In addition to speck fishing at night, I've made a couple of trips bass fishing to Lake Istokpoga with somewhat limited results.
In addition to speck fishing at night, I've made a couple of trips bass fishing to Lake Istokpoga with somewhat limited results.
On New Years Day, I spent about eight hours checking out a number of past productive spots all over the lake.
Water temperatures ranged from 61 degrees to 65 degrees, depending on my location.
I started out flipping the West Wall, picking up two small bass on a jig and pig, with no takers on a plastic worm.
The water looked good with reeds in water that ranged from 2-3 feet, but no early signs of spawning bass or newly made beds.
On the south end of the lake, around the small reed islands, the water temperature was the coldest at 61 degrees.
No takers on a jig or worm, although I did catch a nice 2 1/2- pound bass on a Silver Phenom Bass Assassin in the hydrilla south of Bumblebee Island.
Working the shoreline of the Big Island, I was surprised to finally hook into a large fish, unfortunately, it was a toothy gar and although it was a pretty good fight, he ended up cutting my line and escaping with one of my prized Medlock jigs.
There are a number of reed islands, as well as reeds extending from shore, stretching across the East shoreline that have always produced some nice bass, but after a couple of hours flipping the area, they either weren't in and around the reeds, or they were just shut down.
My best results were on the north end where the water temperature was 64 degrees.
I've always done well flipping the reeds in this area and although I didn't see any action until around 2:30 p.m., I caught three bass in a 15 minute time period.
The biggest was 3.13 and heavy with eggs.
The other two, within 25' of each other, were both hefty 2 pounders.
I tried to get a picture of one of the two pounders, but it's hard to take a picture and land a fish - even a two pounder.
Early January can be a tough time to catch bass on Lake Istokpoga, as the bass are in an early pre-spawn mode, but as the water warms and we get closer to the first full moon of 2013, the biggest spawners in the lake should be showing up.
I've always heard the north end of the lake will warm up first and many bass will be spawning on both the North and West shorelines.
The good news is that the bass fishing will only get better as we move into the New Year.
By mid-February through March, your chances of catching that wallhanger will be at its highest.
On a different note, I wanted to mention our local bait and tackle shops.
I stopped by the Lorida Bait and Tackle store the other day and I was surprised when John Wood, the owner, mentioned that business was slower than usual for this time of the year.
John has a great fishing tackle store with a terrific selection of tackle, rods and reels as well as live bait.
He's also an incredible fisherman, who's always happy to share his fishing knowledge with anyone who asks.
In 2005, I fulfilled a life's dream, by opening a bait and tackle store in Avon Park called Reds.
We opened in December, and held our grand opening in January 2006.
We had a great couple of months and then by April, business just died.
Whether it was due to the fact that all the snowbirds went back up north, or everybody just quit fishing, I'll never know.
But we went days with only one or two customers.
Finally, by September of that same year, it was obvious to me that running a business, particularly a fishing tackle store in Highlands County was going to be challenging.
By November, I made the decision to close my business.
It was a tough decision to make, but without steady customers throughout the year, my inventory was killing me.
I had a going out of business sale and sold everything for pennies on the dollar.
It was a huge financial loss for me and my family, but more importantly, my dream of owning and operating a fishing tackle store in my retirement years was vanquished.
I moved to Highlands County in 1996, and since that time, I've seen a number of fishing tackle business's start up and eventually close.
There are probably a good many reasons, but it's a shame since we all benefit from having a quality fishing tackle store in our area.
I suspect many of you do what I do, and that's just go on the internet to Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas (or any one of the other fishing tackle companies), order what you want and wait for it to be delivered to your door.
It's an easy way to shop, certainly at your leisure and you don't have to drive anywhere to get what you want.
If not the internet, big box stores like Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods.
But here's a suggestion, figure out what you want and call one of your local tackle dealers.
They may even have what you're looking for in stock.
From what I've seen, their prices are competitive to Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas and they get the benefit of the sale, while you get the benefit of supporting a Highlands County business.
There are other bait and tackle shops in Highlands County that deserve your patronage as well.
A quick look in the Highlands Countywide phone book only lists Lorida Bait and Tackle, 1747 US 98, Lorida - 863-655-5510, under Fishing Tackle - Dealers, but there are others that sell tackle and live bait.
Henderson's Fish Camp, 863-465-2101, Trails End Fishing Resort, 863-655-0134, Mossy Cove Fish Camp, 863-655-0119 and Cypress Isle RV Park and Marina, 863-465-5241.
In Avon Park, Hendricks also sells tackle and live bait.
As fishermen and residents of Highlands County, we should do all we can to patronize these business's.
If we don't, our only choice in the future may be going on-line to make our purchases.
Don Norton is a professional tournament bass fisherman, bass fishing guide, and custom rod builder. He has also taught a few fishing classes at the South Florida Community College. He lives in the Golf Hammock area of Sebring with his wife Lexie, mother-in-law Ruth Charvat, Ranger, a huge black lab and Riley, a large golden retriever and is the owner of a custom rod building company appropriately named "The American Fisherman". He can be reached at 216-339-6571, 330-635-6682 or by email at donorton13@gmail.com. His website address is theamericanfisherman.com.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 - www.newssun.com/WED-1-16-13-DonColumn