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Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!!!!!

Gators could be almost anywhere. I have been startled by them several times while walking the bank, even in residential Weston. They are usually more scared of you then the other way around. With that said a good size one moving in toward where I'm standing, I will give up some ground. Once they get within 10 feet I will switch spots. That has only happened once.

1. After being stuck in the everglades because of engine problems, I always take twice as much water as I think I will need. Can't live long without clean water. 2. Always wear a PFD when fishing alone. Its a good idea to always wear it regardless. 3. Never go fishing without telling a loved one exactly where you are going, and when you will be back.

I have towed a number of people back to the ramp with engine problems. If you own a boat long enough it happens to everyone at some point. One Sunday my son who was 13 at the time and I were fishing L67 in the Three Pines Area of the glades. We were almost 30 miles from the ramp when the power head went. We were alone, and I had an early cell phone with me, sometimes it worked, sometimes not. I have a number of emergency phone numbers listed in my tackle box just in case. I called Fish and Game and the dispatcher said I'll try to reach a supervisor and get back to you. She called back in an hour and told me her supervisor was going to get a boat and would come out to get me. He came 30 miles in the Official boat and towed me and my boy back in. If it wasn't for Officer Wolf we would have spent the entire night in the glades with little water. He came out on his day off to get us. I tried to give him what money I had, but he just said this is my job, and this happens all the time. He would not take anything. About six months later I saw him at a restaurant and I had the waitress bring me the bill. It was least I could do. I always stop and help those in trouble, I have been there and lived through it, not a good feeling...!!!!!!

There are loads of parks and canals to fish and you will not have a problem. Anywhere you find current in a canal or pond you should find fish. Look for vegetation close to a drop off that almost always holds bass. Almost all these ponds have culvert pipes that connect them to the Management System. Fish the culvert pipes slow and hard, they almost always hold fish. If you go into Dade County you got a better shot at catching a peacock bass. You will need a spinnerbait, #9 rapala jerkbait, chug bug, or rattle trap. All hard to fish from shore if there is vegetation. For bass from the bank, I would throw a 4"senko type bait in watermelon red, or junebug. Flukes in W/M red also work well and are weedless. Use the least weight the weather will permit. I often throw weightless and fish very slow. With all the weeds you will need at least 15 pound test, to muscle them out, and surf them through the thick shore cover. Always wear boots there are lots of snakes, and a few poisonous ones. I see snakes almost every trip while bank fishing and I bank fish often. Just be vigilant, and you will not have a problem, but remember you in the tropics.

Since almost all the water bodies in south Florida are connected to the South Florida Water Management System there are bass almost everywhere you look. Along with the bass there are snakes, frogs, turtles, and gators. If its deep enough to have water all year, there are bass in there! Whether you can catch them is another story. Some of the best fishing around are little ponds with limited access, some have monster bass in them. Don't pass up a road side pond, a golf course pond, or any other body of water. I'm always amazed at the possibilities all over South Florida, from Orlando, South to the Keys..

I have seen a group of bass chasing baitfish against a canal bank many times. A real frenzy occurs. About three months ago at the Holey Land I saw two big black crows at the edge of the bank with bass chasing bait fish along the bank. The birds positioned themselves to pick off a baitfish concentrating on the bass. This went on for over 50 yards of bank. Two creatures working together to feast on the pray. These crows were so smart to move in on these working bass, I'm sure they have done it many times. Its great to watch nature in action, we just floated along watching these birds and bass work together.

Glenn, thank you for the heads up!

In south Florida there have been warning signs for over 20 years about mercury levels of bass, south of Lake Okeechobee. There are at least 10 fish that taste a lot better then bass. We have an old dump site that was on the super fund list for the worst in the country. It has two good size lakes full of bass, and I have seen people take home bass from these two lakes. I will warn them of the danger, and tell them, "just don't feed them to someone you love".

I use Costa's and like the Green Mirror lenses or the Rose color lenses. They do the best at showing structure and fish in the water. Especially good in low light conditions.

Dido to what Lou says!!!! At the 20 mile bend there are lots of places to drop a line. Fish slow and feel for the subtle bite. Texas rigged Senko's and worms is the way to go and fish the junk.

COVER DOES SOMETHING THAT STRUCTURE CAN NOT. iT PRODUCES o2 WHICH FISH TARGET AS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN THEIR LIVES.

When in the boat Merrill sandals. When bank fishing I wear leather boots lots of snakes in the areas I walk.

way to go Lou!!!!!!

You ask for help but give no information in your profile of where you live, or if you have a boat or bank fish. Its hard to help with no insight!

I have fished for the past 40 years and almost always fish with a friend in the boat. I have met some wonderful people through fishing and have learned a bunch by having fished with others. I have never charged anyone a penny for these trips, since I would be going anyway. I have been rewarded with wonderful conversation, companionship, and have enjoyed putting them on fish, and sharing the joy of my catch with them. They often fish different techniques and this helps produce a successful pattern. I find it somewhat boring to fish alone after all these years. Fishing with a partner is a win, win situation for me.

There are some shallow rock shelves outside of the Clewiston area that can be a problem if you just run around blindly. Be careful if you don't know where your going. Remember it is a big shallow lake with hard sandstone bottom in some areas, especially around Clewiston. Good luck!

You should be hiring a guide unless you or your uncle have been on the lake before.

A boga or fish handler is the best way to go when in doubt. A big mudfish or peacock, are as bad as anything that swims. They will put a treble hook in your finger fast then you can blink. There is nothing like a treble in a finger, attached to a big peacock. It will make a grown man cry!!!

A great person who loved fishing, and a life long student of the sport.

They also brought trout and deer of all kinds to New Zealand. They wanted all the toys of home with them while away from home.

You know that just made his day. Those days you will never forget, fond memories!

Lake Osbourne from the bank is a lot better access then Ida from the bank. Prince Park and Lake Osbourne is a lot closer to Boca, then Lake Ida.

Sam thanks for the report. Keep them coming!

There are lots of spots for bank fishing at Prince Park on Lake Osborne. It is close to West Palm Beach Airport. I have fished it several times from the bank and in the boat. Look for current flowing into the main lake over by the camping area.