Winter Haven Chain of Lakes

Look for schooling Florida Bass over eelgrass patches, and fish them with shad-imitating lures. Soft plastic lures in Junebug, green pumpkin, and watermelon red colors will produce Bass around shoreline vegetation. Fish with live, wild shiners for the best chance at some big Bass over submerged vegetation. As water temperatures drop in early winter, Florida Bass can be caught on the deeper contours this unique system offers. Shell beds and deep submerged vegetation will congregate fish that can make for an exciting day on the water once you get the schools activated. Bluegill (bream) and Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will begin to slow as spawning congregations disperse. Use crickets and red wigglers fished under a cork for Bluegill and shellcracker, respectively. Black Crappie (specks) fishing should improve as the water temperatures cool in the fall. Try live Missouri minnows drifted over deeper holes in open water. Catfish can be found in the deeper holes in the lakes. Use chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits, and frozen shrimp on the bottom or under a cork. Tight lines!