Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Highlands Today > News

Safelight Bite Looks To Be Intense

Dave Douglass

Published: January 6, 2008

In last Wednesday's report, I reported the event of the new moon as happening the day before on Tuesday — this is what happens when you attempt to write on New Years day and watch football at the same time.

The fact is, the new moon happens on Jan. 8 at 11:37 a.m.

This means that today, the peak feeding period is at safelight (6:30 a.m.), and if there are clouds or fog in the early morning, the bite session will last longer and be much stronger in intensity.

Monday's peak time will start slightly later and be just as intense. Also, developing in the late afternoon, from 3 p.m. to sundown, is a second bite event. Tuesday's situation is not much different, however, the barometric pressure should be dropping and this might cause a spike in the intensity levels early in the morning and late in the day.

Fishing Facts

Winter is the time of year for the colors red, blue, and black — with and without flash and speckle. If during the morning, fog prevails, try using the darker colors for a few hours and then add some flash/speckle in the same color type.

Once the sun is full, switch to brighter reds, blues, and blacks with gold and silver colors mixed in. Junebug colors also come in darker and brighter version, so give those a try.

Other News

I have been in contact with the USACE concerning the Lake Istokpoga SFWM Deviation Request status.

Currently, the Jacksonville office has completed their research and sent their recommendation up the chain of command to the South Atlantic Division in Atlanta for final approval. They sent out their Environmental Assessment report on Dec. 23 that stated they recommend approving a low lake level deviation of 36 feet above sea level (ASL).

South Florida Water Management (SFWM) wanted 35.5 feet ASL and the majority of lake users — S.O.S. Florida Lakes Inc and Friends of Istokpoga Inc, as well as the public — cited historical data that shows 36.5 feet ASL as the lowest the lake should be taken when factoring in the rainfall level averages over the last 50 years.

Historically, there are two distinct rainfall patterns which developed after the installation of the S-68 Spillway at the south end of the lake.

From 1963-1988 shows short heavy rainy seasons with a low average was 37 to 37.5 feet ASL. The lower average means more water was needed for the farmers, due to drier fall, winter and spring seasons. At least half of the rainy seasons were under average and the remainder average.
From 1989-2005 shows longer heavy rainy seasons, quickly peaking to the high water schedule mark of 39.5 feet ASL requiring the spillway to be open to prevent flooding. The lake seldom dropped below 38 feet ASL, because there was enough rain in the spring and fall, followed by an average rainy season, so the farmers didn't need as much water released.

So, there is a foot or more difference in the low lake levels between the two patterns during the 42 years.

From 2006 to the present time, the one-in-a-hundred-year drought arrived — so the professionals believe.

However, according to some this might be a "new" pattern, which tends to be more along the lines of the first pattern (years 1963-88). By allowing the lake to drop to 36 feet ASL, there becomes a greater risk of not experiencing the average or above average rainy season recovery needed each year to meet the farmer's demands for the next grow season.

Istokpoga is a lake that needs to be kept at the highest level possible. The difference of six inches might not sound like much, but it is a lot when you consider this fact — there is a critical point at which an average rainfall can not produce a full recovery to 39.5 feet ASL.

Combine with that fact, Hydrilla grows much faster in water less than four feet deep — much faster.

If the USACE district approves 36 feet ASL and the current pattern remains the same, every inch of lake depth becomes critical. History teaches us that 36.5 feet ASL is the lowest Lake Istokpoga should be allowed to drop, any lower levels are uncharted lake management territory.

Tournament News

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event is Jan. 9 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.

Extreme Bass Istokpoga Division will be holding its first event of the new season today at the U.S.98 Istokpoga Park ramp in Lorida. This is a member's only tournament.

For more information, contact John Woods at 863-412-9095. You may join at the ramp - cash only — prior to safelight launch. Weigh-In time and place is at 3 p.m. at the U.S. 98 boat ramp. Come out and see what experience brings to the scales.

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.

Share this:

* To:
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Personal Message [optional]: