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Highlands Today

Early-morning anglers reach peak period

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Highlands Today

Published: July 15, 2009

The last-quarter moon arrives at 9:53 a.m. Wednesday - exactly one week before the new moon - and it subsequently energizes the angling experience of the early-morning fishermen. However, late-evening anglers will also be setting the hook more often than they did during the past week.

Today happens to be the best angling day out of the next four days for the early-morning anglers as the feeding migration period naturally modulates later into the day as it continues on its 28-day cycle.

The last-quarter lunar phase produces its best feeding migration between the early morning hours of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. today, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, and begins to be absorbed by the approaching new moon by Saturday - forming a midday dominate migration for next week.

The early-morning bite is the major feeding migration of the next four days and occurs from safelight to 11 a.m. for the rest of the week. The peak period occurs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will reach a rating of 8-9 on the Ten Scale.

The late-evening bite gains slightly and occurs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a peak time from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a rating of 6-7 points. Look for this feeding migration to be triggered by an approaching storm. As I have said before many times, the two hours prior to a major afternoon storm always triggers fish to feed more heavily than they would otherwise.

Nighttime anglers take a hit over the next 10 days as the new moon and lunar perigee combine to create the best daytime bite week of the month. As I have previously stated, fish always feed at night. However during the Florida summer, they do so when the sun shines bright until sunset - meaning there was no daily storm activity during the day and evening.

Fishing facts

Clear, sunny days promote accelerated feeding migrations, and cloudy, overcast days slow down the fish's ability to digest food - all caused by the sun's effects on aquatic plant life's function of oxygen production.

Fishing fiction

"Cloudy days always produce more fish because they feel more secure to travel away from their hiding places and eat freely."

Although it is true that bright, sunny days usually cause fish to stay closer to protective cover in order to not be eaten by other fish or gators, it is not the case during all four seasons. In the summer, sunlight and oxygen production are primary determining factors in promoting fish to feed - where as during the winter this is not the case. Therefore, this statement is true only in the cooler months of the year (October to May).

Fishing flash

Lake Istokpoga's level is at 38.5' above sea level, with all three gates open two feet. According to the lake management agencies, the current aquatic plant biomass coverage percentage is somewhere around 8 percent to 10 percent of its 27,000 acres.

Today's angler's news flash acts as a reminder for all anglers to clean boats and props of aquatic plants when loading their boats so that lake management agencies don't have to spend more tax dollars to control invasive exotic weeds than they already do.

Also, as a bass angler, I encourage proper handling of bass during the catch and release process that the overwhelming majority of bass anglers already practice. It ensures great catches for future generations. However, if you love the taste of fish, by all means legally take your limit and celebrate life with family and friends over a fantastic Florida fish feast - crappie, bluegill and 2-4-pound bass all taste great at a summer smorgasbord.

Anglers are reminded to please keep all trash and fishing line in their boat until they arrive at the boat launch. Deposit the fishing line in the designated PVC receptacles, as most lakes have this provision to ensure a healthly bird rookery.

And please be responsible with your trash. Don't be like the people who drive by your house and throw their fast-food garbage along your front-yard roadside. Whether it's your yard or your fishing lake, you should be able to "get it" and take pride in both locations by being responsible in the same manner - keeping your place on earth clean.

Your Lake Manager's Contact Information:

Clell Ford: Lakes Management Specialist, Highlands County, 4434 George Blvd, Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863-402-6545, e-mail: Cford@hcbcc.org

Vicki Pontius: Parks and Recreation Director, Highlands County, 4344 George Blvd. Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863-402-6812, e-mail: vpontius@hcbcc.org

Steven Gornak: Biological Scientist IV, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Sub-Section, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, 3991 S.E. 27 Court, Okeechobee, FL 34974. Phone: 863-462-5190 (SunCom 761-5190), Fax: 863-462-5194 (SunCom 761-5194), Mobile: 863-697-6256, e-mail: steven.gornak@myfwc.com

Tournament news

The Monday Morning Lake Jackson Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and launches every Monday at 8 a.m. with weigh-in at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per boat with a "winner-take-all" payout. One person or two per boat, three legal (more than 14 inches) bass per boat, and one bass over 22 inches per angler. For information, call Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-273-4062 (cell).

Dave Douglass is a bass fishing guide and secretary of the Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition Inc. - FLFFC.org. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, HighlandsBassAngler.com, or e-mail him at davidpdouglass@hotmail.com.

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