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