Local anglers Florida bound
By Staff
Kevin Stone
Franklin County Times
I mentioned in last week's column that I absolutely cannot stand cold weather.
Two lucky groups of anglers are escaping the cold weather and are heading to Florida. Sunny skies and warm weather will be a welcomed relief for these anglers, not to mention the opportunity to catch some monster bass.
One group will be leaving this weekend for Lake "Toho" Tohopekaliga. This is one of the top fisheries in the United States and they will be fishing during the new moon lunar phase. The new moon phase is considered to be the best time to catch bedding bass in Florida.
What can the anglers expect on Lake Toho?
They can look forward to 80-degree temperatures and bass moving onto their beds by the hundreds. Sight fishing will play a major part in their success, and if the weather is calm, they will actually be able to see and attempt to catch the huge female bass that are preparing to spawn. They will need heavy line and stiff rods to horse these big bass to the boat. They should have the opportunity to see and catch bass weighing 10 pounds or more.
The second group of anglers will be leaving during the third week of February and are destined for Lake Okeechobee in south Florida.
Like the first group they will also be fishing one of the top lakes in the United States. They will experience similar fishing conditions during the full moon. Live bait, wild shiners as big as your hand, will be used in addition to artificial lures.
I've had the opportunity to fish both of these lakes and these anglers are sure to have an awesome experience. I've only got two tips for these guys. The number one tip is not to forget your fishing rods (yes, this has actually happened). Number two is that sound your hearing is not a bullfrog, it's an alligator!
I wish both of these groups good luck and a safe trip. For the anglers stuck at home, remember the Millennium Project workday on Feb. 9.
Kevin Stone is branch manager and loan officer at Valley State Bank and can be reached at (256) 332-3600.
