Waxing Moon Ushers In Transition

We're in the first week of the waxing of the new moon, which will produce the start of a new early-morning bite and the ending of the afternoon bite.

The next three days are transitional in nature: As the late-afternoon bite diminishes in intensity and duration, so, too, by the same amount the early-morning bite increases both in duration and intensity.

The late-afternoon bite is the major feeding migration of the day and starts at 3 p.m. and ends at sundown. As stated, Monday and Tuesday this migration dissipates as it moves into the later hours of daylight. Today it rates a 7 on the 1-10 Scale and loses one number each day this week.

The early-morning bite is the secondary feeding migration of the day and starts at 4 a.m. and ends at safe-light. Each day this week the migration builds in duration and intensity. Today it rates a 4 on the scale. Each day this rating increases one number.

Fishing Facts

Fish migrate upwind mainly due to better water clarity which also has a higher oxygen level. Also with the suspended solids - turbidity - are members of the food-chain. As the fish migrates, it feeds and swims into more suitable areas for digestion - rich oxygen zones and better clarity.

Fishing Fiction

"High winds cause fish to move downwind into the areas of heavy wave action."

In the majority of Florida's lakes this is not true.

For it to be true, a lake would have to be a deep with good clarity. In deep lakes wind does not create turbidity - stirring-up decomposing vegetation and muck - and therefore oxygen levels and the food-chain collect below the wave action depth on the down-wind side.

Fishing Flash

Lake Istokpoga has been scheduled to have rank aquatic weed removed within four area of the lake by three mechanical harvesters starting on March 30 and ending May 28 by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Arbuckle Creek, Henderson's Point, and both sides of the Big Island Cut, are the four areas to be cleared.

Vegetative materials will be deposited on existing soil-islands near the work zones. Lake management maps from FFWCC will be posted at boat ramps by SOS Florida Lakes Inc.

Istokpoga's level is currently at 38.6 feet above sea level with very little hydrilla but torpedo grass is expanding along several areas of shorelines.

Lake Manager's Contact Information:

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

Vicki Pontius Parks and Recreation Director - Highlands County, 4344 George Blvd. Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863-402-6812, E-mail: 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, E-mail: steven.gornak@myfwc.com

Tournament News

The Outback USA Crappie Tournament is open to the public and will be held monthly. The fourth event will be on April 4 and 5. 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 US-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 on April 1 at Lake Josephine 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.