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1). (Banana in the boat kills the bite.) I don't believe it, but I don't take Bananas, ever ! 2). (Cows lying down, just go home.) I don't believe it, but would rather go tomorrow. 3).(Sudden extreme cold fronts in Florida kill the Florida bite.) Definitely believe this, but still fish. That's how I know its true. 4).(Speeding boats close, kill the bite.) I fish canals allot. Wave action stirs up the water, bait fish activity goes up chasing bugs, and little stuff in the water. Bass bite goes up attacking the bait fish. Don't get upset, wave action can help the bite.

There are quite a few spots to bank fish if you look. On the paved road there are gravel paths you can drive down right to the east canal. If you drive the gravel road at the end of the main road there is a pump station at the end with lots of cleared fishing spots. Right at the main ramp people fish all around the area. I would wear boots in case you run into any of the silvering locals. You can drive all the levees and stop and fish anywhere you wish. Lots of wild life officers so be prepared. At US27 and the Holey Land turn off there is an open area just south of the new flood gate. Not many gators in the Holey Land canals.

Ten years ago I was fishing Weston, Florida from the bank, and saw vertical bars positioned in what looked like a bed, on a huge flat. It was out at the edge of my casting distance. I only had worms with me but I noticed that anytime I got close to the bed, the vertical bars would move. After about the 20 times of hitting the worm and moving it to the side an 8 pound peacock slammed the bait. This was my first time hooking a big peacock and new immediately it was not a largemouth bass. It blasted the bait with vengeance, and immediately took a 30 yard run off to one side. Then it made two huge jumps, doing complete flips, and then it ran another 30 yards back toward the bed. At that time I was using 20 pound braid and needed it to land this fish through all the weeds. Once you hook a good size peacock it is like hooking a snook, with long runs and jumps. They fight and just never stop including once you land them. They are a true treasure of the fish world. We are so luck to have them down here in South Florida. It was a day I will never forget.

Slow down, throw a C Rig across points at varying depths. Try a tube bait behind a heavy sinker. Put a little Styrofoam inside the tube and then Texas Rig it. The tube will float high above the weight and with the slightest movement will dance and vibrate, without much forward movement. Fish in the area will come to investigate! A Junebug or watermelon red color will work well. Use floro line for feel, and no stretch, and a big sweeping hook set to take up line quickly.

I don't think it is any more then a constriction of the blood vessels which causes the coloration. It probably happens when water temps drop. I have noticed the same thing in a few fish.

Noise is not that big a deal unless it is banging, like slamming lids, or dropping big objects. Normal talk and low music is not an issue. Whenever possible I drift with the wind from my back so I can stay off the trolling motor and stay in stealth mode. I think this helps a lot. I will run up wind and then drift through a productive area. One of my favorite ways to fish.

I will throw lots of different baits but the go too baits have been the same for a few years. With thick cover and lots of pads, the 4" senko type baits, weightless flukes, and swim baits have been magical. Watermelon red, Okeechobee, and Junebug have been hot consistently. Day in and day out they will catch large numbers of fish, in all types of conditions.

In south Florida we have generations of snook, tarpon, reds, that have lived their whole life in 100% fresh water. 30 years ago I watched a guy fight a good sized tarpon in a canal adjacent to sawgrass and US 27. After a 20 minute battle he landed the brute, the spectators were all amazed. They are caught all the time down here, they have become land locked. We also have a host of exotics.

Holey Land, Broward / Palm Beach Line, 7:00- 11:30, temp 65-75, partly cloudy, wind NW 10-15 steady, water 68*, lightly stained, All pumps off and no current. Went out solo, everyone had other commitments. Started with a chugbug in the ramp lake. Caught two dinks and then switched to a stick-o. The bite was steady but not as good as previous weeks. If you threw close to the bank with the stick-o you would get bit, but a lot of dinks. Switched to a weightless fluke and the size improved, but you had to dead stick it and let it fall, and work it back slow. The duck hunters were out in full force just north of the Holey Land. Once the birds took flight it sounded like the forth of July. Fish and Game were out in full force with at least three trucks cruising the levee. About 10:00 I moved to the west wall of the big lake. The fluke worked very well along the drop off. I finished the day with 35 caught the biggest was 3.5 lbs. Only saw three boats all day, and had the east canal to myself all morning. About 11:30 a front moved in and rain looked immanent. A very relaxing day except for the gun shots.

So judgmental!!!!! Yes, when I go to a lake I'm familiar with, I have a plan, and I go quite often. This is a lake you have never been to before, in the original post. If you want to put on blinders and not see what others on the lake are doing, then be my guest. I couldn't care less! I don't feel I'm as pompous as you to not look at what others are doing on a new lake. Gathering information is a constant process which includes observing. I don't have all the answers, but gathering information never stops, and I learn something new almost every trip. I guess some people just have all the answers! Congrats !!!!!!!!!!!!

If it is a new lake I will study a map, and get on google earth to study the lake. You can sometimes find great information on a lake in sites like this, especially local sites. I then get to the lake early and watch where others are running. Ill usually watch three or four groups running out in the morning and then cruse around looking to see approximate locations. I never go to someone's location while it is being used. Watch how others are fishing and the type of baits being used. You can certainly learn a lot by observing while you fish. I have learn bunches over the years by just observing what others do, and what not to do. In the mean time Ill watch the depth finder for fish, bait and depth. Once the sun comes up look for bird activity its a great indication of active fish, in a feeding mood. Talk to individuals at the ramps. Many are more then willing to give out some good information, and ask about any danger spots on the lake. Don't run around fast until you have an understanding of the lake, wear your PFD, and use your kill switch always especially when fishing alone. Do your homework before going to the lake.

Dwight and Will, those are great looking fish. Congrats

There are a number of large pythons on those islands throughout the glades. I'd be more worried about them then the gator or crocks.

As development moved in, many of these lakes were under attacked from people taking every fish that they could catch and killing them. Day after day if a lake produced, the crowds would get larger and soon fish populations were devastated. Instead of catch what you can eat and throw the rest back, it was take everything that swims. These smaller lakes can be impacted very easily.

Mike I agree 100% with you on that one. We planned a Feb trip to Buck Head on the North West Shore 20 years ago, there were 4 boats and 8 guys. We rented a great place close to the lock. We woke up to a 1/4 of an inch thick sheet of ice covering everything. We fished the Kissimmee river and Okeechobee for three days. A total of #1 fish was caught on a crankbait in the middle of the river. That's 8 guys for 3 days and one dam short fish, it never warmed up the entire trip. The Florida Stain Bass had lock jaw, and paralysis. I've never been that cold in North East Ohio, as that dam trip to Okeechobee!

Several years ago I was stopped, and checked, on Alligator Alley. He did a completed inspection of the boat. Two weeks later, I run into the same guy, and he did it again, including the boat. When I told him about the first inspection he said, "I'll probably see you again soon". I even dropped the name of his boss, who played full back for me, 30 years ago. It didn't faze him a bit!

I was fishing the Davie dump site and had an SUV drive up and unload 3 adults and 5 kids all with live bait and tuna poles and set up 10 feet from where I was fishing. I left after seeing them gut hook three small bass and just rip the hook out . Crap like that will ruin a small lake in short order.

2 to 2.5 lbs.

Dan same to you and your family. Have a great turkey day!

In Florida Seniors don't need a license. It pays to be an old timer, there are some benefits!

Way to go in less then ideal conditions, and the wife too! Your da man!!!!!

Pitching is just a short underhand cast to visible targets. I fish from the bank at least 4 days a week. I don't pitch often from the bank, but have if I see a target or a swirl in close proximity from where I'm standing. 99% of the time I'm making long casts to drop offs or long casts paralleling the bank. Since our waters are relatively clear, long casts really help with spooky fish. Pitching or flipping I'm using 65 pound braid, and a wench of a reel, because of thick cover. This is not my favorite way to fish but just another method in the arsenal. I only do it when in the boat.

You were in the zone. Not thinking, just reacting to your surroundings! Fishing doesn't get any better then that!

Just relax, your getting too tense when you try to hit a target. It has to come natural, and that will happen with experience and time on the water. When I feel a bump I don't think about setting the hook it just comes natural. I take up slack, and as soon as I feel pressure it happens. I don't think about it any more. Put in some ear buds, and just relax! Make it enjoyable.

10 years ago I was catching decent size peacocks, up to 6 pounds in Westin. Now most are in the yearling to 3 pound range. They are coming back, slowly. Westin has a good population.