Baseball fans that can’t get enough of the national pastime on February 18 can enjoy baseball themed exhibits and memorabilia from February 11-19 at Polk Outpost 27. While at Polk Outpost 27, visitors will also be able to get all the latest information on the 2012 Spring Training season including schedules, Spring Training guides and other baseball information including complete schedules for the 2012 RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational that features more than 200 college baseball teams competing in Polk County from mid-February through the end of March.

All of the events and displays are free of charge and will be open to the public during normal hours. Polk Outpost 27 is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located on Highway 27 a half-mile South of I-4 at Exit 55. For more information call Polk Outpost 27 at 863-420-2586.

Enter the Spring Training Getaway to Sunny Central Florida for your chance to win:

• Two round trip airline tickets on Delta Airlines flying out of Detroit Metro Airport
• Seven night stay at the Hampton Inn Lakeside Village in Lakeland, FL
• Two tickets to the Tigers BBQ event February 28th
• Two box seat tickets to the Detroit Tigers vs. Florida Southern College game on March 2nd at Joker Merchant Stadium
• Two box seat tickets to the Detroit Tigers vs. Atlanta Braves game on March 4th at Joker Merchant Stadium
• $50 in gift certificates to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill in Lakeland, FL
• Two tickets to LEGOLAND® Florida
• Two tickets to Bok Tower Gardens
• Two tickets to Fantasy of Flight

For more information about Central Florida Vacations, check out www.visitcentralflorida.org.

The weather may be cooling off but the bite is red hot. The water level is still a little low but better than its been in a long time. On full day shiner trips we have averaged 30-40 fish with most being around 2-3 lbs. Bigger fish up to 9 lbs are starting to show up more frequently as well. Full day artificial bait trips have been producing 15-30 fish on average. Jerkbaits, rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, and deep diving crankbaits have all been productive.
 Submerged eelgrass or hydrilla beds are holding the highest concentrations of fish but some of the bigger bass are still relating to offshore structure such as ledges or shell beds. In green water lakes try slow rolling white or chartreuse spinnerbaits over and through the grassbeds from 4-8 ft. Ripping a rattlebait through the grass can be deadly also. Deeper cattails, reeds, and kissimmee grass are worth a shot as well with a flippin stick.
 In the clear lakes fish a little deeper. Grassbeds growing from 7-12 ft have been holding good numbers of fish. Work these areas with shad colored jerkbaits or deep diving crankbaits. Also keep an eye out and a rod ready for schooling bass. Junebug, redbug, and watermelon colored soft plastics on Texas/Carolina rigs will produce in these areas too.

Kissimmee Chain

The running water bite has, for the most part, came to a end. There’s still a trickle of current in some of the creeks which has a few bass hanging around the mouths and current breaks. Water has dropped a couple of feet but is still above normal pool. Surface temperature is varying from mid 60’s to low 70’s depending on weather conditions. Overall water clarity is better than it’s been in years throughout the chain due to last month’s heavy rainfall and the vast amount of water filtering hydrilla that is growing in all the lakes. The fishing remains phenomenal.
 With the abundance of water and cover available, bass can be found from shoreline areas all the way out to mid lake areas. They aren’t everywhere but once located you can really load the boat in a hurry. The fish seem to be grouped or schooled up according to size. Where ever you catch one big fish it is likely others are there as well. Full day shiner and artificial trips have been producing 20-40 fish on average up to 8 lbs. Average size has been 2-4 lbs.
 Topwaters, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits have all been producing especially early in the morning in boat trails and along cover edges. Shad or shiner resembling baits have been best. During midday hours try Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics around deeper or thicker cover. Junebug, watermelon, and black/blue colors are always good color choices. For bigger fish flip thick matted cover such as hyacinth, water lettuce, mud tussocks, and topped out hydrilla with 1-1 1/2 oz weighted Texas rigged craws or creature baits.

Central Florida is where you’ll find beautiful lakes, great bass fishing and Monte Goodman. Monte has made a career of doing what he enjoys and does best as a professional bass guide and successful tournament angler. Guiding and fishing competitively for the past 15 years has given him the experience, skill and knowledge it takes to be a great fisherman. Monte is also a vocal advocate of Florida’s habitat and conservation efforts, supports and practices “catch and release” himself and encourages others to do the same. A member of tournament trails such as FLW, FOMNTT, BFL, and B.A.S.S just to name a few. Credited with well over a hundred local tournament wins, was back to back Angler of the Year in the largest B.A.S.S. affiliated club in the world, and has won numerous Big Bass honors. Monte’s ability to adapt, his versatility and lengthy resume has earned him a reputation anyone would be proud of.

 Recent rains have the water level a little closer to where it needs to be on both the North and South Chains. Still down about two feet though. Most canals can be safely navigated. Only a few remain impassible Also, due to the rain and slightly cooler nights, the water temperature has fallen a few degrees which has the bass more active. Look for schooling bass to become more frequent as the water temp slowly continues to drop. Keep a rod ready with a shad imitating lure such as a topwater or rattlebait that can be cast quickly and at long distances to take advantage of actively feeding schoolers that can pop up anytime, anywhere.
 Crankbaits and Carolina/Texas rigged soft plastics remain to be the most consistent producers, especially for bigger bass. Shad or chartreuse colored crankbaits are usually best. As for plastics, junebug, redbug, and blueberry colors are always good. Most of the bass are suspended, and therefore hard to catch, holding around deeper offshore structure areas such as shell beds, ledges, humps, and dredge holes chasing schools of shad. They are relating to the shad schools more than to cover. As always, find the bait, find the bass.
 Should soon start to see more and more fish moving onto shallower eelgrass and hydrilla flats where spinnerbaits, rattlebaits, and jerkbaits are at their best. Try slow rolling white or chartreuse spinnerbaits through the grass or rip out of it with shad colored rattlebaits and jerkbaits. Soft swimbaits can be productive as well in these areas. In the green water lakes look for deep shoreline areas to produce a few bites via the flippin’ stick. Texas rigged soft plastics and Jigs weighing 3/8-1/2 oz are best. Black/blue combinations, green pumpkin, and watermelon are all good color choices.

Kissimmee Chain

 Due to high water and an explosion of vegetative growth, the bass in the lakes have become much harder to locate. Hydrilla and eelgrass beds can be found throughout all the lakes, from shoreline areas all the way out to the outside grasslines in Kissimmee and out to mid lake areas in Toho, Cypress, and Hatchineah. The rivers and creeks have been flowing with all of the rainfall, and has the water throughout the chain looking much better. The vast amount of submerged vegetation is helping to filter out the water and make it cleaner as well. Creek mouths, canals, and rivers are holding lots of fish with the moving water. Any current break or eddy will hold fish when the current is flowing. Most of the fish caught in these areas are 1-3 lbs, however there are some big fish mixed in as well. Fish these areas with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics and shad colored deep diving crankbaits.
 Most of the bigger bass are still being caught by way of the flippin’ stick along outside grasslines or by slow dragging Texas/Carolina rigged worms around offshore structure and cover. 1/2 – 1 oz weighted soft plastic craws and creature baits flipped along grasslines along with jigs of the same weight are producing larger than average bass for those willing to bypass numbers of smaller fish. Black/blue combinations, junebug, and watermelon colors are always good here. Try casting 7 – 10 inch junebug, black/blue fleck, and watermelon ribbontail worms around hydrilla edges 4 – 8 ft deep. Spinnerbaits, rattlebaits, and bladed jigs can be good as well. Stick with shad or shiner imitating colors.
 Cooler nights should continue to drop the water temperature and improve the topwater bite. Chuggers, stickbaits, propbaits, and all types of frogs can be good. Shiner, shad, and bream colored plugs will all work. Black, green, and brown for frogs. Boat trails can be great early in the morning along with any type of vegetation edge. Keep a soft jerkbait or stickbait handy to follow up on missed topwater strikes.

Capt. Monte Goodman
Central Florida Bucketmouths
www.cfbucketmouths.com
863-661-7226

The dog days of summer are in full swing. Tough fishing is an understatement for trying to describe the South Winter Haven chain. As a matter of fact it’s tougher than I have ever seen it before. It’s hard enough just trying to get around, much less catch a fish. Most canals can barely be navigated, some cannot. Use extreme caution when idling through the canals as some of them have lots of submerged objects that can damage props or entire lower units. Also sand, mud, and other debris can be sucked up and damage water pumps and over heat engines, so remember to trim up and take your time.
 Very low and hot water have the bass in a lethargic state for the moment. They have become mostly nocturnal, preferring to feed at night when conditions are more favorable. As most of us have daytime jobs, busy schedules, and families, night fishing just isn’t a option. We have to go when we can. For those that can fish the night shift, some great action awaits you. As for the rest of us, all is not lost. Get out early as there is still a good morning bite. After that you will have to work hard for mid-day bites. Start out early with topwaters, spinnerbaits, rattlebaits, and jerkbaits around some type of submerged grass. Use shad imitating colors in clear water lakes and chartreuse/shad colors in greener water. Try fishing 5 – 10 ft in green water and 8 – 15 ft in clear water. Keep in mind fish are feeding early, so don’t waste too much time in an area where you’re not getting bites, keep moving. After that patience and good electronics are a must.
 Find some type of cover such as submerged grass or brushpiles on or near offshore structure. These areas will hold fish as long as there is food present. Look for signs of baitfish, both on your electronics and on the surface of the water. Birds diving under water and garfish hanging around in a particular area are both great signs. Try bouncing shad or chartreuse deep diving crankbaits off submerged cover to trigger reaction strikes or slow way down with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics to tease fish into biting. Junebug, redbug, blueberry, and watermelon are all good color choices. Sometimes when you get one fish to bite, the competition instinct of bass takes over and the whole school can become active for a few minutes. After you catch one, get right back in there before the area and bass have time to settle back down.
Kissimmee Chain

Ever heard the saying “early bird gets the worm”? Well that saying definitely applies to the Kissimmee Chain during the heat of summer. There’s been a great early bite then around 9′oclock, especially if it’s sunny, the switch flips into the off position. As the dredging continues in the river between Kissimmee and Hatchineah the silt is being washed into Lake Kissimmee making the water muddier there. In the rest of the chain, rains have the creeks flowing a little which always clears up the water somewhat. Toho and Cypress have plenty of hydrilla which filters and clears the water up as well. The water level in all of the lakes is on the rise, but still below normal pool.
 Bass are biting a variety of lures in the morning. Spinnerbaits, topwaters, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and swimming jigs will all produce early along outside Kissimmee grass edges or over submerged hydrilla beds. Flipping outside grass, reed, or pad edges with 1/2 – 1 oz Texas rigged craws, creature baits, and other soft plastics along with 3/8 – 3/4 oz jigs are good early as well. Stay on the move, you don’t have long before it gets much tougher. Finding areas with bait is the key. Look for signs of bluegill and shiners feeding on blind mosquitoes along grasslines. Areas with high concentrations of egrets are a good sign of shad schools being present. Cormorants and Anhingas diving in open water is always a great indication of the presence of some type of bait fish.  
 As the day progresses either fish in thicker cover or move to deeper offshore structure/cover. Bass will move far beneath thick, matted, cover or to deeper haunts to escape the heat. Just as during a cold front, the fish will be lethargic and inactive, so don’t expect non-stop action. Flip further back into the thickest grass, reeds, pads, or mats you can find with 1 – 1 1/2 oz Texas rigged craws or creature baits. Be ready as most bites will occur on the initial drop. Try ripping a rattlebait or slow-rolling spinnerbaits and bladed jigs through submerged hydrilla from 4 – 8 ft. Also deep diving crankbaits bounced off submerged brushpiles will produce some reaction strikes as well. Shad or bream imitating colors are usually best. For less aggressive fish, try a Texas/Carolina rigged worm or other soft plastic. Junebug. black/blue, and watermelon are always good colors. Don’t forget to check mouths of rivers and creeks for schoolers after rains.

Central Florida is where you’ll find beautiful lakes, great bass fishing and Monte Goodman. Monte has made a career of doing what he enjoys and does best as a professional bass guide and successful tournament angler. Guiding and fishing competitively for the past 15 years has given him the experience, skill and knowledge it takes to be a great fisherman. Monte is also a vocal advocate of Florida’s habitat and conservation efforts, supports and practices “catch and release” himself and encourages others to do the same. A member of tournament trails such as FLW, FOMNTT, BFL, and B.A.S.S just to name a few. Credited with well over a hundred local tournament wins, was back to back Angler of the Year in the largest B.A.S.S. affiliated club in the world, and has won numerous Big Bass honors. Monte’s ability to adapt, his versatility and lengthy resume has earned him a reputation anyone would be proud of.

Despite the relentless, stifling heat, big bass are showing up with regularity at tournament weigh-ins. Multiple five fish, 25 lb plus stringers are coming in every weekend. Exceptional results for fishing in 85 – 90 degree water. Outside grasslines continue to hold good numbers of big bass. Flip 1/2 – 3/4 oz weighted craws or creature baits along outside edge early. Then probe further back into the thicker grass as the sun gets higher. Black and blue combos are always good. Jigs are great also.
Topwaters are producing good numbers early around topped out hydrilla beds and boat trails. Most mornings this will only last about an hour or two. After that try a Texas/Carolina rigged worm slowly crawled along the bottom. Junebug, redbug, and black/blue colors are hard to beat. Look for hydrilla flippin bite to get better as it continues to grow and form mats on the surface. Punch thru the matted hydrilla with 3/4 – 1 1/2 oz weighted craws and other soft plastics.
Offshore structure and cover such as shell beds, brushpiles, and drop offs are holding some good fish but not as consistent as grass and hydrilla bite. Fish these areas with deep diving crankbaits in shad or chartreuse colors to locate and catch active bass. Once fish are located, slow down and saturate area with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics to tempt less active fish into biting.

Winter Haven

Afternoon thunderstorms are keeping just enough water in the canals of the chain for them to remain passable. Lakes Mirror and Spring are inaccessible on the South Chain. Only small boats can reach Lake Smart on the North Chain. 85 – 90 degree, low water have bass seeking out deep structure and cover. Only the deepest shoreline areas are holding a few fish. Kissimmee grass, cattails, reeds, and docks in 5 ft or deeper will hold some fish throughout the summer, especially in the greener water lakes. Flip 1/2 – 3/4 ounce Texas rigged craws or creature baits into the shadiest cover you can find. Jigs can be good as well. Junebug, black/blue, or smoke colored baits should do the trick.
For more consistent bite, fish offshore structure and cover with deep diving crankbaits and Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics. In greener water try 7 – 11 ft depths, 8 – 15 ft in clearer water. Ledges, dredge holes, humps, and shell beds will all hold fish. Look for some type of cover such as submerged grass or planted brushpiles on the structure to make an area even sweeter. Use shad or chartreuse colored crankbaits in the green water and stick with shad colors in clear water. In both water types junebug, redbug, black/blue, and watermelon colors are all good choices for soft plastics.
Tournament fishermen PLEASE take better care of your fish. Way too many dead fish. Remember water is at least 10 degrees cooler down 7 ft or in the shade than it is on the surface. A fish caught from deep, cool, water then placed into a 90 degree livewell is doomed, I don’t care how much rejuvenade you use. It’s very easy to freeze a few bottles of water and periodically drop one in the livewell to keep your catch alive and well. You’ll save yourself money in the long run by not having costly dead fish penalties. Learning to “fizz” (remove trapped air from swim bladder) fish caught deeper than 15 ft would be a great thing for you all to learn as well. Youtube has some good instructional videos.

Friday, June 10 vs. Daytona Cubs @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.):
Victor Martinez Kids Backpack Giveaway
The Flying Tigers will be giving away Victor Martinez backpacks to the first 750 paid kids ages 14 and younger.

Chick-fil-A Night
Look for special promotions, contests and giveaways throughout the game from Chick-fil-A.

Scout Night
Special group ticket and food packages for Boy and Cub Scouts and their families.

Saturday, June 11 vs. Brevard County Manatees (Brewers) @ 4:00 p.m. (Gates open at 2:30 p.m.):
The Ledger Customer Appreciation Day
The first 2,000 fans will receive a free grocery tote compliments of The Ledger Media Group. The first 100 new Ledger subscribers will be given Ledger Media Group t-shirts.  Fans can register to win great prizes including travel trips, gift baskets, gift cards and more throughout the game.  A fan will also have a chance to win a Fiat if a Flying Tigers player hits a grand slam in the seventh inning.  The Flying Tigers will be wearing special tropical jerseys during the game and fans are encouraged to dress for the occasion as well wearing flip-flops and tropical shirts.

Sunset Celebration Sponsored by The Ledger Media Group and Budweiser
Following the game the Flying Tigers will be turning the berm into a Key West themed party.  There will be live island-themed music by Captain Josh as well as street performers, frisbee dogs, a pig roast and much more.  There will be drink and food specials on the berm all night.  Polk County’s Parrot Head Club, Pirates on the Ridge, will be helping to get the party started.

 Fireworks Extravaganza at dark (weather permitting).

 Post-Game Party at Natalie’s Sports Bar & Grill
The fun keeps going at Natalie’s following the fireworks show.  Natalie’s is located at 3120 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland.

For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com or call (863) 686-8075.

Wednesday, May 18 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Wednesday is All-You-Can-Eat Night sponsored by Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill
Tickets are just $10 and includes admission to the game and all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, pizza, cracker jacks, popcorn, pretzels and chips as well as food from Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill from 6:00-9:00 p.m. or while supplies last. 

Thursday, May 19 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Thirsty Thursday
Fans can enjoy $1 beer and soda every Thursday home game.  Beer sales begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at the conclusion of the 7th inning.

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours
The Flying Tigers will be hosting the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. sponsored by Lakeland Electric. 
There will be great food, drinks and live music along the 1st base concourse.  For more information please contact the Lakeland Chamber at (863) 688-8551.

Friday, May 20 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Camo T-Shirt Giveaway Sponsored by Team Hammer
The Flying Tigers will be giving away camo t-shirts to the first 350 paid adults ages 15 and older sponsored by Team Hammer.

Royal Rangers Night
Special group ticket packages for Royal Rangers and their families.

Saturday, May 21 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) @ 6:00 p.m. (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.)
Armed Forces Day Celebration
The Flying Tigers will be honoring current and former members of the military for their service to the country. The Polk County Veterans’ Council, along with more than 40 other organizations, will conduct a Salute to Veterans and a Welcome Home to those in our community recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Activities will begin at 3:00 PM.
Veterans also will receive FREE admission.  Military personnel from the Polk County area who have recently returned from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan will be honored at the game.  In addition, an enlistment ceremony will induct local recruits into the military.

Fireworks Extravaganza following the game (weather permitting).

Hope Hospice “Night of Hope” Night

Sunday, May 22 vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) @ 1:00 p.m. (Gates open at Noon)
Sunday is Kids Day. 
All kids 14 and under will receive free admission to the game.  Kids can play catch on the field beginning at noon (weather permitting).  Kids can also run the bases just like the Flying Tigers following the game (weather permitting).  All fans will receive a voucher for a free sundae compliments of Dairy Queen.

Monday, May 23 vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Monday is $1 hot dog night.
  Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs all night.  Also, check The Ledger for a special two-for-one ticket offer compliments of the Ledger Media Group.

Tuesday, May 24 vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Baseball Wingo Sponsored by Hooters
Fans can play Baseball Bingo during the game for a chance to wings from Hooters and prizes from the Flying Tigers.

Silver Sluggers
Flying Tigers Silver Sluggers Tuesday presented by Humana.  Silver Sluggers members will receive free admission to the game as well as a complimentary soda.  For more
information on the Silver Sluggers program please contact the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075 or visit LakelandFlyingTigers.com.

KRAFT Singles Tuesday Tickets
KRAFT Singles Tuesday Tickets.  Fans receive a special buy one, get one free ticket offer by bringing a KRAFT Singles package wrapper to the ticket office.

Wednesday, May 25 vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Wednesday is All-You-Can-Eat Night sponsored by Oktoberfest German Cafe.
Tickets are just $10 and includes admission to the game and all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages,
pizza, cracker jacks, popcorn, pretzels and chips as well as food from Oktoberfest from 6:00-9:00 p.m. or while supplies last. 
The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.  For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com or call (863) 686-8075.

The water level is higher than it’s been in a while, but still down about 2 feet. All canals except to lake Mirror are accessible. Water temperature is on the rise and Bass have finished spawning and have started to make way towards deeper water. In clear water lakes, outside edges of submerged grassbeds, brushpiles, and any other offshore cover will begin to hold more fish. Look for cover situated on or near breaklines from 8 – 12 ft deep. Try shad colored topwaters or jerkbaits in the shallows very early then move deeper as the sun rises higher. Deep diving Crankbaits along with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics should be top producers for the remainder of the day. Use shad or bream imitating crankbaits that dive deep enough to make contact with the cover you are fishing. As for worms and other soft plastics use 6 – 10 inch baits with good tail action such as ribbontails, vibes, or paddletails. Junebug, blueberry, and watermelon are always good color choices for clear water. In the dirtier water lakes Bass tend to stay around shoreline cover a little longer after they have finished spawning, so fish shallower. Try 3/8 – 1/2 oz chartreuse or white spinnerbaits early over submerged grassbeds from 3 – 6 ft deep. Tandems provide the best combination of flash and vibration. Also lipless and square billed crankbaits are great in these areas. Chrome, gold, and chartreuse are all great colors to try as bass will be feeding on a little bit of everything from shiners to bream. As the sun rises and the fish pull tighter to cover switch over to a flippin’ stick armed with 3/8 – 3/4 oz Texas rigged craw or creature bait in Black and blue, junebug, or redbug. Flip grass, cattails, reeds, and pads from 2 – 6 ft. Boat docks are also worth checking especially on the bright, still days.

Kissimmee Chain

Overall the Kissimmee chain looks and is fishing great considering it’s postspawn. The water level is good in all lakes throughout the chain. In most areas the water is from clean to stained. Lake Cypress is muddy due to hydrilla treatments and wind. The river between Hatchineha and Kissimmee is also muddy due to dredging. Try topwaters and swimbaits early inside of grasslines and in boat trails. Propbaits, stickbaits, poppers, buzzbaits and all types of frog imitating baits will all work. Use shiner, frog, or bream imitating colors. Most days the topwater bite is short lived so get out early. Also check outside grasslines early as the shad spawn will begin anytime now. This activity only lasts for an hour or so after first light then the schools of shad move offshore. Look and listen for fish schooling in and along outside edges of kissimmee grass. White spinnerbaits slow rolled along grass edges can be deadly when this occurs. Pull out the flippin’ stick as the sun gets higher. Find the bream beds and you’ll find the Bass. Flip pods or inside lines of grass, reeds, or pads with 3/8 – 1 oz jigs or Texas rigged craws and creature baits. Junebug, black and blue, or watermelon colored baits are always good. Also try flipping matted vegetation during bright, still conditions as Bass and their prey will use these mats as a refuge from the hot sun. Use 1 – 1 & 1/2 oz weights to punch through the mats. Look for offshore submerged grassbeds to start holding more fish. Try slow rolling a 3/8 – 1/2 oz white/chartreuse spinnerbait or bladed jig through the grass. Also try burning a shad colored lipless crankbait over and through the grass. Check river and creek mouths after periods of hard rain for flowing water and feeding fish. Shad colored lipless and billed crankbaits are usually best at locating fish in flowing water. Try Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics to tempt less aggressive fish into biting. Junebug, blueberry, and redbug are all great colors to try.

Central Florida is where you’ll find beautiful lakes, great bass fishing and Monte Goodman. Monte has made a career of doing what he enjoys and does best as a professional bass guide and successful tournament angler. Guiding and fishing competitively for the past 15 years has given him the experience, skill and knowledge it takes to be a great fisherman. Monte is also a vocal advocate of Florida’s habitat and conservation efforts, supports and practices “catch and release” himself and encourages others to do the same. A member of tournament trails such as FLW, FOMNTT, BFL, and B.A.S.S just to name a few. Credited with well over a hundred local tournament wins, was back to back Angler of the Year in the largest B.A.S.S. affiliated club in the world, and has won numerous Big Bass honors. Monte’s ability to adapt, his versatility and lengthy resume has earned him a reputation anyone would be proud of.