Br Orlando April, May, And June Vacation Thread

[MARsSPEED]

So here is the goal. One thread for certain months that BR members can reference when coming to visit the ORLANDO Vacinity. If you are like me and enjoy researching, a good forum thread will save you bunches of time. Unfortunately it seems there are 100's of threads that represent BR members from out of town asking questions. I will do my best to keep this thread up to date!

 

That said myself and my family are planning a trip...I will be going to Marriott Grande Vista May 10th through the 17th which is on International Drive and as a few lakes on site which were built back in the mid 90's. I know there are decent size Bass in the lakes as I have found a few pics in the web. Here is The Location

 

 

 

I found some of RoLo "Posts" to be very easy to follow for everyone who uses KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid!): 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

KISS Useful Threads:

 

Where to go in Orlando:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/133626-where-to-go-in-orlando/?hl=orlando

 

Small Lake Orlando Info:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/153163-orlando-area-small-lake-with-public-access/

 

Gator Thread (No Worries)

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/122948-thinking-about-florida/page-3?hl=%20orlando%20%20spring

 

International Drive (This is where I happen to be going)

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/141791-florida-bass-near-international-drive/?hl=orlando#entry1579272

 

Lures

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/138228-what-lures-to-take-to-florida/?hl=orlando#entry1538193

[Pz3]

Not a bad idea.

Here is my round up. April, may June have always been great fishing but truthfully March, April, May seem to be the absolute best.

These are the reasons why. Last cold fronts usually never come in past early april but start slowing down towards the end of march.

Bass love the water as its heating up and coming up to the peak in the pattern. Expect killer bites on any of thoughs warming days after a front.

Days in april tend to be rather pleasent and the fish love it. Very easy to spot their patterns and have fun with them.

May it starts heating up and the bite slows a bit but this is the time of year I consider a transition into night fishing. They seem to be a lot more active on the cooler nights in the summer.

FL Fisherman Secrets are vast and many so Ill leave my list of heavy hitters first.

-trick worms

-speedworms (ultravibe)

-lizards

-frogs

-Gambler Big EZs

-Square Bills

-rattle traps

Turkey Lake Park:

Boat rentals are available at Turkey Lake Park. 35$ for 4 hours thursday through sunday. I havent gone yet but planning on it soon. Closer to Dr.Phillips and Universal Studios.

Lake Underhill:

East of downtown and a catch and release only lake. Very well stocked. While it may not be much of a looker it certainlu holds good quality fish.

Lake Ivanhoe:

Massive ammounts of shore line accessible. This lake is by far your best bet if fishing from the shore. You could spend all day there. The water drops off deep on most banks so fish are almost always there.

East Lake Toho:

All though not as big or popular as the infamous west lake toho quality fish still do reside there. East lake Fish camp also has reasonable rates for cabin rentals. Lunkers are abound but not always the easiest to find.

West lake Toho:

Do I need to say much? Big fish and lots of them. Just be forwarned there are miles and miles of dead areas in the lake. Keep moving until you get on fish.

Thats it for now. All I Have.

[MARsSPEED]

Updated

 

Looks like the resort I am staying at may be connected to Toho through canals? Anyway, more tips are appreciated!

[aluislugo]

Underhill has some fish. Was there today for about three hours and caught one really nice bass about 2.5 lbs. Walked the bank fairly easily. I would easily recommend.

[tiredbobmarley]

Not a bad idea.

Here is my round up. April, may June have always been great fishing but truthfully March, April, May seem to be the absolute best.

These are the reasons why. Last cold fronts usually never come in past early april but start slowing down towards the end of march.

Bass love the water as its heating up and coming up to the peak in the pattern. Expect killer bites on any of thoughs warming days after a front.

Days in april tend to be rather pleasent and the fish love it. Very easy to spot their patterns and have fun with them.

May it starts heating up and the bite slows a bit but this is the time of year I consider a transition into night fishing. They seem to be a lot more active on the cooler nights in the summer.

FL Fisherman Secrets are vast and many so Ill leave my list of heavy hitters first.

-trick worms

-speedworms (ultravibe)

-lizards

-frogs

-Gambler Big EZs

-Square Bills

-rattle traps

Turkey Lake Park:

Boat rentals are available at Turkey Lake Park. 35$ for 4 hours thursday through sunday. I havent gone yet but planning on it soon. Closer to Dr.Phillips and Universal Studios.

Lake Underhill:

East of downtown and a catch and release only lake. Very well stocked. While it may not be much of a looker it certainlu holds good quality fish.

Lake Ivanhoe:

Massive ammounts of shore line accessible. This lake is by far your best bet if fishing from the shore. You could spend all day there. The water drops off deep on most banks so fish are almost always there.

East Lake Toho:

All though not as big or popular as the infamous west lake toho quality fish still do reside there. East lake Fish camp also has reasonable rates for cabin rentals. Lunkers are abound but not always the easiest to find.

West lake Toho:

Do I need to say much? Big fish and lots of them. Just be forwarned there are miles and miles of dead areas in the lake. Keep moving until you get on fish.

Thats it for now. All I Have.

I would fully agree with Pz3. Keep an eye out for some accessible golf course ponds/backwater ponds in your area.  They can really produce and you've already got them cornered, haha.  Stay away from the ponds and canals near the highway if your looking for bass.  If youre looking for gar though.....haha.  Good luck! 

[MARsSPEED]

Looks like I will be making a fall thread too...My daughter broke her wrist last week and we have decided to push our trip to Orlando until Thanksgivivng. Looks like fishing is still good during that time of year too at least.

[MARsSPEED]

So I never got to go last year but we just booked our trip April 9th through the 16th of this year. Any additional pointers would be helpful. I will likely be fishing from shore and maybe go out on with a captain one day. Thanks again for all of your help!