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If everything said is true, it sounds like a happy ending!

Nope, nope and nope! I try to clear my mind and only think about how much fun it is having a fling with mother nature.

They can fix all kinds of conditions, but stupid is forever!

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers go out to you and your family. It doesn't get much tougher then that. God bless!

Unless I have small children with me, I would rather stay home then watch live bait swim around under a bobber. Its like sitting watching paint dry. I just don't get the fun in it! Not much skill involved, that's why the guides love it for clients, and parents do it with children.

what nice fish for up north. Looks like a great body of water, and a beautiful day.

Water levels are still high, so many bass are back in the thick stuff where you can't get to them. Have been catching an occasional big fish in the 8 pound range. Once the water drops the numbers will get crazy. Enjoy the catching before the ice shows up. Good luck!!

Dan looking forward to reports from up north.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Eric, his family, and his friends during this difficult time.

Shannon don't worry about anything. Just keep your line wet and good things will happen, Regardless of what anyone says its just not that hard, Soon you will be an old pro at this!

Hello Dan, welcome to the site!

Over a 40 year period of hunting and fishing in south Florida nothing would surprise me. I have seen large snakes, large lizards, otters, lemurs out 41 at the Indian Property, big gators, a big coyote just west of Weston and 75, deer, a bear, wild turkey, and heard a large cat calling less then 100 yards away on a spoil bank island in the everglades. Wild gators will normally not bother you. They usually give you warning signs during the breeding season, when they become territorial. Stay out of the water especially from dusk to dawn and you will have no problem. With idiots releasing wildlife, anything is possible. They even found three Nile Crocks at the Spice Park in the Redlands, in South Florida. The gators are the least of your problems.

Look for trees with bird nests also. The Ospreys are messy eaters and bait fish hang below. The bass will not be far away.

One of the guys on another sight showed a 6 pounded that threw -up a foot long snake partly digested. They eat anything that will fit in there mouth, including mice, water birds, baby gators.

Thanks, she looked like it.

In the everglades we catch Bowfins on every outing. They sure can bend a hook and ruin a lure. Try lipping one for a thrill.

Thursday 10/15/15, Lake off Weston Road, 6:00-Dark. Went out last night for a few hours of bank fishing in the neighborhood lakes. Hit a lake along Weston Road. Fished with senko type baits and Horney Toads. Action was pretty good with 11 small bass. As it was getting dark I committed to one more cast. Threw the senko out and let in settle. All of a sudden there was a thump and the line started moving off toward deeper water. Set the hook and brought in a 25", 8.5 pound old girl with a huge mouth. Took some pics, measured her along the rod, and released her in good shape. These neighborhood lakes are small in size, deep water, with spawning flats, and all connected to the everglades drainage system with culvert pipes. A great way to finish a night! Can't post pics here for some reason.

The replica is the way to go! In south Florida it is hot and humid and the real thing will break down over time. I never keep fish and would never keep a trophy. I do everything I can to leave them in good shape. I'm sure I have caught fish I have released more then once. I caught an 11.4 at Loxahatchee, took measurements, weight her, and released her. Two years later my wife surprised me with a trophy mount replica. She took pictures I had taken, and the measurements of the fish. It came out great and will be around long after I'm gone.

Peacocks were all over the place before the big freeze. They were abundant all over the Alley and at Loxahatchee. They went belly up and have been slowly coming back. They are strong in some of the north Broward and palm beach areas like Ida and Osbourne. The ones that survived will be more resistant to cold fronts then the ones that died. Lol!!!!!!!!

Im not being critical at all. People can do whatever they like to do, and enjoy the sport. Those are just my personal feelings, and I enjoy the casting and targeting spots to hit. To me its a big game and I enjoy it as long as the conditions are good, and everything is working. If I catch 20 small bass Im happy, if I catch a monster I'm happy. I only do it to have fun and to relax. Anything else is too much like work.

I agree with you there not much enjoyment with live bait. I feel like it cheating. The only time I have done it, is when I took the kids out, and they were young. Id rather not go, then let a fish swim around waiting to be eaten. To me the technique is the enjoyment in fishing. Can you make that cast, is it time to change baits. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment,if you can figure them out that day.

I could not agree more with this last statement. We have so much shallow water full of bass in south Florida, many do not make it out of the shallows during the seasonal dry season. Many become gator and bird food when they become stranded in the shallows. Hundreds of miles of shallow marsh will drain into a network of canals and deep holes. It makes the fishing crazy in the canal system, but we lose loads of big fish that don't make it out.

Eric what baits are you using? You are certainly surrounded by some wonderful fisheries.

Right now the bite in the everglades is tough. I have been using this technique for months. I will slow down to a crawl and often just let it sit for up to a minute. I will down size to a 4" senko or a zoom centipede, with a light bullet weight like a 1/32. The 1/32 causes a slow fall and a more natural dyeing bait drop. Let out some line on the drop so it slowly drifts and flutters down. They have plenty of time to see the bait and decide if its worth investigating. Always watch your line for the slightest movement. Over the years this has produced loads fish during difficult times, and many big fish. If it is windy you will have to add weight.

During the warm south Florida summer days, its during low light conditions. The first 3 hours and the last 3 hours before dark. They just seem more willing to bite. During the cooler months the bite will last longer and will actually get better as the sun rises. On bright days they will seek out shade and get tight to cover, its their substitute for sunglasses.