Fall Peak (central Florida)

RoLo · October 10, 2012, 11:54:42 AM

It's fair to say that central Florida is now in the Fall Peak.
As noted in my last post, bass broke from their summer doldrums,
and were whacking soft swimbaits during the last week in September.
This past Saturday (Oct 6) we got good feedback from jig & trailers
and solid toads (Ribbit).

I was just about to pickup the Ribbit for another cast,
when a bass exploded in a shower of whitewater,
right next to the boat. While I was taping her length,
I noticed the ole gal had a sunken stomach and was blind
in one eye. Living in a world with 50% opportunity, it's no
wonder she seized the lure like her life depended on it.
My heart went out to her, so after a quick picture
I promptly returned to her to the lake without weighing her.
Although she was 23-1/8" long, she'd have been hard pressed
to go 5 pounds. Lois boated the big bass, which weighed 6 lbs
to the ounce.

Arched Rods,
Roger

bassindude · October 10, 2012, 07:55:38 PM

SOme great looking FLorida Bass RoLo. If I have enough time next week Ill probably hit the Big O. Jim

West6550 · October 10, 2012, 08:17:38 PM

Good looking fish you got there! I'm just over in Winter Haven myself. Rebuilding the trailer so boats tied on my dock on the chain. Caught two off spinnerbaits with white trailers under docks the past two evenings on two quick trips out on Lk Eloise. I tossed the ole Ribbit frog both times also with no luck. Again good looking fish!

RoLo · October 11, 2012, 09:16:08 PM

Quote from: West6550 on October 10, 2012, 08:17:38 PM
Good looking fish you got there! I'm just over in Winter Haven myself. Rebuilding the trailer so boats tied on my dock on the chain. Caught two off spinnerbaits with white trailers under docks the past two evenings on two quick trips out on Lk Eloise. I tossed the ole Ribbit frog both times also with no luck. Again good looking fish!

Funny you should mention Eloise, because that was our alternative choice

With all the rain lately, I'd imagine that the canal to Winterset is passable.

Roger

West6550 · October 12, 2012, 08:39:43 AM

Quote from: RoLo on October 11, 2012, 09:16:08 PM
Funny you should mention Eloise, because that was our alternative choice
With all the rain lately, I'd imagine that the canal to Winterset is passable.

Roger

Haven't been that way since before the rain, but it was still okay then. Eloise to Lulu canal is up from under a foot to almost 4' so I'm sure it is. Also just found out the lock is finally done from Lk Rochelle and Haines into the south chain. Little Lk Winterset is amazing for sight fishing for sure!

RoLo · October 12, 2012, 07:54:03 PM

Quote from: West6550 on October 12, 2012, 08:39:43 AM
Haven't been that way since before the rain, but it was still okay then. Eloise to Lulu canal is up from under a foot to almost 4' so I'm sure it is. Also just found out the lock is finally done from Lk Rochelle and Haines into the south chain. Little Lk Winterset is amazing for sight fishing for sure!

Right you are West, the fall jump-fishing on "Little Winterset Lake" can be great,
and reminds me of bluefish blitzes I've seen off Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
A couple years back in Little Winterset, I was chucking different lures
at whitewater commotion on the surface, but all to no avail. I threw crankbaits,
(aruku shad & fat-free shad), a Sabiki rig and a Hopkins spoon, but all drew a blank.
Then of all things, we finally boated a couple bass on an Owner Shaky Worm
that was worked spastically just under the surface. Go figure

Roger

Reservoir Runner · October 19, 2012, 05:04:51 PM

Do the bass down here go into a "fall pattern"? I moved down here from up in the Mid-Atlantic and fall fishing was one of my most favorite times of the year to fish-the days get shorter, cooler air and water temps send the bass into a feeding frenzy. I always thought they only had 2 seasons down here- spawn and the "summer pattern". I ask the question cause I am not sure of the seasons down here for bass.

bassindude · October 19, 2012, 08:04:00 PM

Ive only been down here 2 years but from what I can tell fall lasts about 2 weeks then winter last 3 days then the bass start getting ready to spawn. Caught my biggest FL bass on Big O last year between Christmas and Newyear. If it drops below 80 Im going to consider that fall lol. Jim

West6550 · October 19, 2012, 08:31:59 PM

Quote from: bassindude on October 19, 2012, 08:04:00 PM
Ive only been down here 2 years but from what I can tell fall lasts about 2 weeks then winter last 3 days then the bass start getting ready to spawn. Caught my biggest FL bass on Big O last year between Christmas and Newyear. If it drops below 80 Im going to consider that fall lol. Jim

Lol Read this to the wife and we both had a laugh.

I have to agree with Jim a little... it goes from summer to cold for a few months then it's spawning! Seems like last year spawning didn't last long though.