Cloud Cover Brings Better Daytime Bite

Today at 8:02 p.m. we're just two days away from the full moon.

The peak daytime feeding period occurs from 10 a.m. to noon today, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, and 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. If the weather forecast holds true and we do experience the low pressure system - which should have moved into our area yesterday and continue into today - the beginning of the lunar peak period should be the best time of day to hook into a memorable fish.

However, this full moon occurs late in the evening, which means the nighttime bite will be the better migration of the day if there is no cloud cover. Since cloud cover is more likely, the daytime bite should be better than expected.

As far as a late afternoon bite, the prospects are dismal at best, unless the weather triggers fish to break the lunar pattern influence due to a drop in barometric pressure.

The weather conditions will dictate the level of success the angler experiences. Remember, weather conditions always trump lunar patterns - at the very least expect to adjust your strategy in accordance with the every-changing weather conditions.

Fishing Facts

Weather conditions can completely negate lunar influences.

More often than not, if you don't seem to locate fish during the forecasted lunar events, it's because of the weather. If an extreme high-pressure system arrived just as the full moon occurs, the results will be dismal at best. Likewise, if a low pressure system arrived six hours before or after the full moon, a feeding migration will be triggered when you didn't plan to be on the lake,

Fishing Formula

Plan to arrive at your fishing "hot spot" just before mid-morning, but check the barometer when you get up to see if it will work for or against your plans. The dusk full moon is a tricky lunar influence to work with this time of year. Since most of the low pressure system moves through our area here in Florida in the afternoons, the forecasted lunar peak period might just end up being non productive,

Your formula will have to be in synchronization with the weather conditions this weak - unless you're into nighttime fishing.

Fishing Fiction

"Fish bite best during the full moon".

This is only true during daylight hours if the event occurs during the day - which it doesn't this month - and cloud cover occurs during the night. Otherwise it is true for the nighttime angler, which is the case this month.

The new moon is actually the best daytime lunar event of the month whether it occurs during the day or night.

Fishing Feature

In talking to many bass anglers this week, one bait was credited more than any other for triggering the "big bass bite."

Anglers boasted of setting the hook of their favorite jigs, pitched and flipped into all kinds of vegetation, Half-ounce jigs with a variety of trailers produced some excellent results in lily pads, pencil reeds, and cattails.

Many anglers chose to put down their favorite plastics after they didn't seem to perform as well as they have over the last few month.

"Jigs trigger an attack-type strike," said one angler. It is true that large bass strike jigs for the purpose of killing a potential enemy - crawdad - which feeds on bass eggs.

The water temperature has cooled just enough to start bass to prepare for the upcoming spawning season. The largest, most dominant bass are starting to move into spawning territories was an opinion expressed by several anglers.

Fishing Flash

The Lake Istokpoga fall aquatic weed treatment is finished, and in a few weeks, Fish and Wildlife will start their hydrilla research in preparation for a December major treatment event. The evasive weed has expanded throughout several areas north of the islands and will be the primary target of the winter Aquathol helicopter treatment.

South Florida Water Management District has been releasing water through the S-68 structure gates to keep the lake level from rising above the high pool limit of 39.5 feet above sea level. For the last two weeks, all three gates have been open about two to three inches to balance the inflow from Arbuckle Creek.

Fish have been reported in both hydrilla and shoreline vegetations.

Right now, the chances of boating a trophy bass from the shoreline areas are the best since 2004. The tournament winners have been split between hydrilla and shoreline vegetation because of the higher level causing bass and bait fish to move into areas other than hydrilla. However, hydrilla still provides the best cover for feeding and spawning.

Fishing Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is Oct. 15 on Lake Josephine. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 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.