FL Bass Fishing Trip - Community Suggestions Appreciated

[geo g]

DONT MISS THE GLADES, but I would skip the Big O unless unless you are familiar with it.  It changes so much in just a short period of time.  So vast and everything looks so good.  Tough place for the novice.

[N Florida Mike]

I’d fish Rodman 2 days and skip the Ocklawaha. It’s a beautiful river but I always found bass fishing hard in there. ( Unless you use shiners ?)

Just my 2 cents.

[NorEastAngler]

On 11/24/2021 at 4:49 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Two days at Rodman & skip big O.

Thanks, Dwight! Appreciate the feedback. Worth launching and fishing the same South West stretch 2 days in a row from Ferry Boat Landing?

On 11/24/2021 at 10:04 PM, geo g said:

DONT MISS THE GLADES, but I would skip the Big O unless unless you are familiar with it.  It changes so much in just a short period of time.  So vast and everything looks so good.  Tough place for the novice.

Thanks for the insight, Geo G! After all that info you shared about the glades, I definitely CANT miss fishing it :). You think 2 days are worth it? Maybe fish East of Miami Canal on 1 day and West of it the next? Noted about the big O. Thank you.

On 11/25/2021 at 6:12 PM, N Florida Mike said:

I’d fish Rodman 2 days and skip the Ocklawaha. It’s a beautiful river but I always found bass fishing hard in there. ( Unless you use shiners ?)

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the details, Mike! Funny you said that about the shiners. All the info I found and videos I saw all mentioned the best thing to use would be Shiners! Know of any good spots on Rodman to launch from besides Ferry Boat Landing? Thanks!

[N Florida Mike]

Shiners are like Filet mignon to a bass. 
We always launched at Kenwood landing on the north shore. It’s more central on the lake too. 

[Dwight Hottle]

31 minutes ago, NorEastAngler said:

Thanks, Dwight! Appreciate the feedback. Worth launching and fishing the same South West stretch 2 days in a row from Ferry Boat Landing?

 

Like Mike suggested shiners rule on Rodman. If your first day isn't productive switch to another area. Good luck with your trip. 

[geo g]

15 hours ago, NorEastAngler said:

Thanks, Dwight! Appreciate the feedback. Worth launching and fishing the same South West stretch 2 days in a row from Ferry Boat Landing?

Thanks for the insight, Geo G! After all that info you shared about the glades, I definitely CANT miss fishing it :). You think 2 days are worth it? Maybe fish East of Miami Canal on 1 day and West of it the next? Noted about the big O. Thank you.

Thanks for the details, Mike! Funny you said that about the shiners. All the info I found and videos I saw all mentioned the best thing to use would be Shiners! Know of any good spots on Rodman to launch from besides Ferry Boat Landing? Thanks!

 

 

That time of year could be a real crazy catching time in the glades.  It all depends on the water levels whether the big girls are in the canals.  The lower the water the better.  Right now the peacock bite is good but many are on the small size with many caught on rapala jerk baits #9 & #11, and hair jigs swimming fast along the rock walls of the canals.  You have almost endless amounts of canal to fish on the east side, west side, and the Miami River north and south.  I'll give you an update when you get closer to your date.

[soflabasser]

On 11/24/2021 at 4:05 PM, NorEastAngler said:

Think I should double-up on certain body of waters instead of 1 day each? Like the glades/Big O?

 

Thanks all!

What is your main goal for your Florida fishing trip? If your main goal is to catch exotics I recommend you fish the Everglades and surrounding areas in South Florida. You do not need a guide for this type of fishing since you can do very well from the shore. If your main goal is to catch a bass over 8 pounds I recommend Central and Northern Florida, you might or might not need a guide for this depending on your experience level. If you decide to hire a guide make sure to hire one who has caught many bass 8 pounds and bigger.

[NorEastAngler]

Good Morning!

 

I'm a week away from traveling down to FL for my fishing trip! So excited! Ready to escape the constant freezing temps and ever-accumulating piles of snow. Rhode Island has been bitter cold this year.

 

I will be fishing Feb 20 - Feb 27 (Everglades, Kissimmee, Toho, Orange Lake, Rodman, and George's Lake). I wanted to check in with you guys one more time and see how things are going down there in FL - how's the bite, how's the weather been, any new recommendations, pointers on what to use/avoid, etc.?

 

One item I had a question on - will I need an orange flag on my boat? Read something and was not sure if I needed it fishing in the canals alongside I75.

 

Thanks everyone!

-NorEastAngler

 

[TOXIC]

A few of us are leaving Thursday for Okeechobee.  It’s been cold.  Warming trend predicted for the next couple of weeks should help the fishing.  Can’t help you much on spots or bait since we haven’t got there and we will be fishing the main lake.  3 days on the north end and 4 days on the south end.  Good luck to the both of us. ?

[NorEastAngler]

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

A few of us are leaving Thursday for Okeechobee.  It’s been cold.  Warming trend predicted for the next couple of weeks should help the fishing.  Can’t help you much on spots or bait since we haven’t got there and we will be fishing the main lake.  3 days on the north end and 4 days on the south end.  Good luck to the both of us. ?

Best of luck to you, sir!

[Mike L]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

A few of us are leaving Thursday for Okeechobee.  It’s been cold.  Warming trend predicted for the next couple of weeks should help the fishing.  Can’t help you much on spots or bait since we haven’t got there and we will be fishing the main lake.  3 days on the north end and 4 days on the south end.  Good luck to the both of us. ?

 

The water is a little low now but stable and not much gusting winds. 
When launching out of Scott Driver on the north end the 2nd point to Tin House has been very productive lately especially on the far end. 

Also you can throw a Carolina Rig about 500 yards from the mouth of the river if you’re so inclined. 

All around Observation Island to Harney Pond can be great. If you find them there early you won’t want to leave. 
 

If you wanted to take a ride, come straight out of the river to the east side and fish 1/2 mile either side of the J&S lock. 
If it warms up by the end of the week it can be the best frog water on the lake. 
 

When launching on the south end, turn right out of the lock and you can fish the rip rap along the shore, or start carolina rigging about a mile down.
Continue east to the north and east side of Ritta Island, there is low clean water all through there and has been really good, at least it was 2 days ago. 

Continue in the rim canal to the end and you’ll be in Pelican Bay. 
The water is a low but the bass have been reloading from mid morning to dusk. 
Beds all over. 
 

If you turn left out of the lock continue until you see a wide canal on your right, that’s Uncle Joes Cut.
You can fish your way out turn left and into the Monkey Box. 
But be real careful if you go there the water may be to low to operate safely, especially with other areas holding fish I haven’t been there in a while. 
 

At the tournament last weekend my best results were on a white spinnerbait, 
June bug Chatter, Honey Candy Cut R, T rigged 6” stick bait and of course a june bug Magnum UV Speed Worm. 
 

My biggest fish came when punching. 
I use a June bug Sweet Beaver and went up to a 1 1/2 oz weight. 

Final tip… Don’t pass up any mat’s of blown over reeds or floating hyacinth. 
 

Best of Luck

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

8 hours ago, NorEastAngler said:

Good Morning!

 

I'm a week away from traveling down to FL for my fishing trip! So excited! Ready to escape the constant freezing temps and ever-accumulating piles of snow. Rhode Island has been bitter cold this year.

 

I will be fishing Feb 20 - Feb 27 (Everglades, Kissimmee, Toho, Orange Lake, Rodman, and George's Lake). I wanted to check in with you guys one more time and see how things are going down there in FL - how's the bite, how's the weather been, any new recommendations, pointers on what to use/avoid, etc.?

 

One item I had a question on - will I need an orange flag on my boat? Read something and was not sure if I needed it fishing in the canals alongside I75.

 

Thanks everyone!

-NorEastAngler

 

I haven’t fished those lakes since last summer, but If you decide to head south and fish The Lake…see above. 

Good Luck

 

Mike

[rtwvumtneer6]

8 hours ago, TOXIC said:

A few of us are leaving Thursday for Okeechobee.

I'll be on the lake the 18th & 19th.  Got to try and figure it out quick, so feel free to give an update ?

 

Most likely launching out of Scott Driver and head toward Tin House but won't know for sure until we see what the wind is doing.  

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks to @Mike L for sharing that info.  Always helpful and generous!  

[TOXIC]

Thanks for the tips.  We will be hitting it hard and will for sure report on our success or lack there of.?

[Mike L]

27 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Thanks for the tips.  We will be hitting it hard and will for sure report on our success or lack there of.?

 
?

[N Florida Mike]

I fished George’s lake recently and we caught 16, all on speed worms and yum dingers. June bug red in the speed worms, and pumpkin and bama bug dingers. A very good third bait is red shad culprit worms. I use a little weight on the worms, and fish the dingers weightless under docks especially.I dont think we caught one fish on a moving bait. 

For best results, fish the cane grass edges.  There is some fish in the cane too , if you can pitch or flip to little pockets in it. They usually hold under docks too but not that day. Fish as slow as you can stand it ! 

Keep in mind this is a numbers lake. The lake record to my knowledge is 13 pounds, but big fish aren’t caught very often there. I saw a video of someone catching a 10 pounder there on a jig, but it was the only fish he caught that day. So if you want a better chance at a big fish , stick to Rodman.

 Depending on the wind We most often start at the ramp in the NE end of the lake and fish to the right ( north ) end of the lake to the west side. Last time we ran across and fished west to north because of the wind. We dont skip anything but just a few open patches.  The best cane grass beds are on the west side.

Ive caught fish all over the lake though. It is 800 + acres, so big enough to be interesting…

Keep me posted on when you’ll be in the area, if you come near jax, your welcome to fish my little home lake.

Mike

 

[NorEastAngler]

Hey Everyone!

 

Reaching out POST-TRIP with updates. First off, thank you, all! With your suggestions and tips about the area, I saw some amazing sights, and had an absolute blast. I started in Miami and hit the Everglades for 2 days - catching about 30 Chiclids, 8 suns, a bullseye, 5 bass, and 3 gar. From there I went to Lake Kissimmee - catching 8 decent bass and getting stuck in that crazy vegetation at the boat ramp (but i got out after 30 minutes of paddling). Then I went to Lake Toho - catching 3 pickerel, 2 gar, and 4 Bass, while battling the heat and flies! Day 5 was at Lake Lochloosa - so many crappie there but I only landed a Bowfin and Bass. The next day was at Rodman Reservoir - my hopes were high about big catches but I only took in 4 bass in 7 hours and had a manatee swim under my boat. Day 7 was at Santa Fe Lake (little) - with a few strikes early but landed nothing, especially with the water looking like a Yoo-Hoo and the wind coming in close to 20mph constant. The last day of my trip was at Georges Lake - @N Florida Mike helped wrap up the trip nicely by providing me some very accurate information about the lake and what to use, and it lead to a fruitful day of 11 bass within the first 5 hours.

 

This is exactly what this site is about - a community of anglers sharing knowledge and supporting other anglers. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Can't wait to plan my next trip! If you're ever looking to fish in Rhode Island - I'm your guy, so let me know!

 

Thanks everyone,

NorEastAngler

[Dwight Hottle]

52 minutes ago, NorEastAngler said:

Hey Everyone!

 

Reaching out POST-TRIP with updates. First off, thank you, all! With your suggestions and tips about the area, I saw some amazing sights, and had an absolute blast. I started in Miami and hit the Everglades for 2 days - catching about 30 Chiclids, 8 suns, a bullseye, 5 bass, and 3 gar. From there I went to Lake Kissimmee - catching 8 decent bass and getting stuck in that crazy vegetation at the boat ramp (but i got out after 30 minutes of paddling). Then I went to Lake Toho - catching 3 pickerel, 2 gar, and 4 Bass, while battling the heat and flies! Day 5 was at Lake Lochloosa - so many crappie there but I only landed a Bowfin and Bass. The next day was at Rodman Reservoir - my hopes were high about big catches but I only took in 4 bass in 7 hours and had a manatee swim under my boat. Day 7 was at Santa Fe Lake (little) - with a few strikes early but landed nothing, especially with the water looking like a Yoo-Hoo and the wind coming in close to 20mph constant. The last day of my trip was at Georges Lake - @N Florida Mike helped wrap up the trip nicely by providing me some very accurate information about the lake and what to use, and it lead to a fruitful day of 11 bass within the first 5 hours.

 

This is exactly what this site is about - a community of anglers sharing knowledge and supporting other anglers. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Can't wait to plan my next trip! If you're ever looking to fish in Rhode Island - I'm your guy, so let me know!

 

Thanks everyone,

NorEastAngler

 

Glad you had a good time. You definitely covered a lot of water. 

[N Florida Mike]

Glad you caught some and looks like it was a enjoyable trip…

Wish I’d known you were going to little santa fe.  That’s another lake Ive fished a lot. It can be challenging.

[Don51]

Did you have any alligator encounters? Having one pop up next to you can be frightening if you are not used to seeing or being around them. 

[NorEastAngler]

On 3/11/2022 at 7:30 PM, N Florida Mike said:

Glad you caught some and looks like it was a enjoyable trip…

Wish I’d known you were going to little santa fe.  That’s another lake Ive fished a lot. It can be challenging.

You can bet i'll reach out the next time im down that way!

On 3/12/2022 at 4:27 AM, Don51 said:

Did you have any alligator encounters? Having one pop up next to you can be frightening if you are not used to seeing or being around them. 

Had a few pop their heads up when i was toying around with the motor - of course . Most avoided me, a lot were sunning themselves and jumped in the water when i came around a corner (which can be jolting in a 10ft jon boat when you're 15 feet from the water's edge!). Had a visit from a very persistent cottonmouth. Tried getting in the boat 3 times @ Lake Kissimmee. Had to launch that sucker a good 15 feet before he understood the message. All-in-all, a great trip, and a safe one.