Florida Bass fishing help

[Bass_Bully]

I'll be in Kissimmee, Fl. im mid June for a family vacation for a week and want to get away with the girlfriend to do some trophy bass fishing. I'll be about 1 hour from Toho and 3 hrs. from Okochobe(sp). Any input on which lake to fish, or any other lake....Guides, etc...

[Deitz Dittrich]

I went down a couple of years ago and fished for a week. I fished Toho for 3 days... Rodman for a day and Stick March/Farm13 for 2 days. Toho seemed to have the best Trophy fishery.. numbers were best on Stick... Any lake down there has the potential for a trophy, I felt I had my best chance on toho.. And was able to get my trophy there.

[mr wizard]

I have caught at least one ten pounder out of Pierce, Crooked, and Walk on Water. I go down there in March. Use BIG shiners!

[Bass_Bully]

I've heard about the big shiners. How did you fish em? I'm only going to be able to spend a day or two fishing and am planning on using a guide service. Did either of you use a guide? Are they ok with you taking a trophy fish or do they frown on it? Thanks for the info.

[mr wizard]

I have a friend that guides and catches his own shiners. Most of the big shiners, 8"-10", are sold to the guides by the bait dealers so it's tough for the regular guy to get truly big shiners. Big bait=big bass. We always run two lines, one cork set for 5'-6' deep and the other is a free swimming shiner while you drift weed patches. We never kill a fish but I have seen some kept. I know if you tell the guide your gonna kill a big fish he will most likely take you too small fish spots. Big bass = big money down there. They like too keep them in the lake.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I did use a guide, but the guy was my friend, so we just switched trips...I went down there and wanted to catch my trophy on artificials. Keep in mind I had a whole week to fish, with your limmited time, bait would probably be the best way! A guide will also help a ton, they know the lakes, they can give you the best oppertunity to get on fish.

[Wayne Ek]

I've gone down every year for the past 15 years. I use a guide most of the time. I like the St. Johns area, Lake George and little lake george. My biggest fish have been on shiners. We have caught alot of fish on plastics and traps, but shiners just (Deitz I got to do it) shine for bigger fish. I have a list of guides that I've used if you wish to e-mail me. Or check our guide listings, I do not know if we have any florida guides listed... if not, that's a mistake on their part... Rick, a new market possibly???

[carlcmc]

I fished 6-7 hours with a guide on stick marsh late may. half the day was a rain storm the rest way sunny. caugh greater than 40 bass. Most averaged in the 4 lb range. handful in the 6lb range. a few 7's and biggest was a 9 1/2 lber.

Big ones taken on Rat-l-trap in shiner pattern.

[Deitz Dittrich]

another reason I thought stick/farm 13 was so fun was the gators, they are everywhere on that lake. Just something neat to see when your not used to it.

[Bass_Bully]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll let you all know how it goes. Not going till June...can't come quick enough!

[matthothand]

A few years ago I fished Walk on Water and it was awesome. Those gators were neat to see. Unfortunately my guide and I ran out of shiners. We had 60 aboard and 5 hours into it they were gone. Needless to say I caught a lot of fish but the trip had to be cut short and I cried. Not really but I wanted to. When I take people on the lake we have enough bait for the week even if it's only a half day trip. Spend time on the phone and internet and check references and your trip will be great. Just remember it's fishing and the best guide will sometimes have a bad day...just hope that's the trip after you! Bring a camera and measuring tape. If you land your trophy make a fiberglass reproduction and let someone else catch her again and make their day. They have a great resource down there and it is a way of life for some guys. Hate to see them have to get a desk job someday cause Joe Blow and his wife wanted a skin mount. The fish are there and waiting for you. Good luck and Have fun!

[Bass_Bully]

If I do get lucky enough to land a trophy I defenitly plan on making a replica. Thanks for the reply, the day can't come soon enough...Been doing some research on the interntet and I think that lake Toho is where I will be going. It is close to where we will be staying and the number of fish are incredible!!!