Winter offers chance to chase big bass

For coastal anglers tired of trying to coax a bite out of lethargic saltwater fish in January and February, one quick remedy is to go inland and sample some of Florida's incredible largemouth bass fishing. Because the largest female bass head to the shallows to spawn from January through early April, the colder months offer prime fishing—at a time when most saltwater action has not fully turned back on.

The last few years have produced especially well for trophy bass in the 10-pound-class, some anglers believe because of the tighter harvest regulations put in place over a decade ago by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission. It takes about 10 years for a Florida bass to reach 10 pounds in most lakes, and so lots of the fish that have survived repeated catch-and-release in past years are now double-digit lunkers.

Bass spawn year around in Florida, but the most intense spawns in the southern half of the state are around the new and full moons January through March, and in the northern counties from February through April.

Florida is noted for a special strain of largemouth, Micropterus salmoides floridanus , which grows faster and reaches larger size than the more widespread northern largemouth. Over the last 40 years, Florida bass have been raised and stocked in dozens of southern states, transporting the big fish genes all the way to California and setting many state records along the way. Some of the fish in Texas and California have actually reached larger sizes than any reported in Florida.

But there's still no better place to catch a 10-pounder in winter than the waters of the Sunshine State.

The Kissimmee Chain is one of the more dependable venues, with lakes Toho, Kissimmee, Istokpoga, Hatchineha and finally the "Big O", Okeechobee, producing world-class bassing.

Captain Angie Douthit, who guides on Okeechobee has been catching good numbers of quality fish including some 10-pounders already this winter. Latest giant was a 10-8 caught by client Paul Michele of Navionics, one of 60 fish they caught and released. Here are her recommendations.

"In the morning, I'd start on the outside grass edges, then work your way in as the day progresses. Hard topwater lures such as the East Texas Big Bass lure (similar to the Devil's Horse) worked with a stop and go do well early. So do soft plastics like the weedless frogs, flapping shads, Horney Toads, bigger cut tail worms, all cranked at a medium-steady retrieve. Rat-L-Traps and spinner baits have been producing around the grass edges as well. Or you can fish a plastic worm and catch fish all day along grass edges, open pockets, cuts, grass clumps, etc. The best soft plastic colors I've found are June bug, Red Shad, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Watermelon/Red and Candy Bug."

Douthit says some good spots to try include, at the south end Bird Island and Observation Shoal, the East/West wall, Rita and Kreamer Islands and the Dynamite Holes between Clewiston and Belle Glade. She also recommends the Rim Canal, Clewiston Channel and Uncle Joe's cut. And if launching from Belle Glade, Captain Angie recommends the Tree Island area located in the rim canal on the left towards Pahokee, and also around the rocks at the Pahokee Marina. (Not coincidentally, Douthit says these same areas are loading up with spawning crappie, and should be prime on this full-moon weekend.) For more on fishing the lake, visit www.southfloridbassfishing.com.

The St. Johns River lakes, including George, Crescent and especially Rodman (actually on the Ocklawaha tributary of the St. Johns) are all famed shiner lakes, and Captain Sean Rush has been catching ridiculous numbers of big fish in Rodman this winter due to the drawdown, which has forced thousands of big bass into a pool half normal size. He's had dozens over 10, several 12's and even a couple of 13's. Rush fishes for the jumbos strictly with big live shiners, available at bait shops in Orange Springs and Salt Springs; www.floridatrophybass.com.

The Harris Chain near Leesburg continues to have some water quality issues but still turns out lots of big bass in late January and February—the BassMaster Elite tour here last year turned up tremendous catches for Shaw Grigsby, who mostly caught his fish in a grassy residential canal.

Last but not least, Lake Rosseau, an impoundment of the Withlacoochee River, is a noted lunker bass lake in winter. It fishes best with live shiners slow trolled in stump fields and along the submerged river channel.

Where ever you catch your trophy, just remember to handle her gently, photograph her quickly and get her back over the side. If you want a mount, a fiberglass fish looks better and lasts longer—let the fish return to be even bigger this time next year.