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Highlands Today

FISHING: Largemouth Bass Spawn Fully Underway

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Dave Douglass

Published: February 7, 2008

A 3:44 a.m. new moon today produces a noon-time bite and your best chances of hooking into that trophy bass or filling your limit of crappie.

All the moon events occur this month between the hours of 2 and 4 a.m., meaning the largest daily feeding migration happens at that time. The best we can hope for is that some of the largest fish in the lake feed again from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the weather favorably influences the fish enough to either hold off feeding during the night or feed heavily during a daytime falling barometer.

Fishing Facts

Considering all the weather conditions of the last three months, and the current weather pattern we are in, the angler concludes; the Florida largemouth bass spawn is finally fully underway.

February and March will end up being the best spawning months of the 2007-08 season. Temperatures are exactly where they need to be right now. The weather changes are minimal, with just enough days in the 70s to keep water temperatures in the mid 60s — ideal to lay eggs in protected waters.

Fishing Report

Lake Istokpoga's level remains at 38 feet, 4 inches, which is excellent news for the Istokpoga anglers. The Army Corps of Engineers held up making their decision for over two months and happened to get it right — a few days after approving the deviation, rains began falling south of the lake. That was just enough to make a difference — now let's pray God will bless us with perfectly timed rain for Florida's suffering farmers.

Other News

Ducks Unlimited is having their annual fund raiser on Saturday at the American Legion 1497, on U.S. 27 in Lake Placid. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the banquet starts at 7:30 p.m.. Contact Chris Selph at 863-385-2516 for all the information. Tickets are $50 for individuals, $70 for couples and $25 for Greenwing.

The Highlands County Zoning Board — at 600 S. Commerce Ave. — will be addressing the "Royce Rezoning Request" for 9.99 acres of agricultural Lake Istokpoga lakefront property on the northern section of the West Wall and Henderson's Point to be rezoned to residential on next Tuesday, Feb. 12.
The plan is to develop the area into 14 residential plots and build homes in what is now a cypress prairie and one of the last natural lake habitats left on the lake. If you are interested in voicing your opinion on this, the commissioner's meeting starts at 3 p.m.

Tournament News

American Bass Anglers Istokpoga South District 28 will be holding its third tournament of the new season on Lake Istokpoga this Saturday. This is a members-only tournament and if you are interested in becoming a member or would like more information contact Ted Moore at 863-946-0036. Also visit their Web site, americanbassanglers.com. Weigh-in time is 3 p.m. (however, it's a good idea to get there early) at the U.S. 98 Istokpoga Park ramp in Lorida. You may join at the ramp — cash only — prior to safelight launch.

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event is Feb. 13 on Crooked Lake 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 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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