Withlacoochee River

While the days are still short and cool, try fishing up the Rainbow River. This spring-sourced river should provide a thermal refuge during periods of prolonged cold. Recent fall electrofishing produced a variety of fish and the habitat looked great. Fish along the edges of hydrilla and eelgrass, and under pockets of spatterdock pads for best results. As the quarter progresses and water temperatures rise, look for largemouth and bream to become more active. Fish near shore areas around vegetation and hard structures. Largemouth Bass should bite soft plastics and Golden Shiners. Bream are commonly caught using live baits such as crickets, grass shrimp, and worms. Beetle spins fished around woody structures should also produce bites. Those seeking catfish should fish chicken liver of other stinky baits along the bottom near riprap or sunken logs.