Plans Are Being Made

[Squirmin Wormin]

I'm planning for next years fishing trip, which is florida, and have a cousin down there so have a place to stay. But once i get there how would you go about finding the best or at least the best places to fish for bass ? not knowing the lakes,ponds,etc... gonna stay 7to10 days down there .

few questions with this topic also ,

1-would you get an annual licence or a daily licence? some states its cheaper to buy a annual than a daily one, not sure about wkly licence either, if they have them.  

2-what month would be best for bass ?

3- would 8 or 10lb test line suffice? figure 5lb ers and up to be average down there, but heard that lb test should hold,that's why i'm asking. 

I'm planning on flying there, need to get some advice so can book this flight in dec. Thanks!

[Catch and Grease]

Do not go to Florida expecting to catch a 5lb bass every cast, you will be disappointed.

If I picked a month it would be spring, nothing beats fishing the prespawn/spawn in the shallow southern lakes.

Get whichever license is cheaper

Line is going to vary technique to technique but to answer your question 8 & 10lb lines are more than capable of landing bass well over their # test with a correctly set drag.

[georgeyew]

If you are going to be there 7-10 days. You should just get the yearly license. When I went over the summer, I think there were only 3 options: 3 day, 7 day and yearly. You should go with some heavier line just in case you hook up with a fat one. I was using 50lb braid on Okeechobee when I caught my 7.5 bass. Also, I heard Jan-Mar is the best time for big bass in FL. I booked a trip to go back late Jan.

[A-Jay]

 You are heading to a place where any cast can land you the kind of fish Dreams are made of.

 

 There is very little to be gained by using 8 - 10 pound line.

 

 The biggest fish of the trip could come on the first cast.  If you're using tackle that's insufficient for the job that fish could  be lost - Forever.  You'll most likely consider changing your line out then - but we all know how that goes - we often don't get another shot at that type of fish.

 

Don't turn this into one of those  " Had Good Trip but I Lost a Monster on the first day" stories.

 

Ensure All your tackle including your line, is very capable if landing the Biggest Bass you Hope to catch.

 

You never know - you just might - Be Ready.

 

Good Luck.

 

A-Jay

[BassinLou]

Squirmin what part of FL are you going to first of all? From there a BR member from the area will be able to help you. If South FL, your in luck, there are plenty of us on here. My favorite month's would be March thru June. 100+ fish catch rate in the glades. May and June if the water is low, you can catch some serious big fish. Just ask Mike from HawgTech. He slayed them over the spring and up until recently too!! lol...  

[RAMBLER]

Florida is a big state.  What city will you be staying in?

[Squirmin Wormin]

sorry bout that , it's either orlando or Ft lauderdale, area . 

this computer crap is kinda frustrating to me. The last time i had one was when they had the 486 in the day ! so bear with me . lol... just that areas should be pretty decent for bass , I hope so anyways.

[Backlash123]

Squirmin what part of FL are you going to first of all? From there a BR member from the area will be able to help you. If South FL, your in luck, there are plenty of us on here. My favorite month's would be March thru June. 100+ fish catch rate in the glades. May and June if the water is low, you can catch some serious big fish. Just ask Mike from HawgTech. He slayed them over the spring and up until recently too!! lol...  

Couldn't agree more.  March - June are great months to be down here.  The tackle is going to vary on the area and techniques used.  Just look through the threads, you'll see what kind of gear people are using and which techniques, and post any questions, this forum is VERY helpful.

[SirSnookalot]

Do not go to Florida expecting to catch a 5lb bass every cast, you will be disappointed.  Agreed

If I picked a month it would be spring, nothing beats fishing the prespawn/spawn in the shallow southern lakes.  Dec-Mar.

Get whichever license is cheaper  $47 non resident, yearly, $30 7day.....freshwater only

Line is going to vary technique to technique but to answer your question 8 & 10lb lines are more than capable of landing bass well over their # test with a correctly set drag. 15# braid has handled all the larger bass I've caught here.

[BassinLou]

 

sorry bout that , it's either orlando or Ft lauderdale, area . 

this computer crap is kinda frustrating to me. The last time i had one was when they had the 486 in the day ! so bear with me . lol... just that areas should be pretty decent for bass , I hope so anyways.

 

 

Ft Lauderdale or Orlando there is a about a 200 mile difference. If you happen to be in Ft. Lauderdale all you have to do is head 30 min West to the Everglades where you will find some of the best bass fishing in the country. The challenge lies however, if you plan to do only bank fishing. You will be extremely limited. If your family member has a boat then your in business. You can launch at several spots along Alligator Alley and catch fish from all of them. Your other option if you do not have a boat is to rent one from either Sawgrass Recreational (off US 27)  or from Holiday Park (off US 27). If you are going to Orlando, fabulous fishing but I can't help you. Maybe someone else will chime in. Best of luck. 

[riverbasser13]

If you are going to either place you might wanna try to hit some inshore saltwater as well. From Orlando you are about 45 mins to an hour from the mosquito lagoon and north Indian river. If you are sticking to bass only then the Kissimmee chain of lakes, Harris chain, and st. Johns river are all about an hour from Orlando. Live shiners are the way to go if you are lookin for consistent 5 pounders, and unless you end up in a super clear lake 10-12 mono or medium braid to a leader is the way to go.

[FD.]

http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/freshwater-fishing/   7 days $30,  3 days $17, Annual $47.  

 

Dec to Mar is the best time to fish in Florida but it is NOT the best time to come Florida on vacation and catch a monster.  Some years we have a cold front blow through every 5 days or so and depending on your luck the fish may be shut down for half or more of your trip.  Just warning you.

 

If you are coming to central Florida be prepared to do combat.  Most of our water is stained so using light line gains you nothing.  Line size is not based on the size of the fish but the thickness of the crap you are fishing in.  I fish mostly with 50 to 65 lb braid.

[RoLo]

The state of Florida is over 500 miles long, so my reply pertains only to central Florida (Orlando region)

 

If you're looking for a record-class bass (over 10), the months of January, February & March are indisputably best.

Not surprisingly, the bass action during this cool-water quadrant can be slow (when live shiners are most popular). 

If you're looking for max action with trophy-class bass (6 to 9), my favorite months by far are April & May.

Again, this is applicable only to central Florida.

 

If you're serious about landing a personal best, I can't think of one advantage to using 10-lb line.

Bass are not afraid of alligators with which they coexist, so they're certainly not afraid of fishing line.

On the other hand, I can think of a couple reasons why NOT to use light line.

We use 30 lb braid almost exclusively, which is adequate for most of the heaviest cover.

 

Roger