Mid-Morning Best Time To Fish

The week of the Full Moon is upon us which means one of the two best monthly periods for fishing is about to happen. Today through Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. - the time of the Full Moon - the lunar affect causes the smaller fish to school and the larger ones to migrate along areas: for the purpose of dominating the feeding area.

The bite starts mid-morning and lasts until very early afternoon; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The water temperature highs reach 83 and drop to 77 by sunrise. This means more fish feed sooner and longer during the lunar cycle affects. The only factor left to consider is the ever-dominating weather conditions. They trump constant factors in most part because of the barometric pressure, which acts like a power switch to a light. The pressure drops - the fish turn on, the pressure rises, - and the fish turn off.

With the recent modest rain we have had, along with two low pressure systems, the fish have experienced the "Trump Affect" which caused them to experience a major feeding migration out of sequence from the lunar and seasonal natural factors. This will slow the start of the "Full Moon Affect" which might not occur until Tuesday.

Fishing Facts

The oxygen levels in the water column are the factor, which causes fish to eat or not eat. When the dissolved oxygen levels (D.O.L.) reach at least 4 parts per million their metabolism is able to digest rapidly causing increased growth, which in turn causes a feeding frenzy. This natural law is cyclical and depends on all the key factors that control its production.

For instance in the case of man-made factors such as necessary exotic evasive weed management, the water column in treated areas experiences a dramatic drop in D.O.L. as the chemical starts to kill the intended target plant. Then after this initial affect there is a slight recovery however, the decomposition of the dying plant uses a majority of the oxygen naturally occurring in the area. Here's the part, which most people don't understand. The fish don't leave the area, and the fish don't die from the chemical - unless the D.O.L. drops very low for an extended period - but they do slow metabolically to the point of a semi-dormant state - a half-hibernation-mode.

Result is, they don't feed. There is no need for food due to the fact their world slows way down, reducing their bodies need for energy. They become lethargic and respond to nothing until this chemical breakdown process slows down or the weather provides rain and wind which drives oxygen into the area.

Here's the fact about fish. They act similar to cows when threatened by fire - the barn is the place of safety - they go there no matter what efforts are attempted to change that. The fish are the same way, they know one or two routes from where they are to their deepest area - home - and will swim straight there. In a shallow lake like Istokpoga, many areas don't really have a deep area so the fish substitute vegetative cover for the lack of the deep-hole home they would prefer. Protection is the key here so they make use of the next best choice available to them. The fact is fish stay in or go to their designated homes like a cow rushes to or stays in a burning barn.

Fishing Report

The conditions are improving slowly - but not fast enough for anglers to be happy yet. Recent tournaments demonstrate by their results, the fact Bass are not along shallow shoreline areas very often - or only for very short periods. Most success stories originate from areas of deep open water which the majority of anglers don't like to do - opting to flip and pitch. The odds of success are just about equal to playing the state lottery.

I have not heard about the panfish status lately. If you have information and/or pictures of success or if you are experiencing the opposite - please let me know using my contact info at the end of this article. There are only so many hours in a day for the Bass angler so pan fishing takes a seat way in the back. I appreciate any news on this situation in your lake.

Tournament News

Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next Event: Today - September 26th on Lake Lotella. 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 (863) 385-8007 Home, Cell (863) 446-1310 bassbutchie60@aol.com or Dwight Ameling at (863) 471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide and teacher, Bass tournament fisherman and also an officer of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474, e-mail davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org/.