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Highlands Today

Late Afternoon Bite Best For Fishing

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Highlands Today

Published: March 2, 2009

On Wednesday the First-Quarter Moon phase occurs at 7:46 a.m. which means that anglers can expect an excellent later-afternoon bite rating an 8 or 9 on the 1-10 scale and a fair to good early-morning bite rating a 4 or 5.

Since weather patterns always trump and influence the lunar phases, anglers must now factor, yet another cold front which arrived yesterday afternoon and will significantly slow-down the daily feeding migrations and alter any patterns which developed over the past week since the last cold front moved through our area.

The best bite period of the day, for both today and tomorrow, happens from 4 to 8 p.m. with a peak feeding migration to occur as the sun sets on the horizon. Today the winds are forecasted to subside at the same time as the water temperatures reach their daily high in the low 60s. Each day this period starts about 30 minutes later and builds in intensity and duration.

During the waxing of the Full Moon-which happens on March 11 at 2:38 a.m., four days after the Moon Perigee on the 7th-the late-evening bite becomes the nighttime bite which will constantly increase in intensity and duration and become the major daily feeding migration by this upcoming weekend.

The nighttime feeding migration currently rates as a 3 or 4 at best but within seven days will reach a 10 on the 1-10 scale.

The early-morning bite today and tomorrow will occur between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. with a peak time happening at safe-light. The current cold front will suppress this bite, so anglers will have to know exactly where fish are in order to achieve a modest success.

Fishing Facts

The day after a cold front is almost always a "bad fishing day" due to the fact that the entire food-chain feeds heavily during the dropping of barometric pressure in preparation for the coming colder water temperatures when their metabolisms slow down.

Basically, fish just shutdown and won't bite until temperatures return back to the mid-60s. If fish feed at all, it will be in shallow areas which offer healthy vegetative cover and less-turbid water.

Fishing Fiction

"Fish don't strike baits at all during colder temperatures." This is not true but it might seem true because if fish do strike it is most likely not to feed but to kill the intruder by sucking-in the food source, crushing it, and blowing it back out. Many times this occurs without the angler realizing it. By the time the angler determines he or she felt something happening on their line and attempts to set the hook, the fish is already moving back to its suspension spot to continue its peaceful rest after the interruptive intrusion.

Fishing Formula

Anglers should try using long casts, small bait, and very slow retrieves with long pauses. Be ready to set the hook at the slightest "feel" of change in the action of the bait. Chances are very good that a slight tick or tap feeling in the line is your bait being killed for disrupting a dormant non-feeding fish.

When you attempt your hook-set numerous times and come-up empty, don't forget to get out of the way of your bait as it comes flying back directly at you, with the hook fully exposed, targeting you instead of your prey.

Fishing Flash

Highlands County Parks and Recreation have continued to expand and improve the Lake Istokpoga Park facility, adding two additional pavilions and improvements to the bathrooms. In January the boardwalk and dock area also were renovated by adding a new deck and more roofed seating areas for anglers and sightseers to use.

Your Lake Manager's Contact Information:

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

Vicki Pontius Parks and Recreation Director - Highlands County, 4344 George Blvd. Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: (863)402-6812, Email: VPONTIUS@hcbcc.org

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

Tournament News

The Outback USA Crappie Tournament is open to the public and will be held monthly. The third event will be on March 14 and 15. Entry fee is $5 and anglers can fish any lake of their choice and weigh-in on any day at Outback USA at 14021 US-27 South. Application can be picked up at Outback USA which is half way between South Sebring and Lake Placid, on route 27S. Store hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

The Monday Morning Lake Jackson Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and launches every Monday morning 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).

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is today at Lake Placid Time: 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) or 863-273-4062 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at -863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass-fishing guide and CEO of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, HighlandsBassAngler.com, or e-mail him at davidpdouglass@hotmail.com.

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