Hez

OP describes my home waters in the Harris Chains to a "T". Darn fish don't eat nothing but those slimy worms - go figure.

I have imagined this happening to me while boating early in the morning before sunrise - glad you are okay.

I would like to know your honest opinion on these

Thank god for "View Transcript"

What do you call this creature?

This may sound weird - but how do you hold your pole? While fishing this weekend - I was fishing a t-rigged worm, mid morning...dragging it along the bottom, when I got a hit....I reeled down and set the hook...and almost lost my fishing pole and all....due to the way I was gripping it. My hand was placed under the reel, holding both the rod and the reel in my left hand (as I always do). However, this time - my hands were a little wet...and when I set the hook...my grip slipped and I almost dropped the pole. Of course, it effected my hookset...and the fish got off after a good fight...it was definitely a good fish. I reeled my line back in and realized the fish had bent my hook. I later came to the conclusion that this fish was probably a bowfin, because my son caught one not 2 casts later in the same spot - and based on their aggression, I believe one of those bent the hook. But...back to the topic at hand - what do you think is the best way to grip your setup? Do you just base it on comfort? Has anyone encountered this scenario? Equipment: Rod:No Eight tackle MH XF 6'6 Reel: Daiwa T3 Ballistic

I refuse, lol! "Only problem - once you catch a snook bass will never be the same." - specifically because of this!!!!!!!

Agreed - summer bite is tough...but I too think there may be something else going on. I have tried to do more research on the current water quality for Johns Lake, but haven't found much. I do realize that what I was referring to as thick milfoil - is actually hydrilla...very similar, but I learned this week how to tell them apart. That location of that lake being on the Orange/Lake county lines probably results in neglect from county officials of each respective county. I did read where Lake county used to have responsibility over the maintenance of the lake, but that there was controversy because Orange county residents seemingly used it far more than Lake Co. residents. Now supposedly they share the responsibility - but who knows... I told my son we will head back over there this fall, that things should be better then.

To me, it sounds too good to be true - I usually don't waste my time on stuff like that lol

Congratulations man - good stuff

You just made the bait monkey very excited...he will be waiting....

Fished John's Lake again this weekend - specifically Friday evening and Sunday morning. Friday evening was tough, weather wise. 13-15 MPH wind from the ENE - I tucked away in the first little cove by the boat ramp, and fished the edges of both small bodies of water until dark. I threw a silver rattle trap, whopper plopper, and T-rigged pumpkin seed culprit worm. I got a bite on the worm, but it only had the worm in it's mouth when I set the hook - so no good there. Sunday was a little bit better. Started off in the main lake at the edge of the canal, working the flats trying to find a topwater bite. Fish were actively chasing baitfish on top of the water, but I couldn't coax them into eating the plopper. Moved around to the northwest area of the lake and caught 1 2lber on a swimbait at about 9:30 - 3 hrs into the trip. After fishing that area we headed down to the southwest corner to try to fish that area, but by now the winds had picked up to 10-15 MPH, which made it tough being down there...and that coupled with the heat - we called it a day. I talked with a homeowner on one of the canals. He stated that the fishing had been super tough there for him as well. I personally think there are a few factors that might have to do with this. 1. The water level seems high on this lake. There are numerous boat docks around the lake completely submerged. I also noticed that the topo maps are about 2 feet off in places according to my depth finder. I wonder if this makes if for a harder fishery. 2. Something else the homeowner spoke about was the amount of hydrilla and milfoil in the lake right now. That was one of my complaints - not that it's bad for the fish - just tough to figure out...and find the fish.

Got my vote!! wait...what are we voting about again?

Yeah...was a tough outing for sure. Going to head back out there this weekend... try some different techniques...some different spots. I also heard that the Southwest part of the lake is good too - actually saw a youtuber do a kayak fishing video out there - gonna be giving it another go. I think my biggest mistake is trying to fish it like I have been fishing Lake Harris. Thanks for the encouragement, and will keep updating.

I am not sure if you are on Facebook or not - or what part of the country you are in, which might have an impact - but I am part of a few facebook groups that are dedicated to marine items from boats, to accessories, motors, trolling motors, fishing poles - it might be worth a shot to look, and chances are they will be local for you and they can meet you somewhere to pick it up. Just a thought - I am very active on our local marine facebook groups...a lot of good deals and a lot of money made there.

Update after 2 days of fishing John's Lake: If I had to summarize my 2 days in 1 word it would be CHALLENGING. Water Clarity - 4-5 ft Water Temp: 86° - 89° Vegetation: Reeds, kissimmee grass, a lot of thick thick milfoil (challenge in itself) Started at about 6:00 AM fishing the south end of the lake from where you launch . Started with a frog, and worked it around for about an hour - till after the sun came up - nothing, not even 1 blow up. We trolled around the eastern edge up towards the mouth of the canal, where we saw bass chasing bait fish on the top of the water like crazy. Caught one 1 lber on a 6" culprit fat max ribbon tail, and then had 1 blow up on a top water popper. Still in search mode, trying to figure out a pattern - we moved east through the canal to fish the larger part of the lake. Started on the west shore of Turkey island - working the edge with a the worm. After no success with that, decided to try a white spinnerbait and then the silver lipless crank again - to no avail. At about this time it was near 11:00 AM - and we decided to scout the lake a little bit and call it a day, planning to head back sunday morning. Sunday morning - 6:00 AM, we decided to try our luck on the east part of the lake. Started fishing the Whopper Plopper 130 on points, around docks and in the shallows - nothing, not even 1 blow up. After about 2 hours on this part of the lake - throwing frogs, worms, plopper; we decided to hit the main lake again where the bass were chasing the bait fish at the mouth of the canal. By this time, water temp was 87° and we felt the top water bite was off - mainly due to the lack of activity in the water - so we were throwing worms exclusively. After trolling through the canal - working both sides, without a bite - we went back to the east lake to try around Turkey Island again. We worked the edge on the west side of turkey island and off in that cove, thinking there would be fish there. No luck there. We finally decide to call it a day - skunked - no fish in the boat..water temp about 89°, outside temp of 95°...it's almost miserable at this point. The clearer water was intimidating to me - the Harris Chain lakes that I am accustomed to has a darker stain, and less visibility (about 2') - and most of my tackle works great there - but I was not confident in my color selection in this clearer water. Another factor that was intimidating to me was the thick thick milfoil. It was so thick at times that the trolling motor wouldn't navigate it. That's too thick - but I know there has to be fish under there...I might rig up a punching rig for next weekend. Again, it was a tough outing - the bite was off - or I couldn't figure them out - either way...I'll be back next weekend to try again.

Hey guys and gals! I was looking for an up-to-date fishing report on John's Lake in central Florida. Has anyone fished it lately and care to offer up any info or tips? I plan on targeting this lake for a little while, been fishing Lake Harris lately, but think I am ready to change it up. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Ok - pardon my ignorance here...I thought mudfish and snakehead were the same...and bow fin was different... Thanks for the clarification there.

Mud fish or bowfin? The reason I ask, is because I have boated 4 bowfin in the last 2 weeks - and have never caught any here in central florida before. Has me wondering if they are coming into post-spawn or something that has them so active. I'm fishing the Harris Chain in Central Florida - you could have basically described my day on the water last Saturday above, give or take a few details.

Nailed it on the head with this one. Can't agree more - 2 of the greatest feelings in life - smashing a golf ball and setting the hook.

hahaha...well...golf is fun!!

Same for me on Ned Rig - although...I do rig it up on my little kids lines and it is easy for them to catch fish on.

10-4, thanks for clarifying that for me. Prior to this post, I thought the snakehead and bowfin were the same fish. thanks guys.

Hello! Just looking for some help identifying a fish we caught this morning on the Harris Chain in central Florida. we think it's a snake head, but just wanted to be sure. I always thought they were darker in color. We caught 3 of them this morning - have never caught any in this lake before. The other 2 were a little smaller, and a little bit lighter color. Great fighting fish though