Hey guys! I’ve read on the forum for a while now and I’m finally posting. I grew up in Southeast Georgia, my main style of fishing was throwing a creature bait to wood and cranking lay-downs but I’ve ventured down into “central” Florida. I’ve been hitting Orange heavy and have been doing great until about 10am, I’ve also been hitting the St. Johns and Lake George a good bit. I’m absolutely clueless what to do when the Topwater bite dies. I’ve tried punching, flipping, power shots. The only thing I’ve had luck on ripping a trap through hydrilla. Any recommendations or tips would be greatly appreciated. 

That’s summer time Florida fishing for sure, honestly it sounds like a statement I would make circa 80’s except I’d replace Orange lake w Lochloosa. (My personal favorite) 

 

I'd say you’re getting it done, to make things a little spicy, buy some golden shiners and enjoy yourself..

3/16 oz texas rig with a uvibe speed worm, mag speed worm or a big ribbon or straight tail worm. play around with, hopping, dragging and slow rolling. 

1 hour ago, MCS said:

3/16 oz texas rig with a uvibe speed worm, mag speed worm or a big ribbon or straight tail worm. play around with, hopping, dragging and slow rolling. 

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto

 

Also, throw that Mag Speed Worm unweighted on top especially dropping it between pads if they don’t want or you don’t want to throw a frog

 

The best condition for me is in and through light to medium submerged grass 

 

It’s always my first choice after a top water and used as a primary or follow up 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

What I have noticed here in GA is that even in the heat of the day I can get bit in shallow water.

 

The difference is that instead of the bass cruising the shallows, they sit in deeper water and make a run perpendicular to the bank. They crash the bank, quick feed, and head right back out to deeper water.

 

So what I do is look for baitfish gathering en masse along the shore and I keep targeting those areas until a bass comes by. Often I find these areas because I see the bass blowing up there, so I cast and keep patiently waiting for them to make a run at that same spot.

 

My other summer go to is ripping a bladed jig through offshore weed beds.

19 hours ago, Mike L said:

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto

 

Also, throw that Mag Speed Worm unweighted on top especially dropping it between pads if they don’t want or you don’t want to throw a frog

 

The best condition for me is in and through light to medium submerged grass 

 

It’s always my first choice after a top water and used as a primary or follow up 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

this.....period....

10 a.m. sounds about right. Most activity seems to be right around sunrise and shortly thereafter. Topwater isn't one of my favorites in FL. Too many alligator blowups. Slow fishing with worms as stated and even go finesse. Small plastics on small jigheads. Fl fishing is tough. 

 

 

That’s about right for Florida, bite dies at about 10am when the sun fills out. I usually fish the dark early hours into sunrise and then split. Where I fish (the everglades) the water begins to boil by the noon hour. So they gonna take cover in cool shade, which is my preferred method to catch them, punching them out of the thick stuff. Topwater does resume mid afternoon when the winds kick up. But, by then, the big storms are already rumbling. Don’t wanna be caught in one of them! 
 

2 hours ago, Zcoker said:

That’s about right for Florida, bite dies at about 10am when the sun fills out. I usually fish the dark early hours into sunrise and then split. Where I fish (the everglades) the water begins to boil by the noon hour. So they gonna take cover in cool shade, which is my preferred method to catch them, punching them out of the thick stuff. Topwater does resume mid afternoon when the winds kick up. But, by then, the big storms are already rumbling. Don’t wanna be caught in one of them! 
 

This picture looks like heaven.........

Unless you are in it!  🤣

Florida summer its early or late and forget everything in between.  Have been fishing every afternoon and have gone by 15 bass in April to 3 or 4 now in the same time period.  I only spend an hour from 6 to 7 PM, but the bite is consistently tough everyday now.

On 7/12/2025 at 12:03 PM, Zcoker said:

That’s about right for Florida, bite dies at about 10am when the sun fills out. I usually fish the dark early hours into sunrise and then split. Where I fish (the everglades) the water begins to boil by the noon hour. So they gonna take cover in cool shade, which is my preferred method to catch them, punching them out of the thick stuff. Topwater does resume mid afternoon when the winds kick up. But, by then, the big storms are already rumbling. Don’t wanna be caught in one of them! 
 

 

I have tied up under those bridge pilings along the alley when a storm suddenly shows up.  One time there were 6 of us tied up to each other and the pilings.

We are really in the dog days right now. Heat index has been over 100 everyday. Not even getting any rain to cool the water just a little.  My last 2 early morning outings have produced nothing. Just a couple of light strikes. 

I’d add something I used to do a lot when younger. Now the heat gets to me too much. If you know of the deepest hole in a smaller lake, fish it SLOW with a  big curly tailed worm. I actually used Mann’s Jelly worms back in the day. 
I also start skipping plastics under docks in mid morning, and stay on that technique until I can’t stand the heat anymore. Usually noon or so.

On 8/2/2025 at 1:40 PM, N Florida Mike said:

 Usually noon or so.

Wow! You can make it until noon? LOL  I go out at sunrise and have had just about enough by 9. If there is a breeze or a few clouds I might last until 10. It has been brutal. 🥵

On 8/4/2025 at 2:04 AM, Don51 said:

Wow! You can make it until noon? LOL  I go out at sunrise and have had just about enough by 9. If there is a breeze or a few clouds I might last until 10. It has been brutal. 🥵

^^^ Truth...Now kids back in school I am relegated to fishing late morning or early afternoon. So bring on the brutality LOL

You asked for it!

 

No summer slump on lake Winterset! Yeah I guess I can check that lake off the list. This is what the kids do with dad's fishing boats when he's not paying attention.

 

We try and pass fishing down to our kids, but they would rather take the fishing boats and go do this... and believe it or not, this happens all across Florida and getting worse. I won't even try to fish on weekends on certain lakes because of this. And the jet skiis too. Toss those in there.

 

Ah, to be young again with dad's fishing boat! What summer slump?

 

Oh, and if you watch this, Polk county sheriff Grady Judd said all of these boats were confiscated by police. The boats, the trailers, and tow vehicles. Bet dad isn't gonna be happy about that! Hey, where's my boat and truck? I wanna go fishing. Sorry dad the sheriff has them. Gonna cost a couple grand when done.

 

There goes the new FFS

 

 

Fish the rivers.

If you stay out in the heat after 10:00 I would look for places with current. Fish the currents deep with worms, jigs, and Senko during the slow times.

Try the Ocklawaha it’s considerably cooler water. You could try Salt Run, but the weekends are very busy.

The bite is tough right now, shrimp are moving in, their bellies are full.

12 hours ago, geo g said:

If you stay out in the heat after 10:00 I would look for places with current. Fish the currents deep with worms, jigs, and Senko during the slow times.

This .

In SWFL the fishing has been terrible. I thought the recent rains with cooling water and rising levels would improve things. Not so much.