George Welcome

The heat is on but the fishing remains much the same as it has for the bulk of the summer. The bass are being located along the old submerged irrigation ditches of Farm 13 with the occasional bass being found on the Marsh. Of particular interest has been the center ditches, both E/W and N/S. However ignoring the other ditches could be a mistake. One of the trips out in the area was to Goodwin, (a small lake just north of the Marsh/Farm. Don Willis and I ventured forth in is aluminum boat for a 1/2 day of quiet and fun. Big fish of the morning was caught by Don just prior to quitting. Catches on the Marsh have been averaging between 15-20 fish, but there have been some tough days also that netted far less. However even with numbers down every day has seen at least one big bass. Unfortunately, not all have made it closer than the side of the boat as adrenalin kicked in and caused a brief brain failure. On those days that the wind doesn't blow it can be just a bit warm out there, however most days that I have fished we have been lucky and had some breeze for at least part of the day. Water levels are up so navigation isn't much of an issue at this time. The chance of hitting an unseen stump or floater are still there however so be cautious. Road conditions have been good compared to years gone by, but travel enough and it will get you. I just had to spend $1000.00 on front end work on the truck which is a ritual every few years. See you out there: say hi if you get the chance.

Go to a Carolina rig.

Yikes: "Most tournament fisherman simply do not know bass habits and fish unproductive water hoping to catch bass with a magic lure or presentation."

C24 canal spillway -

Fish and Game sets the record claim and they have it as previously quoted. I went to their claim because I didn't want anyone to think "George said". I am sure that their are bigger gators out there. Fish and Game regularly move gators that approach the 13' mark from our local lakes and move them out into the marsh areas if they are notified of their presence. As for visible sheer numbers - I know that both the Marsh and Garcia have scads of the little puppies. I have fished with as many as 24 within casting distance of the boat. Every year Fish and Game harvest thousands of eggs so as to ensure a steady recruitment even if for some reason, forces of nature would have made it otherwise. A quote from the Sun Sentinel: Earlier, Officer Jorge Pino, spokesman for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the department had witnesses who had seen a woman matching Jimenez's description dangling her feet over the water's edge, but no one saw an attack, Pino said. The above being in reference to the jogger that was killed in Davie.

Malaleuca Lake. South end of Green River Parkway A fishing report I wrote in 2002: Everyone is going to be saying: "Where the heck is that Lake Malaleuca"? This is a small lake in the town of Port St Lucie. It is probably only 8-10 acres but it really looks good and we have been wanting to get out on it. The weather report for today was pretty poor so it was an ideal morning to give it a try. We started at 8 and quit by 11:00. Our mode of transportation was a 16 foot canoe. I think even if the rain didn't get here we would have still got off the lake because just about everything is hurting right now. Gonna have to sell that canoe thingy and get something better for the small waters. (better for my body that is) Aches and pains aside we had a very good morning and some very pleasant supprises. The fish we were catching were 2.5-3.5 pound chunks until about 10:00 AM when Scott got hammered by a serious rod bender. Once to the boat she weighed 2 ounces short of 8 pounds and has convinced us that we need to fish this lake just a tad more. The lake is a round saucer that has been out in the woods for years. It is man-made and I would guess that its main function is flood control. We fished it with Texas rigged plastics. If you live in the area and want to have some fun on a small lake that is peaceful than this place is made for you. Please: Catch and Release!

Snook from Prima Vista go south - bass go north.

You would be amazed at the numbers of bass over 10 pounds that aren't reported all across south Florida, and my guess this holds true for Texas. Mexico is a destination to experience! Superior vistas, huge bass, and numbers await anyone that wants to go there. My last trip to Huites netted over 700 bass to 13.5 pounds. Not too shabby. That being said, I have had many clients that have fished Mexico for that illusive 10-pound bass, and the same can be said for those from Texas. They weren't successful there, but they were successful here. Randy Myers, lead Biologist for District 1D in Texas says Amistad is the lake to head to for that state. If I were looking to go elsewhere I would be looking at the overall quality of location, not just sheer numbers and weight. There is nothing like a relaxing day on a scenic body of water.

Malfunction.

Check out prices for the hardware - you might find the dealers pricing not so far off depending on system used.

SIZE Female alligators rarely exceed 9 feet in length, but males can grow much larger. The Florida state record for length is a 14 foot 5/8 inch male from Lake Monroe in Seminole County. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10 1/2 inches long) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. Golf course gators are a bit more dangerous because of the garbage tossers. Those that are eating lunch and are too lazy to walk to a garbage pail with their leftovers, using the ponds instead as a receptacle, are the cause.

OH YEA??? I ain't never gonna fish no more! :'(

If you want to know if a full moon increases night fishing than check some of the scientific studies of light penetration on a full moon into perfectly clear water. You might be surprised at just how much or how little the effect truly is. If the water level isn't tidal controlled, the moon doesn't affect bass. Of course since this is an animal that lives by no rules you might find it controlling your situation immensely.

That's what I am going to do - yep, that's it.

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In spite of wearing a heavy application of sunscreen on my face, arms and hands, a bluefish chomped my fingers down to the bone, causing a bloodbath Does that count? Roger Gotta watch out for razor-mouth.

For your situation it was a missed hook set, not a missed strike. That fish almost certainly felt the hook so a chance of getting it to hit right away would be very slim. Coming to the surface was that fishes way of checking to be sure it was free: that and of course it's way of saying, ha. On missed strikes such as with a top water bait, then the bass will return to its original location. A well placed plastic will probably catch that fish.

No

Color matters: Stained water = dark colors; Clear water = light colors

Let that tank air well before you put a shop vac anywhere near it. Ka-Boom.

Russ: I have removed remnants of hooks, and hooks that were so rusted that they fell apart. I would say that those were there a long time.

Pictures and weight guessing don't go together well, but congratulations on a very nice fish. Enjoy!

Some years ago I did seminars titled "share and learn". I tell my clients to bring their GPS if they wish. I truly believe that the more you share the more you learn. That includes helping as much as you can on your lake. Whatever you give will be returned many times over. D4u2s0t: congratulations!

Not bad for a beginner. E-mail me any time you want info. ;D :

There is a great deal of difficulty in coming to grips with the effect that weather has on "Bass". In reading, remember to temper each statement with "it seems or appears to be", as what one finds as a deterrent to "bass" catching, another finds helpful. I check wind strength and direction prior to each outing. Other than that, I go fishing. If I hear thunder I leave the lake and don't return until it has passed.