CENTRAL FLORIDA INLAND September Fishing Report
Wow, Forest Fishers, this summer has been one heck of a rainy season so far! Water levels are way up, and the shore-line is lush and green. The bug population is booming as well, so there’s plenty for the fish to eat.
The summer time bass fishing continues to impress. There’s a lot more water and cover to search through, so moving baits will help you find fish. Soft plastic swimbaits are the key to success, but make sure to have a senko or trickworm rigged up, and ready to throw at missed strikes. This one-two punch combo is the most important trick you can use to hook finicky fish. Top-water frogs are also working great during low light conditions, and of course, nothing beats a lively shiner. Target shallow cover at sunrise or sunset, and focus on deeper cover during the midday heat. All the backwoods lakes are showing good numbers of quality bass, as well as the private dock areas of Lake George and Astor.
The catfish fishing, along the Ocklawaha River, also continues to be going strong. River bends and creek mouths are the best places to try when looking for new spots. The Eureka Bridge, and Rodman Dam areas, are producing hefty channel cats, whereas the Sharpe’s Ferry Bridge and Moss Bluff areas have better numbers of “butter cats” (bullhead catfish). Most people use chicken livers for bait, but I find them hard to keep on the hook. Beef kidneys are a great alternative (for panfish too), and will stay on a small hook better. Cut-bait, or even bacon will get the job done in a pinch.
Now, whether or not you consider gar a trash fish, you have to admit they put up a darn good fight. Personally, I think they’re awesome and taste great when fried! Lake Eaton is my choice for catching “Florida gar”; which is the smaller of the gar family, and average about 3 to 5 pounds. If you’re looking for a serious battle, then long nose gar will give you all you can handle. They can be found on the flowing waters of the Ocklawaha and St. Johns River. You’ll see them rolling when you’re in the right spot. These dinosaurs get to over 40 pounds, and will test the limits of your tackle. Remember to use a heavy braid or steel leader, so you don’t get cut off by their razor sharp teeth. I like to fish closer to the surface, by using a bobber, but they will eat off the bottom as well. Any bait fish, dead or alive, will get the bites. Make sure to let them chew for a while though, because they usually drop it a couple times before actually getting the hook down. Gar can live for hours out of the water, so be careful when handling them. A towel or rag, wrapped around the beak, will give you a place to hold and control these beasts.
Lastly, shrimp season will be in full swing this month. Most people focus their cast-netting around the Palatka Bridge area, but large schools of shrimp can be found all along the St. Johns River. Call local bait shops, or go online, to find out where the biggest concentrations are, as they make their way down the river. The days around the full moon (Sept. 6) are great for both shrimping and fishing. As always, feel free to call me if you have any questions, and e-mail me pics of your catches if you’d like them to be featured in my report.
John Freeze 352-216-5798 swampsurf@embarqmail.com