geo g

I get it, it doesn't get any easier. At 76 and its close to 100* almost everyday. Water temps are 90* since July.. It just makes me want to keep the boat in the garage. I do fish the banks for an hour in the afternoon, the best I can do!

Wow you do a great job with your vids. I wish the weather conditions were what you showed in your vid. It's close to fall, and our water temps are still 90*, and temps close to 95* everyday here. Here in south Florida there is nothing out chasing baits in these temps, except maybe at night if you could stand the onslaught of bugs. We will get an occasional Peacock still out chasing. I can't wait for this ridiculous weather to change! Thanks for the vid, I will try the swim jigs soon. You are the best my friend!

Under fishing pressure, I will go into stealth mode. I will immediately check the wind direction, and drift silently through what I think is a previous decent fishing area. I will put out a drift bag that slows the drift even in heavy winds. I stay off the trolling motor as much as possible, and slow down presenting a down size bait. I will slowly drag the bait, sometimes letting out extra line periodically, so it stays in place longer. Many bites occur during these long pauses. Completing a pass I may power up and drift through the same area again, depending on the faith I have in this area. Slow, silent, and patience are the key. Sometimes the bass's curiosity will overcome it's weariness!

God Bless you and your family through this difficult time. I would do whatever the doctors say, to the tie! Trust the professionals, and don't go with info from the self taught! It's a touchy situation, you deserve the very best possible result. Good luck my friend, many have made it! There will be plenty of time to fish later!

In south Florida you can almost always catch bass, and peacock. But the seasons don’t matter as much as the water levels. When the water is high the bass are scattered everywhere, and many places are beyond approach in a boat with hundreds of thousands of shallow acres chock full of weeds and sawgrass. Nothing can get in there without an airboat. Bass boats can not go.. the bass navigate the stems with ease during this time. During low water conditions the fish are forced into deeper waters and out of the grass and weeds, and into the canal systems that are dredged 10 to 30 feet deep. This s when a 200 catch day is a real possibility every trip. The thick flats can go dry, or just have inches of water on them. The fish either get to deep water or become bird food for the millions of waiting birds. Low water season depends on the weather and is usually between December thru May. Fishing can become absolutely ridicules! This past winter was an unusually wet winter and spring so we never got into the low water situation, so the fishing frenzy never happened. A usual trip was 20 to 30 bass and a mix of Peacock . Oh how I look forward to those every cast days of a few years ago!

In south Florida we have many canals that dissect the Everglades and surrounding areas. These canals all have ledges on both sides that drop straight down 10 to 20 feet deep, with shallow flats at the top of the ledge. I love a wacky bait hugging the ledge, and letting it free fall straight down and then snapping it off the bottom with long pauses between snaps. This can be magical at certain times of the year. I use a zoom trick worm because it gives more action with the long thin bait, and the ends float up and wiggle while sitting still during the long pauses. Good for you figuring out a pattern that works. Listening to what they want that day, that hour! They will tell you, if you take the time to listen. When things get tough slow down, and then slow down some more.

Not a fan of FFS, but you can't stop progress and new technology. You may be able to slow it down, but once out of the bag the young bucks will use it and they are the future of the sport, whether you like it or not. I remember when my parents wouldn't get power brakes on their new car because they were just too sensitive! That ship sailed, big time!

In South Florida we are the heart of summer. Water levels are high, water temps are 90+, and mid day a heat index of 107 up, is like standing in front of a blow torch. Florida largemouth are in a funky mood and not out chasing baits, except at night. If you can stand the mosquitos it could be your best bet for a big momma. Thank God for the peacock bite because they like it super hot, and like bright sunny days. You can sometimes see the wolf pack out chasing baits, and not a Black Bass in the pack. Without the Peas, there would be little to no bite during daylight hours. Peacock were a blessing, given to us by the Florida biologists, and Fish and Game. Much research went in before their release into the environment 30 years ago. It has been special!

That is about as tough and thick an area as it gets. I don't like massive loads of pads like that. I look for isolated patches of pads because they draw fish from the open areas. There is no way of telling if any are in there. It would depend on how much water is below and the water quality. Remember large amounts of decaying veggies deplete O2 levels. That area might be void of bass numbers!

After 50 years of marriage the wife could care less if I go fishing. She knows I would be going whether she likes it or not. Every trip she asks me how many I got, and if I have any Kodak Moment Pics. She does track where I am at any moment, especially while on the water in the boat. As for spending money, she knows I spend far less money on fishing, then she does on hair, nails, make up, shoes, handbags, massages, and new clothing. Its a no brainer!

Years ago I have fished some areas in the Everglades where it is difficult to get into, especially during low water conditions. Isolated from other human activity. Sometimes the only way in, is with a push pole, powerful trolling motor, even having to get out and pull the boat over shallow weirs. The problem with going places no one else fishes is, if you have a problem, you only have yourself to get out of it. The young bucks don't think about it, but the older you get, survival becomes an issue, and as night falls suddenly you see red eye glare everywhere. LOL So I have done it, going to places without human contact all day! Caught lots of bass, but I have also learned lessons, that were painful at the time. I NOW consider it a young man's game plan!

I fish almost everyday for a hour or two in the afternoon. As soon as I make that first cast i'm more relaxed and the problems of the day just fade away. It's my form of therapy. As long as the boat, and reels are functioning properly I don't even need to catch anything. I am at peace mentally, and life is good. This was especially evident while taking care of both my 95 year old parents both with dementia!

There is no right or wrong way. Whatever you grew up with is the way to go for you. After 50 years everything is automatic and I don’t ever have to think about it. It is a problem solved as a young man starting out. To change now would be a PITA problem for a long time. Not worth the struggle!

It’s a different ball game when you’re talking crocs. I will see 50 gators on a trip in the glades, and they are respectful and keep their distance 99% of the time. Crocs will target you as a food source. They have found escaped Nile crocs in the Homestead area, probably from the zoo during Andrew. They captured and killed them, but who knows what’s out there.

I will skip a plastic under a dock or under tree branches. But I am not good at it, and it's hit or miss whether I end up with a mess. It is something you have to practice to be any good at it, and I don't ever do it unless I feel the NEED FOR SPEED. It happen so seldom I just never developed the trust. I have had some big time bird nests when doing it. I guess that is what I'm really good at!