FISHING: Morning Bite Improving Daily

Today is the third day after the full moon and also the tail end of a front which moved through our area slowly over the last three days.

This is not good news for the fishermen.
However, there is some hope if he knows where the fish have been recently, with an exact knowledge of the right place and time.

Temperatures have been dropping, which is promising news since it means the pre-staging of bass starts soon if it already has not. On many lakes, reports of spawning bass being caught are circulating in several bait stores and fish camps.

The morning bite, as I have been stating for the last few weeks, is improving daily. A few more degrees drop and bass should liven up in the mid- to lower-70s water temperatures.

The best daily migration should occur between 8 and 11 a.m. But if you don't mind getting up at 4 a.m. and heading to the lake to start fishing by 5 a.m., you'll get in on the major migration which ends at 6 a.m. The end is when the larger bass feed so it could be the right call for today and tomorrow morning.

Fishing Facts

The larger bass hold in ambush points on the outside of feeding areas, and, if need be, will move in to locate their meal. But many times their meal comes to them after it's had its meal. Big bass know to save their energy and wait along the migration route for the less knowledgeable bait fish to return from feeding.

Fishing Report

The reports this week are unanimous in their conclusions: Bass are hitting on all the lakes, all the fishermen has to do is to be there at the right time of day. Going early in the day and spending four hours, or arriving at the lake four hours before sundown, should prove to be successful.

Clear lakes use watermelon-red-type color bait, and in stained lakes use the always-reliable black- and blue-type colors. If in doubt, bring a variety and keep switching until you get the first strike. I believe you'll find that action is more important than color in most cases. Jigs are starting to attract reactionary strikes again, so try those, but be forewarned: The majority of the time a jig attracts the larger bass, so hold on.

Other News

SOS Florida Lakes Inc is having their next open public meeting on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Lorida Civic Center. The subject of "Lake Istokpoga real estate property values and taxes" will be presented by Chip Boring of RE/MAX Realty in Sebring. Updated information, provided by the lake management agencies - FWC, DEP, SFWM, and ACE, to SOS Florida Lakes Inc - will be provided at the meeting.

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass fishing tournament is open to the public. Next Event: Oct. 31 on Crooked Lake. Time: 7 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 86-3-385-8007 (home) or 863-446-1310 (cell) or bassbutchie60@aol.com. Or contact Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.

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.