Florida's Top Bream Spots

Florida's Top Bream Spots
Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes and ponds and over 10,000 miles of streams and rivers, all brimming with “bream”. “Bream” is a local term throughout the southeast that includes a variety of deep-bodied panfish belonging to the sunfish family. The most common of these are bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and warmouth. Almost any water body in the Sunshine State, regardless of size or locale, contains the popular bluegill and, probably to a lesser extent, redear sunfish. Steve Crawford, a sunfish specialist with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, anticipates another great fishing year in 2006, and expectations remain high following several years of high water levels in peninsular Florida. In south Florida, shellcracker will spawn as early as March if we have a warm winter, or late-March, if our winter is cool. In central Florida, they will likely first go onto spawning beds during the full moon in mid-April, and will begin to concentrate in the panhandle of Florida in mid-May. Bluegill will begin spawning about a month after shellcracker in each region. Shellcracker will bed well into August, while bluegill will periodically spawn throughout the summer months and, sometimes, even as late as November in south Florida. Water depths for bedding bream may range anywhere from 3 to 10 feet. Bluegill seem to opt for slightly more shallow depths, but it's not unusual to see shellcracker and bluegill intermingle, using the same bedding areas at the same time. Due to their abundance and availability, bluegill are easily the most popular “bream” in Florida, although the equally tasty shellcracker may appeal to other anglers, since they are often larger than their bluegill cousins. Found in lakes, streams, rivers, ponds and canals, bluegill are caught on a wide variety of live offerings including earthworms, crickets and grass shrimp. Anglers who use spinning gear won't go wrong when tossing or trolling tiny spinnerbaits. Fly rod buffs particularly enjoy this little scrapper because of its eagerness to clobber both popping bugs and sinking flies. (See fishing tipss for more details). Ounce-for-ounce, the prolific bluegill is a strong battler when not over-tackled. Those caught will range from just a couple of ounces to an average of 6 to 8 ounces. Heavier fish in the 8- to 12-ounce range frequently occur during bedding activities where an occasional one-pounder is not uncommon. Florida's record bluegill scaled 2.95 pounds, while the world record for this species was an impressive Alabama-caught 4-pound, 12-ounce whopper. To qualify for the FWC’s "Big Catch" angler recognition certificate, you need to land a bluegill that is at least 11 inches long or weighs 1.25 pounds. “Shellcracker” is the locally popular name for the Sunshine State's largest "bream", which is easily identified by the red margin at the edge of its gill flap. The average size for these redear sunfish is about 10 to 12 ounces, but one-pound fish are frequently caught on spawning beds. Florida's record is 4.86 pounds, while the world record for this species is a whopping 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The FWC’s "Big Catch" program recognizes catches of redear sunfish (shellcracker) that exceed 2.25 pounds or 12 inches. Favored live baits include snails, mussels, earthworms, crickets and grass shrimp. Redear are seldom caught on artificial lures, but fly rodders can occasionally connect with this hard fighter by casting popping bugs with a small sinking fly tied to an 18-inch light monofilament trailer. Shellcracker usually hang around areas with hard, sandy bottoms or shell beds, but may also be targeted near grass patches, pads, reeds, snags and stick-ups. If panfishing is your passion, don’t overlook Florida’s many streams and rivers for more opportunities. These gems are teeming with redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and warmouth. Although none of these fish grow to the proportions of their bluegill and redear cousins, they are worthy fighters for their size – and tasty too. Spotted sunfish and warmouth will typically be found near woody structure, while redbreast sunfish favor vegetation, such as lily pads or eelgrass. Earthworms are the best live bait for this trio, but small spinners and popping bugs also work well. Enough already? Want specifics? Okay. Based on fishery surveys and local expertise, here are predictions from Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists, on which spots they think should be included on our Top Panfish locales (in no particular order) for the year 2006:
Lake Monroe (near Sanford)
Lake Monroe looks very promising for bluegill anglers in 2006, particularly if water levels remain high. Biologists observed good numbers of shellcracker and bluegill during recent samples. Additionally, anglers working bulrush patches during high water periods have been doing very well. Try the bulrush areas, particularly on the lake’s east end and west end, and then work the lily pads and flooded shorelines.
Lake Kissimmee (east of the City of Lake Wales)
This 35,000-acre lake, located in the heart of Osceola County, remains one of the best bluegill and shellcracker fisheries in the state. The 24 miles of improved shoreline, plus its enhanced open areas, give boaters and waders a super shot at spectacular catches. Anglers often anchor in open water or on grassy edges of the islands and shorelines and use weighted crickets to lure bluegill off their beds. Open areas off of the boat trails also produce good numbers of fish. Historically, bream fishing is best June through August.
West Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) (south of the City of Kissimmee)
Aside from being one of the best bass fisheries in the country, Lake Toho near Kissimmee also supports one of the best bluegill/redear fisheries in the state. Almost 80% of the shoreline was scraped and enhanced following the extreme drawdown and muck removal project in 2004. These enhanced areas have provided miles of freshly vegetated littoral areas, and have exposed shell beds that provide excellent spawning habitat for panfish. Recent surveys indicate that bluegill and redear fishing should be great in 2006. Surveys also indicate that an abundance of large, adult bluegill (up to 10 inches) inhabit FWC fish attractors year-round. Local fishing hot spots include grass-line or open-water areas at Brown’s Point, the mouth of Goblit’s Cove, and South Steer Beach. Lake Toho’s bluegill and shellcracker can be taken on a variety of baits including earthworms, crickets, beetle spins, minnows and dough balls.
Lake Panasoffkee (west of Leesburg)
This lake is back on the list after better than expected fishing seasons recently. Now in the process of undergoing one of the nation's most expansive lake renovation projects, shallow Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County has long been famous for its shellcracker and bluegill production. Shellcracker are particularly cooperative during spring full-moon periods at Shell Point, Grassy Point and Tracy's Point. Also, try the shell beds at the mouth of the Outlet River and in the middle of the lake offshore of the Outlet. If water levels remain favorably high, check out Little Jones Creek for some outstanding warmouth action.
Lake Talquin (near Tallahassee)
Anglers in the Tallahassee area are advised to break out their flyrods, cane poles or light spinning tackle early in spring, because shellcrackers are already bedding and bluegills are fixing to start up soon. What's more, both species should continue biting well throughout the summer months even though water levels might leave something to be desired. Local biologists recommend working the upper end of the reservoir and in the back of various creeks in depths ranging from 3 to 7 feet.
Tenoroc Fish Management Area (northeast of Lakeland)
Fishing for panfish on this 7,300-acre fish management area near Lakeland can be a rewarding experience. With lakes ranging in size from seven to 227 acres, anglers will have plenty of areas to dunk a bobber with worms or crickets or cast their favorite Beetlespin lure or jig. Fishing in submerged vegetation or tree tops should produce plenty of bites, especially around full moons during the summer. Bluegill also bite well in these lakes during September through November. Try lakes 2,3,4,5, B, or Shop Pit for some of the best action. Call the Tenoroc office for more information or to make reservations, because these lakes are only open to fishing four days a week.
Lake Harris Chain (east of Leesburg)
If you’re in the Leesburg area and have a hankering to tussle with some heavier than usual bluegill and shellcracker, both Big and Little Lake Harris will be to your liking. Some of the better locales include the grassy areas in 4 to 6 feet of water near Astatula and the Howey Bridge spanning Little Lake Harris, plus the lily pads and spatterdock patches near the 9th Street Canal out from Leesburg. Bluegill also will be found in shallow waters tight to sawgrass shorelines. Just downstream from Lake Harris, Lake Eustis has some of the best quality sunfish populations sampled by FWC in the Harris Chain of Lakes. Try the new gravel fish attractors along the Eustis Lake Walk and the pier outside of the canal to the Eusis boat ramp. Also, fish the shell beds near the sailboat marina and along the east shore. The lily pads in Dead River are also very popular with panfish anglers. Lake Griffin has produced some outstanding shellcracker fishing in the past two years. Anglers can find these feisty fish in the mouth of Haines Creek, Yale Canal and along the wooded banks of the northern end near Pine Island. Live worms and grass shrimp are the best baits throughout the chain.
Lake Marian (southeast Osceola County, east of Lake Kissimmee)
Although this 5,740-acre "sleeper" lake in southern Osceola County, east of Lake Kissimmee, doesn't receive much notoriety, it's still one of the best panfishing localities. Shellcracker fishing is in full swing by late March or April and bluegill spawning activity isn’t far behind. Panfishing success nearly always peaks around the full and new moon periods and may continue throughout the summer. The usual baits - worms, crickets and grass shrimp are popular, while tossing tiny spinnerbaits on ultra light tackle can also be extremely productive.
Lake Istokpoga (near Seabring)
Located a few miles southeast of Sebring, this large, relatively shallow lake is outstanding for bluegill. Panfish anglers can concentrate their efforts from April through June around the inshore and offshore cattail and bulrush areas. In other months, likely spots for bluegill and shellcracker include Big Island, Grassy Island, Bumble Bee Island, around various sandy bars and along the edges of eelgrass. Anglers prefer crickets for bluegill and live worms for shellcracker. Fly fishing anglers can experience great action with small popping bugs.>
Choctawatchee River (northeast of Panama City)
For river and stream lovers in Florida's Panhandle, this river is ideal, particularly for shellcracker aficionados. Shellcracker usually bed in quieter waters during April and remain active through the early-fall months. If boating around in smaller creeks off the main channel and sloughs during the late spring and summer months, be sure to also try for some redbreast sunfish, stumpknocker (spotted sunfish) and warmouth. Worms, crickets, and grass shrimp are favorite baits.
Suwannee River (flows south from north central Florida)
Although bluegill and shellcracker can be readily caught in the Suwannee, this river is second to none for quality-sized spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) and redbreast sunfish. These scrappy fish provide good action in the middle river section and even better fishing in the lower portions. Try near tree banks on deep shores, the mouths of creeks and along water lilies. Use crickets, mealworms, beetle spins or flyfishing tackle with small popping bugs. Catalpa worms are a big favorite, if they are available.
Mosaic Fish Management Area (southwest of Bartow)
This 1,000-acre cooperative fish management area near Ft. Meade in Southern Polk County can have some excellent panfish opportunities during the summer. The dozen lakes on the area range in size from 10 to 200 acres and many have shorelines with an abundant supply of woody brush, tree tops, and vegetation that are perfect for placing a well-hooked worm or cricket under a float. Casting a small Beetlespin or jig into the deeper areas can also produce fish at times. Try Pine Lakes East, Coulter, SP11 and LP2 West lakes for some of the better action. The area is only open to fishing four days a week and it’s first come-first serve but don’t worry, you’ll always have a spot somewhere. Please call for more information. NOTE: Many of Florida’s best bream fishing spots produce consistently year after year. Notably missing for 2006, however, is 450,000-acre Lake Okeechobee. Revered by anglers nationwide, the “Big O” is currently imperiled by environmental consequences following record setting Hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005 when devastating storm winds repeatedly wreaked havoc on Okeechobee’s aquatic plant communities. FWC biologists continue to assist the South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and others in restoring the lake and its fishery to its glory days. Contact local marinas and tackle stores for current conditions.