Florida State Bass Fishing Information

[Swede]

Florida Lake Imagery

Deerpoint Lake - Panama City - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.315534&lon=-85.570351&z=13.5&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Seminole - Sneads - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.777631&lon=-84.819092&z=12.6&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Talquin - Tallahassee - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.433064&lon=-84.568398&z=13.3&r=0&src=ggl

Dead Lakes - Wewahitchka - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.433064&lon=-84.568398&z=13.3&r=0&src=ggl

Juniper Lake - DeFuniak Springs - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.770391&lon=-86.129776&z=15.8&r=0&src=ggl

King and Holley Lakes - DeFuniak Springs - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=30.78079&lon=-86.182437&z=15.3&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Wimico - Port St Joe - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.799996&lon=-85.144066&z=13.9&r=0&src=ggl

Lake George - Georgetown - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.301852&lon=-81.599414&z=12.5&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Kerr - Kerr City - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.36032&lon=-81.774328&z=14.3&r=0&src=ggl

Crescent Lake - Crescent City - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.464755&lon=-81.495026&z=12.8&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Okeechobee - Okeechobee - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=26.959831&lon=-80.78531&z=11.2&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Istokpoga - Istokpoga - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=27.373821&lon=-81.279969&z=12.9&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Kissimmee - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=27.909007&lon=-81.270805&z=12.7&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Hatchineha - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.018074&lon=-81.411782&z=13.6&r=0&src=ggl

Cypress Lake - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.077969&lon=-81.322838&z=14.2&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Tohopekaliga - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.220583&lon=-81.376315&z=13&r=0&src=ggl

East Lake Tohopekaliga - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.295769&lon=-81.282261&z=13.9&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Apopka - Winter Garden - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.616056&lon=-81.623929&z=13&r=0&src=ggl

Harris Chain - Leesburg - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.81668&lon=-81.779866&z=12.3&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Monroe - Sanford - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.841885&lon=-81.268246&z=13.4&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Jesup - Sanford - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.744439&lon=-81.213426&z=13.8&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Harney - Geneva - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.693886&lon=-81.025422&z=12.2&r=0&src=ggl

Upper St Johns River - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.98987&lon=-81.566416&z=10.8&r=0&src=ggl

Butler Chain of Lakes - Orlando - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.473992&lon=-81.527648&z=13.7&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Conway and Little Conway - Conway - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.474401&lon=-81.351578&z=14.6&r=0&src=ggl

Rodman Reservoir - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.520027&lon=-81.844366&z=13.8&r=0&src=ggl

Orange Lake - McIntosh - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.465647&lon=-82.181136&z=13.7&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Lochloosa - Lochloosa - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.521799&lon=-82.12516&z=14.3&r=0&src=ggl

Newnans Lake - Gainsville - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.643716&lon=-82.221599&z=13.9&r=0&src=ggl

Santa Fe Lake - Keystone Heights - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=29.749488&lon=-82.079451&z=14.1&r=0&src=ggl

Lake Tarpon - Tarpon Springs - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=28.115471&lon=-82.719714&z=14.2&r=0&src=ggl

Stick Marsh/Farm 13 - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=27.7922&lon=-80.726123&z=14.1&r=0&src=ggl

Eagle Lake - Winterhaven - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=27.987112&lon=-81.764696&z=15.2&r=0&src=ggl

[Swede]

If you are not familiar with Save Rodman Inc - here's the link:

www.rodmanreservoir.com

If you want to contribute to a good cause - or get involved an organization - this is one that will help all Floridians.  Without the Rodman Dam - 22 million tons of nutrients would flow into the St Johns River annually.  Currently - vegetation in Rodman removes most of the nutrients before the water spills over the dam into the river.  Withou the dam - St Johns as we know it would be in big trouble.  Environmentalists I'm sure have good intentions - but they are sure off target with this cause.  Please take the time to become informed.

[IndyBasser]

Hello, Floridian's.  I have a couple of ?'s for you all.....I work in the construction & I have been told by the company that I work for that I may be working in the Winter Haven area....Having never been to Florida what type of gear should I have & bring with me?

    I live in Indiana, and 90% of the time I'm in waders fishing for smallies , using ultralite setups...( 4# line, 3/8 max. lures, finesse worms, and crappie tubes).  I also have a couple med. weight spinning setups as well...( medium weight poles, 10#- 15# line, I believe up to 5/8 oz. weight). I use the med. weight for fishing in ponds and lakes with vegatation...lillyies, cat-tails, and grass.  I know that you have a much different "weed" structure than we do.   I have been toying with getting a brand new B.C. set-up......Abu Revo sxt, St. Croix med-heavy rod 7' long,and spooling it with braid.  Would this be a good set-up for what I may be up against, hopefully fish that look like they are on steriods compared to the fish here in Indiana.  Not saying that there are no big fish up here, but there are More big fish down there .

   What kinds of fish would I have the chance to catch, remember I have NEVER been to Florida.   I would love the chance to catch big largemouth, and would be completely stoked to catch a peacock ( but I think that they are farther south...is that correct?).   Other than that an more Info that I should know?

   Any help would be appreciated,  Thanks in advance
                                                 IndyBasser..........aka..Steve

[Swede]

Testing on the muck scraped from Okeechobee reveals high levels of Arsenic and other chemicals.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-muck0907jul09,0,641674.story?track=rss

[Pferox]

Testing on the muck scraped from Okeechobee reveals high levels of Arsenic and other chemicals.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-muck0907jul09,0,641674.story?track=rss

I'm not surprised, I bet a lot of lakes around the country are that way, the bottom is a big part of the filtration process. I know that there is a high concentration of some kind of acid in much of the Polk County water system, and I think we can thank the mines for that one.

Dunno about Texas though, might be a lot of cattle, ummmmmm ya know. 

[Swede]

Report Suspected Wildlife Law Violations:

You can report suspected boating or wildlife law violations of any type through the statewide, toll-free, 24-hour Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). You can find more information by visiting http://myfwc.com/law/alert/.

[Swede]

Lake Okeechobee information can be attained through the South Florida Water Management District web site:

https://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pageid=2814,19613298,2814_19613444&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

[Swede]

Will traffic conditions and accidents keep you from getting to your fishing hole?

Check here and click on the region of the state you are interested in:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/

Remember this as well - if you need to reach the FHP in a hurry dial *FHP - that's star 347

[dodbassman]

The Ledger newspaper has some good articles and information on fishing central florida lakes. Don post fresh water information on Thursdays. Read his report at

www.theledger.com

Click on Sports then Outdoors.

Tight Lines

DoDbassman

[Swede]

New $9 fee to fish from shore:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/fee-19046-fish-florida.html

[Swede]

Weather info for most of our Florida Lake destinations.

http://fishingweather.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=134

[Swede]

Lake Okeeechobee and Lake Seminole on the list of Bassmaster Southern Open destinations for 2010.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/opens/news/story?id=4492007

[bassindude]

Hey y'all,  Im going to be looking for a bass club in the near future.  My target area is South Flordia, Big O and up to the Kissimee chain of lakes.  Anyone with suggestions?  I am on the road a lot, so until this changes, Im hoping to fish as a backup non boater, for anyone whos regular partner is unavailable.  THis would allow me to learn the lakes in the area, and hopefully I can contribute some of my northern fishing experience.  Thanks, Jim

[Swede]

Choctawhatchee River Landings:

South End:
Black Creek Lodge


Mid-River:
Smokehouse


Rook's Bluff


Simpler's Landing


Pine Log Landing



Hwy 20 Area:
John's Little Acre


Hwy 20


Mann's Landing


Above Hwy 20:
Howell's Bluff Fish Camp Landing


Cedar Tree Landing


Shell Landing (Holmes Creek)

[bassindude]

Thanks again Swede.
JIm

[screwballl]

For those that fish Hurricane Lake (northern Okaloosa County) and don't mind keeping one or two, as of July 1, 2010, the keeper size limit for bass has dropped to 12" (was 18"), matching most of the other smaller area lakes. Since they had a mass abundance of mid sized bass (10-18") and very few over that, they are allowing people to harvest more mid size and those that don't get caught will have more food available and get bigger.
This would be an excellent lake for a small introduction of shad.

Also heard a ranger report that Bear Lake is starting to see a decent recovery of bluegill, but bass may still take a few years to get back to normal (due to the dam break in summer 2009 draining most of the lake).

[Swede]

Possible Marine Life Center and Hatchery to be constructed on Okaloosa Island in Okaloosa County/Fort Walton Beach area.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/fort-43783-future-hatchery.html

[Swede]

Some very good information regards exotic fishes in FL. 

http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2011/november/30/fb-december/

[mbrennan]

I am looking to retire to sarasota are, Lakewood Ranch.
I'm looking to buy down there in about 1 1/2 years.
How's the bass fishing there

Thyanks
Mike

[scott s]

Im from Rhode Island and will be visiting some family in Yule florida in couple weeks. Im looking for some suggestions on where i might try my luck in that are? I know there are wonderfull places from orlando south ,but i wont be able to go far from the yule/jacksonville are.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all 

[bassindude]

They'll be a lot of great choices up there.  Just depends on what kind of fishing you want to do, Guided, bank, surf.  Lots of options.  Jim

[scott s]

They'll be a lot of great choices up there.  Just depends on what kind of fishing you want to do, Guided, bank, surf.  Lots of options.  Jim

Im looking to do freshwater, Large Mouth Bass  either from the bank or in kayak

[bassindude]

Copnjax is very familier whith that area.  He may have missed the thread.  shoot him a PM and he'll likely tell you about some great places.  Tell him Jim Bassindude said hello.

[Swede]

Lake Talquin Information

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Information:
http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecast/nw/lake-talquin/

Launch and Lodging Locations:
Ingram's Marina
http://www.ingramsmarina.com
Address: 354 Lois Lane, Quincy, Florida 32351
Phone: (850) 627-2241

Imagery of both Ingram's and Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge:
Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4214751,-84.6252941,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge:
http://fishthewhip.com/
Address: 3129 Cooks Landing Rd, Quincy, FL 32351
Phone:(850) 875-2605

Lake Talquin Lodge:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4421938,-84.5777998,239m/data=!3m1!1e3
http://www.laketalquinlodge.com/index.htm
Address: 231 Gainey Rd, Quincy, FL 32351
Phone: 850-627-3822

Lodging Only:
Holiday Inn Express
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.5360795,-84.5945923,239m/data=!3m1!1e3
Address: 101 Spooner Rd, Quincy, FL 32351
Phone:(850) 875-2500

Hampton Inn:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.5360795,-84.5945923,239m/data=!3m1!1e3
165 Spooner Rd, Quincy, FL 32351
(850) 627-7555

Parkway Inn & Suites:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.5360795,-84.5945923,239m/data=!3m1!1e3
Address: 75 Spooner Rd, Quincy, FL 32351
Phone:(850) 627-4633

Public Launches:
Ben Stoutamire Landing Boat Ramp
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4067203,-84.6097767,119m/data=!3m1!1e3

Pat Thomas Park
949 Hopkins Landing Rd
Quincy, FL 32351
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4157333,-84.6357682,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

Hall Landing
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.419828,-84.5715647,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

Lake Talquin State Park
14850 Jack Vause Landing Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32310
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4364652,-84.5336533,956m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lake-Talquin

Williams Landing
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4483037,-84.5215351,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

Coe Landing
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4550746,-84.4830607,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

High Bluff Landing
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4600086,-84.4982353,239m/data=!3m1!1e3

Meals: there may be better places to eat, but The Whip at the Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge cannot be beat in my opinion. Try the burgers or ribeye sandwich. Tallahassee isn't very far away where there are a lot more options on where to dine.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/302/35807/Tallahassee-restaurants

[Swede]

Lake Okeechobee Launch Locations:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=ziUw8lwzd51M.k57b-bnMWN-c&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0