NorEastAngler

You can bet i'll reach out the next time im down that way! Had a few pop their heads up when i was toying around with the motor - of course . Most avoided me, a lot were sunning themselves and jumped in the water when i came around a corner (which can be jolting in a 10ft jon boat when you're 15 feet from the water's edge!). Had a visit from a very persistent cottonmouth. Tried getting in the boat 3 times @ Lake Kissimmee. Had to launch that sucker a good 15 feet before he understood the message. All-in-all, a great trip, and a safe one.

Hey Everyone! Reaching out POST-TRIP with updates. First off, thank you, all! With your suggestions and tips about the area, I saw some amazing sights, and had an absolute blast. I started in Miami and hit the Everglades for 2 days - catching about 30 Chiclids, 8 suns, a bullseye, 5 bass, and 3 gar. From there I went to Lake Kissimmee - catching 8 decent bass and getting stuck in that crazy vegetation at the boat ramp (but i got out after 30 minutes of paddling). Then I went to Lake Toho - catching 3 pickerel, 2 gar, and 4 Bass, while battling the heat and flies! Day 5 was at Lake Lochloosa - so many crappie there but I only landed a Bowfin and Bass. The next day was at Rodman Reservoir - my hopes were high about big catches but I only took in 4 bass in 7 hours and had a manatee swim under my boat. Day 7 was at Santa Fe Lake (little) - with a few strikes early but landed nothing, especially with the water looking like a Yoo-Hoo and the wind coming in close to 20mph constant. The last day of my trip was at Georges Lake - @N Florida Mike helped wrap up the trip nicely by providing me some very accurate information about the lake and what to use, and it lead to a fruitful day of 11 bass within the first 5 hours. This is exactly what this site is about - a community of anglers sharing knowledge and supporting other anglers. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Can't wait to plan my next trip! If you're ever looking to fish in Rhode Island - I'm your guy, so let me know! Thanks everyone, NorEastAngler

Best of luck to you, sir!

Good Morning! I'm a week away from traveling down to FL for my fishing trip! So excited! Ready to escape the constant freezing temps and ever-accumulating piles of snow. Rhode Island has been bitter cold this year. I will be fishing Feb 20 - Feb 27 (Everglades, Kissimmee, Toho, Orange Lake, Rodman, and George's Lake). I wanted to check in with you guys one more time and see how things are going down there in FL - how's the bite, how's the weather been, any new recommendations, pointers on what to use/avoid, etc.? One item I had a question on - will I need an orange flag on my boat? Read something and was not sure if I needed it fishing in the canals alongside I75. Thanks everyone! -NorEastAngler

Thanks, Dwight! Appreciate the feedback. Worth launching and fishing the same South West stretch 2 days in a row from Ferry Boat Landing? Thanks for the insight, Geo G! After all that info you shared about the glades, I definitely CANT miss fishing it :). You think 2 days are worth it? Maybe fish East of Miami Canal on 1 day and West of it the next? Noted about the big O. Thank you. Thanks for the details, Mike! Funny you said that about the shiners. All the info I found and videos I saw all mentioned the best thing to use would be Shiners! Know of any good spots on Rodman to launch from besides Ferry Boat Landing? Thanks!

Fellas, I think I have it all mapped out and planned. I used your feedback, messages, and research to create an itinerary. Let me know what y'all think. I'll be using a 10ft Jon boat with electric motor. Should be able to stick to the banks and cover. Day 1: Everglades on I75 - I75 Fishing Ramp, fishing Canals East of Miami Canal Day 2: Okeechobee - South Bay Boat Ramp, fishing South Bay Inlets and Canals Day 3 : Lake Kissimmee - Lake Kissimmee South Boat Ramp, fishing South Bay Day 4: Lake Toho - Big Toho Marina, fishing the NW cove and Island Day 5: Orange Lake - Heagy-Burry boat ramp, fishing SW Bay and Island Day 6: Lake Ocklawaha (Rodman Reservoir) - Ferry Boat Landing, fishing SW section into the narrows Day 7: Ocklawaha River - Johnson Field boat ramp, fishing E toward St. Johns River & back Day 8: Georges Lake - Georges Lake Boat ramp, fishing all the structure around the lake Think I should double-up on certain body of waters instead of 1 day each? Like the glades/Big O? Thanks all!

@SMROA1983 - how did you make out the other week? Any luck?

Tough this time of year - conditions are everything, especially the temp of the water. Right now, I'm having luck in deeper ponds just because the water is a little warmer and there is heavy amount of weeds. Low and slow has worked pretty decently. If it is just about the fishing and not necessarily the bass - you could always ball up some wonder bread and go for carp off the bottom. They put up a good fight! If you know of ponds with pickerel, they're usually biting late into the year as well. Just don't try to lip em

Thanks, Toxic! I have no problem sticking to smaller bodies of water or canals. Will definitely be about the experience and diversifying my opportunities. Luckily I have 3 12V - 110ah AGM batteries I can rotate to make my journey further and to ensure I have a backup plan . If anything crosses your mind as a doable area, I appreciate the feedback! Cheers

Awesome info. Thanks, Captain!

LOL,. Haven't heard that one before. Thanks for the suggestions! That's a great idea! I could absolutely fit in a day trying to light up some reds or snook! In February, how would you fish it? Top water action like a spook for reds and something more fineness for snook? I appreciate the details. Cheers Awesome intel. When in doubt, wacky it out! That makes me think of something I saw a couple weeks ago... there is a new worm rig from Japan, called the Inu Rig? Looks like a pain to rig up but seems to imitate a live worm very well! Have you ever tried that out before?

@MN Fisher - looks like it is coming along nicely! Seems like a great winter project Will be sure to follow this thread. Can't wait to see how she turns out.

@MN Fisher - Awesome find and congrats!

@LrgmouthShad - Great topic and obviously everyone has their own opinions and experiences. This year I was fortunate to be back home in RI from 1st week of June through now. I changed from large blades, large colorados, loud and vibrating everything etc. down in the tidal rivers near DC/VA/MD to small - thin - double willow & natural colors. I caught over 200 quality bass this year ranging 1 to 6lbs. Been an awesome year. My only observation is - slow retrieve with change of presentation every once in a while, using that wind, and lower light levels. Hope this helps. Best luck to you out there!

Thanks for those details, Mike L. Puts things into perspective. I appreciate the insight and fair warnings.