| Fishing in Florida is easy, exciting and fun because | | | | one of the favorites of the local fishermen. |
| there are so many productive places to fish in the | | | | The Seminole Indian name Okeechobee actually |
| state, it?s not stretching the truth to say if you see | | | | means big water, an appropriate title for the largest |
| some water and it?s more than a few inches deep, | | | | freshwater lake in the United States occurring |
| there?s probably fish to be caught. Pair this with the | | | | entirely in one state. The lake is approximately 37 |
| fantastic weather Central Florida has and you?ve got | | | | miles long by 30 miles wide (448,000 acres, 700 |
| heaven on earth for many Bass fishermen. You can | | | | square miles) with an average depth of almost 10 |
| virtually go bass fishing everyday. | | | | feet. To fishermen nation wide, Okeechobee is |
| You can fish everyday of the year, that adds to the | | | | renowned for the sheer numbers of bass it contains |
| attraction as a fishing Mecca. Your chances of | | | | per acre and the fact that it produces more Florida |
| catching what you want do vary with the time of | | | | trophy bass over 8 pounds than any lake in Florida |
| the year. But with the temperature and weather | | | | and the United States. |
| barely fluctuating and changes are at a minimum, it is | | | | Because the river flows north, the upper basin is the |
| not unlikely to catch a fish even when out of season. | | | | area to the south that forms its marshy headwaters. |
| The largemouth bass is the best known and most | | | | The middle basin is the area in central Florida where |
| popular freshwater game fish in Florida. Found | | | | the river widens forming lakes Harney, Jessup. |
| statewide, largemouth bass have rapid growth rates. | | | | Monroe and George. The lower basin is the area in |
| Historically known for huge bass, Florida remains an | | | | Northeast Florida from Putnam County to the river's |
| outstanding destination to catch a trophy Bass. | | | | mouth in Duval County. |
| Central Florida offers not only Lake Toho which is | | | | The source of the river, or headwaters, is a large |
| the most popular lake of the Kissimmee Chain, but | | | | marshy area in Indian River County. It flows north |
| the fame Stick Marsh-Farm 13 fishery as well as the | | | | and turns eastward at Jacksonville to its mouth in the |
| trophy bass lake Walk in water. Lake Toho is | | | | Atlantic Ocean |
| relatively shallow 18,800 acre lake that is covered | | | | The total drop of the river from its source in |
| with various types of aquatic vegetation. The most | | | | swamps south of Melbourne to its mouth in the |
| abundant is the massive hydraulic beds that can be | | | | Atlantic near Jacksonville is less than 30 feet, or |
| found growing to the surface in up to 12 feet of | | | | about one inch per mile, making it one of the "laziest" |
| water. | | | | rivers in the world. Because the river flows slowly, it |
| For Florida bass fishing, bream fishing, or anything in | | | | is difficult to flush pollutants. |
| between, Bass World Lodge is the place to be. Their | | | | For example, the water color in the Harris Chain is |
| location on the St. Johns River in Georgetown, Florida | | | | much stained. This is a blessing as most bass in these |
| gives us quick access to some of the most lucrative | | | | lakes are shallow and hold close to cover. Noisy lures |
| Florida bass fishing and bream fishing grounds in the | | | | are effective and multiple presentations to the same |
| United States. Bass World Lodge offers professional | | | | spot are required to get the fish's attention. |
| guide services, spacious cabins, and fully stocked bait | | | | The biggest problem most fisherman encounter when |
| and tackle shops, as well as bass and pontoon boat | | | | fishing in the Harris Chain for the first time is purely |
| rentals. | | | | mental. Coming from other areas of the state or |
| Lake Toho is a lake that faces North/South, the lake | | | | country, they look at the pea-soup water color and |
| is approximately 9 miles long and only a couple miles | | | | get the impression that these lakes are fishless. This |
| wide | | | | is a shame as they are missing out on some great |
| Similar to most of the Florida lakes medium to large | | | | action if they only knew more about fishing under |
| Wild Shiners are the best producers for trophy fish. | | | | these conditions. Never underestimate Central Florida; |
| However, many lurkers are taken on soft plastics, | | | | it is a well kept open secret that many fishermen |
| Carolina rigs; Rat?s Traps, crank baits, soft plastic | | | | have failed to discover. |
| jerk baits, and suspending hard plastic jerk baits are | | | | |