BassinLou

Hey JM, did you make out to the flats after all? Although you had a slow day, you still managed to catch a few. Well done.

You're welcome.

@hawgenvy I just took this off the FWC website, inregards of using bluegill has bait. http://m.myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/taking-bait/

Honestly don't know. Wish i could provide you with recent info but I haven't been out there in a very, very long time, and as far as in the middle of nowhere canal. There are several flat's entrances, and locations. My best recommendation besides consulting with someone who has fished that area lately, is looking on FWC's website for flat entrances.

This time of year, if you can find access to skinny water out there you will find the fish. The flats will be your better bet. Remember, if you do choose to access the flats you must display an orange flag. You will find the requirements on FWC's website.

Thanks for the report George. Happy you found them.

Very nice fish!!

You know what? You are right. On my way to the Lake this past Saturday, I saw several FWC along the way, and I guess they have several duck hunting checkpoints. Sad thing is, I stopped to fish the canals along 27 past the Holey Lands and someone discarded about 4 dead ducks whole. Don't know what that was about but it was shame nonetheless. Oh and FYI, the fishing was worse along 27 than the Lake if you can believe that. Lol.. Good news is, if you like chasing after nice Oscars, the canals were full of them.

I really like it. I find it helps a lot. When the time comes and I upgrade to my next rig, I will max out the TM capacity and have 2 Ninja blades. That will REALLY make a difference. Lol!!

I upgraded my trolling motor and bought a ninja blade because of our thick vegetation in some areas... lol!! I use, and manipulate my TM so that the blades are as high towards the surface of the water as possible. I will only use my outboard until I am in a clear area and get up on plane as quickly as can. Once the grass does wrap around the prop though, you will need to raise the motor and do your best to remove it. It requires a balancing act that's for sure.

Big Gambler Tourney out of Clewiston this weekend, maybe that's why.

JM526, I launch from Slimms out of Torrey Island. As far as way points, here's what I can tell you. If you head West on the Rim canal you will come across a cut 1/4-1/2 mile from the ramp. That's one of several huge flat entrances. If you choose to continue West after you pass the South Bay RV boat ramp and there will be another cut entrance about 2 miles from that ramp. As I said these "cuts" have trails that leads to the Lake. On these flats and trails there are spots galore. You have to take your time and get to know these areas one trip at a time. I have have been focusing on these areas for more than a 1yr and half now and I have only fished the "Lake" a couple of times. That tells you the volume of fishing areas this lake has to offer. Google earth will be very helpful also. As far as the rim canal goes, historically the canal offers good fishing when the water level is just right. Right now, good luck fishing the rim with this high water and the constant wind pushing the water South. The rim canal was really stained this past weekend, and these fish don't like dirty water too much. The cuts and trails had very clean water with 5+ft visibility . Best of luck fishing the Lake, give it time and you will get into the fish.

Bass will eat mc's, along with snook and peacock's they LOVE THEM too!!

Don't feel bad, JM. The Lake was tough this weekend. I fished it this past Saturday, managed to catch several decent bass, but I had to cover a lot of water. The water level is still high out there right now especially for this time of year. But... the water levels are slowly falling, and if water temps continue to cool off, the bigger fish will start moving in to begin staging to spawn. Hang in there, better fishing is coming soon.

I tie the same knot on all of my lines except for when I pitch and punch, then I switch over to the snell knot.

Given those were the only two choices of that particular Dobyns line, the 735 would serve you better than 734 for those techniques. If they had a Fury 736 rod, I would recommend that one.

Great job!! Nice fish !!

Amazon is another option, and you have Prime its free shipping.

Thanks for the report George. Glad you caught some, and your right, it beats sitting at home.

Water was really dirty in many sections. Find a concentration of hydrilla and the water clarity was great. Water clarity was also pretty good in the trails leading to the lake from South Bay. Good luck!!

The entrance to the Holey lands is exactly on the Palm Bch/ Broward border on the West side of US27. When you enter off US 27, the ramps will be 6 miles WEST, and the entrance to the ramps will be on the North side. You can't miss the sign, and its the only structure out there. Google Earth Holey Lands, and you we'll see what I'm saying.

Thanks for the report George. Glad you guys had a productive outing.

For HB frogs my vote will always go to LiveTargets. They may be a bit pricier but they have better hooks and will last you a lot longer than some of the other frogs on the market today. I know this because I have thrown several of the popular brands. As far as colors I keep that very simple. I throw frog colors that have white or off white bellies with no bright colors on their bottom side. For your toads, I really don't have a brand preference, for that of frog, who ever sells them cheaper gets my business.

HawgTech's would be my choice.

Get yourself the Fish grip or Fish grip Junior. The fish grip has a slot to slide your scale's hook into.