| has gained an international acknowledgment for its | | | | of Palatka, covers 9,500 acres of prime |
| exceptional saltwater fishing, but the outstanding | | | | largemouth bass habitat. Since its creation in 1968, |
| freshwater fishing has not yet captured the | | | | Rodman Reservoir has been known for trophy |
| widespread attention of the same amount of | | | | largemouth bass. |
| visitors. Residents of this state are in on the | | | | 6. Lake Tarpon |
| secret, however; that they have three very | | | | Anglers in this lake are most successful in flipping |
| active freshwater clubs here in Collier County. | | | | or pitching plastic worms along canal and bulrush |
| Tourists and out of state bass fishermen are | | | | edges. Offshore bass fishing is productive for |
| very much welcome here with the amenities and | | | | anglers who fish around ledges, humps, coontail, |
| lodgings available for them. Boats, equipments are | | | | and eelgrass beds. Popular lures offshore include |
| for rent and this provides much convenience for | | | | shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and |
| travelers. | | | | topwater baits. Fishing with wild shiners and live |
| Since Florida has more than 7,500 lakes available, | | | | shad is also effective. |
| anglers sometimes face a tough decision about | | | | 7. Lake Walk-In-Water |
| where to fish. It is really very important to | | | | The lake is located south of Orlando and east of |
| consider the lakes. The following list of Top Bass | | | | Lake Wales, and it is just south of S.R. 60. Lake |
| Fishing Areas with Bass Fishing rentals aims to | | | | Walk-in-Water has a national reputation as an |
| help anglers find a quality place to catch either a | | | | outstanding spot to catch largemouth bass. |
| good numbers of bass or to catch a trophy bass. | | | | Anglers frequently catch up to 25 bass a day |
| 1. Lake George | | | | with several ranging from four to eight pounds. |
| Lake George is one of the many natural lakes on | | | | The lake also produces many trophy bass |
| the St. John's River. It has extensive vegetation | | | | exceeding 10 pounds each year. A 15- to 24-inch |
| that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade | | | | slot limit regulation and a three-bass daily bag limit |
| fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the | | | | are in place to help maintain quality bass fishing. |
| surface, and other top water artificial lures are | | | | Anglers may keep three bass per day, either |
| productive. Fishing with live shiners is an excellent | | | | under or over the protected slot range, of which |
| method for catching trophy bass during the spring | | | | only one bass greater than or equal to 24 inches |
| spawning season. | | | | is allowed. |
| 2. Stick Marsh Reservoir | | | | 8. Lake Istokpoga |
| Anglers in this river can locate bass throughout | | | | Istokpoga is the fifth largest natural lake in Florida |
| the reservoir among a variety of habitats including | | | | and has an average depth of only six feet. During |
| woody stump fields, submerged canals and hydrilla. | | | | angler surveys conducted from October 2003 |
| Summer 2004 hurricanes drastically reduced levels | | | | throughout May 2004, anglers caught 124,993 |
| of hydrilla throughout the reservoir, however, | | | | bass, of which almost 55,000 were 2 pounds or |
| which can affect where bass are located. Anglers | | | | heavier, and 1,448 bass were over 8 pounds. |
| should keep this in mind when trying to pattern | | | | 9. Deer Point Lake |
| fish. Plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft | | | | Deer Point Lake is a popular largemouth bass |
| jerkbaits, and topwater propeller baits are | | | | fishing destination in Florida's panhandle area near |
| effective. Wild golden shiners are the top choice | | | | Panama City. |
| for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish. | | | | 10. Suwanee River |
| 3. Lake Tohopekaliga | | | | The Suwannee River is a pristine, black water |
| Most anglers here target trophy bass use live | | | | stream flowing 213 miles in Florida from the |
| golden shiners during early spring. Shiners are | | | | swamp-like region at the Georgia border to |
| fished inshore near native vegetation or | | | | salt-marsh tidal creeks at the Gulf of Mexico. This |
| topped-out hydrilla . Plastic baits (worms, crawfish | | | | river is known for trophy largemouth bass. |
| and lizards) flipped along grass edges, hydrilla, and | | | | 11. The Everglades |
| bulrush will also catch quality-sized bass. | | | | The Everglades are south Florida marshlands |
| Spinnerbaits, soft jerkbaits and chugging baits can | | | | intersected with over 200 miles of canals. Most |
| also be very productive at times | | | | anglers fish in the canals rather than in the marsh. |
| 4. Lake Kissimmee | | | | Anglers work canal edges with plastic worms, |
| Lake Kissimmee is the largest of five main water | | | | soft jerkbaits, and minnow imitations. Flipping the |
| bodies on the famous Kissimmee River in central | | | | vegetation is also a popular technique. |
| Florida. Lake Kissimmee is nationally renowned for | | | | Wherever you decide to go, you can be sure that |
| producing high quality fishing. Tournament anglers | | | | you can have the time of your life fishing and all |
| on Lake Kissimmee are posting winning weights of | | | | at a convenience. You can just rent out a boat |
| 18 to 20 pounds of bass. Results of an angler | | | | and eliminate the need to tow your own boat or |
| survey indicated that bass anglers had an | | | | worse have to buy your own. Other gears are |
| excellent catch rate of 0.54 fish/hour during spring | | | | also available as a rental for your own |
| 2004. | | | | convenience and ease. There are also many |
| 5. Rodman Reservoir | | | | lodges and inns plus cabins you can rent out for a |
| Rodman Reservoir, east of Gainesville and south | | | | weekend or more. |