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Highlands Today

FISHING: Afternoon Bite Sees Steady Increase

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Dave Douglass

Published: January 27, 2008

With the last-quarter moon happening on Wednesday at 5:03 p.m., the afternoon bite will steadily increase in duration and intensity to the end of the month.

The best time to head out to the lake is mid-morning when the feeding migration starts and the bass are on bed, or preparing to go on bed, feed and guard their territory.

The bedding bass looks to locate a protected area with adequate fresh, clean water which means the angler should be looking in the southwest sections of lake structures, such as sandbars, islands, weed beds, hydrilla, rocks, and ledges or steep inclines.

The water temperatures are in the middle to lower 60s, which is perfect for the Florida largemouth spawn. Oxygen levels are higher and the predators are not feeding as frequently as in higher temperature water, so the chances for a successful spawn are great.

Other News

Lake Istokpoga is currently being worked on by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FFWC) in areas of Big Island and the West Wall. Airboats will be used first, followed later by helicopters treating the larger sections of Big Island's cut boat path..

South Florida Water Management (SFWM) has not released any water as of writing this report. The recent rains south of the lake have successfully postponed their need for Istokpoga water. The graph provided with this article shows the release schedule SFWM can use if rain does not arrive in a timely fashion for the farmers.

A hydrilla plan is presently being formed by the DEP and will be presented to the Lake Istokpoga Management Committee this Wednesday for review and discussion. Presently there is no set date to start treatments, however it's a safe assumption to think work will start in the first few weeks of February.

Highlands County has been treating hydrilla at the requests of lake residence and business owners who are experiencing access hardships due to the growth boat traffic promotes by carrying the aggressive weed from the main lake to the canals and docks.

Tournament News

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event is Jan. 30 on Lake Francis 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 One Man Series Tournament kicks of their new season today on Lake Istokpoga, launching from the U.S. 98 Istokpoga Park County ramp at safelight with weigh-in at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Mike Blocher at 813-363-5266.

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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