| I consider Florida to be the Mecca of Largemouth | | | | fast retrieve is required to catch very active fish. |
| Bass fishing in the United States. There are many | | | | On other days you need a much slower |
| places to fish in Florida. In this article I will describe | | | | presentation. |
| one place that is well known and one little known | | | | The key thing you need to do is be able to read |
| place that offers great fishing opportunities as | | | | the water. In a large lake like Okeechobee much |
| well. I want to stress that there are many | | | | of the water does not hold many fish. You need |
| different lakes to fish in Florida. When I talk about | | | | to first take notice of your surrounding and look |
| Lake Okeechobee for instance understand that | | | | for areas likely to hold fish. You can often do this |
| there are hundreds of lakes that fit the same | | | | by simply looking at the surface of the water for |
| description throughout South Florida. | | | | action. If you see schools of shiners and other |
| Lake Okeechobee is perhaps the most famous | | | | smaller fish constantly breaking the surface of the |
| Largemouth Bass lake in the United States; It has | | | | water you can be sure Largemouth Bass are |
| earned that reputation by continuously producing | | | | around as well. |
| large numbers of very large bass. It is a very | | | | Look for ambush points and other areas likely to |
| large lake, over 50,000 square miles! It is also a | | | | hold fish. As with any kind of fishing you need to |
| very shallow Lake. A large portion of this lake is | | | | think like a bass. Look for areas that make sense |
| less than 6 feet deep. These in fact are the areas | | | | for the bass to inhabit. The key is not to spend |
| that often hold the largest bass. I would venture | | | | too much time in any one area that is not |
| to guess than over half of the ten pound or | | | | producing. |
| larger bass I have caught have come from water | | | | Once you find areas you should use lures like |
| that was 306 foot deep. | | | | spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and other topwater baits. |
| Fishing Lake Okeechobee can be a challenge but | | | | Sound is very important in these conditions, I |
| very rewarding. You will of course want to find | | | | prefer the spinnerbaits with round blades that |
| the shallow weedy areas of the lake. If your only | | | | emit vibration and attract the Largemouth Bass |
| concern is boating a huge Largemouth Bass then | | | | through sound as well as sight. A jig and pig |
| you might want to consider fishing with livebait. | | | | combo is also very effective in this lake. You can |
| The specific livebait of choice in this lake is the | | | | bounce this artificial along the bottom of the lake |
| wild Florida Shiner. They are available at most | | | | with great success. |
| marinas/bait shops in the area. If you are going to | | | | I would recommend using a guide the first time |
| target huge Largemouth Bass you will need to | | | | you visit this lake. Pay attention to where he |
| use large bait. An eight to ten inch long shiner | | | | takes you to fish and ask questions. You do not |
| allowed to swim freely under a float, or free lined, | | | | solely hire a guide to help you catch fish. You |
| is an awesome presentation. Understand that with | | | | should strive to learn and become a better |
| large bait you need to use a very large hook. | | | | fisherman by learning and understanding the |
| Make sure your hook is well sharpened as it must | | | | principles the guide uses in making your trip |
| penetrate the tough mouth of a very large fish. | | | | productive. |
| You need to use a stout heavy action rod that | | | | Southern Florida has many lakes that are smaller |
| has enough backbone to set that hook deep | | | | versions of Lake Okeechobee. They all can be |
| inside the mouth of your quarry. | | | | fished in a similar manner. |
| If you prefer the more sporting method of using | | | | For a different place to fish for Largemouth Bass |
| artificial baits then you need to gear your arsenal | | | | I am going to throw out the canal/lake system of |
| to fishing in heavy weeds. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits | | | | Cape Coral, Florida. Cape Coral, Florida is known |
| and other topwater offering are much more | | | | for its extensive system of both fresh and |
| important to have in your box than crankbaits | | | | saltwater canals and lakes. You can literally jump |
| and spoons. You need to be able to retrieve your | | | | right out of your car and hook into a several |
| lure through the heavy cover where the bass lie. | | | | hundred pound Bull Shark on one canal and less |
| Again make sure your hooks are sharp. Vary | | | | than a mile away hook into a huge Largemouth |
| your retrieve until you find the proper | | | | Bass in a freshwater canal. |
| presentations. You will find some days where a | | | | |