Freshwater fishing: Bass and specks are on fire in much of Polk County as spawn continues
1. In Lakeland, Lake Hollingsworth is turning back on for specks on minnows and grass shrimp. Still hearing good things about Lake Crago for specks as well. Shiners remain the go-to bait for bass. On Lake Parker, the bass are starting to spawn, so stick to shallow water near the grass. For specks, try Horseshoe Lake at Tenoroc on minnows, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle (863-666-2248).
2. In Auburndale and Lake Alfred, bass fishing has picked up on Lake Ariana, while speck fishing has remained strong on minnows. In Lake Alfred, on lakes Alfred, Rochelle and Haines, speck fishing has been busy with multiple reports of nice-sized specks and limits being caught. A 12-pound bass was reported out of Lake Alfred, says Ron Schelfo at Ron’s Tackle Box (863-956-4990).
3. In Winter Haven, on the south side, the mouths of the canals have been hot because the bass are chasing the specks and they’re all congregating. Fishing has been great everywhere, according to Schelfo. Capt. Bill Goudy reports that he’s been catching some nice bass in the offshore grass piles. If you can find those, they’re holding fish. Try dropshot trick worms, a lightweight fluke, Texas rig worms and square-bill crankbait on the outside edge of the Kissimmee grass. For a guided fishing trip with Capt. Goudy, call Bass Online (888-629-2277).
4. In Lake Hamilton, on the big lake, bass have been going for white shallow hard and soft body jerk bait on the outside of the grass. Some are being caught using black-and-blue Senkos as well. For specks, try dipping minnows in the pepper grass and trolling minnows or jigs just outside of the grass lines. On the middle lake, bluegill and shellcracker are being caught all over near any type of grass on crickets and worms. On the little lake, bass are going for Rat-L-Traps in white, blue or chrome. Chatter bait or swim jigs in black and blue have been getting good results as well. Shellcrackers and bluegill can be had on crickets or worms around the cattails and pads. Specks are being caught in about five feet of water trolling minnows or on white jigs, reports Kyle Brewer at Crossed Industries (863-439-7616).
5. On Lake Marion near Haines City, the speck bite is getting better, try minnows near the bank and out deeper past the grass. Bass are spawning with most getting caught on dark-colored speed worms, frogs or swim jigs. Shellcrackers and bluegill seem to be concentrated in small areas on the outside and just inside the grasslines on the west side of the lake, reported Brewer.
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6. On Lake Pierce, the wind has been tricky, but if you can get out, try drifting minnows in the open water or in the pads for specks. Bass fishing has been good. Stick to the shallow water using topwater bait and white chatter bait, reports Jim Childress of Big Bass Bait & Tackle (352-207-7520).
7. On Lake Hatchineha, speck fishing has been very good in seven to eight feet of water drifting minnows at night. Bass fishing has been kind of slow, but some are being caught in the shallow pads and arrowheads, according to Bridgemaster Fishing Products (863-676-1009).
8. On Lake Toho, bass fishing on the artificial bite has been slow, so stick to shiners. Your best bet is Senkos. Speck fishing has also slowed down a bit because of the fluctuations in water temperature, according to Mike Groshon from Bass Online (888-629-2277) for updates.
What's Biting: Bass
Bass are continuing to spawn, so reports of larger catches are being reported. Experienced guides and anglers insist that if you do catch a lunker, take a quick picture and release it where you caught it so it can get back to bed. Shiners, either wild or domestic, remain the go-to bait.
Strike zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. 13
9. On Lake Kissimmee, the speck bite has been very good. Try jigging a Muck City tackle cocaine jig in the mixed pads and grass. Minnows on the grass lines continue to be great for specks as well, according to Bridgemaster Fishing Products.
10. On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, speck fishing has been tough with most people, but if you’re dedicated, try trolling a roadrunner during the afternoon. Bass have been landed in the creeks and canals on black-and-blue Senkos and an S-pro popping frog, reports Bridgemaster Fishing Products.
11. On Crooked Lake, on the big lake, the speck bite has been good if you can dodge the wind. The specks are mostly in the deeper water, but some are being found around the grass lines using minnows. Try live shiners for bass. At the mouth of both lakes, try free-lining live bait. On the little lake, the speck bite has been exceptional drifting minnows in open water, while some are being caught jigging the grass, says Childress.
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12. In Frostproof, on Lake Clinch, the speck bite remains good in 20 to 25 feet of water on minnows. If you want to stick closer to shore, use minnows and jigs in the grass. For bass, some 8-pound catches on live shiners have been reported. On Lake Reedy, the specks are hitting minnows on the south bank, with some being caught in the lily pads. On Lake Arbuckle, stick with minnows in six to eight feet of water or try jigging the pads, reports Childress.
13. In Mulberry, in the pits, reports of 7- to 8-pound bass have been reported. The females have moved up with the warmer weather, so try casting soft plastics in Junebug or black-and-blue colored Senkos. Just go slow. Everybody is trying to find a big bass on beds, reports Danny Hamm of Bull Bay Tackle Company (863-937-3292).
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Freshwater: As spawn continues, bass and specks are plentiful in Polk
