My father-in-law is getting into more fishing, mostly pier, but he'd like to catch some bass. He lives in Ocala, FL. Anyone got some good lakes in that area for bass?

One of the best lakes in all of Florida for big fish is Rodman. When we fish it we stay in Silver Springs just east of Ocala. 

Look here  

 

 

 

 

 

54 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

One of the best lakes in all of Florida for big fish is Rodman. When we fish it we stay in Silver Springs just east of Ocala. 

Shore fishing opportunities on medium power equipment and 1-2 3700-size boxes of tackle?

16 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Shore fishing opportunities on medium power equipment and 1-2 3700-size boxes of tackle?

Can't help you with shore access as I have only fished it by boat. 

5 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Can't help you with shore access as I have only fished it by boat. 

Oh well - thanks anyway.

 

He's 76 years old, just getting back into fishing after decades of not. Has 2 rigs and a 4-drawer 3700 hard-box. Usually hits the piers in and about Crystal River and has rented a pontoon a couple times on the Harris Chain but wants something he can trudge around the shore with a Weekender bag that's a bit closer to home - which is on the SW side of Ocala.

Tell him to keep an eye open for gators. I walked around a few ponds in that area as a kid on vacation, and they got too close for comfort. I'd offer other tips, but the main thing I remember about my fishing experience there is that it seems like we saw gators in every puddle. I don't even remember if we ever caught any fish. lol

Ocala and surrounding areas has some of the best bass fishing in the state but most of the fishing is done from a boat. He can bank fish some of the lakes and rivers but he has to be very careful with the alligators. There are a couple parks in the area that he can try bank fishing in. Tuscawilla Art Park has a nice pond which looks like it is worth a try. 

If he plays golf the golf course lakes almost all have bass.  Carry a folding rod in his bag.  If not for covid I'd be happy to take him bass fishing.  I'm just across the Withlacoochee River from Ocala in Hernando.  I'm an older fart too and have a boat and a kayak and fish several times a week.

1 minute ago, Alex from GA said:

If he plays golf the golf course lakes almost all have bass.  Carry a folding rod in his bag.  If not for covid I'd be happy to take him bass fishing.  I'm just across the Withlacoochee River from Ocala in Hernando.  I'm an older fart too and have a boat and a kayak and fish several times a week.

I'll let him know and see what he says. Probably not the kayak though.