Neast24 Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 Hey guys,been lurking the forum for awhile and thought I'd make an account to ask for some help lol. I'll be heading over to Lehigh Acres this weekend and I was curious about fishing the trail on the way over. I'm from miami and I do mostly saltwater fishing but I do mess around with the peacocks every now and then. I've never really targeted largemouth too much, except when I'm bouncing around for peacocks so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on fishing for largemouths on the trail? I'll be fishing from the banks...are there any areas I should look at? Not looking for any honey holes, just a push in the right direction really. Also, anything specific I should look for when targeting lmb? I've only ever used plastic worms for lmb, any other lures I should try tossing? Also, how bad is this quick cold front going to affect the fishing in the area? Like I said, I don't really do much freshwater fishing so I apologize for all the silly questions just kind of curious since I've never fished out there before. Anyway, thanks in advance for any tips and hopefully I'll have something to report back after thee weekend! Quote
Poolshark Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 This time of year the water levels in the glades drop and fish congregate in the canals. I've fished the trail before for largemouth on the east side and did well with a gold/shiner willow leaf spinnerbait, June bug or redshad 8 " t/rigged worm, shad or chrome rattle trap and a junebug colored wacky rigged senko type bait. I had my best luck looking for cover, fishing the canal points and also casting along the bank letting the bait run along any vegetation. It has been years since I've been there there but I remember driving and stopping wherever I could and catching a good number of smaller bass and few decent ones. The bigger ones were almost all caught on the 8" worm. Hope that helps. I used to fish there when I lived closer. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted February 19, 2015 Super User Posted February 19, 2015 Welcome to BR. Along the trail, there are several areas you can stop at. Basically any area that can give you bank access is fair game. The challenge lies if you can access the right cover from the bank. As far as baits go, you can use an assortment of t-rig soft plastics. Since we have been hit with two consecutive cold fronts. The water is cold and they be sluggish in the morning. I would wait when the sun comes up bit, and warms them up before I would head out. Focus your attention around the cover, for example: rock, pads, grass, fallen timber and you might be able to pull a few out. Be patient, and give them a slow presentation. See what works and adjust accordingly. Goodluck. Keep you eyes out for gators and/or snakes sunning themselves. 2 Quote
Super User geo g Posted February 20, 2015 Super User Posted February 20, 2015 Dido to what Lou says!!!! At the 20 mile bend there are lots of places to drop a line. Fish slow and feel for the subtle bite. Texas rigged Senko's and worms is the way to go and fish the junk. Quote
SFL BassHunter Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Hey guys,been lurking the forum for awhile and thought I'd make an account to ask for some help lol. I'll be heading over to Lehigh Acres this weekend and I was curious about fishing the trail on the way over. I'm from miami and I do mostly saltwater fishing but I do mess around with the peacocks every now and then. I've never really targeted largemouth too much, except when I'm bouncing around for peacocks so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on fishing for largemouths on the trail? I'll be fishing from the banks...are there any areas I should look at? Not looking for any honey holes, just a push in the right direction really. Also, anything specific I should look for when targeting lmb? I've only ever used plastic worms for lmb, any other lures I should try tossing? Also, how bad is this quick cold front going to affect the fishing in the area? Like I said, I don't really do much freshwater fishing so I apologize for all the silly questions just kind of curious since I've never fished out there before. Anyway, thanks in advance for any tips and hopefully I'll have something to report back after thee weekend! Hey Neast I wanted to welcome you to BR and add to what Lou said because I have fished the trail a couple of times, though not successfully until this past weekend. I would take a look at google maps to start. You'll notice a dirt road along the north side of the canal. 2 dirt roads to be exact. The first entrance is just past the casino (there is a boat ramp there.) That dirt road goes out quite a ways. You have a few options you can jump onto the dirt road at that entrance and fish along that canal, or if you take the high road to your right, you will see a few retention type ponds. Boats are not allowed in there. I started at that entrance and was so excited to fish I pulled over on the canal and started casting, I quickly found there was no cover (like lou said) and I moved on. The retention ponds have cover, rocks, and pads. Now the further west you go the more cover you will start to see like pads along the bank. My recommendation is to just take the high dirt road and fish the ponds, until you just pass that second pond, you'll start seeing pads on the main canal. Once you get to the end of the road you will have to hop back on to the trail. That is where my advice ends because I've never fished any further than that. Be very aware of the gators. They like those retention ponds. I will probably be out there Saturday if the weather permits. Hope this helps. Quote
CHugh Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I just fished some canals not that far north from S41, from 9am-12pm this morning, Even with this cold the fish were active. Caught a 4lber on the 5th cast. Texas rig, June bug red, reeling all kinds of ways. Paddle tails, split tails and baby brush hogs Quote
SFL BassHunter Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Good to know CHugh, thanks for the fishing report! Hope they are still active tomorrow, it should be a little warmer. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted February 22, 2015 Super User Posted February 22, 2015 Today Nice work Pitboss!! Quote
SFL BassHunter Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks Lou! I am curious if Neast finally got out there, and how he did. Quote
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