Central Florida

[MrPerfect]

If you could fish anywhere within 40 minutes of downtown Orlando (I am based in Sanford) where would you fish tomorrow?

 

Also, any tips on fishing the colder weather in the morning?

 

Much appreciated.

[BassObsessed]

Depending how the recent bite was I would pick Toho for sure.

[David Bailey]

I'm fishing East Lake Toho tomorrow morning. 

[BassinLou]

I would drive just a tad more and fish Kissimmee. 

[Borderline11]

I'm actually headed down to FL to fish Toho on Saturday.  But it looks like a cold front will be pushing through on Thursday, dropping temps from 80+ to around 68 degrees.  Just how tough do you guys think the bite will be and any recommendations on bait/tackle to pack? 

[SoFloBassFiend]

5 hours ago, Borderline11 said:

I'm actually headed down to FL to fish Toho on Saturday.  But it looks like a cold front will be pushing through on Thursday, dropping temps from 80+ to around 68 degrees.  Just how tough do you guys think the bite will be and any recommendations on bait/tackle to pack? 

Punching baits. Fish the nastiest cover you can with the wind at your back. Fish deeper then you think you should and use 1.5-2 ozs of weight to get it through the matted grass and reeds. Anything black and blue will get you bites. 

[FD.]

23 hours ago, Borderline11 said:

I'm actually headed down to FL to fish Toho on Saturday.  But it looks like a cold front will be pushing through on Thursday, dropping temps from 80+ to around 68 degrees.  Just how tough do you guys think the bite will be and any recommendations on bait/tackle to pack? 

I would go bowling.  You have a bad moon and bad weather.  If you are a glutton for punishment then I would not even start until 10 or so.  There are not a lot of mats to punch right now so look for thick pads fields.  I'm doing honeydos this weekend but if I had to fish then I would fish north of the Neptune Rd bridge or in the back of Goblits Cove.  

[FloridaFishinFool]

Lake Dias

Being in Sanford you have Lake Monroe and St. Johns River right there! Though I prefer to fish it South of Monroe- and South of Lake Harney...

Also within driving range you mentioned is Winter Park chain of lakes.

I just noticed in your profile it says you are in Chuluota??? Heck, that is about 30 minutes from Sanford! I don't live too far away from Chuluota myself...

[Borderline11]

This was actually a birthday gift from the gf - a little warm weather getaway for a weekend and the chance to fish toho. Granted weather.com is still saying 68 degrees so not all that warm.  Anyhow, no shot at changing the timing.  It seems like we'll be up against some tough conditions.  Is there any sort of frog bite with the cold weather?  Do you think it'd be worth chucking some top water through those pad fields, or will everything be hunkered down?  Would switching to shiners give us a better shot?  

I do enjoy bowling though...    

[FD.]

4 hours ago, Borderline11 said:

This was actually a birthday gift from the gf - a little warm weather getaway for a weekend and the chance to fish toho. Granted weather.com is still saying 68 degrees so not all that warm.  Anyhow, no shot at changing the timing.  It seems like we'll be up against some tough conditions.  Is there any sort of frog bite with the cold weather?  Do you think it'd be worth chucking some top water through those pad fields, or will everything be hunkered down?  Would switching to shiners give us a better shot?  

I do enjoy bowling though...    

It does beat the NE weather but in Florida you need to watch the lows.  Friday morning in the high 30's is going to drop the lake temps dramatically.  Florida strain bass don't do dramatic.  Shiners may give you a slightly better chance but they're expensive and no guarantees.

Rig a hollow body frog and fish it slow, Texas rig a skinny dipper with at least 1/4 oz bullet and swim it just under the pads, and some creature bait for flipping.  The pads will hold the heat better and they may bunch up so if you get any activity fish that area heavy.  You will be looking for 65+ degree water but that will be hard to find.  Have a nice breakfast and hit the water late.  After 2 pm is going to give you the best shot.  good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

Also there is a deep (for florida) channel that runs just off the sea wall for Lakeshore Blvd.  That area normally holds fish and will be protected from the NW wind.

[Chris Spear]

just out of pure curiosity if anyone from around or close to the Holiday or New Port Richey areas wants a tag along buddy to head to Toho with them I am there been looking to get on the lakes all I've been fishing is the inland ponds and the golf courses wouldn't mind trying my luck on a lake if anyone would like a fishing partner let me know I am looking forward to hearing from someone.

[MrPerfect]

@FishinDaddy I ended up on Toho and put 5 dinks in the boat. However, there was no pattern and it felt more like I caught fish accidentally. I had the FLW College Tour out on the lake with me and everyone seemed to be having the similar struggles. Not remotely what I have come to expect from Toho. Anyone had any luck even seeing beds? I have been out 6 times since mid-January and I have found 1 bass bed in the NE of Lake Monroe.

Not surprising I finally join the boating crowd and we can't get consistent weather anywhere in order to take advantage of not being stranded on the shore anymore. I am averaging about 2 fish per outing and I consider myself a good fisherman, but d**n has this been a humbling experience.

Any suggestions on places to fish Sunday? Also, is it better to fish in the morning or wait till the afternoon when temps start to raise?

 

[bassinhole]

On 2/23/2016 at 7:26 PM, Borderline11 said:

I'm actually headed down to FL to fish Toho on Saturday.  But it looks like a cold front will be pushing through on Thursday, dropping temps from 80+ to around 68 degrees.  Just how tough do you guys think the bite will be and any recommendations on bait/tackle to pack? 

I'll be on Toho tomorrow as well. Plan to punch whatever vegetation I can find. even on slow days there is something new to learn... 

On 2/24/2016 at 9:20 AM, Borderline11 said:

This was actually a birthday gift from the gf - a little warm weather getaway for a weekend and the chance to fish toho. Granted weather.com is still saying 68 degrees so not all that warm.  Anyhow, no shot at changing the timing.  It seems like we'll be up against some tough conditions.  Is there any sort of frog bite with the cold weather?  Do you think it'd be worth chucking some top water through those pad fields, or will everything be hunkered down?  Would switching to shiners give us a better shot?  

I do enjoy bowling though...    

It's all going to depend on the water temps and the sky. You can expect clear jay bird skys, and water temps in the low 60s to upper 50s. so top water may not be the best bet unless you find some stained water that's a little warmer. 

[Chris Spear]

@Bassinhole your going out fishin with my buddy him and I go to all the ponds and golf courses in our area I hope you guys do well on the lake

[FD.]

13 hours ago, MrPerfect said:

@FishinDaddy I ended up on Toho and put 5 dinks in the boat. However, there was no pattern and it felt more like I caught fish accidentally. I had the FLW College Tour out on the lake with me and everyone seemed to be having the similar struggles. Not remotely what I have come to expect from Toho. Anyone had any luck even seeing beds? I have been out 6 times since mid-January and I have found 1 bass bed in the NE of Lake Monroe.

Not surprising I finally join the boating crowd and we can't get consistent weather anywhere in order to take advantage of not being stranded on the shore anymore. I am averaging about 2 fish per outing and I consider myself a good fisherman, but d**n has this been a humbling experience.

Any suggestions on places to fish Sunday? Also, is it better to fish in the morning or wait till the afternoon when temps start to raise?

 

Welcome to the world of fishing high pressured lakes.  Fishing large lakes with lots of pressure is completely different than you're used to.  

I would fish the north end after lunch.

 

[FloridaFishinFool]

I'd hit canals or small ponds this time of year more so than large bodies of water, especially those with heavy fishing pressure like both Toho's.

[bassinhole]

Out on Toho today was a very tough bite. We managed to get 3 in the boat, but no pattern emerged. Water temps were in the 60's starting at 61 this morning and topping out at 67 in the warmest water we could find.  We were competing with 100+ other boats all stacked up on the same high percentage areas. Saw tons of beds, but no fish on them. Lots of cruisers though. Anyone know what the water temps were leading up to the Cold front? 

[Ridi620]

Anyone been on the Big O lately. I'm heading there for March 19th and 20th. Gana be going through the Martins' Marina. Wanted to find what the fishing reports been lately?

[bassinhole]

Here's a little recap of @Ridi620  and my trip to Lake Toho. 

 

 

[Ridi620]

2 hours ago, bassinhole said:

Here's a little recap of @Ridi620  and my trip to Lake Toho.

 

 

On Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9:11 PM, bassinhole said:

Out on Toho today was a very tough bite. We managed to get 3 in the boat, but no pattern emerged. Water temps were in the 60's starting at 61 this morning and topping out at 67 in the warmest water we could find.  We were competing with 100+ other boats all stacked up on the same high percentage areas. Saw tons of beds, but no fish on them. Lots of cruisers though. Anyone know what the water temps were leading up to the Cold front?

On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 0:38 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:

I'd hit canals or small ponds this time of year more so than large bodies of water, especially those with heavy fishing pressure like both Toho's.

On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 0:38 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:

On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 0:38 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:

I'd hit canals or small ponds this time of year more so than large bodies of water, especially those with heavy fishing pressure like both Toho's.

asdfI'd hit canals or small ponds this time of year more so than large bodies of water, especially those with heavy fishing pressure like both Toho's.

On Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9:11 PM, bassinhole said:

Out on Toho today was a very tough bite. We managed to get 3 in the boat, but no pattern emerged. Water temps were in the 60's starting at 61 this morning and topping out at 67 in the warmest water we could find.  We were competing with 100+ other boats all stacked up on the same high percentage areas. Saw tons of beds, but no fish on them. Lots of cruisers though. Anyone know what the water temps were leading up to the Cold front?

hahaha those d**n laughing birds. Rough trip but amazing to get on the water. We'll get them next time!