Florida Bass Fishing

This sunday I am leaving for a 7-day fishing excursion in Florida. I am staying with a bass fishing friend that has lived there for a few years but only gone out fishing a few times. We will be fishing Rodman Lake, Lake Toho and the St. Johns River. I have done a little research on the internet on these bodies of water but was wondering if anyone has ever fished these lakes/river. Any tips or suggestions, I would GREATLY appreciate it. The furthest south I have ever fished is Iowa so I need some help from my IDA buddies!!

Thanks,
Dustin

My experience is very limited but I have a friend who lives down there (Orlando). Fished a couple of time with large shiners suspended by a balloon bobber. We were in shallow water in the reeds. My largest was a 6 lb’er but they don’t even take pictures of 6 lb’ers down there.

I have been down there alot. Have a trip planned for mid March. Lots of BIG shiners and balloons. I also have had luck with #18 rapalas, silver with black back. St. Johns river is a wonderful trip. The scenery is beautiful, along with the gators. We had a couple of run-ins with gators that charged the boat as we fan casted the shoreline. The best thing about fishing with 14+ inch shiners is that if bass fishing is slow, you can pretend that you are catching big crappies But really the best sight is when that shiner jumps out of the water and there is a bass right on it heels, looking for dinner.
Call me if you have any questions.
Ron
763-350-0114

I just got back form Toho last week and it was just starting to turn on. The water temps were in the upper 50s so with the warm weather this week it should be perfect. We caught a few small fish but was just nice to be out in 78 degree weatehr on Dec 31st. A first for me. Here is a picture of my 12 year old son with his first FL bass. If you need a contact down there (not a guide buat friend) pm me.

Here’s a better view of what we were fishing in. And yes my 12 year old knows how to use a flippin stick. Been doing it over a year now. He’s great with a rat and a senko too.

Fishing with big shiners can really be a hoot. Oldest son and I went to Orlando about 5 years ago and hired a guide – John Leech – who took us to “Stick Marsh/ Farm 13 ” which is a catch and release impoundment about an hour or so south of Orlando. Son and I caught about 40 bass each per day for the two days we fished, largest weighing about 7#. We had times where there would be 2 or 3 bass chasing the same shiner. Only concern is that at that time big native shiners were about $12 a dozen as I remember. We did our part to keep the bait industry in Florida going that weekend!! We saw a lot of fish caught on cranks, rubber worms , etc also but nothing was as fast as shiners. Highly recommend!!

Ironic timing….I was on Toho Tuesday. Fishing was good, as water temps had warmed up to 65 degrees from 52 degrees the week previous. The guide said it had been the best day he’d had in 6 weeks. I caught 30 fish, all on shiners. No monstors, but a few in the 5# range. There had been a 9 and an 11 caught there over the weekend. My guide told me the big ones are caught with consistency in Feb, and that most guides are booked solid that month. Toho is considered one of the premiere bass fisheries, both in #’s and size. It is 12000 acres and very shallow (12′ max). One other tip he had….pay the money for wild shiners as compared to the less expensive domestic shiners, they are a much better bait. Also, try to get the smaller shiners available.

Thanks for the replies guys…mnfish check your pm. It looks like I might be doing some livebait fishing with wild shiners. Could anyone give any information including areas to fish? I am not looking for specific spots but rather general areas!!

Thanks,
Dustin

Me and some friends went to Fl. we fished St.Johns River,stick marsh,winter park chain,and lake Oseolia.
When in Rome,we went in Jan. and everyone down there said we could not catch bass without shiners this time of year.We where young guys that just caught the bass bug,we learned a lession that I carry with me today,don’t fish the way locals fish when you know you can do it on your own.
On that trip we learned that bass are bass no matter what part of the U.S they live.
The shiner thing is fun but so are mopeds.
Don’t let them fool you and tell you the bass will only hit on shiners in late winter.

Here is the story I received from my guide….from a percentage standpoint, the odds of catching a truly big girl(10+) is by using wild shiners this time of year. While I was there earlier this week, the crank casting bite was on, but the fish were much smaller.