Florida Pond Fishing Questions from a tourist

[hfx902]

Hi All,

I am planning a trip to Florida from Canada. and I would like to do some largemouth fishing when I get there. Looking at Airbnbs with ponds right on the property. Now I have some questions for all you Floridians.

 

What is the best month to go pond fishing for LM in Florida?

Do most ponds have LM?

Let's say I get skunked on my rental pond, is it easy enough to just drive down the street and fish then the next pond I see?

Are gators in every pond and when are they least aggressive? Asking as a tourist.. maybe I have nothing to worry about. (no pets or kids)

 

Thanks! my PB is a 2lb smallmouth, so I think a largemouth Florida dink would beat my pb

[Glenn]

What part of Florida are you considering?

[hfx902]

1 hour ago, Glenn said:

What part of Florida are you considering?

 

Orlando/Kissimmee 

[Don51]

It is hot, it is humid and it is rainy season. Winter months are more enjoyable both weather wise and fishing. Yes you have to be concerned about gators. They can be found in any body of water. If you are bank fishing you have to constantly be observant. Ponds will be posted if you are not allowed to fish them.

[N Florida Mike]

Summer and after winter cold fronts are the hardest seasons in Florida.

There are bass in the majority of ponds. Residential ponds are often good. Just stay away from posted ones and people’s yards.

Gators are very common, but Im personally more concerned with stepping on a moccasin than gators. 

[roadwarrior]

January has been exceptional for me. I STRONGLY recommend fishing at least one day

with a guide on Lake ToHo. You can catch fish on artificials, but for size I suggest golden

shiners. 

 

This year ghoti and I caught 24 bass on 48 baits. All were over 5 lbs, our best was 9.63

and we lost 5 MONSTERS! We ran out of bait at 11:00. The cost with tip and bait was

$300 a piece.

 

[hfx902]

3 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

Summer and after winter cold fronts are the hardest seasons in Florida.

There are bass in the majority of ponds. Residential ponds are often good. Just stay away from posted ones and people’s yards.

Gators are very common, but Im personally more concerned with stepping on a moccasin than gators. 

 

Thoughts on going in February? 

[N Florida Mike]

3 minutes ago, hfx902 said:

 

Thoughts on going in February? 

It would be ok esp central florida. There’d be fish on beds then probably.

[Don51]

Probably the best month!  ?

[Mike L]

Late January to late March has always been the sweet spot

 

 

 

Mike

[hfx902]

On 7/4/2021 at 8:37 PM, Mike L said:

Late January to late March has always been the sweet spot

 

 

 

Mike

Thanks, going to try and make it down Feb 21-28