Don51

BigEyed, try next door at Indian Head. That is a good cold water spot. At least it used to be.

I have been out in the yak on more than one occasion when it started snowing! It is not enjoyable when your fingers are totally numb! ?

Ice fishing without the ice! I do not miss those days. ?

Are you just fishing the freshwater? If so swap out that braid for 10# mono or bring it on another spool. You do not need many hard baits. Plastics will get the job done. You will be fishing small bodies of water in that area. If it is not posted you should be ok. Also, if you are walking the bank be aware of your surroundings. Constantly watch your step for gators and snakes! Good luck!

Yeah, I did not have the barb crimped down and had to snip the end of the hook off and then backed it out. Amazingly it didn't get infected. It gets real tricky when the fish is still hooked and then you become hooked!

Crush the barbs on the treble hooks. It makes life easier, especially out in the kayak.

BigEyedF11 Maquan used to be really good, it was loaded with 3lbrs and some nice crappie. There was a guy a few years ago that fished it regularly and kept all his bass. That could do a number on a place that size. Give Indian Head a try also. The crappie bite should be good along with the white perch.

Yeah, when I bank fish I wear rubber mid calf boots just to get through the mud. I sneak up on gators all the time that I never even see. I don't know who jumps higher? ?

I don't know that particular area, but one thing I can tell you is you won't be wading in the freshwater!

SWFL is a tough area, not exactly bass heaven. If you can do it go to Okeechobie and hire a guide.

And it appears they are entering mating season. I was out kayak fishing the other day and heard the bellowing out in the cattails.

When I am out fishing in the yak I try to get the fish to me as fast as possible. The more commotion the fish is making the more likely it will attract a gator. My biggest fear is reaching into the water to grab a fish and have a gator take a swipe at it! I suppose I should carry a net!

I kayak freshwater 4-5 times a week. For the most part they will not bother you. They are curious creatures that will usually watch you from a distance. Every now and then one will pop up close by. Closest encounters are when I have startled one when paddling close to the bank. I have come close to being knocked into the water when the gator made a quick escape. Falling into the water though and all bets are off!

Hey BigEyed, don't rule out Little Pond if it is not iced in. Plenty of trout in there!

That is why I now live in FL! So much wasted time up there in the winter. I look back at the time I spent ice fishing and tell myself I had to be insane!

It is a tough area for freshwater fishing. Not many local spots. The big lake in Deep Creek has bass. The retention ponds along Kings Highway are prettygood too. Are you bank fishing or do you have a boat/kayak? Check out this site. You may get some ideas. Relatively new, only a few members. http://www.puntagordabassclub.com

Hey Big Eyed, I used to fish there all the time when I lived in Whitman. Even threw the yak in a few times. Biggest I ever caught there was around 5 lb and it came out of the small pond. The small pond is connected to the big pond by a culvert so you never know what will be there. Small pond is a good ice fishing pond also. Some decent crappie in there!

Check the warranty. You may be surprised!

Nothing over 5lb. More of a numbers pond. Had days where I could get a few in the 3-5 lb range. Picks over 3lb also.

Island Creek, a little further down the road, is a good fall pond also. ?

That used to be a real good pond! Was Upper all weeded in? It would get real thick, but held some good fish!

DogBone, have you been chasing any trout down at Little? I would love to be able to fish there right now. Prime time!

I live in Charlotte County. Not exactly the bass capital of FL! I have given up my expectations of size and go out and just try to get bites! I caught a 2.5 on Saturday which is the biggest bass I have caught in a long time! I don't have a great interest in the salt/brackish water fishing.

Once the water cools down some they will hit traps. My first FL fish on a Ratltrap was a tilapia! My biggest disappointment FL fishing is the lack of variety. If the bass aren't biting you can't switch gears. Crappie and panfish behave totally different than they do up north. It's a very frustrating place to fish!

And you are right! It is a very subtle change. We are approaching pre spawn believe it or not! The heat is hanging around and water temps are still high. Some cool nights are on the horizon and the bass will eventually become more active. Right now they still seem to not want to commit to fast moving baits. I get most bites on soft t-rigged plastics. Stick baits and worms along those grass lines should produce. Florida bass fishing is tough! It is not as easy as Roland Martin makes it out to be. LOL