Florida Trip - Central Kissimmee

[lmbfisherman]

So the family and I are ready to book a trip to Lake Berkley Resort.  The house we are renting has a convenient small body of water in the back, so I'll be doing some bank fishing there when I have time (early in the morning and evenings).  Anyway, I wanted to get some help on what lures I should bring?  We will be there for one week in late April.  RIght now I'm thinking of bringing 2 rods with me -

 

6'9" M/XF Fenwick ET rod spooled with 15lb braid - Symetre 2500 FL

6'8" MH/F Cumara spooled with 50lb braid - Chronarch 50 MG

 

I was also going to bring a Citica G6 with 30lb braid and possibly another reel tbd for spare.  Probably a Curado G7, just to have back ups.  Unfortunately I can't bring my full arsenal! 

 

Lures to bring:

 

1. 3700 case full of jigs

2. White Pearl Super Fluke and Watermelon Red

3. Small box of cranks (square bills)

4. Zoom Trick Worms

5. Yum DIngers/BPS Stik-o's

6. Buzzbaits

 

Should I bring anything else for that time of the year? 

 

I'm also looking up a guide, since my wife is open to it for a half day bass fishing trip.  The few guides I've seen take you to Toho.  Would this be a good idea?  Or if you have any other guides that may offer better services.  I am working blind atm with no referrals.  A lot of the guys I see are advertising shiner fishing, since I'm not a live bait guy anymore I was hoping to find a guide who would be more aligned with my beliefs.  Would it be an issue if I told them I'm not into this?  I don't want to offend!  Or get talked too.  Anyway, looking forward to everyone's input and having a chance at my first DD and hopefully easily break my PB.

[Pz3]

Super flukes should get you some good fish. Swimbaits and jigs are a good bet too.

No advise on the guide service though.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

Add in the Mardi Gras color to the flukes and Plum Apple to the worms. A big ribbon tail worm on a Carolina Rig or texas rigged is doing well. Put a green pumpkin or black/blue trailer like a craw on the jig. Throw a 1/4 ounce swim jig slow around the grass lines and reeds and a heavier jig or senko near them as well. Black and blue Mega daddy craw or River Bug is doing good for the ones that want some bulk.

 

Not sure about guides for artificial

[RoLo]

The emphasis in Florida is typically placed on trophy bass,

the pre-spawn period from January through March.

 

Less publicized is the fact that April & May provide the best fishing activity of the year in mid-Florida,

your timing couldn't be better.  April & May represent the post-spawn season and the best topwater bite

in central Florida, when the cows (albeit lighter) are back on the feed:

Four lures I wouldn't leave home without (surface to bottom):
> Solid Toad             (Stanley Bull Ribbit)
> Soft Swimbait        (Gambler Big EZ)
> Punch Rig             (Missile D Bomb / 1-1/2 oz tungsten sinker)
> Ribbontail Worm   (Berkley 10" Power Worm / 1/4 oz bullet sinker)

 

(If you're hoping for a PB, leave the little northern-bass lures at home)

 

Roger

 

[hawgenvy]

So the family and I are ready to book a trip to Lake Berkley Resort.  The house we are renting has a convenient small body of water in the back, so I'll be doing some bank fishing there when I have time (early in the morning and evenings).  Anyway, I wanted to get some help on what lures I should bring?  We will be there for one week in late April.  RIght now I'm thinking of bringing 2 rods with me -

 

6'9" M/XF Fenwick ET rod spooled with 15lb braid - Symetre 2500 FL

6'8" MH/F Cumara spooled with 50lb braid - Chronarch 50 MG

 

I was also going to bring a Citica G6 with 30lb braid and possibly another reel tbd for spare.  Probably a Curado G7, just to have back ups.  Unfortunately I can't bring my full arsenal! 

 

Lures to bring:

 

1. 3700 case full of jigs

2. White Pearl Super Fluke and Watermelon Red

3. Small box of cranks (square bills)

4. Zoom Trick Worms

5. Yum DIngers/BPS Stik-o's

6. Buzzbaits

 

Should I bring anything else for that time of the year? 

 

I'm also looking up a guide, since my wife is open to it for a half day bass fishing trip.  The few guides I've seen take you to Toho.  Would this be a good idea?  Or if you have any other guides that may offer better services.  I am working blind atm with no referrals.  A lot of the guys I see are advertising shiner fishing, since I'm not a live bait guy anymore I was hoping to find a guide who would be more aligned with my beliefs.  Would it be an issue if I told them I'm not into this?  I don't want to offend!  Or get talked too.  Anyway, looking forward to everyone's input and having a chance at my first DD and hopefully easily break my PB.

Agree with RoLo. Toads and soft swimbaits like EZs can be magic in April. Bring some along!

[lmbfisherman]

Thanks guys for the suggestions time to grab some!