Ok now, it’s really getting cold (for Floridians anyway) – the fronts are coming thru every six or seven days. If you are after big bass you are here at the right time! With December having some really cold days it will lower the water temps into the 50s. That is all it takes to get the spawn triggered. I took the airboat out to scout for bass beds on the Kissimmee chain and most of them are in a foot of water, all males. The females should not be far away. You can find the staging areas of the female bass, usually within 40 yards distance from the beds. Look for some type of structure i.e. Kissimmee grass, reeds, or bull rushes – you can really be successful at catching big bass. These are the areas I look for all winter. Once you find them it is like fishing in a barrel. Artificial baits should be fished slowly. I prefer plastic lizard type baits in watermelon seed color. Hard bait best bet is a Yozuri 3D minnow.
The crappie bite is really good on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The fish are still in open water grouping up ready to start making their way in to compete for spawning area. I expect them to move into the grass by the end of January. Troll or drift from the edge of the grass lines on out to open water until you find them. Jigs tipped with minnows are a sure thing mylar seem to be preferred by finicky fish – Ron’s Zip Jigs are working and Roadrunners slow trolled are good too. On a recent trip we caught most of the fish on the drop offs. Enjoy the winter – Capt. Randy DuMars
