SEBRING — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has rated Lake Istokpoga as one of the top 13 spots in Florida for catching black bass. Istokpoga and the other 12 on the list were chosen by fish biologists, "based on local experience, creel surveys, (electro-fishing) data and the site's ability to handle fishing pressure with adequate ramps and fishing access," a press release from FWC states. ...more

February 14, 2008

From today until Tuesday night, fishing and angling is about as good as it gets. If I had to pick a day and time to spend my angling money wisely, it is going to be Tuesday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. If the weather is changing — barometric drop and calming wind — I'm staying out until sundown. The major daytime feeding migration starts about mid-morning and builds in intensity and duration throughout the entire day. Factor in an approaching weather front for Wednesday and that spells "s-u-c-c-e-s-s." The additional good news is the morning bite is still excellent from the effects of the new moon and the nighttime rains the day after. ...more

February 10, 2008

A 3:44 a.m. new moon today produces a noon-time bite and your best chances of hooking into that trophy bass or filling your limit of crappie. All the moon events occur this month between the hours of 2 and 4 a.m., meaning the largest daily feeding migration happens at that time. The best we can hope for is that some of the largest fish in the lake feed again from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the weather favorably influences the fish enough to either hold off feeding during the night or feed heavily during a daytime falling barometer. ...more

February 7, 2008

The new moon happens this Thursday at 3:44 a.m., which spells bad news for daytime anglers and fishermen. The best bite period of the day starts at about noon and builds slowly throughout the afternoon and never really reaches a high level of intensity or duration. The main daily migration occurs at night, from midnight to 3 or 4 a.m. As always this time of year, there is a remote chance this week of an early-morning big bass in the known areas to hold regular larger bass, but you'll still need a good amount of luck on your side to boat one. ...more

February 3, 2008

SEBRING — The drawdown request on Lake Istokpoga was approved earlier this month by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, allowing for the lake to potentially sink down to an elevation of 36 feet if its water is needed for irrigation to the south. Neither Highlands County Lakes Manager Clell Ford nor Trails End Fishing Resort owner Gary Albin has noticed any withdrawals from the lake since the approval. Ford said, however, that the water permit holders to the lake have been allowed to use their permits again on two different days of the week. ...more

January 28, 2008

With the last-quarter moon happening on Wednesday at 5:03 p.m., the afternoon bite will steadily increase in duration and intensity to the end of the month. The best time to head out to the lake is mid-morning when the feeding migration starts and the bass are on bed, or preparing to go on bed, feed and guard their territory. The bedding bass looks to locate a protected area with adequate fresh, clean water which means the angler should be looking in the southwest sections of lake structures, such as sandbars, islands, weed beds, hydrilla, rocks, and ledges or steep inclines. ...more

January 27, 2008

Expect excellent fishing conditions for the next three days on account of the 1:35 p.m. full moon that took place on Tuesday. The angler/fisherman should be able to have great success all throughout the daytime with the peak period — if any could be labeled as such — happening in the afternoon. With the weather changes we have experienced lately, the bass spawn should still be on course and seasonal migrations uninterrupted. ...more

January 23, 2008

The first-quarter moon occurred Tuesday at 7:46 p.m., which means the daytime primary feeding migration takes place in the very late morning and continues into the afternoon. The nighttime feeding migration diminishes greatly during the next seven days and this means the daytime angler has much better chances of catching more fish, and larger fish. So, best time of the day to plan your next fishing trip is from 11 a.m. to sunset. If you decide to try mornings, you'd better be on the water by 6:30 a.m. or your chances will be slim at best for success. ...more

January 17, 2008

In last Wednesday's report, I reported the event of the new moon as happening the day before on Tuesday — this is what happens when you attempt to write on New Years day and watch football at the same time. The fact is, the new moon happens on Jan. 8 at 11:37 a.m. This means that today, the peak feeding period is at safelight (6:30 a.m.), and if there are clouds or fog in the early morning, the bite session will last longer and be much stronger in intensity. ...more

January 6, 2008

To start off the new year, the Central Florida largemouth bass angler better dig deep into his closet and put on his Canadian thermo-wear. The first major cold front of the year and winter season arrived Tuesday and does change the approach anglers will need to use to set the hook on a decent catch. Time and patience is needed in order to entice bass under the current conditions. The best times of the day to get out on the lake is from sun-up to 2 p.m., with the peak period being from noon to 1 p.m. ...more

January 3, 2008