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First Glimmer Of Sunlight Triggers Last-Minute Feeding Frenzy

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Dave Douglass holds a 9.12-pound bass he caught in the Hydrilla last week, north of one of the treatment areas on Istokpoga.

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Highlands Today

Published: November 26, 2008

The new moon occurs Thrusday at 4:55 p.m., which means that today should prove to be an excellent day for all types of anglers.

The total absence of moonlight combined with the cooler water temperatures should significantly slow down the regular nighttime feeding and noticeably increase the daytime feeding to make up for what was lacking over the last 12 hours.

The major daytime feeding migration period is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today and the peak feeding should be at the latter end of the session. The reason for this is that the water temperature doesn't reach the lower- to middle-60s until 2 p.m. and therefore the fastest metabolism speed and digestion won't happen until that time.

Nighttime fishing will be at a monthly low tonight in terms of catching limits. As is always the case, if you happen to locate a concentration of fish and determine the right retrieve action and speed, there's a slim chance for a less-than-par result, but this will only be experienced by the angler who is "in-the-know" regarding current holding patterns.

Even though the peak daytime feeding period is during midday, there still is very good odds that a safe-light bite will be a 5 to 6 on a scale from 1 to 10. Since fish feed all night no matter what the moon phase is and the weather conditions are, and since fish will have to travel further and look harder to find hiding bait fish to eat, the day's first glimmer of sunlight will trigger an accelerated last minute feeding activity in prime daily migration routes.

All things considered, today's peak period should reach a daily rate of 7-8 on a scale from 1-10, and perhaps a 9 or 10 if the angler already possesses the knowledge of where the fish are or have been during the last three days.

Fishing Facts

The top genetics of the Florida largemouth bass species are in the spawning mode right now. At this very moment all over the state, the oldest, wisest trophy bass are being courted by aggressive males who have prepared beds in areas protected by the northerly winds.

Fishing Formula

As with all new- and full-moon periods, the three days prior and after are the best days of the month to go fishing for all types of fish.

Since this is one of those times, you should be on the lake before safe-light to take advantage of the early morning hungry fish who did not find the normal food supply they're used to during the night.

Start off by working the deeper areas where vegetation is healthy, and that leads to clean shallow water open areas. The west side of the lake will warm up first and then the north end second. If the wind is not too strong, these areas should have the larger concentrations of fish.

So, plan your fishing strategy from west, northwest, northeast, east and then south. The difference in lake water temperatures west to east by mid-morning will be about three or four degrees, and this will be even greater than that in areas less then two feet.

Use smaller baits and light lines and weights first and cast an occasional top-water bait to check the level of aggressiveness the fish are in. If they'll hit top-water baits, they'll hit anything. I have found that small bait, modest noise, and very slow retrieve speeds with a lot of pauses works best.

However, if you happen to locate a concentration of active feeding fish they'll most likely hit a faster retrieve.

It's always best to try your first cast with a slow retrieve and if that doesn't produce, do the opposite on the next cast; burning fast loud retrieve through the same area you casted the first time. From here you should gradually back off from both extremes, every other cast until you promote your first strike. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway.

This only works if you are working in an area which - you already have proven during the past few days - holds active fish

Fishing Fiction

"Largemouth bass do not spawn in open water."

This is absolutely not true.

Ask any Lake Istokpoga bass angler where the majority of spawning bass were caught last spawning season and you'll be told, "out in the open water in three to seven feet of water depth, especially on the south and west sides of the islands where wind and wave action was significantly less than the rest of the lake.

Fishing Flash

If you're planning on fishing Lake Istokpoga today or anytime in the next week, you need to be aware of the hydrilla areas which were recently sprayed with the contract herbicide, Aquathol Super K.

Because of the predominate northerly winds since last Tuesday and Wednesday (days of the helicopter spraying) areas south of those large target treatment zones will be affected - you won't catch any fish because of the fast acting chemical using all the available oxygen in the dying and decomposition process.

If you don't find maps at the boat ramps - I was on that lake Monday and Tuesday and the map kiosks were empty - you can print a copy of the treatment map by going to SOSFloridaLakes.org.

Fish won't be actively feeding normally in those areas until Dec. 8.

It should also be noted that the treated areas are not the only areas affected by the wind blown chemical, it also affects the other vegetation areas to the south, west and east of those target areas.

For instance, along the west shoreline from Henderson's Point southward, about 2 miles has heavy chemical activity going on today. The same is true for the southwest corner of Bumblebee Island, including Little Islands (or as some call it, The String Islands). Also Istokpoga Shores Point southward is completely affected and should be avoided.

Fishing Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is today on Lake June. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-446-1310 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at -863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass-fishing guide and bass tournament angler and CEO of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, or e-mail him at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org.

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