Backlash123

Quick question. How do you guys work the skinny dippers and Big EZ's. I just started using them, and haven't had much luck. Do you just slow roll them, or work them like a fluke style bait.

Congrats on a great catch! Trust me, you will catch a bigger one soon enough, there are some really big peas in these canals. Try the Kendall Lakes area, I believe the state record came from those lakes (at least at one point it was). Tight Lines.

Thanks guys. I was flipping it. The fish were on the outside edge of the pads. I only caught two fish on cat tails, the rest were on lily pads. I ended up landing 5 fish, and lost 3, the first one I lost was at least 7 lbs as well.

Well got back last night from the weekend trip to Istokpoga. Did well, I ended up with my PB at 7.22, and took 2nd place overall in our club tournament. I ended up catching all of my fish in the NW corner of the lake (I believe it's called Windy Point). Found a small section of lily pads approximately 50 yards long which held the fish. Most of the lake was pretty muddy, but this area had the cleanest water I can find. Caught all the fish on a 1oz Black/Blue jig, with a Kinky Beaver Okeechobee Craw trailer. I lost two nice fish which tangled me up in the pads, my wife lost 1 nice fish which spit the jig after a few jumps. Had a great time, with some great people, on a great lake. Life is good. Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions, it's greatly appreciated. Here's a picture with my biggest fish.

Congratulations Mike. That's an impressive catch.

Thanks for all the info guys, I'm loving this forum. I've only used straight braid up to now, but been seeing some guys using a mono/fluorocarbon leader. I'll give it a go with both setups and see if theres a difference on the bite. Sounds like the north or North east side is the place to be. I'm going to try frogs early in the morning/late afternoon, then switch over to the pitch. Leaving tomorrow morning, returning on Sunday, wish me luck! Hopefully I can post up some nice fish...

Quick question for the group. For your Pitchin setup, do you straight braid to the hook, or do you use a fluorocarbon leader. I've been using straight braid, but was thinking of using a piece of 30lb fluoro. Thoughts?

Well, looks like I have everything ready to go, now I just can't wait for Thursday to get here! So far the forecast is no rain and hot, let's see what the weekend brings. I've read and seen lots of pics of some real monsters coming out of there, hopefully I'll get into some decent fish.

Thanks for the advise guys. I'm all geared up and counting the hours till departure. I'll report back.

LOL. Sounds like a plan. I was planning on throwing frogs, some swimbaits, and pitching, nothing crazy. Do you guys add anything to the jigs, or just the jig by itself? What weight do you guys use, 1/2 oz or more?Thanks!

It is true. They get 40% on house brands and 20% on non house brands. Now, not everything is eligible for discounts. Firearms, ammunition, electronics (GPS, depthfinders, etc), and some other things are not eligible.

I'm constantly at that Bass Pro (usually at least once a week). Chris is an extremely nice guy which is always willing to help, my daughter worked there for a couple of years and reported to Chris, she's actually going to start working there again while she's in school. I love that place!

Heading out to Lake Istokpoga next weekend, anyone been out there lately? How's the fishing been? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Way to go Mike! That's a lot of nice fish you've been pulling from there. You definitely have it dialed in. Safe travels to your dad.

Wow! What a beast, congrats

I'm deeply offended by you hijacking my thread of catching all the small fish in that canal system, so I can leave the large ones for you to catch! You're on fire at that park! I don't see a bait, barely see a rod, I almost don't even see water. He's definitely got it figured out. I went out there on Saturday and caught 15 or 20, nothing big, I actually thought it was a little slow. I was trying different techniques, trying to target larger fish which I would expect would produce less bites, but the quality wasn't there. I have to try the night fishing, I've heard it's another world. Piscicidal, keep up the great work!

Those are some impressive catches. I'm headed out there this weekend to see if I can drum up one those hawgs.

I definitely agree with what he's saying. It's relatively easy to go in the canals and catch lots of fish, but there is definitely a technique to catching the big ones. I've been finding certain techniques land you bigger fish, what I'm working on figuring out is when to use certain techniques throughout the year, and where to use them. It's about putting time in. I try to go there every weekend if possible, and I can tell the difference in my catches every time I go out. I know I have A LOT to learn, and that's ok, it's fun figuring it out. Forums like this help a bunch. I've learned a lot from this forum already and I'm sure it will continue.

Piscicidal, Thanks for words. I've learned the lesson, just throwing soft plastics on the edge of the pads produces lot's of fish, usually nothing with size, sometimes that's fine (like when I take my kids, father, etc). But in order to get the big bites I know I have to change the way I do things. I'm still learning how to bass fish. I've been fishing all my life, but 90% offshore fishing. I've recently started to fish bass tournaments, and I've learned a ton. I'll keep reading, trying different techniques, and spending money, it's all part of the game. Hopefully someday I'll get consistent enough to start landing some of the bigger fish.

I'm going to start pinching down the barb on treble hooks going forward. As far as the glades, simple techniques get the 50+ days. If you want to catch a lot of fish, use a watermelon fluke. Lot's of fish but mostly small, at least that's my experience. I know there a people catching some real pigs out there, just look at that bag that was brought in in the KOTG tournament last week (30+ lbs). I don't know how they do it but there out there. I'm still trying to figure out the bigger fish in the glades.

Congrats guys! That's a nice bag.

I hear ya. I usually don't fish crank baits either because I hate treble hooks. This was the second time I've been hooked. The first time my brother in law got me in the back of the head with a topwater lure. The ER pushed it through, and cut off the barb. When they were done, my brother in law wanted the lure back, but I told him "nope" it's my lure now.

Couldn't agree more. The glades are on fire. I caught 50 in about 3 hours yesterday. Nothing big, but lots of fun on small rods.

It was an interesting situation. Here I am holding a 2 lb bass still hooked and a treble hook in my finger. Once my dad was able to cut the other hooks to free the fish, then I proceeded to open the split ring to free the hook from the lure. I tried to push the hook through one time, but lacked the testicular fortitude after I felt the pain. I then proceeded to cut off a piece of braid to try the string and press method, but was not totally sure on how to do it, so I decided not to experiment. So time to load up the boat, and head on over to urgent care. All in all it worked out fine (especially after the anesthesia), what hurts the most now is the d**n tetanus shot in the arm, it feels like I was punched 20 times in the same spot. What stinks the most was having to cut the trip short. The day was warming up, and the bite was getting more aggressive. I'll have to wait for next weekend. Has anyone been out on L67? What's going on out there?

Took my dad out today for a little fishing. We caught 50 fish in approximately 3 hours, but had to leave early due to catching the wrong species. After a quick trip to the urgent care, some anesthesia, tetanus shot, and band-aid, I'm good to go again. Did I mention I hate treble hooks!