Bass fish that is, and we are going over spring break. I drew a tag for my midget to hunt spring gobblers first week in April on one of the WMA's that offers special opportunity hunts. Very regulated, sweet spot, hopefully he'll tag his first Osceola.

 

But my ? is has anyone got a spot that they make trips to specifically bass fish in the sunshine state? I've fished Lake George many moons ago, early 90's but haven't been to Florida fishing since. What I'd really like are some out of the way lakes, not the high profile ones like Toho or Okeechobee. You can only hunt 'til noon, and my boat will follow the truck all the way there!!!

 

Any advice or reports would be appreciated.:thumb:

Which area of Florida?

Which area of Florida?

 

We'll be in central Fla. I'm not opposed to hauling the boat in any direction.

We will be there a week.

I have fished with my cousin who lives down in Florida at Lakeworth it is right by West Palm Beach.

I've only fished in the Gulf along the St. Joseph Peninsula and while on a 12 day canoe trip through the Everglades. Both experiences were fantastic, so hopefully whatever you find matches up.

I've only fished in the Gulf along the St. Joseph Peninsula and while on a 12 day canoe trip through the Everglades. Both experiences were fantastic, so hopefully whatever you find matches up.

Let's hear more about this. Sounds like an excellent time.

My cousin told me most the good fishing places are invested with gators now days.

Let's hear more about this. Sounds like an excellent time.

 

It was pretty fantastic. We took what was intended to be a 14 day trip through the Everglades' Wilderness Waterway with 6 guys in 3 canoes. (Our trip was cut short when we realized our bug spray was going to run out.) Days were spent trying to make heads or tails of the maps we had and the varying wetlands. It's surprisingly hard to tell where you are when the presence of a certain geologic feature is completely dependent on the phase of the tide.

 

We always had a fishing line left trolling behind our canoes. We caught a little bit of everything: there were snappers, alligator snappers, largemouth, sea bass, gar, mullet, several fish we didn't recognize, and even a 2 1/2 foot tarpon. The tarpon actually bit onto the mullet that my buddy had failed to reel in yet. It was a miracle that it didn't tip the canoe. They didn't land it, but we all got a solid look at that thing flopping around on the end of his line.

 

Saw plenty of gators and snakes (cottonmouths a-plenty). Nights had to be spent on "gator platforms" built up in various locations of the wetlands. It made sleeping a little bit uneasy when you knew in the back of your head that there were predators more than capable of eating you roaming around out there in the dark. The worst case of "stage fright" I've ever had was when I woke up in the middle of the night to take a squirt, clicked on my head lamp, walked over to the edge of the platform, and saw a glowing pair of eyeballs staring right back at me, followed by the hiss and rumble sound that only an alligator can make. I must have stood there trying to go for ten minutes.

 

We had to check in with the rangers before we went out, and we had about a 2 1/2 hour briefing before we were allowed to go out there. Among other things, they told us that if we didn't make it back at or before our very specific check-out time, we'd better hope we're dead, because they would have to immediately set out a full search & rescue mission, the cost of which went back on the rescued party, assuming that that are rescued. It gave you pretty good reason to know exactly what you are doing.

 

Oh, and I don't care what they say about DEET, that stuff's a-freaking-mazing.

It was pretty fantastic. We took what was intended to be a 14 day trip through the Everglades' Wilderness Waterway with 6 guys in 3 canoes. (Our trip was cut short when we realized our bug spray was going to run out.) Days were spent trying to make heads or tails of the maps we had and the varying wetlands. It's surprisingly hard to tell where you are when the presence of a certain geologic feature is completely dependent on the phase of the tide.

 

We always had a fishing line left trolling behind our canoes. We caught a little bit of everything: there were snappers, alligator snappers, largemouth, sea bass, gar, mullet, several fish we didn't recognize, and even a 2 1/2 foot tarpon. The tarpon actually bit onto the mullet that my buddy had failed to reel in yet. It was a miracle that it didn't tip the canoe. They didn't land it, but we all got a solid look at that thing flopping around on the end of his line.

 

Saw plenty of gators and snakes (cottonmouths a-plenty). Nights had to be spent on "gator platforms" built up in various locations of the wetlands. It made sleeping a little bit uneasy when you knew in the back of your head that there were predators more than capable of eating you roaming around out there in the dark. The worst case of "stage fright" I've ever had was when I woke up in the middle of the night to take a squirt, clicked on my head lamp, walked over to the edge of the platform, and saw a glowing pair of eyeballs staring right back at me, followed by the hiss and rumble sound that only an alligator can make. I must have stood there trying to go for ten minutes.

 

We had to check in with the rangers before we went out, and we had about a 2 1/2 hour briefing before we were allowed to go out there. Among other things, they told us that if we didn't make it back at or before our very specific check-out time, we'd better hope we're dead, because they would have to immediately set out a full search & rescue mission, the cost of which went back on the rescued party, assuming that that are rescued. It gave you pretty good reason to know exactly what you are doing.

 

Oh, and I don't care what they say about DEET, that stuff's a-freaking-mazing.

That sounds like an amazing time man. Was there any kind of outfitter you went through or something of that nature you can direct me towards. I don't know if I can get that time off of work, but it would be something I would love to do.

I just paid the balance on the fish camp. So, now all I have to do is get there. Still not sure on where I'll fish. Several good suggestions I've received so far. I hope for good weather.

Have not fished there in many years. Reading all this makes me want to go!

Sounds like you should take the turkey gun with you while fishing Doc.... Your trip sounds like fun. Enjoy and be sure to give us a full report!

68, the midget has graduated to a 12 guage this season. He's only 12 but he's sure he's ready for the business end. Says he's tired of shooting one that "won't get it done out to 40 yards". He is a funny dude. I hope to have a great story and pics to boot.

68, the midget has graduated to a 12 guage this season. He's only 12 but he's sure he's ready for the business end. Says he's tired of shooting one that "won't get it done out to 40 yards". He is a funny dude. I hope to have a great story and pics to boot.

 

I know you know the business, but, I must say, don't let him start with 3 1/2'" mags out of that 12ga. Let him start with 2 3/4" or maybe even 3's. The 3 1/2's punish from both ends. Also, not sure of the turkey hunting hours in Florida, but if you have the chance, hunting/fishing in the month of April can be rewarding. I've had several nice fishing/hunting trips with the calls and shotgun in the rod box. Of course, you may want to check local fishing/hunting regulations to make sure it's legal.

I know you know the business, but, I must say, don't let him start with 3 1/2'" mags out of that 12ga. Let him start with 2 3/4" or maybe even 3's. The 3 1/2's punish from both ends. Also, not sure of the turkey hunting hours in Florida, but if you have the chance, hunting/fishing in the month of April can be rewarding. I've had several nice fishing/hunting trips with the calls and shotgun in the rod box. Of course, you may want to check local fishing/hunting regulations to make sure it's legal.

Yep, we've already got the 3" shells ready to roll. Shooting an 1187 that only is chambered for 3's. Have to be out of the woods at 1:00. So we will be fishing ASAP. We are staying in a great place, boat in a slip right on the St.Johns river just below Lake George. We will fish those small lakes I've heard so much about first before we trailer anywhere. I'm as excited as he is.:clap: