Lake Kissimmee / Central Florida Bass Fishing Report & Forecast 04JAN2019
Sorry for the later than usual report but I was not out on these lakes earlier in the week as I was guiding on the Winter Haven South Chain. I just ran 2 trips the last two days out of Camp Mack and I’m happy with what we found.
The best news here is that we finally have higher water levels between Southport (Lake Toho) and Lake Kissimmee (Hwy 60) locks. We’ve seen waters rise nearly 2ft in the last few weeks which has helped the fishery immensely, and consequently our “catching” trips.
The last 2 days we’ve faced pre-frontal conditions with heavy winds rotating from the E to SSW in the last 48 hours. The lakes are “cleaner” and are closer to the natural “Florida black water” we’re used to here, and surface temps are steady at 68-69 in most places. We fished shell beds off points near drops or creek channels, and also 4’-6’ hydrilla adjacent to spawning flats that were protected. I think I mentioned in my Winter Haven report a couple days ago, I prefer fishing transition and staging areas for the next 4 months. You increase your odds of catching with fishing where both pre-spawn and post-spawn fish are feeding and moving back and forth.
The best live bait is wild shiners (if you can find them) in the 5”-8” range, weightless, 5’ behind a float. As for artificial baits, a Bitters Bait emerald/blue fluke was hands down the best bet. I like this bait in low light or dark water because I feel that the fish can find it easier. After so many years of “field research” on these lakes, I feel confident recommending it to friends. A white & chartreuse swimjig worked for us, along with a Zoom Mag Finesse in watermelon red dipped in chartreuse Spike-it dye.
Forecast: This weekend on the Kissimmee Chain will be an adventure after this storm and cold front blow thru tonight and sit to visit with us for a couple days. If you are out, SLOW DOWN, I mean slow down to the point that a gopher tortoise would whoop you racing down Hwy 27, slow down. Senkos, flukes, and flippin’ baits can save your day. Come Monday it’ll gradually get better.
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