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Highlands Today

Lighter Days Call For Your Brighter Bait

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Dave Douglass

Published: January 30, 2008

Today, the last quarter moon happens at 5:03 a.m., which causes the major fish migration to take place very early in the morning.

A secondary migration takes place in the middle- to late afternoon, which in this particular case really isn't secondary but nearly equal to the primary migration in duration and intensity. The weather conditions will determine which of the two periods produces more fish in the favorite holes on the lake.

You might have heard it said that a Junebug-colored bait works in most cases here in Florida. It's a good color to start out with when you're unsure of which color to use. Now, each bait company offers a slight variation of the "Junebug" color. Some are predominately green, and some purple — it's best to use both, and switch if you find that your hook sets are in the corners of the fish's mouth.

Fishing Facts

Bait-color selection is a much-debated subject, but for what it's worth, I've found that the general rule is, "Darker days use darker colors, lighter days use lighter colors, and on the brightest days add a flash of silver or gold flake to the brighter colors."

The ability of the sunlight to penetrate through the water column is the key factor which must be determined. By switching bait colors while you're catching fish is the only way you'll learn exactly how the fish sees the bait. It's always interesting when there are three of more people in the boat, to have each angler using a slight variation of a color spectrum, much can be learned.

Fishing Report

Lakes June, Placid, Jackson, Istokpoga, and Crooked all provided anglers with typical Florida largemouth bass spawn memories this past week. Eight, nine, and a few 10-pound bass were boated and the fish stories created to last for generations.

If the boat access ramps

are able to be navigated safely despite the lower lake levels, chances are better to locate the spawning bass. They have less water to hide in, and if the angler is willing to try different styles of rigs using the bathymetry of the lake instead of targets to cast, pitch and throw toward, he'll find more fish and become a more proficient angler — perfecting the art.

Other News

Lake Istokpoga water levels remain at 38 feet, four inches above sea level due to the fact enough rain has fallen south of the lake for the agricultural interests there. South Florida Water Management (SFWM) will not need to release water — using their deviation approval supplied by the US Army Corp on Jan. 11 — as long as rain occurs in the area between lakes Istokpoga and Okeechobee.

SOS Florida Lakes Inc is having their annual open meeting at the Lorida Civic Center on Jan. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All the lake management agencies have been invited to come and take the floor and present an overview of last years work results, and their plans for the up coming year. Lake Istokpoga will be the central point of discussion.

Tournament News

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event is today 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 Bass Istokpoga Division will be holding its second event of the new season next Sunday, Feb. 3 at the U.S. 98 Istokpoga Park ramp in Lorida. This is a members-only tournament. Fore 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.

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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