Freshwater fishing: Big bass are elusive in Polk County right now. But quantity is high
1. In Lakeland, at Saddle Creek bluegill are biting in the pits using minnows. Black-and-blue trick worms have been working for bass. At Tenoroc on Lake B, medium shiners have been the go-to bait for bass. Specks have been hitting grass shrimp on Picnic Lake. On lakes Parker and Hollingsworth, night fishing has been good for bluegill on crickets and grass shrimp, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle (863-666-2248).
2. In Auburndale and Lake Alfred, on Lake Ariana there are a lot of schooling bass in the 2- to 3-pound range. In Lake Alfred on lakes Alfred, Rochelle and Haines, bass have been numerous in the 2- to 3-pound range. The bluegill and shellcracker bite has been strong, reports Ron Schelfo at Ron’s Tackle Box (863-956-4990).
3. In Winter Haven, on Lake Canon, the bass bite has been good, but a lot of catfish are also being caught. Lakes Shipp and Summitt have been hot for bass, says Schelfo. Capt. Bill Goudy says to look for bass near the brush piles and the outside edges of submerged grass. Jigs, soft plastics, wacky rigged senkos and live shiners have all been popular bait. For a guided fishing trip with Capt. Goudy, call Bass Online (888-629-2277).
4. In Lake Hamilton, on the big lake, bass are eating shad in the morning and bluegill in the afternoon, so spinner baits, traps and chatterbaits are all working. In the morning, stick close to the grass lines and flip black-and-blue creature baits in the reeds and thick grass. Around thinner grass, try black-and-blue swim jigs. Specks can be had everywhere trolling minnows in 6 to 10 feet of water. Bluegill and shellcracker are nearly done spawning, but you can still catch them on crickets or worms around the pads. On the middle lake, try flipping black-and-blue senkos and casting along the edge of the grass with white traps for bass. Shellcracker can be found using worms on the south side of the lake in the pads. On the little lake, bass are being caught on shad-colored chatterbaits as well as spinner baits. Carolina-rigged worms are also getting the bite, reports local guide Kyle Brewer. Contact Kyle at fishingbud55@gmail.com.
5. On Lake Marion near Haines City, bass are being caught flipping speed worms around the grass lines in 2 to 5 feet of water. Specks can be caught trolling with white or chartreuse jigs in 4 to 7 feet. Shellcracker and bluegill are being caught on crickets and worms on the outside of the grass lines, just listen for the popping noise, reported Brewer.
6. On Lake Pierce, speck limits are being caught drifting minnows in open water. The bluegill and shellcracker bite has been spotty, but if you find the right patch of pads you can limit out. The bass bite has been strong on topwater bait early in the morning and Carolina-rigged worms later in the day. Live bait has been good all day, reports Jim Childress of Big Bass Bait & Tackle (352-207-7520).
What's Biting: Bass
While not many big bass are being caught, the quantity remains high in many places. Many anglers are pulling several 3-to-4-pound bass out of area lakes on a variety of bait from shiners to speed worms.
Strike zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12
7. On Lake Hatchineha, the best place for bass has been by the port. Try throwing a back-and-blue swim jig and flipping a black-and-blue senko. Speck fishing has been very good trolling a 1/8-ounce road runner jig in Gator Cove. Minnows are also doing well there for specks, reports Bridgemaster Fishing Products (863-676-1009).
8. On Lake Toho, water levels are falling, pushing the fish deeper, but that hasn’t cooled the bite. Topwater baits are working well, with the same being true for jerkbaits, speed worms and shiners. Speck fishing remains slow, but you can find some over the shell beds, according to Mike Groshon from Bass Online (888-629-2277).
9. On Lake Kissimmee, bass have been good around Lemon Point, Grassy Island and 27 Palms flipping a 1-ounce Medlock jig into the thicker grass lines during the afternoon. Topwater bait around North Cove has been good in the morning. Bluegill and shellcracker have also been on fire around Bird and Rabbit Island on red worms and crickets, reports Bridgemaster Fishing Products.
10. On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, bass have been good throwing a zoom speed worm in the sparse pencil reeds. You can also try throwing a popping frog in the morning. Bluegill and shellcracker have been biting on red worms and wigglers in the deeper pads, reports Bridgemaster Fishing Products.
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11. On Crooked Lake, on Big Crooked bluegill and shellcracker have been the top choice on live worms and crickets. Look for the shell beds for the best results, if you can’t find them, stick to the pads. Some specks can be found around Wirt’s Point. The bass bite has been strong, not a lot of big fish are being caught but they can be found using the popular method. On Little Crooked, bluegill and shellcracker can be had using red worms and crickets fished on the bottom. Catfish are being caught off the boat ramps and banks using nightcrawlers and cut bait, says Childress.
12. In Frostproof, on Lake Clinch, limits of shellcracker and bluegill are being caught off the shell beds using red worms. The bass bite has been strong using topwater baits early in the morning, and Carolina-rigged worms off the brush piles as the temperature rises. On Lake Reedy, lots of bluegill and shellcracker can be found around the public docks. Some specks can be found drifting minnows in open water, with the night bite active using lights. Bass tournaments recently have yielded some big fish around the brush piles using Carolina rigged worm and jerkbait. On Lake Arbuckle, a few specks are still being caught in open water. Bluegill bite has been the best using crickets around the lily pads and Cypress trees around the south end, reports Childress.
13. In Mulberry, fishing has been good in the deeper water. Look for the hydrilla pockets and fish plastic worms in junebug and black-and-blue colors on a light weight and keep moving around, says Danny Hamm of Bull Bay Tackle Company (863-937-3292).
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Freshwater: Big bass are elusive around Polk. But quantity is high
