Nighttime Fishing At A Premium

We have entered into the time of year when the majority feeding migration occurs during the night. The new and full moon events happen either very late or early in the day - this means daytime fishing decreases in intensity unless the weather conditions trump the lunar cycle. However, the season of the "early morning bite" starts whenever there is an early morning full or new moon, which happens to be the case tomorrow when the new moon occurs at 5:01 a.m.

So, get out on the water as soon as possible because at safe light the "big fish" is on and should be all week.

Fishing Facts

The topwater baits where made for this time of year.

From fall to spring in the southern climate of Florida, fish metabolisms change their timing from daytime to nighttime because of the cooler water holding more oxygen, and the fact that aquatic vegetation slows down and doesn't produce as much oxygen during the day and uses less at night.
No matter how you do the math, the fish end up with much more oxygen at night and therefore feed heavier than they did last four months. In early mornings, lakes dramatically experience much higher levels of oxygen allowing fish to cruise near the surface to feed.

Fishing Report

Because of the recent moderate rain, lake levels have recovered anywhere from three to eight inches depending on the lake size. Lake Istokpoga is now at 38-feet-6 inches (a foot below the seasonal norm) and Okeechobee is at 10-feet-1 inch (four feet below the seasonal norm). The Kissimmee chain of lakes is in better shape at about six inches below the normal level.

Large Mouth Bass are still moving in deeper areas of the lake for most of the day - the food chain is still thriving there, but will be moving shallower each day as temperatures drop. The cold front expected before the weekend will expedite this change.

Specs and Bluegill fishing is reasonably good by most accounts. Success has been reported along all shoreline vegetation. Bluegill are spawning in the shallows, so there's plenty of action in those areas.

Other News

S.O.S. Florida Lakes Inc is having their next open public meeting on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Lorida Civic Center in Lorida.

The subjects are "Hydrilla Lake Management," and "Istokpoga Levels." Guest speakers addressing Hydrilla issues are Vicki Ponius and Carl Smith from Highlands County and representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and I will be addressing lake levels.

I hope to see you there. Let's work together to create lake management at it's finest. Visit their Web site for more information at www.sos-floridalakes.org or www.istokpoga.info.

Remember to check your boat when loading after using a lake with Hydrilla. Let's make sure not to carry it to other lakes. A little prevention by all of us costs us less money in a long run.

Tournament News

Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public today on Lake Josephine from 7 a.m. to noon. The pay at ramp entry fee is $30 per boat and one person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007, 863-446-1310, email him at bassbutchie60@aol.com or contact Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.

HT3 Outdoors Florida Team Open - second of the year at Camp Mack on the Kissimmee River and Lake Kissimmee. The 125 team event with the weigh-in event from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. For more information visit there Web site at www.ht3outdoor.com or call 352-735-5022.

The Bay Area Bassmasters tournament fishing club will be at the Highlands County Istokpoga Park boat ramp on Saturday. The weigh-in event is at 3:00 p.m. at the dock. For more information, visit their Web site, www.bayareabassmasters.com.

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide, teacher, Bass tournament angler and vice president of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes Inc. You can reach him at 381-8474, email at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites at reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org.