Moving to Florida

[Buckeye Ron]

In 13 months I'll be retiring and a few months after that moving to Florida. We have narrowed our destination to either the North Port or Punta Gorda areas. Besides golf course ponds are there any small lakes in those areas that you have fished that hold good populations of bass? What about rivers in those areas? 

[geo g]

Good move Ron.  I want to welcome you to Florida. 

[Buckeye Ron]

Thank you! We've been vacationing in the Bonita Springs area for the past twenty years so the Gulf coast feels like home to us. My wife's health is so much better there with no asthma or migraine issues like she suffers with here. We are so excited now that we can see it in our sights.

[soflabasser]

Welcome to Florida!

[davecon]

Welcome.

I live up the road a little in the Tampa area and don't get down that way very often. I know there is Shell Creek which can be good and several river's down that way, but honestly if I were you I would concentrate on Snook. I fish for them up here using bass tackle and mostly bass lures. The fishing is extremely similar until you hook a good one. That could change your religion. I will never bad mouth bass fishing, as that's what I do almost exclusively during the spawn and have done so for over 50 years, but once the spawn is over it's snook, snook, snook. There is no comparison.  I've caught dozens of bass over ten, the largest being 14.1 and they don't hold a candle to a good sized snook. You can expect a fight to last an honest 10 to 12 minutes with multiple runs of literally over 120 feet. If your heart is in good shape you should seriously consider it. The by catch of tarpon isn't bad either !

Once you start to figure them out, seasonal movements, tides, lures, etc., they are actually more predictable than bass. It just takes a short time to figure it out and if you are an experienced bass fisherman you should have minimal problems adjusting.

[soflabasser]

I agree with you Dave 100% on recommending ron to try snook fishing.Both of these fish have very similar habits so it will be easy for a decent bass fisherman to fish for snook. I have caught several big snook over 40" and agree that a snook of this range has much more power and endurance than any bass.If you enjoy bass fishing you will most likely enjoy snook fishing. 

[Mike L]

Ron, I live in between both areas you're interested in and have for the past 37 yrs. Punta Gorda and North Port are different in many ways...Housing and land costs, water access,  shopping, dining etc but only 20 miles apart end to end. There are many waters here to bass fish in..Lakes, canals, river, creeks, ponds etc. Plus you're less than 2 hours from Okeechobee! Less than 3 from Istokpoga, Southern end of the Kissimmee chain, and a dozen or so lakes in the so central part of the state.

This area is more geared to salt water fishing being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, Peace River, Myakka River, Charlotte Harbor and of course "The Tarpon Capitol of the World ". There are parts of Punta Gorda that have direct access to the gulf whereas No Port is more inland but still only 10-15 miles away.

The local bass fishing around here is great! There are so many places to go that I think you will be pleasantly surprised to say the least, more so in the No Port/Port Charlotte are tho.

When you get down here either when you move or come to visit the area let me know and I'll be happy to show you around. 

Also, if you or your family are curious about, or need local info of any kind let me know, I'd be happy to help you out. 

 

Mike

[Buckeye Ron]

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

Ron, I live in between both areas you're interested in and have for the past 37 yrs. Punta Gorda and North Port are different in many ways...Housing and land costs, water access,  shopping, dining etc but only 20 miles apart end to end. There are many waters here to bass fish in..Lakes, canals, river, creeks, ponds etc. Plus you're less than 2 hours from Okeechobee! Less than 3 from Istokpoga, Southern end of the Kissimmee chain, and a dozen or so lakes in the so central part of the state.

This area is more geared to salt water fishing being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, Peace River, Myakka River, Charlotte Harbor and of course "The Tarpon Capitol of the World ". There are parts of Punta Gorda that have direct access to the gulf whereas No Port is more inland but still only 10-15 miles away.

The local bass fishing around here is great! There are so many places to go that I think you will be pleasantly surprised to say the least, more so in the No Port/Port Charlotte are tho.

When you get down here either when you move or come to visit the area let me know and I'll be happy to show you around. 

Also, if you or your family are curious about, or need local info of any kind let me know, I'd be happy to help you out. 

 

Mike

Mike, that is a very generous offer to help out with some information. Please expect a PM soon! Great to hear that there are so many places to fish.

14 hours ago, davecon said:

Welcome.

I live up the road a little in the Tampa area and don't get down that way very often. I know there is Shell Creek which can be good and several river's down that way, but honestly if I were you I would concentrate on Snook. I fish for them up here using bass tackle and mostly bass lures. The fishing is extremely similar until you hook a good one. That could change your religion. I will never bad mouth bass fishing, as that's what I do almost exclusively during the spawn and have done so for over 50 years, but once the spawn is over it's snook, snook, snook. There is no comparison.  I've caught dozens of bass over ten, the largest being 14.1 and they don't hold a candle to a good sized snook. You can expect a fight to last an honest 10 to 12 minutes with multiple runs of literally over 120 feet. If your heart is in good shape you should seriously consider it. The by catch of tarpon isn't bad either !

Once you start to figure them out, seasonal movements, tides, lures, etc., they are actually more predictable than bass. It just takes a short time to figure it out and if you are an experienced bass fisherman you should have minimal problems adjusting.

Met a guy at the Bass Pro shop last summer who told me to focus on snook. The way you describe it sounds awesome and I look forward to learning how to catch them. Thanks for the great reply!

[the reel ess]

I'm very jealous. My wife has asked me several times where I'd like to live if I could move anywhere and I always tell her FL.

[Buckeye Ron]

No need to be jealous! Believe me when I tell you this has been a long time coming and something we have planned for. The biggest reason for the move is my wife's health,which her dr's have all said will improve greatly with this move. The fact that there might be a little extra fishing in it for me, well let's just say it has crossed my mind a few times:)

[0119]

On 1/24/2016 at 5:05 PM, Buckeye Ron said:

 We have narrowed our destination to either the North Port or Punta Gorda areas. 

I grew up in Punta Gorda and fish North Port every week at least 2 or 3 times.  We are not bass territory really. ANy small pond or lake around here is private access only and posted. Most fresh waters here have salt intrusion and all freshwaters have saltwater fish in them of many kinds.  Punta Gorda was basically destroyed by Charlie and has been rebuilt into a destination place for rather affluent people with a downtown cafe kind of atmosphere. Home prices have gone from low 50's to several hundred thousands. In the city is a mix of affluent and "the other side of the tracks".  Nice neighborhoods have deed restrictions that prohibit boats visible on private property. It doesnt blend in with the golf courses. The little cow town I grew up in is gone like all of old florida is now thanks to so much migration from the north, no offense meant to you.  Port Charlotte across the river is still in blight from Charlie really, never paid much attention by local government. It is very low rent and very expensive waterfront combined. Frankly it is wrought with crime no matter what the press says. Lots of racial trouble too.  When I retired from the Sheriffs Office 10 years ago there were over 60 known gangs in the school system, I don't imagine that has decreased.  North Port has a lot of racial tension too and its share of crime.  My wife is the police dept.'s CSI and she is kept plenty busy.  North Port has better bass fishing and city government is much more in touch with keeping amenities available to everyone.  Nine mile canal a.k.a. Cocoplum Waterway runs through North Port and Port Charlotte but is sub divided by weirs so it prevents a lot of through way travel by boat.  All no wake zone, it is small boat territory even though no one obeys the no wake speed laws.  Port Charlotte's freshwater is confined to access only at public parks.  No fishing is allowed at county/state bridges.  Punta Gorda's canals are saltwater. It has Cecil Webb WMA lakes that offers bass fishing at fee but no solid fish are caught there often. North to Sarasota you have recently replenished Myakka Lake in the state park. Its a sleeper. An hour north you have Lake Manatee, good bass water.  2 hours south, Alligator Alley and Lake Trafford in Naples.  Real good bass water sits east at Lake Istokpoga about 2  hours away.  Bass fishing here is limited, pressured and the waters heavily polluted by runoff so don't eat your catch.  The worst is local shops have nearly no freshwater tackle, not even the walmarts have much as 99.9% of anglers are saltwater fishing.  On the plus side you are just as likely to catch a snook, red or tarpon as you are to catch a bass in our freshwater.  Fish the weekdays out of snowbird season and you'll have the water to yourself. Oh I forgot, Punta Gorda has the Peace River. go north just out of our county and it is fresh and has excellent bass fishing. Extremely shallow it has a lot of airboat traffic on weekends.  You need a light boat with little draft to travel in it in dry season.  Also there is Prairie Creek and Shell Creek. Top notch bass water and old Florida atmosphere.  Always always always lock you truck at the ramp. Never leave anything visible. Don't be so afraid of the gators, watch the people.

[davecon]

Not to hijack the thread but 0119 it's good to see you are still around. Used to enjoy your posts on the now defunct River forum.

I see you still offer good advice.

Good to hear from you and carry on !

Dave

[0119]

Hi Dave, thank you very much kind sir.  I miss the river forum a lot. What a nice guy the general was. Good fishing to you...

[Pondboss16]

you are very lucky my friend the bass fishing is soooooooo good. Caught some toads when i visited miami

[Bill Tobias]

Buckeye Ron, Where did you end up moving to in SW Florida. I’m planning on buying a home now with plans to retire in the next 3-5 years and want to begin paying down the mortgage. I prefer to bass fish as well over saltwater but it will be a nice option to have time to time.

Were actually looking in the North Port and surrounding areas as well.

 

Has the bass fishing been what you expected and are you happy with the area? I do not see many lakes in the North Port area so i assume canals and the Peace River are the best options. I prefer not to drive 2-3 hours to get to a nice bass lake.

[BareHook]

Welcome and remember to stock up with your June bug colored plastics

[Spyder7723]

On 1/25/2016 at 5:49 PM, Buckeye Ron said:

No need to be jealous! Believe me when I tell you this has been a long time coming and something we have planned for. The biggest reason for the move is my wife's health,which her dr's have all said will improve greatly with this move. The fact that there might be a little extra fishing in it for me, well let's just say it has crossed my mind a few times:)

 

Another buckeye transplant in North port would be great.   If you don't have a boat give me a shout.  I'm a novice fisherman so more than happy to trade boat access for tips and advice.  

[BCline]

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Florida is officially full.  Someone will let you know when a spot opens up.

[Wurming67]

Welcome to fishermen's Paradise ?

[soflabasser]

Seems like more and more people are leaving northern States and coming down to live in Florida. I don't blame them one bit for it since we are the fishing capital of the world, have warm weather, and other aspects that make life so much better here.