New to the forum: Florida guys: HELP

[jchello]

Hello all...just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Joe and I attend the University of Tampa but am a native of MA. I transferred down here from UCONN so I could fish year round but I have struggled big time since I got down here mainly due to not getting out enough. I fish out of a coleman crawdad and have started exploring the Lakeland/Polk City area concentrating on smaller, unpressured bodies of water. My goal down coming down here was to break the 10lb mark. If anyone on the forum fishes this area and would like to fish or share some advice any help would be greatly appreciated. Tight lines.

[LCpointerKILLA]

I dont fish the area, but my advice in a new place, throw a 5 inch senko and if you get lucky and catch a 2 pound + consider it a good place

[Brute]

Hi jchello,

Welcome to Tampa.

I live in Clearwater but work in Tampa.

I am not the guy to be asking for advice, but I have been doing pretty good on Lake Tarpon lately.

I am still reading all of the posts on here and trying to soak it all in.

I would love to break the 10 lb mark also.

Right now my best is 5.5 lbs.

My wife caught a 4lb 11 oz lmb about a month ago.

I have an occasional empty seat on my boat if you are interested.

The only advice I can give is to keep trying.

Maybe I will see you some day and we can wet some lines together.

Brute

[gar-tracker]

Check into the Tenoroc phosphate pits out HWY 60 towards Lakeland

[FD.]

Check into the Tenoroc phosphate pits out HWY 60 towards Lakeland

Tenoroc is a good place to start but they are no where near hwy 60.

I-4 East to exit 38. South 1 mile to Combee Rd. Left on Combee 2 miles to Tenoroc Mine Rd. (just past the citgo station. Left on TM rd to the ranger station. Only open Thur thru Monday.

PS the citgo station has a great sub shop inside.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/offices/tenoroc.html

A pretty decent fishing report for Polk Co.

http://www.theledger.com/section/sports09

[jchello]

I stumbled upon tenoroc on this past saturday after seeing all the jet skis/boats on gibson. Pretty cool area, fished one of the ponds but didn't catch any over 3lbs. Lots of gators which was interesting in a boat that sits 6" above the water when you have never seen a gator while fishing but like I had heard from friends who grew up in FL they really don't want anything to do with you (knock on wood). Has anyone seen any fish in the past year over ten from tenoroc? just curious since I'm after a trophy.

[Krzkev]

Well, I am down in the South East part of the state, and as far as 10lbers go you don't see them as often as everyone seems to think.  I have fished in Florida for 25 years and I have yet to see a 10+.  I have a few fish in the 7-8 lb class, but I am still waiting for that elusive 10 pounder.  Good luck, you'll need some for a 10+.

[FD.]

I would have to agree with Krykev. 10's are not as abundant in Florida as everyone else in the country think they are. That being said, your best chance to catch one outside of Mexico and California is going to be in Florida in a place like Tenoroc.

Here's the catch, if you want a trophy it's going to take big baits and a lot of patience. This time of year you need to be soaking the offshore humps and points with a monster size worm (junebug) or gig (blue/black) with a huge trailer. Tenoroc is full of 2 lbers but also has produced some very large fish, I have caught several over 7 lbs. I think the record for the pits is around 13.

The good news is that the season for fat girls is just around the corner. December through March will bring them shallow and at least a little easier to find.

As for the gators, this time of the year they will usually run the other way but will scare the %^$# out of you. May through July they get pretty defensive around their nests, just pay extra attention and you will be fine.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[gar-tracker]

Check into the Tenoroc phosphate pits out HWY 60 towards Lakeland

Tenoroc is a good place to start but they are no where near hwy 60.

I-4 East to exit 38. South 1 mile to Combee Rd. Left on Combee 2 miles to Tenoroc Mine Rd. (just past the citgo station. Left on TM rd to the ranger station. Only open Thur thru Monday.

PS the citgo station has a great sub shop inside.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/offices/tenoroc.html

A pretty decent fishing report for Polk Co.

http://www.theledger.com/section/sports09

I used to go from Brandon east on 60 to 17. However you get there its fun fishing.

[Bassboss]

Hi jchello,

Welcome to Tampa.

I live in Clearwater but work in Tampa.

I am not the guy to be asking for advice, but I have been doing pretty good on Lake Tarpon lately.

I am still reading all of the posts on here and trying to soak it all in.

I would love to break the 10 lb mark also.

Right now my best is 5.5 lbs.

My wife caught a 4lb 11 oz lmb about a month ago.

I have an occasional empty seat on my boat if you are interested.

The only advice I can give is to keep trying.

Maybe I will see you some day and we can wet some lines together.

Brute

Meme guess, she sunked you that day right!  ;D

[bocabasser]

hey asshoss, do us floridians a favor and keep your mouth shut.

[FD.]

hey asshoss, do us floridians a favor and keep your mouth shut.

X2

[0119]

Just a little south of you in Manatee County is Lake Manatee State Park.  Its a little known sleeper and also holds Schooling Sunshine Hybrid Bass.  It gets very little attention and is a great place to put in a kayak or pond hopper.  Check out the parks web site for info too.

[warmer]

i think its looking like an early spawn this year.  there are a ton of phosphate pits around.  saddlecreek, tenneroc, you may be able to even walk the bank and sight fish a big one in the next little bit.  you could do what i used to do, and take an areal map and find the out of the way locations... just wear your running shoes.