Florida the Center of Bass Fishing

Florida has gained a global acknowledgment for its wonderful saltwater fishing, but the excellent freshwater fishing has not yet captured the widespread attention of the same amount of visitors. Residents of this state are in on the secret, however; that they have three very active freshwater clubs here in Collier County.

Tourists and out of state bass fishermen are welcome here with the amenities and lodgings available for them. Boats, equipments are for rent and this provides much convenience for travelers.

Since Florida has more than 7,500 lakes available, anglers sometimes face a hard decision about where to fish. It is really very substantial to think carefully about the lakes. The following list of Top Bass Fishing Areas with Bass Fishing rentals aims to aid anglers find a good place to catch either a good numbers of bass or to catch a trophy bass.

1. Stick Marsh Reservoir

Anglers in this river can locate bass throughout the reservoir among a variety of habitats including woody stump fields, submerged canals and hydrilla. Summer 2004 hurricanes extremely reduced levels of hydrilla throughout the reservoir, however, which can affect where bass are located. Anglers should keep this in mind when trying to pattern fish. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft jerkbaits, and topwater propeller baits are effective. Wild golden shiners are the top choice for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish.

2. Lake Tohopekaliga

Most anglers here target trophy bass use live golden shiners during early spring. Shiners are fished inshore near native vegetation or topped-out hydrilla . Plastic baits (worms, crawfish and lizards) flipped along grass edges, hydrilla, and bulrush will also catch quality-sized bass. Spinnerbaits, soft jerkbaits and chugging baits can also be very productive at times .

3. Lake George

Lake George is one of the many natural lakes on the St. John’s River. It has thorough vegetation that gives great habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other top water artificial lures are fruitful. Fishing with live shiners is a good way for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.  

4. Rodman Reservoir

Rodman Reservoir, east of Gainesville and south of Palatka, covers 9,500 acres of prime largemouth bass habitat. Since its development in 1968, Rodman Reservoir has been known for trophy largemouth bass.

5. Lake Tarpon

Anglers in this lake are most profitable in flipping or pitching plastic worms along canal and bulrush edges. Offshore bass fishing is fruitful for anglers who fish around ledges, humps, coontail, and eelgrass beds. Popular lures offshore include shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater baits. Fishing with wild shiners and live shad is also effective. 

6. Lake Kissimmee

Lake Kissimmee is the largest of five general water bodies on the famous Kissimmee River in central Florida. Lake Kissimmee is nationally renowned for producing high quality fishing. Tournament anglers on Lake Kissimmee are posting winning weights of 18 to 20 pounds of bass. Results of an angler survey shown that bass anglers had a good catch rate of 0.54 fish/hour during spring 2004.

7. Lake Walk-In-Water

The lake is located south of Orlando and east of Lake Wales, and it is just south of S.R. 60. Lake Walk-in-Water has a national reputation as an important spot to catch largemouth bass. Anglers frequently catch up to 25 bass a day with many ranging from four to eight pounds. The lake also produces many trophy bass exceeding 10 pounds each year. A 15- to 24-inch slot limit regulation and a three-bass daily bag limit are in place to aid keep up quality bass fishing. Anglers may keep three bass per day, either under or over the safe slot range, of which only one bass greater than or equal to 24 inches is allowed.

8. Deer Point Lake

Deer Point Lake is a popular largemouth bass fishing destination in Florida’s panhandle area near Panama City.

9. Suwanee River

The Suwannee River is a pristine, black water stream flowing 213 miles in Florida from the swamp-like region at the Georgia border to salt-marsh tidal creeks at the Gulf of Mexico. This river is known for trophy largemouth bass. 

10. Lake Istokpoga

Istokpoga is the fifth largest natural lake in Florida and has an average depth of only six feet. During angler surveys transported from October 2003 throughout May 2004, anglers caught 124,993 bass, of which almost 55,000 were 2 pounds or heavier, and 1,448 bass were over 8 pounds. 

11. The Everglades

The Everglades are south Florida marshlands intersected with over 200 miles of canals. Most anglers fish in the canals rather than in the marsh. Anglers work canal edges with plastic worms, soft jerkbaits, and minnow imitations. Flipping the vegetation is also a popular technique.

Wherever you decide to go, you can be sure that you can have the time of your life fishing and all at a convenience. You can just rent out a boat and eliminate the requirement to tow your own boat or worse have to buy your own. Other gears are also available as a rental for your own convenience and ease. There are also many lodges and inns plus cabins you can rent out for a weekend or more.

For more information: Click here to get your own copy of my Bass Fishing 101