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Lake Toho Specks Are On Fire

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mark Cook.

Local anglers have been slowed recently with high winds, but the fish don't seem to mind as those willing to brave the cold were rewarded with above-average catches.

Medard Park anglers have been chasing the specks hard over the deeper holes southwest of the boat ramps. Most are tight lipped but judging by the sales of minnows, there is no doubt fish are being caught.

Same for Lake Tarpon, where speck anglers are just getting started, but early reports show good numbers and good size when working the deeper open water with minnow-tipped jigs.

For those willing to make a drive, Lake Toho has been the hottest speck lake in Central Florida with limits very common and fish up to 14 inches. Toho guide Bill Whipple reported one of the best early speck seasons in recent memory, saying some anglers are getting limits in only a couple of hours. Most anglers are fishing minnows in the open waters near Makinson Island and around Marker 26. Slow drifting in 6-12 feet of water is doing the trick and filling the coolers.

Whipple, who primarily targets bass, had a productive week despite cold weather and windy conditions. Shiners are the trick this time of year, according to Whipple, who said artificials have been slow from Toho south to Kissimmee. Whipple also reported seeing buck male bass sniffing the shallows with some juvenile females close behind.

For charter trip information, contact Mark Cook at (813) 846-9277 or send an e-mail

to tribfishing@aol.com.

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