Bass season is cranking up on Rodman Reservoir and the rest of Florida as well. Of course bass fishing is good year round but, winter comes with your best chance for that fish of a lifetime. My customers catch more fish over 8 lbs this time of year than any other with several double digit fish caught. Most guides will use wild caught shiners for bait as they also increase your odds for big fish. I’m not opposed to clients throwing artificial baits but, I would reluctantly go without live bait as well. Always remember when fishing artificial to do your homework to determine what baits are best for the water you’re fishing and time of year. We (guides) get a chuckle when folks say “we use these back home”. Well your not home. Local tackle shops are the best source to get set up.

Water temps are below 70 degrees now and the females are swelling fat and hungry. For you crappie guys the males are starting to fan beds and they should be schooling up soon. I don’t guide crappie trips anymore due to their fickle nature. I can however point you to some of the bast crappie guides around Central Florida.

On a recent trip I had the pleasure of taking two young boys from Colorado out and scored a number of quality fish between 3 to five pounds. Conditions were cold and rainey the entire half day trip. The fish of the day was a sweet 9 pounder caught by a 13 year old. He’ll fish a long time before he beats that personal best. This was the families first time fishing in Florida and they will be back. Remember to book ahead. Guides schedules fill up fast this time of year and it’s almost impossible to get bait without ordering at least 3 to 4 days before your trip. Good Luck!

Captain Chris Davy 386-986-79814

I went scouting Monday on a day off in Steinhatchee Florida. Conditions looked tough with 20 plus MPH winds. Tides were favorable in my opinion with a negative low in the morning and an incoming tide. I always fish places I’ve never been on these days so they can often be humbling. After a hard wet ride and a few dead zones….. well Lord Almighty I found a new spot. In less than an hour had multiple decent slot reds and some impressive trout. I was using pinfish and shrimp on a 0/1 circle hook on a free line and a Top Dog Jr. suspended bait along with a black with chartreuse tail DOA with a black 1/4oz jig head.

I went to scout some spots on Rodman 10/24. Fishing was real good with 15 bass up to 5lbs in about 4 hours. No big girls but, that’s scouting. Many of these fish are already have growing bellies as you can see in the pics. Makes for good padding on that PB we all look for. Water temps are down around 70-73 degrees so you crappie guys should start seeing them schooling up soon.

Plan your trips now as dates fill up fast in the winter!

 

I had the pleasure of taking the Gilbreath family out on Rodman Reservoir. This time of year I switch from mostly saltwater fishing to mostly bass fishing as between now and Easter is the best time of year for true MONSTER BASS.

The trip started in fairly dense fog with a good morning bite right off the bat. We had 20 fish 2 1/2 hours into a 4 hour trip. After that the bite died out to nothing. Managed 5 plus and a 6 as the best for the day. In February those would be pretty average fish but, always solid fish.   

So many things going on just before the most wonderful time of the year! Not necessarily Christmas but, fall and winter in general. I fish so many locations and types of fishing it’s hard to contain my anticipation. Lets start with BASS fishing. The peak time to bust the big girls is from around Halloween to Easter. Typical trips for me are 4 hrs AM with 10 to 15 fish on average with rarely a fish under 4 pounds and usually 2 or 3 over 7 pounds. Most seasons clients catch 25 to 35 fish over 10 and many tapping the bottom 10 pounds. Close enough to tell your friends 11. Ha ha. I don’t go for numbers I use huge shiners for big fish. I will accommodate artificial trips but, advise to use some shiners as well.

Saltwater changes with cooler weather as the GATOR trout start moving into the grass flats of Steinhatchee and creeks of Palm Coast. West coast the sheepshead come in to spawn in big numbers and shallow water grouper are always a great time. I will miss the tarpon and snook when fishing Palm Coast on the East Coast but, enjoy the black drum, trout and sheeps head off bridges and shell bars there. Winter in general means bigger and better and most days much more comfortable temperatures.

Best, Capt. Chris Davy

 

We have added a new sightseeing eco tour on the Silver River up to beautiful Silver Springs. The trip is around 3 hours and it’s common to see alligators, all types of birds, turtles, big fish, manatees and even monkeys. Come enjoy the scenic beauty from a private boat. 386-986-7914 Capt. Chris Davy Southern Fried Charters Southernfriedcharters.com