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FISHING: Time To Entice Those Reaction Strikes

BASS ARE ON THE MOVE, NOT AS TERRITORIAL

Contributed photo/Highlands Today

Chris Douglass holds two four-pound bass caught from the Istokpoga Hydrilla.

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Dave Douglass

Published: April 8, 2008

The majority daytime feeding migration starts at 11 a.m. and lasts to mid- to late-afternoon, depending on weather conditions.

The early morning bite is modest but reliable until the sun rises above the shore tree lines. It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway): The east side of the lake has a longer, more intense early morning bite migration, especially if there's rain runoff entering the lake in the same area.

The first quarter moon phase starts to play a part in the development of the full moon 11 days from today. Expect the morning bite to pick up in both intensity and duration and the afternoon bite to wane and move into the nighttime by Sunday.

The majority of bass return to their normal seasonal habits now that the majority spawn is over. Due to very warm water temperatures, the lake's food chains thrive, making the angler's work all the more of a challenge. Now is the time to perfect the "reaction-strike" retrieve techniques to promote the natural instincts of the fish to take over even when it isn't hungry.

Bass are roaming and not as territorial right now, so enticing a reaction strike is the right goal to work toward — unless you happen to luck out and find that you're in the middle of a major feeding frenzy where anything gets eaten.

Other News
Lake Istokpoga's level is at 38.7-feet above sea level, which is due to the recent rain.
This is well above the average for this time of year.

The hydrilla treatment from a month ago is in the last leg of its course of action, which is wind-produced shading of non-treated areas downwind. Fish are now starting to move back into the target treatment areas using the normal usual migration routes. However, they are not staying in these areas any longer, but rather using these areas to ambush smaller bait fish that come into these areas to feed in and around the decaying vegetation on the lake bottom.

The larger fish are making their homes in substitute vegetation — bulrush and lily pads.

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

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.

Bass Champions Senior Tour Inc. Istokpoga Division tournament is Friday, April 18, launching at the Lake Istokpoga Marina, 155 Marina RV drive Lake Placid at safelight, with the weigh-in at 3 p.m. Memberships and entry fees are accepted at the boat ramp. For more information, contact Foy Underwood at 352-694-6272 or 800-416-4451. Pay and/or visit online at BassChampionsSeniorTour.com.

The Rotary Club of Highlands County Seconnd Annual Bass Tournament is being held on Saturday, April 19 launching out of Istokpoga Marina on Highlands Lake Drive off of CR 621 in Lake Placid. There is open registration at the boat ramp prior to safelight. Weigh-in is at 2 p.m. Guaranteed first place prize is $1000, second place $600, and third place $400. For more information, call Scott Fettinger at 863-381-8055 of James Dyer at 863-441-3598. Or e-mail gotbass2@yahoo.com

Dave Douglass is a bass fishing guide and teacher, bass tournament fisherman and CEO 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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