I picked up the new rig in Alabama in January. Because returning to Wisconsin in January with a new boat sucks, we continued down to Florida to fish for some Istokpoga giants. On the first day we arrived, it was sunny and 74. The cold front had not moved in yet. I started swim jigging and then went to some swim bait. I was retrieving my swim bait on top water and a monster smashed the bait but I was unable to get a hook in him. Check out the before and after picture of the bait:
I can't understand how a 8 lb+ bass can tear apart the whole bait and still not get hooked.
I continued the search for Florida largemouth when I picked one up on a swim jig. 2.7 - not bad for the first. At least I wasn't going to be skunked in Florida.
I continued the search for Florida largemouth when I picked one up on a swim jig. 2.7 - not bad for the first. At least I wasn't going to be skunked in Florida.
The very next cast I caught a pike, but not of the northern variety. I didn't know that there were any toothy beasts in Florida, besides gators. I caught a few more bass throughout the evening - awesome night.
The next morning I woke up. It was 40 degrees. To this Wisconsin boy, coming out of the -40 arctic vortex the week prior, I was in heaven. I launched my boat and locals stared at me in wonder (probably questioning my sanity). One old angler said, "Little cold, don't ya think?"
A cold front in Florida is not like a cold front in Wisconsin. I fished my brains out for about four hours with no bites before I decided I needed to do something I'd never done. I rigged up a punching rig with a beaver. I began hunting for water hyacinth patches. Big Fish Bobby Lane says this is what to look for. I had bites and lost fish several times before I finally hooked up with 3.75 Florida largemouth. I caught many in this range, up to 4.5 lbs, but never anything bigger.
I had a lot of fun and fished for four days, caught nice fish every day, loved the scenery, the people, Henderson Fish Camp, and the Lake Istokpoga. Will be back again for sure.
The next morning I woke up. It was 40 degrees. To this Wisconsin boy, coming out of the -40 arctic vortex the week prior, I was in heaven. I launched my boat and locals stared at me in wonder (probably questioning my sanity). One old angler said, "Little cold, don't ya think?"
A cold front in Florida is not like a cold front in Wisconsin. I fished my brains out for about four hours with no bites before I decided I needed to do something I'd never done. I rigged up a punching rig with a beaver. I began hunting for water hyacinth patches. Big Fish Bobby Lane says this is what to look for. I had bites and lost fish several times before I finally hooked up with 3.75 Florida largemouth. I caught many in this range, up to 4.5 lbs, but never anything bigger.
I had a lot of fun and fished for four days, caught nice fish every day, loved the scenery, the people, Henderson Fish Camp, and the Lake Istokpoga. Will be back again for sure.