LOOKING TO FISH Florida.

[watermelonseed]

Hello all I am from SC & looking for a GREAT place to do some trophy Large Mouth Bass fishing in Fla.

I would prefer it to be a private lake with a GREAT history of having lots of big bass & plenty of satisfied customers. After all I will be coming from SC so I would like to actually CATCH some fish lol. Any help would be awesome & appreciated very much. Thanks in advance.

[rondef]

Scott Martin (Scott Martin's Challenge) is a guide on Lake Okeechobee and he has great prices with a good guarantee.  He does this when he is not tournament (FLW) fishing.  I am going to book a trip next year with him.

[Olebiker]

Check with George Welcome at http://www.imaginationbassin.com/

He guides on Stick Marsh/Farm 13.

[roadwarrior]

Check with George Welcome at http://www.imaginationbassin.com/

He guides on Stick Marsh/Farm 13.

Definitely a "Dream Trip"

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1208854005

8-)

[gatrboy53]

http://www.bienville.com/

this is your best bet for a great fla. experience.and its not that far away from you.

[CFFF 1.5]

Don't waste money anywhere else and go to the Stick Marsh. You are guaranteed to have a great time catching some hogs.

[watermelonseed]

Can I bring my own boat & fish Stick Marsh?? Do I have to hire a guide? Is this lake so big that a guide is needed?  Bienville looks very good as well but I see they will not allow you to fish with out a guide. I would like for my son & myself to be able to do this together & spend some good ole' quality time on the water catching bucket mouths.

Thanks everybody for your input so far. Keep all your advice coming, its very appreciated.

[FD.]

Stickmarsh is not that big but is DANGERous if you don't know it.

Central Fl is full of lakes that will yield a trophy at any time, several over 5 lbs is common, 6-10 lbers are likely and over 10 is a possibility.  It really depends on what you want.  Our weather is iffy at best this time of the year with strong winds out of the east likely for days in a row.

According to the FWC lake Istokpoga produces more fish over 8 lbs than any other lake in Florida including Stickmarsh.

If it were me I would get a 1/2 day trip on either Toho or Kissimmee and then fish use your boat for the rest of your trip.

If you need specifics just PM me.

FD

[George Welcome]

I don't know about that Istokpoga/Stick Marsh tale. I think that the FWC person making that statement, needs to review creel counts and shocking samples, which are all public knowledge.

As for having a guide: You mention wanting to have quality time with your son. You sure don't need a guide for that. You have an abundance of places to choose from for your fishing adventure, however none will guarantee other than a day of fishing.

[gatrboy53]

you can bring your own boat and you dont have to hire a guide at bienville.although it is advised the first time.

[CFFF 1.5]

The stick marsh is only dangerous if you want to get up on a plane and run. Just take it easy and have fun. there is no need to run anywhere. You are not in a tournament just take it slow and you will be fine. Go to stick marsh and get some shiners.

[FD.]

The March 2008 FWC fish busters report.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/Fishing/updates/fb27-bass-formatted.pdf

[George Welcome]

Mike, I was going to say the same thing about Bienville, but after reviewing their site, I found that they are now stating that their is no unaccompanied fishing. If you don't wish to have a guide you need to pay a lease fee on your lake of choice, which goes as high as $3000, for Purvis.

[gatrboy53]

yep,sorry.they have changed it up.still...if i had never been there before and wanted to have a good time then i would hire a guide.same w/ sm.hire george and he will show you more in a day than you could ever learn on your own and although not guaranteed you would be confident that you would catch fish and be in line for that hawg.