Afternoon offers best fishing

The second half of this new moon week will provide anglers with a fantastic afternoon fishing opportunity.

As last week's midday bite was consistent and therefore predictable, so too will it remain as it moves later into the day and becomes a very strong intensity, long duration, middle to late afternoon bite. Anglers will find fishing results much more to what they are used to in the past now that normal seasonal weather has returned.

The daily major feeding migration of the day occurs from 2 p.m. to sunset with a peak feeding period occurring from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The rating will be at least a seven and possibly reach nine due to the daily-increasing water temperatures. By the weekend this bite will increase in intensity while losing some of the duration.

The early morning anglers can expect to enjoy a moderate intensity and duration feeding migration. The intensity all depends on how high the water temperature is 70 degrees equals lower intensity and 75 degrees a higher intensity. The bite starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m. with a rating of five and a peak at sunrise.

If there is a time of day where I would not recommend fishing it would be from 9 a.m. to noon, unless of course there happens to be a barometric decline during that period.

Fishing facts

In Florida anglers who locate areas of the lake with water temperatures in the 70s around the clock will greatly improve the odds of having a great day of fishing The Florida largemouth bass feeds heaviest in water temperatures in the 70s and spawns preferably in 60 degree water temperatures but is able to handle temps as high as the lower 80s to reproduce.

Fishing flash

The SAFER 9th Annual "Save Our Canals"Tournament has been scheduled for Saturday, April 24. Entry fees and raffle ticket purchases are the sole source of funding for SAFER's yearly agenda. For complete information, visit on the web at sfanglers.com.

Lake Istokpoga's level is currently at 39.40' above sea level. The FWC Lake Enhancement Project using harvesters is complete and will be removing equipment for the remainder of this week.

A Lake Istokpoga hydrilla treatment is scheduled for April 6, 7. Aquathol K will be applied by helicopter in five "topped-out" areas totaling 494 acres; 111 acres on the NE side of Big Island, 95 acres on the southeastern shoreline just west of Mossy Cove Fish Camp, 102 acres on the south end of Bumblebee Island, 127 acres extending along the shoreline from Windy Point boat ramp to Eagle's Nest, and 59 acres north of Windy Point boat ramp along the western shoreline.

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 more 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 today, March 17, and next week's event, March 24 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.