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Speckled Perch Bite To Heat Up

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By MARK COOK

Published: November 16, 2008

Although air and water temperatures will drop considerably this week, this should heat up the speckled perch bite on area lakes and pits.

Water temperatures are expected to drop to the low to mid-60s, which is prime speckled perch weather. The cooler weather and water temps cause the specks to school in tighter bunches and increases their appetite in anticipation of their spawning season, which is right around the corner.

Just east of Lakeland off U.S. 92 sits Saddle Creek Park, which is a series of reclaimed phosphate pits. Though they are fished a lot more frequently than the private mine pits, they are excellent waterways for speck fishermen who can't get into the clubs.

Deep ledges, sharp drop-offs, and rock piles frequent the bottom contour, which attracts bait and in turn brings gamefish like bass and specks in to feed.

Saddle Creek is a well-known catfish destination and also produces quality bass catches, but this fall speckled perch have been the main focus with numerous limits of fish better than 12 inches. Minnows are the top bait choice but small jigs are also effective if the minnow bite is off.

A little farther east is Teneroc Management Area, which is maintained by the FWCC and, like Saddle Creek Park, has an excellent speck population. Though the daily limit is less than most waterways, the size and catch ratio is generally double that of public lakes and pits.

Teneroc is open only part of the week and limits the number of boats on the water. For more information call (863) 499-2421.

One negative to this week's cold snap is a shutdown of bass fishing for a few days. Sudden temperature drops and flat barometric conditions usually cause bass to slow their feeding for at least a couple of days after a front.

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