Lake Blue Cypress

Starting the quarter, bass anglers can expect largemouth bass to be in a typical hot weather pattern. Deep structure is usually the best bet in summer. Try the outside edges of emergent grasses and cypress trees growing offshore. Deeper cover in Big M and Zigzag Canals are also good places to start. If you’re on the water early or late, bass may be found cruising shallow water vegetation. Anglers can look for bass to congregate where moving water is generated near the mouth of Padget Branch, Blue Cypress Creek, and Big M Canal. Dark colored plastic worms, top water poppers/prop baits, crankbaits, spinner-baits, and live bait (golden shiners) are all effective depending on the habitat being targeted. As water temperatures cool in October and November, bass should become more active and move into shallow water prior to spawning near the end of the quarter. Bluegill and redear sunfish should be found along grass lines and outside cypress trees in 1-3 feet of water. Big M Canal and Zigzag Canal should also hold fair numbers of panfish. Small jigs, spinners, and live bait (crickets, grass shrimp or worms) are productive techniques; throwing poppers with a fly-rod can provide some fun action as well. Black crappie will continue to be caught by anglers trolling and drifting the deeper areas of the lake using small jigs, beetle spins, and live minnows. The deeper water along the grass/brush lines in Big M and Zigzag Canals should harbor these fish, too.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (772) 778-0150.