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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!

I would go back to the late 80’s early 90’s and fish will all the old fishing friends I had that are not around anymore. We had so much fun, so many laughs, and caught so many big bass. It’s just not the same because of all these guys. Everyone shared info, shared spots, and shared stories. It was just special! The weekend road trips to new locations, and the endless card games at night. When I think of fishing trips it always goes back to these times. RIP my friends!❤️

With 90+ water temps, my productive baits are: 1). senkos slow weightless 2). Zoom flukes slow light weight 3). Trick worms slow wacky light weight They are not out chasing anything. Let it free fall, sit on the bottom, and little jerks or very slow pulls. Then repeat. Averaging about 6 an hour. Water temps need to get back in the mid 80's at least.

For the last three months I have had nothing but short trips. With heat index of 105 to 107 almost every day the trips are all short. The catch rate is also down with water temps of 95*. We need a break from this soon. The only hope is finding current. Fishing deep and slow.

What a great vid. Very knowledgeable and informative. Thanks for sharing this.

I used to do it when I was young, but not anymore. Fishing in south Florida and the Everglades you need to be covered from head to toe or the mosquitos will drive you crazy. They laugh at repellants even 100% deet. In the summer it is so humid even at night, your life will be miserable. It's just not worth it anymore!

A bass will have to be in the 3 to 4 pound range before it is Kodak worthy. The only reason I do that is the wife wants to see my catch at the end of a trip. Anything over 5 pounds is always in the photo line up and include them in a fishing report for others and friends. I do try to return them quickly to the water, smaller ones will depart quickly without ceremony. The quicker the better. Lol!

Another excellent job Glen of explaining your approach. Here in South Florida we have no shortage of thick weeds of all kinds. I follow all the points you brought up in your vid. Over the years my one go to focus point is, I always look for isolated clumps of mixed weeds, rather than big field. The isolated clumps draw fish from all the open water surrounding that clump. You can often catch several bass of similar size off one isolated island of weeds. The bigger the weed field the more spread out those fish will be in that field. Thanks for another excellent video, and keep them coming!

I am 76 now and have had some balance issues the last 4 years. I now never fish alone without an inflatable life vest, a pee jar so I don't have to stand on the edge of the boat, a hand control T/M so I never stand on one leg, a seat up front and often sit while waves from other boats are present, and think about moving around the boat slower then before. For 45 years of fishing from the boat I never had these issues, it's just goes with the territory if you're lucky enough to make it this far. Never thought balance would be problem. The kicker is, our waters are full of gators, and snakes!!!!!!!!!

Love your vids. You have a knack of presenting info in a simple to the point way. Thanks so much!

In Florida the heat has been here for months. Water temps in the 90*s everyday. Black bass don’t like, but Peacock love the heat and the sun. They will hit on the hottest days at noon, with no wind. You can’t get a bass to strike, just put a noisy top water and work it fast. Peas will come to play. Make sure you bring extra cold fluids, and don’t wait to start drinking. The monkey will definitely jump on your back! Florida fishing is good, just change your focus!

I would say 90% catch rate for bass. We have so many exotics that pick at and attack the tail of plastic baits. the rate exotics are 50% catch rate. You know who is attacking by the machine gun small bites of Mayans, Oscar’s, and rock bass. Bass and Peacock bite is solid even with the smaller ones. Peacock, and Snakehead bite is like being hit by a train!

Three musts for tournament guys, would be Rick Clunn, KVD, and Roland Martin and then anyone else you want to include.

I couldn't agree more with what your saying. I do get bored fishing the same waters all the time. Would rather be close to a group of lakes with decent ramps, then go out every day from the same location. A must would be a centrally located house off the lake with a good free standing garage with room to pull it in, lock it secure, and pull out easy. Prices would be much better off the lake then waterfront property. Waterfront also demands more maintenance expenses, and wildlife problems.

I too have a check list but as you get older there are a few things that are musts to add. 1). duck tape 2). wire cutters for hooks 3). big garbage bag for the empty live well 4). toilet paper 5}. pee jar, so you don't have to hang on the edge of the boat. 6). Summer, three times the normal amount of fluids you normally take. 7). spare prop, and prop wrench 8). rain gear 9). emergency numbers, Fish and Game, Marine Patrol, friends with boats, All of these have been used, and have saved what would have been a miserable day.

When this happens with worms I will open up the barb end a little bit, then Texas rig. If that doesn’t work I will let them take it a little longer before setting the hook. Sometimes it will be small exotics picking at the tail rather than inhaling the bait. Lastly I may go to a smaller bait like a zoom centipede. Good luck !

I too have a load of old issues going back into the early 80's. and up into 2020. On a slow day I will grab 2 or 3 and go back and reread the issues. We have come a long way since the early days. But I enjoy the old ones and the articles a lot more than the newer issues. After all those years and issues, I never once found my name anywhere in the mag for free stuff! Lol I think they just made up fake people for the give aways!