Florida Bass this time of year

[shiltsy]

Anyone know what general stage Florida bass are in this time of year? I was going to do an offshore trip Wednesday that is canceled because of high surf. Largemouth might be a decent backup plan if the timing is right.

I'll be in Tampa. Last time I bass fished the area was in the fall and we had an absolute blast.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I believe the spawn is around March down that way but they have been having very cold temps lately, as have the rest of the country. Florida strain bass are pretty temp sensitive but Id say go for what do you have to lose?

[Superduty]

I am also going to Florida, but in early February. The fish should be on the beds in February most years. The recent cold snap might push things back a little.

[TR21HP]

They just had the Southern Open on Okechobee. You might want to check out what the pros used and what patterns where available.

[NTW]

If I remember right... I think Lane was talking about the fish being in spawn during the Southern Open.

[Sherpa]

I'm going to be in the Orlando area in early february. I'm thinking about renting a boat for the day on lake Toho. Does anyone have any experience fishing this area?

[Pherris]

I fish Florida a couple times every year. Toho is a great lake but it is very intimidating. It looks like everywhere you cast would be a fish but not the case. So deciding where to fish is like a needle in a haystack. Also it is nothing like MN lakes but more like Mississippi backwaters. No real depth or structure and lots and lots of grass, milfoil and hydrilla everywhere you look. Before I would rent a boat I would look to hire a guide. Also if the wind kicks up it can get real ugly real fast. Kind of like Mille lacs because it is shallow and flat all around. I would recommend the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 instead. No boat rental that I know of but there is some good guide services. You will find them if you Google “stick marsh fishing” you will get all the info on it. Also if the Ganders in FL rent boats there are some really good small lakes near Orlando that have fantastic bass fishing. The guys a Bitters Baits (Jim Bitters brother) in Longwood are very helpful. I am sure you could give them a call and they will help you out. There are some giants down there and even you don’t get a lot of fish you will be on open water while your buds are home sitting in a shack or like me staring out the window like the little kid in "The Cat in the Hat" waiting for open water. I also know that you can rent a boat at the Disney complex and that is supposed to have some decent bass in it too. Good Fishing!!

[Sherpa]

Pherris, thanks for the response/info. I will definitely consider the stick marsh. I was thinking about a guide at first but realized I could save money by just renting a boat on Toho. I'm sure I would do much better with a guide but as you said at least I will be on open water either way. I will be pulling my buddy away from his wife and kid while they are on vacation so I'm basically going to leave it up to him to decide how much time we can put into fishing. We will be pretty close to Toho so most likely that's where we will fish. I'm still researching the options though. Anyways, thanks again for the info. I will make sure to post on here about how it goes.

[Pherris]

Sherpa,

No problem I hope you slay em. My brother in law lives there I guess he smacked them yesterday. I will tell him to update this thread on whats going on. Whaen will you be down there?

[Sherpa]

I'm getting there on the 8th of next month. I'm thinking about going fishing on the morning of the 9th. That's nice to hear the fishing is good. That would be so nice to have a great day of open water fishing. Plus that might convince my buddy to get out again while we are there.

I see you are from Bloomington. I grew up there.

[HellP]

hey shiltsy,I am doown in the Orlando area fishing with my brother.We have been out to the winter park chain of lakes,and Ivanhoe lake the bass are on the beds water temp is 64-66.I have been using shakey head with a gambler giggy worm our a jig and pig,junebug color.Just move slow and quiet and throw at the beds.Also 10-12 water depth throw a luckyStrick rattel trap,D-1Baby over the grass.Good fishing to you let me know how you did.HellP