Fishing Florida

[ajdobson]

Hey all,

I recently moved to Coral Springs, FL. I came from the upper peninsula of Michigan. I've done a lot of Pike, Walleye, Perch and Bluegill fishing up there. Now in Florida I have no clue what I am doing. I have gone out a couple times and have been skunked both times!! Very frustrating for me when pike fishing came second nature. I know you just have to figure out your surroundings but wtf!! So I have gone to WCA 2 off of Loxahatchee Rd and to Sawgrass Recreation area, the canal that runs parallel to US 27. I guess I've been fishing for largemouth bass since that is all i truly know is in there. I need some help! I have thrown anything from spinners, spoons, meps, plastic worms, jigs, bread, and rapalas. Anyone have any advice or experience with this water? I would love to ketch an Oscar since I have had them in an aquarium before. Neat fish. Peacock bass would be cool to. Anything really would be nice. HELP PLEASE!!

 

[bass or bass ?]

Re: Fishing Florida

I used to fish Loxahatchee when I was a teenager in the 60's. I would recommend Texas or Carolina rigged 7" to 10" plastic worms in watermelon or green pumpkin color. If you just want to catch some fish for now and key in on using artificials later, I would go with live shrimp. Happy fishing!

 

[eavega]

Re: Fishing Florida

my family is still down in South FL, and every time I visit I make some time to get some fishing in. For the freshwater stuff, I've caught LM and Peacock bass using small crankbaits, C-rigged worms, and rat-l-traps. The oscars would always bite on bread, although more recently I've used powerbait for those. Keep trying different baits, but in my experience for the LM and peacock, the faster and flashier the better.

-E

 

[sasto]

Re: Fishing Florida

I like to use purple rubber worms with a Texas rig, fish it very slow for big bass. Cane pole with crickets for an oscar, or should I say oscars, cause you can catch a boatload full. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[cwilt]

Re: Fishing Florida

try warermellon red glitter senkos, i is tough to fish along 27 at sawgrass pk, a boat is kind of needed to get you out there, you can go south about 5 miles on 27 to holliday park, they rent boats there, i don't know if sawgrass park rents boats, just start throwing at the little cuts in the sawgrass you eventually will hook up. good luck!

 

[cwilt]

Re: Fishing Florida

.........also the florida largemouth are very very iffy about coldfronts,they do not like cold water. try to wait a couple of days after the front untill the weather normalizes.(the fish down here are use to the water temp around 85-90 deg) if you can't, just use smaller baits and work'em real slow.

 

[ajdobson]

Re: Fishing Florida

Caught my first Florida fish! I went up to Lox Rd. Took my boat up the north canal to the East-West stretch. Went as far East I could and then drifted back down the North side of the canal (the wind is perfect to keep me against the shore). I used a texas rig with a purple plastic worm. Threw it on shore, pulled it back into the water and bam! Nailed him. Caught another one on that drift too. Made my day.

Thanks to all for your advice.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Fishing Florida

purple plastic worms have never let me down. I throw one out and drag it behind a canoe while we enjoy a scenic paddle. Every 30 mins or so a fish throws itself onto the line and we have to stop paddling for a moment.

 

[thiker15]

Re: Fishing Florida

On the NE corner of 441 and Homberg Rd is a mini mart go and get a dozen shinners and try the lakes and canal near your house you'll be surprised at fish you can catch

 

[sasto]

Re: Fishing Florida

On the NE corner of 441 and Homberg Rd is a mini mart go and get a dozen shinners and try the lakes and canal near your house you'll be surprised at fish you can catch

Not only suprised.......but amazed also!

Shiners produce big bass.....10# or so.....

2/0 hook, mustad.....florocarbon leader, must...popping bobber, big'un....drift or anchor, your choice.....enjoy the sunset and catch a bass or two, priceless.

Try a cane pole with the cricketts someday for the oscars and other panfish. Some never go back to a rod and reel.

Keep the dirty side down....and...Good Luck!

 

[cwilt]

Re: Fishing Florida

NICE FISH! try throwing frogs around isolated pads and hold on. you can also go into the flats out there and the fishin is also good, but i think you need a flag on the boat. the pole has to be 10 ft tall from the bottom of the boat..i use a cheap crappie pole.

 

[kyliejakeman]

Re: Fishing Florida

Thanks for the tips it was very helpful i appreciate it

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Fishing Florida

try warermellon red glitter senkos, i is tough to fish along 27 at sawgrass pk, a boat is kind of needed to get you out there, you can go south about 5 miles on 27 to holliday park, they rent boats there, i don't know if sawgrass park rents boats, just start throwing at the little cuts in the sawgrass you eventually will hook up. good luck!

When in Florida we also fish Holiday Park and alligator alley on 75. We put in at mile marker 41 on the south side of 75. We use jigs and cut bait for Oscar?s they are very sensitive to water temp change. And retreat further south if temp drops into the low 40?s for several days. The first one you catch take your time getting it into the boat, the more it fights the more the other get excited. For bass I use watermelon super speed craws. Some times I fish them top water and some times I let them sink, depending what the fish like. I also fish them on a #5 swim bait hook.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Fishing Florida

I've been fishing south florida all my life and can tell you the purple plastic worm is a staple. I also like black, black w/red tail, motor oil green, and green fleck...all worms. Rapalas work well if you like plugs, and shiners will catch you something every time (i don't use them). Holiday Park is preferred over Sawgrass, although I've caught some nice fish in both. I don't do much north of Broward, but I hear the area of Lake Ida and Osborne tears it up...just don't go on the weekend. Most any canal in Broward or Dade will kill any shiny lure with oscar or peacock--you don't even need a boat.

 

[losede]

Re: Fishing Florida

The new law is everyone will need a license now weather your fishing from shore the Goodyear Blimp, wading or a pier. The only time you won't need one is on a charter boat.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Fishing Florida

That's not a new law...it's been that way. If you are fishing, you must have a license unless on a charter boat or you are a resident using (cane) poles or line not equipped with a fishing-line-retrieval mechanism, and you are fishing in your home county. The "catch" is, you need a fishing license to fish by any method in a fish management area regardless of what you use. There are some other rules, and it gets a little complex, but for the most part, you need a license for the type of fishing we are talking about.