

 

Also try Webb Lake off Tuckers Grade Blvd exit of I 75.

There are 2 small marl ponds on the right as you come in that is great for blue gill, never caught a bass there.

The pond on your left and one past the stop sign on the right have bass.

 

Of Course fish Webb itself.

Once you pass the stop sign turn right and follow the road around. It's goes for about 3 miles with a new boat dock, boat ramps and picnic ares you can fish from..

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[gar-tracker]

Not a fan of west coast of Florida when it comes to bass fishing.

 

Big fan when it comes to Salt water.

[etommy28]

most of my stuff is either gated or is no good any more, if the spill ways are running fish them for snook or bass. the webb lakes can be good. working canals in the cape and Lehigh are always good options.

[MrMopar]

Great advice guys. I think I will spend most of my time working the canals, that seems to be the best option. It is disappointing that there are so many good areas that are off limits.

[Pedro Contreras]

Hey! I just moved to Florida and I want to start fishing...

 

I will try the places in the list, thanks...

 

I live close to six miles cypress and I found a pond that is behind BJ's, Can I try there?

 

Thanks!

[Mike L]

Not a fan of west coast of Florida when it comes to bass fishing.

 

Big fan when it comes to Salt water.

[basshead1]

I would rent a kayak for a week. The best spots can only be had by boat.

 

When I first moved down and fished from shore I would walk the canals in east Lehigh and Hendry county.

 

Another decent spot that is killer if you have shiners is Hans Marsh preserve in Lehigh but walk south down the dirt road to the top of the Orange River/beginning of Abel Canal. Nice Bass back there and the snook and tarpon stack up there too in the winter. I have caught em there with rubber worms and cranks too but a bucket of shiners and your drag will be singing. 

 

Sunshine Blvd North canal system has lots of bass too.

 

Behind the Lehigh Medical Center there are a few ponds.

 

Also north of that at the end of 14th St west.

 

Health Park Hospital in Fort Myers has a few ponds with fish in em and a secret spot for baby tarpon. shhh lol

 

My favorite spot for bass though is Lakes Park.

Sunrise in the summer and sunset in the winter.

There are big snook in there and sunshine bass.

My 3 biggest bass in my life are from Lakes Park. 

This is Lakes Park here.

Use big baits in there because there is plenty of food.

Creature baits and 10-12 inch worms bounced under bushes work best for me.

That water is murky green so I add a rattle for some noise.

I will be there tomorrow afternoon watching the sun set hopefully.

 

Well the caffeine is running out.

Good luck on your visit.

 

 

 

 

[DaddyBoatShoes]

On 12/19/2013 at 9:51 PM, basshead1 said:

I would rent a kayak for a week. The best spots can only be had by boat.

 

When I first moved down and fished from shore I would walk the canals in east Lehigh and Hendry county.

 

Another decent spot that is killer if you have shiners is Hans Marsh preserve in Lehigh but walk south down the dirt road to the top of the Orange River/beginning of Abel Canal. Nice Bass back there and the snook and tarpon stack up there too in the winter. I have caught em there with rubber worms and cranks too but a bucket of shiners and your drag will be singing. 

 

Sunshine Blvd North canal system has lots of bass too.

 

Behind the Lehigh Medical Center there are a few ponds.

 

Also north of that at the end of 14th St west.

 

Health Park Hospital in Fort Myers has a few ponds with fish in em and a secret spot for baby tarpon. shhh lol

 

My favorite spot for bass though is Lakes Park.

Sunrise in the summer and sunset in the winter.

There are big snook in there and sunshine bass.

My 3 biggest bass in my life are from Lakes Park. 

This is Lakes Park here.

Use big baits in there because there is plenty of food.

Creature baits and 10-12 inch worms bounced under bushes work best for me.

That water is murky green so I add a rattle for some noise.

I will be there tomorrow afternoon watching the sun set hopefully.

 

Well the caffeine is running out.

Good luck on your visit.

 

 

 

 

New to the area, love bass fishing - especially since Red Tide has ruined the salt. Any Tips for how to fish Lakes Park for a newcomer? 

[Rommel R Ramirez]

Lakes parks got  some solid fish .Just started fishing it myself. Anyone think it holds a double d ?? I got a solid 6 lber lat week.

[Don51]

On 10/8/2013 at 7:32 AM, gar-tracker said:

Not a fan of west coast of Florida when it comes to bass fishing.

 

Big fan when it comes to Salt water.

I agree with you. SWFL does not offer much for freshwater, it is all about the salt. Webb is probably the most peaceful for a lake that size, no powerboats allowed! Most opportunities are canals and retention ponds that can become quite boring. I was told that Trafford is a nightmare with airboats and bass boats galore! Just noticed that this post is 6 years old!  Lol

[Chayce]

Anyone fish Lakes Park recently? Any luck? What did you throw? 

[MTDFISHING]

SWFL has too many boomers now. I have been here for 16 years now. When I first moved in pretty much any body of water was ok to hit. They have slowly closed off more and more. The forum ponds baffle me as that was supposed to be a huge YMCA spot and there is nothing there to “disturb!” 

[Evan Imo]

Is there any good spots left? I am going to be traveling down there first week in april.

[Don51]

SWFL is a tough area, not exactly bass heaven. If you can do it go to Okeechobie and hire a guide.