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Highlands Today

Dry Season Forces Anglers To Adjust

Dave Douglass/Highlands Today

This 20-inch, 4.8-pound bass is typical of the size being caught on lakes in the Heartland this time of year.

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Dave Douglass

Published: October 14, 2007

As the dry season arrives during the fall and the lunar events occur at night, the angler's best bite sessions are early morning and mid-to-late afternoon.

The bite's intensity and short duration could be offset by a drop in barometric pressure, however, if the opposite occurs, anglers might as well load their boats and go home to find more profitable things to do.
The window of opportunity is short and fast, and one wrong guess as to where to locate fish will most likely mean a dismal day on the lake.

So, watch the barometric pressure and if it's falling, be on an area which you know has a reliable migration, otherwise, you'll need to "run and gun" around the lake, or move through areas quickly working your favorite bait.

If there's no action, quickly move to the next area, there is no time to waste waiting for fish to strike. The idea is to find that first strike, no matter what the size, then you can work your plan more slowly and thoroughly knowing fish are there — well, at least one.

Fishing Facts

This time of year, bass feed primarily at night, and during the daylight, they move into their secondary minor migration. This is due to the cooler night time water temperatures, which allows more oxygen to remain in the water column, thus causing more of the food chain to feed for longer more intense periods.

So make your first hole the best hole of the day.

Fishing Report

I've fished and attended many bass tournaments throughout central Florida and the story remains the same: If the experience level of the angler is high enough he will catch five decent four-to-five pound bass and many one pounders.

The occasional big bass is harder to trick this time of year because it can easily find its favorite foods without traveling too far.

If you have the right location and have enough time and patience, placing the bait directly in front of her is the key.

Lakes Jackson, Kissimmee Chain, Walk-in-Water, Placid, and June all have been producing medium sized bass — good eatin' type — and a rare occasional larger bass.

No huge lunkers have been reported in a long time.

Specks — crappie — have started to turn on in most of the lakes. I have heard very positive reports on Istokpoga.

With a limit of 25 per day and no size limits, many speck fishermen have been taking fish under 10 inches, just remember if you do, you're taking next years' best catches.

It's best to only harvest specks over 10 inches.

I'd rather have 15 at a foot long than 25 at smaller sizes.

Other News

Mike Bennis and the directors of SOS Florida Lakes Inc. would like to thank Highlands County Parks and Recreation Director Vicki Pontius and Carl Smith, Evasive Weed Manager, and Department of Environmental Protection regional biologist Ed Harris, for providing members and citizens of Highlands County with a comprehensive report on the Hydrilla management status of Lake Istokpoga.

Both the County and the D.E.P representatives once again demonstrated the high level and standard at which they manage our lakes.

Tournament News

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event: 7 a.m. to noon on Oct. 17 on Lake June.

Pay at ramp — entry fee $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 S.O.S.-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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