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Highlands Today

Feeding Migration Makes For Big Strikes

Courtesy photo

This 9.3-pound, 25-inch Bass was caught by Dave Douglass on Saturday in Lake Istokpoga.

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Published: September 19, 2007

All the rest of this week, any time during the morning will provide a very good morning bite for all types of fishing. Water temperatures are dropping slowly and vegetation has grown fully providing perfect protection cover for all types of fish. The entire food chain is at its peak now and this spells, "Big Bite Time" for all types of fish species. The best genetics in all species will soon start –– if they have not already done so –– bulking up, especially the Bass.

The peak period for feeding migration should occur some time between 9 a.m. and noon. However, depending on the type of lake and the weather factors, this might start earlier. If night time temperatures drop five degrees, this translates into great oxygen levels earlier in the day, which means fish start feeding sooner than they have been.

Fishing Report

Last Saturday, I decided to head to Lake Istokpoga to try a bait I have had on my shelf for the last two years, which I had forgotten about –– assuming it could not be the perfect bait. I arrived before sunrise and headed to one of the Hydrilla areas on the lake. I had this area picked out the night before after studying a bathymetric map again, attempting to come up with a new area even after hundreds of trips on the lake.

Because of space constraints for this fishing article, I will simply give the quick concise overview of the results of my experiment with this new bait which was benched on an assumption.

After working the bait in the Hydrilla using various techniques for an hour, I became slightly frustrated. From the resultant sarcastic suggestion my mind provided as a suggestion to my problem, I do this when I don't have the answer and I proceeded to use a technique which I personally felt opposed to due to another assumption I had when using this type of bait.

As I worked this desperate sarcastic last-ditch effort the second time, the pole bent and a blast of adrenaline shot through me as I set the hook in an attempt to knock out the fish. A minute later, I was looking at a 25-inch Bass on my golden rule.

I quickly went back to work using the same method. Three minutes later, the same experience again –– looking at a 24-inch Bass on my golden rule.

About 15 minutes after the second Bass, my rod bent as far as I have ever experienced and line began to be pulled from the spool. This was a huge fish and as all huge Bass do, she went slowly away from the boat with authority for about 30 seconds before she tired out. It took me another 30 seconds to work her back to the boat and to the top of the water where I could see the biggest Bass I have hooked in the last year. I had netted the first two and prepared to do the same with this one. She was clearly 26-27 inches and barely hooked in the corner of the mouth. I grabbed the net handle and swung the net over the side of the boat at the tired exhausted warrior only to hang-up the net on the anchor ties –– which I have procrastinated about changing to the recessed type for over a two years.

I attempted to free the net while holding the rod as the monster Bass was resting from the battle. This resulted in tangling the net even more and I chose to attempt to lip the Bass into the boat. I grabbed her with as firm a grip as I could and started to lift her into the boat. As usual during this type of process, the resting Bass objects defiantly and thrashes one last time. I couldn't hold on and she fell back - still hooked - into the lake and began to fight again. As I picked up the rod she jumped and tore the hook in a violent shake and then calmly swam out of sight.

I should have been upset more than I was, but I could not help looking at this new bait I was using and start again. After all, unlike most lakes, Istokpoga provides a far greater percentage of chances to hook into several huge Bass in one hour. The decision paid off. I boated a 22-inch, a 19-inch, and four slightly under 16 inches, all in an hour.

This was by far the best fishing day for me in my life so far - well that is until next weekend when I catch the "One that Got Away."

Fishing Facts

Here are location and direction information to a few of the favorite fishing locations in Highlands County.

Kissimmee River–Nine Mile Grade

From Hwy. 98 and Kissimmee River Bridge in Fort Basinger, go south on CR 721 for 4.5 miles to Boat Ramp Road. Turn left and go 1.9 miles. The ramp is located in County Park. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 60 vehicles. Bathroom, picnic and shower facilities are available. Bank fishing allowed.

Lake Clay

From Lake Placid, travel north on Hwy. 27 for 0.1 mile to Lakeview Road. Turn right and go 0.3 mile to Lake Clay Drive. Turn left and go 0.2 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 25 vehicles. Bank fishing allowed.

Lake Francis

From Lake Placid, go north on Hwy. 27 for 1.5 miles to Clover Leaf Road. Turn left and go 0.8 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 15 vehicles. Bank fishing allowed.

Lake Istokpoga East

From Lorida, go east 0.5 mile on Hwy. 98 to Cow House Road. Turn right and go 1.3 miles to Lake Road. Turn right and go 0.7 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 10 vehicles.

Lake Istokpoga West

From Lake Placid, go east on CR 621 for 2.8 miles to CR 619. Turn left and go 0.7 mile to Boat Ramp Road. Turn right and go 0.3 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 11 vehicles. Bank fishing allowed.

Lake Josephine

From Lake Placid, go north on Hwy. 27 for seven miles to Lake Josephine Drive. Turn left and go 2.8 miles to Gresham Road. Turn right and go 0.8 mile to Oak Beach Boulevard. Turn right and go 0.1 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 15 vehicles. Pier and bank fishing allowed.

Lake June-in-Winter–H. L. Bishop Park

From intersection of Hwy. 27 and CR 621 in Lake Placid, go west on CR 621 for 0.5 mile to entrance to H. L. Bishop Park. Ramp is located in park. Double-lane ramp with two courtesy docks. Improved parking lot capable of accommodating 30 vehicles. Pier and bank fishing allowed. Park is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lake Letta

From intersection of SR 17 and Highlands Avenue in Avon Park, go south on SR 17 for three miles to ramp access road. Turn right and go 0.1 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 25 vehicles.

Lake Sebring

From Sebring, go north on Hwy. 27 for 0.1 mile to CR 634A. Turn right and go 0.1 mile to CR 17A. Turn left and go 0.7 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 10 vehicles.

Lake Little Red Water

From intersection of Hwy. 27 and SR 64 in Avon Park, travel east on SR 64 for 2.0 miles to SR 17. Turn left and go 6.0 miles to Claradge Avenue. Turn right and go 1.2 miles to Sunset Lane. Turn right and go 0.2 mile to where road turns into Holiday Beach Drive. Go 0.5 mile on Holiday Beach Drive to ramp. Ramp is on left side of road. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 15 vehicles.

Red Beach Lake

From Sebring, go south on Hwy. 27 for 5.0 miles to Hwy. 98. Turn left on Hwy. 98 and go 0.3 mile to SR 17. Turn left and go 0.9 mile to Commerce. Turn right and go 0.1 mile to ramp. Single-lane ramp with unimproved parking lot capable of accommodating 15 vehicles. Bank fishing allowed.

Tournament News

Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event: Today on Lake Placid from 7 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp entry fee is $30 per boat and one person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at (863) 385-8007, email at bassbutchie60@aol.com or contact Dwight Ameling at (863) 471-3305

Cracker Boys Bass Club is holding its seventh tournament on Lake Istokpoga on Saturday, launching out of the Highlands County Park boat ramp located on route 98 in Lorida. This is a member's only tournament, which the public is invited to join or attend the weigh-in event at 2 p.m. It is a very professionally organized Bass tournament trail which is based out of Tampa. For more information, contact Lonnie Crocker at (813) 985-1779 or (813) 933-5821. The mailing address is Cracker Boys Club 8302 N. 40th St.; Tampa, Fl 33604 or visit their Web site at crackerboys.net

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide, teacher, Bass tournament angler and V.P. of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes Inc. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474 or email at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the websites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org.

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