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New early-evening bite looms

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2009

The fishing forecast for the rest of the week won't be as good as the previous three days. That spectacular "bite" will now decrease in intensity and duration as it moves into the afternoon, but by Friday evening, it should pick back up and become the new early-evening bite.

Today, the mid-morning bite will be the best feeding migration of the day, starting at 8 a.m., peaking at 9 a.m. and ending around noon. The rating might reach 7, but more than likely average one point less than that. Thursday, this rating will drop one point and move later into the day by an hour and a half.

On Friday and Saturday, the major feeding migration of the day will occur between the hours of 5-9 p.m. with a peak period happening between 6 and 7 p.m. The rating will reach 7 to 8. If the days cool down slightly, this bite will really become aggressive - a perfect situation in which to throw top-water baits as the sun disappears over the horizon.

Fishing formula

Don't forget: With the cooler water temperatures, fish, and especially bass, will really start to become aggressive to the point where the predator-sized females will rush to the surface to engulf a frog or wounded bait-fish.

Changing your retrieve speeds is where your success will come. The days are still hot enough to slow big bass down slightly, but in the early mornings, the water is cool enough for digestion to occur at the highest rate. So, the right action in the morning can be much faster than what is required in the afternoon to evening hours.

Fishing fact

The trophy bass will be staging in secondary structures and vegetation areas, which are along the shortest routes leading to shoreline points. If you take the time to learn these types of areas and vary your bait speeds, you'll be setting the hook on a monster. Now all you have to do is get her to the boat deck for some pictures and measurements and e-mail me the results.

Good luck

Note: Today's article is short due my involvement with the Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition Annual Open Meeting in Orlando hosted by Bass Pro Shops.

Your Lake Manager's Contact Information:

FWC Largemouth Bass Research Study Program Email: TagReturn@MyFWC.com, or Phone: FWC Tag Return Hotline - 800-267-4461. Mail address: LMB Tagging Study, 601 W. Woodward Ave., Eustis, FL, 32726

FFWCC Fishkill Report Hot Line 800-636-0511, or go online at www.My FWC.com/contact.

Clell Ford, Lakes Management Specialist Highlands County, 4434 George Blvd., Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863-402-6545, e-mail: Cford@hcbcc.org

Vicki Pontius, Parks and Recreation Director Highlands County, 4344 George Blvd., Sebring, Florida 33875. Phone: 863-402-6812, e-mail: Vpontius@hcbcc.org

Steven Gornak, Biological Scientist IV, FFWCC, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Sub-Section Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, 3991 S.E. 27th Court, Okeechobee, Florida 34974. Phone: 863-462-5190 (SunCom 761-5190), Fax: 863-462-5194 (SunCom 761-5194), Mobile: 863-697-6256, e-mail: steven.gornak@myfwc.com

Erica Van Horn, Regional Biologist, FFWCC, Invasive Plant Management Section 2001 Homeland Garfield Rd., Bartow, Florida 33830, 863-534-7074, e-mail: erica.vanhorn@myfwc.com

Tournament news

The Monday Morning Lake Josephine Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and launches every Monday morning at 8 a.m. with weigh-in at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per boat with a "winner-take-all" payout. One person or two per boat, three legal (more than 14 inches) bass per boat, and one bass over 22 inches per angler. For information, call Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-273-4062 (cell).

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Tournament will be on Lake Reedy today. Next week's event is on Lake June on Nov. 4. Launch time is 7:30 a.m. and weigh-in time is at noon. Entry fee is $30 per boat to be paid at the ramp. For complete information, call Paul Tardiff, home: 863-385-8007, cell: 863-273-4062, or Dwight Ameling 863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass fishing guide and secretary of the Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition Inc. - FLFFC.org. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, HighlandsBassAngler.com, or e-mail him at davidpdouglass@hotmail.com

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