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@Zcoker @Mike L I don’t have a problem with guides either. It just seems that there are a lot of them fishing HW. More than what I see as a normal amount of guides on many other lakes around here that are much larger. And although it’s stated at 10,000 acres, it fishes about half that size due to all the vegetation and areas that are choked out. That’s a ton of pressure every day. The other thing is that HW was not catch and release the first few years. A LOT of the trophy fish were taken out of it before they changed it to C&R. It’s hard for people to imagine how good the Marsh was back in the day. Even 10 years ago its was still pretty good. But in the beginning it was unbelievable. You couldn’t run a bait by a piece of structure without getting bit. 80 to 100 fish days were common. And with a lot of 5-8# fish in that total. My biggest is only 9.9 out of it but my buddy got one 11.5. And I’ve had on multiple DD bass there but never got one to the boat. Too many obstacles for them to break you off on back then.

The Daiwa BG series are great reels. I have the 3000 & 5000 that I use in saltwater. Well below your price point too.

I’ve fished the Stick marsh since it opened. It’s hard to describe how good it was back then. So many trees and stumps in the Stick you couldn’t drive on plane but you didn’t need to. Never had to go to Farm 13. Over the years the wood deteriorated in the stick. 13 was full of hydrilla. Then the spraying started and there was very little left. When they built HW, they took a lot of trophies out of SM and put them in HW. That plus the spraying really hurt the marsh. They did a drawdown at the marsh and planted bulrushes and pencil reeds. I’ve fished it a couple times since then and the fishing was slow and the fish small. But they were very healthy looking. The planted vegetation has changed the lakes profile and added some much needed cover. But still very little, if any, submergent grass. Yes Croker, they recently nuked a large portion about mid lake in HW. The top water bite has been pretty good there but it’s nothing like it was when it first opened. The amount of fishing pressure plus all the guides using shiners has really hurt it in my opinion.

Senko Speed/vibe worm Zoom G tail Fluke Rage Craw Rage Bug Swimbaits from 3” little swimmers to Gambler Big EZ Trick worms LC 1.5 cranks Bang-O- Lure or Rapala 13 Spook 3/8 spinner bait 3/8 chatterbait 1/4-3/8 swim jig Trap Jerkbaits

T rig

Andy, what brand creatine do you use?

But that’s only lake okeechobee that he’s involved with. Most all the lakes in Florida are natural. probably 90%. We have a group trying to restore the St John’s river but so much damage has been done it’s going to take years to fix it. And that’s only if we can stop the spraying. We will never win against the developments, there’s too much money involved.

Come on down to Florida if you want to see what they’ve done to our lakes and rivers. It’s a shell of what it once was. Development, constant indiscriminate spraying of chemicals, fertilizer and chemical runoff, the list goes on and on. 😢

When preparation meets opportunity and it all falls into place. Plus the release. That’s one of the best parts for me if it happens.

Phil, I remember those old Hawg Hunters. They were a chunk of plastic weren’t they. Have you tried eBay for finding one?

Whopper plopper

I saw that color but they seem to only make it in the 7.5” ribbon tail. Is there anyone else that makes it in a speed worm or flipping bait? Craw?

Junebug has always been a consistent color here in Florida regardless of what body of water you fish. It’s color was derived from a color called black grape ( I think Producto lures made the first black grape worm) that they added green flake to. I prefer it with a blue tail myself. The other colors I rely on are okeechobee craw, watermelon red and black blue. For jigs it’s black blue, bluegill and white ( during the Shad spawn).

Awesome awesome fish AJ.

Thanks for the report Ski. Nice rig you got there too. Good luck Friday

Look up Palm Bay Outfitters. They rent fully rigged bass boats by the day for Headwaters and Stick Marsh. They are on FB as well.

Crypt has the best suggestions. I might throw Orange lake in there too but it’s up around Gainesville. If you were to stay around Ft. Pierce area you could hit all Crypt mentioned. I’m not sure if there’s much for the ladies besides the beaches and the water is going to be chilly that time of year.

So many options for you. How many days will you be down here? Do you want bass/ freshwater only or maybe some saltwater? Crappie will be going strong. Bass may be finicky when a cold front comes through. Cold weather doesn’t affect saltwater fish that much. In fact certain species will be better that time of year. Weather will always play a factor in December. What area of Florida are you looking at?

Island, I’m very familiar with what 6# test can do. I used it a lot back in my saltwater days in south Florida as it was a line class category for the old MET tournament. I use 4# braid a LOT now and have caught bass over 6#, redfish over 30# and even a 14# amberjack on it.

Thanks guys. I’ll downsize to 6# if I go FC or go to mono.

It’s a one time trip Phish. Just want to spool an extra spool with it just in case. Hopefully I won’t need it. 😂

Looking for some 10# fluorocarbon for a spinning reel. Going on trip where clear water is the norm. Would like to stay on a tight budget if possible.

Ski, let me know how you do.

Dang. On my to go list.

My wife of 29 years is my best friend and fishing partner. She can back a boat trailer better than most of my male friends. And she holds her own when fishing whether it’s fresh or salt water. Throws a bait caster like a champ too. I’ve been humbled more than a few times by her.