Conditions ideal for early-morning bite

This is the week of the early-morning bite. Even though the moon reaches its furthest point from earth today - 41 minutes before midnight (lunar apogee) - the lunar phase will still cause fish to move into feeding migration patterns during the early-morning hours.

This first-quarter moon will occur with the help of water temperatures in the mid- to upper-70s, which is perfect for fish to feed at will. The last time this occurred was during the month of May.

Anglers will see an increased number of fish forming feeding patterns in the usual feeding areas and where there are a lot of fish feeding, there are always large trophy bass lurking in the dark corners waiting in ambush.

The opportune time to be on the water is from 6 to 10 a.m., with a definite peak period occurring from 7 to 8:30 a.m. The rating will reach 8-10 over the next three days, and if the fish actually pay attention to the lunar effects on the aquatic world, this will cause a slight increase each day, over the same period.

Remember, this feeding migration will start about 40 minutes later each day - but sometimes the fish don't read my column, remember the "village idiot?" - so by Tuesday the peak period will start later, around 9 a.m.

Fishing facts

When the water temperatures drop and remain in the mid-70s as a norm, after a long hot summer, fish feed aggressively for weeks in order to prepare for the upcoming spawning season - which has already started for the superior-genetic bass - and to regain the weight they lost during the long hot summer (this occurs more in shallow-type lakes than it does in deeper lakes).

Fishing formula

Since water temperatures have dropped from their yearly highs in the upper-80s to the perfect water temperature of mid-70s, anglers can now speed up their bait action and bait retrieve. A slow steady swimming motion is best; about two inches per second average speed when pulling through cover, otherwise about one foot per second.

Fishing fiction

"Bass don't spawn this time of year." This is flat-out wrong. I have said this many times and it bears repeating: The superior genetic species of the largemouth bass population always spawn first, early and multiple times - meaning more than twice per year. The largest spawning bass I have personally seen have been during the months of August through October and not during the traditional main spawn period of January through March.

Fishing flash

Lake Istokpoga has dropped to 39.19 feet above sea level. Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has sprayed over 20 target areas throughout the lake and around the two main islands.

Mike Bennis and Steve Klutey of the SOS Florida Lakes group supplied copies of the treatment maps at the fishing camps and boat ramps around the lake. So take note of the realtor-type kiosks next to the ramps.

Your Lake Manager's Contact Information:

FWC Largemouth Bass Research Study Program E-mail: TagReturn@MyFWC.com, or Phone: FWC Tag Return Hotline - 800-267-4461. Mail address: LMB Tagging Study, 601 W. Woodward Ave., Eustis, FL, 32726

FFWCC Fishkill Report Hot Line 800-636-0511, or go online at www.My FWC.com/contact.

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, FFWCC, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Sub-Section, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, 3991 S.E. 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

Erica Van Horn, Regional Biologist, FFWCC, Invasive Plant Management Section 2001 Homeland Garfield Rd., Bartow, FL 33830, 863-534-7074, e-mail: erica.vanhorn@myfwc.com

Tournament news

The Monday Morning Lake Josephine 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 Tournament will be on Lake Reedy, October 28 Next week's event, Nov. 4 is on Lake June. Launch time is 7:30 a.m. and weigh-in time is at noon. Entry fee is $30 per boat to be paid at the ramp. For complete information, call Paul Tardiff, home: 863-385-8007, cell: 863-273-4062, or Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.