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Highlands Today

FISHING: Bass Anglers Ready For Aggressive Morning Bite

Contributed photo/Highlands Today

This 3.8-pound bass was one of three bass caught lurking in the Hydrilla of Lake Istokpoga.

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Dave Douglass

Published: December 5, 2007

For the next three days, you can forget about getting out on the lake early.

Instead, spend time preparing for a mid- to late-afternoon bite. This is the week where you get out of bed early to set up the boat, rig up your gear and jump in the tow vehicle when you get out of work and be on the lake just as the bite starts.

Since the last quarter moon on last Saturday, the early morning bite steadily decreased and the beginnings of a late afternoon bite formed. Now, with the recent semi-cold front that came into our area Monday night, the already formed late-day feeding migration will increase in duration and intensity. The National Weather Service is also predicting a steady increase of 10 degrees over the next three to four days, and this will also help make conditions perfect for the afternoon angler.

From 3 p.m. to sundown is the best time for bass anglers.

By Saturday morning, however, a morning bite should develop again because of the new moon event happening at 5:40 p.m. Twelve hours before this lunar phase event, the Bass should turn on with a vengeance — especially because water temperatures rising between now and then. Something the majority of bass anglers look forward to — an aggressive morning bite.

Fishing Facts

The Florida Largemouth Bass spawns at the first water-temperature 65-degree occurrence. However, this lower degree must sustain for at least a week and not creep back up into the 70's.

This has not happened; the Florida Largemouth female is accustomed to this type weather pattern and won't rush to spawn until temperatures stabilize in the mid-60's.

I have located males pre-staging and have returned to check for beds with females on them. So far, no such luck, but instead the males don't seem to be there anymore either. I have concluded the water temperature return into the mid to upper 70's stalled the spawn.

Fishing Report

Crappie fishing conditions improve each time the water temperatures drop, so this recent front is good news for the pan anglers. The deeper areas should produce early in the mornings and taper off by early afternoon. They seem to be holding along upwind slopes in vegetation lines or shell beds.

As lake levels gradually drop, the only hopes of maintaining the current level is to experience the normal winter seasonal norm of 1.85 inches of rain per month, which is a little more than the offset needed to compensate for evaporation for this time of year.

Highlands County Parks and Recreation director Vicki Pontius and Invasive Weed manager Carl Smith have started posting information signs at the county boat ramps informing lake users of Aquathol chemical treatments of Hydrilla, and also marking the treated areas with four or five bright orange jug buoys along the outside parameter.

This is a welcomed action and much appreciated by the bass anglers who spend their money in Highlands County to fish the premiere big-bass lake of Istokpoga.

Hydrilla must be managed through an active schedule of Aquathol chemical treatments. Smaller areas of between 200 to 400 acres treated during the most advantageous wind direction is not easily achieved in Florida, so markers and warning signs greatly benefit everyone.

Pontius has also approved a new lake user information system where each Lake Istokpoga access ramp will have an information box next to the ramp on the driver's side, providing the lake user with the latest management information. SOS Florida Lakes, of which I am a member, will do the legwork and make sure all locations have the updated information as it is available.

Other News

SOS Florida Lakes Inc is having their December Open Meeting in Lorida at the Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Lake Istokpoga current events and issues will be discussed and presented. SOS directors invite all to attend and become part of a working successful pro-active non-profit organization achieving lake management at its best.

Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event is today on Lake Apthorpe from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Pay at ramp — entry fee is $30 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home), 863-446-1310 (cell) or e-mail bassbutchie60@aol.com. You can also contact Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass fishing guide and teacher, bass tournament fisherman and also an officer of SOS-Florida Lakes, Inc. You can reach him at 863-381-8474, e-mail davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org.

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