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 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.

Post spawn is upon us. Most Bass have finished spawning and are in rest and recuperate mode. Others are rested and starting to feed veraciously as their appetite increases with the rising water temp. Although post spawn is considered to be one of the toughest periods of the year, it can also be a very rewarding period as well. Bass will congregate in large schools. They can be hard to locate, but once you find them, they are usually more than willing to bite.
 Springtime is the number one time to be throwing top water baits. Walking baits, chuggers and prop baits will all work, but usually one or the other will be best on a given day. Stick to shiner and bream imitating colors for best results. Soft and hard jerkbaits can be deadly in clear water as well. Fish these baits over submerged grassbeds during low light conditions.
 In stained to muddy water use noisier, vibrating subsurface lures such as spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, or rattlebaits. Slow roll or rip these lures through the grass. Chartreuse, white, or combinations of both are hard to beat. Also try flipping the deepest shoreline cover available to coax late spawners into biting. Junebug or watermelon colored craws and creature baits Texas rigged with 3/8 – 3/4 oz weights should do the trick.

Kissimmee Chain

There’s just no better place to be this month than Bass fishing on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The spawn is mostly over and the fish are hungry. All types of topwaters along with spinnerbaits, swimbaits, bladed jigs, or jerkbaits will all produce quality fish. The hardest part as always is finding the fish. Once located, these post spawners, should be fairly easy to catch. Chances are where there’s one there’s more, sometimes a whole lot more.
 Use topwaters early around trails and pockets to pick off the most aggressive fish. After that try flipping outside grasslines with junebug or black/blue craws or creature baits. Areas just outside spawning flats are a great place to start. On bright, sunny, days flip floating mats with 1 – 1 & 1/2 oz weighted craws.
 More and more fish will be moving towards offshore structure and cover. Try slow rolling a 3/8 – 1/2 oz spinnerbait or bladed jig through submerged hydrilla beds. Rattle baits ripped free from the grass can also be productive. Stick with shiner or bream colored lures. Carolina/Texas rigged soft plastics are also worth a shot in these areas. Junebug, black/blue, and watermelon are always good color choices.

 For the first time in years all 16 lakes on the South Winter Haven Chain are accessible. The canal from Lake Cannon to Lake Mirror is still very shallow but can be navigated. Fishing for the most part remains tough. Look for Bass to remain on Summer patterns until cooler weather arrives toward the end of October at which time they will begin to feed heavily. Until then, deep diving crankbaits along with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics fished around deep structure should continue to produce the best results. Try shad or chartreuse colored Crankbaits that dive 8 ft or deeper. For plastics junebug, redbug, or watermelon colors are always good. Shell beds, ledges, and dredge holes will all hold fish. If there’s some type of cover, growing or placed, on the structure such as hydrilla or a brushpile then the area will be even better. Fish are hard to locate this time of year but once their found it’s usually in abundance which normally means they’re easier to catch.
 Be prepared for “schoolers” to pop up anywhere especially in clear lakes. Have a shad imitating lure tied on and ready that can be cast long distances to reach the feeding fish. Topwaters, jerkbaits, and lipless crankbaits are all great schooling baits. Most fish will be smaller but there’s always some bigger ones tagging along as well. As the nights get cooler and bring down the water temperature the schooling should intensify.

Kissimmee Chain

Lots of rain has the water level up. Most areas in the lakes are clean thanks to lots of healthy, growing, vegetation which helps to filter the water and also serves as a barrier of protection against high wind and waves which can muddy up the water in these lakes in a hurry. Overall the fishing has been good. One day the bite is strong and the next it’s a little tougher. The slightly cooler nights along with the abundant rain we’re receiving should make the bite even better. Look for some fish to begin migrating away from summer hangouts and moving towards shallower water areas to feed up. Check inside and outside grasslines. Boat trails are worth trying also as fish use them to move from one area to another. Topwaters, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and bladed jigs can all be productive for actively feeding fish. Use shiner or bream imitating colors. Try flipping into thicker areas of the grass with 1/2 – 1 oz Texas rigged craws or creature baits. Jigs are worth a shot as well. Black/blue, junebug, or watermelon are always good color choices.
 Look for submerged grassbeds such as eelgrass, hydrilla, or coontail growing from 3 – 8 ft. Try ripping a lipless crankbait through the grass or slow rolling spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics will take less aggressive fish from these areas.
 Floating mats such as hyacinth, water lettuce, penny wart, and mud tussocks should start holding some bigger fish as the weather cools, especially on bright sunny days. Flip mats with 1 – 1 & 1/2 oz weighted Texas rigged craws or creature baits. Don’t expect many bites, but the few bites you get can definitely be well worth the wait.

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.

  As surface temperatures push towards 90 degrees the bass keep moving deeper in search of more comfortable areas to escape the heat. Got to get out early for best action or fish at night. Bites hard to come by after about 9:00 a.m. In most area lakes, especially the clear ones, fishing shallower than 8 ft is just about a waste of time. Look for fish to be hanging around brushpiles, shell beds, or submerged grassbeds in 8 ft of water or deeper. Deep diving crankbaits along with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics will be the top producers in these areas. Try shad or chartreuse colored crankbaits as fish will primarily be feeding on shad or bream until the water cools down and they begin to move shallower. For plastics stick to old adage of lighter colors on brighter days and darker colors on more overcast days. Experiment with different weights, shapes, and sizes until the fish tell you what they want.
  Also look for midday schoolers to be chasing shad and glass minnows around the deepest areas of the lake, most will only be 1-2 lbs but any fish after 9:00 is a good fish. Any lure that can be cast into the schoolers should work. Heavier topwaters and rattlebaits are usually best as they can be cast longer distances. For those catching fish deeper than 15 ft please return them to the water immediately to prevent them from inflating their air bladders and becoming unable to swim back to the bottom which would ultimately result in their death. Any fish that can’t swim back down must have the air removed from it’s swim bladder or vented. Berkley has a ventilator tool that folds and fits in a sheath for about 10 bucks and it works great. It takes less than a minute to vent a fish and save it’s life and you some money in dead fish penalties. Also don’t forget to cool down the water in your livewells about 10 degrees below the surface temp. Ice works but freezing bottles of water which may be used over and over is a much cheaper and very effective alternative. The 32 oz gatorade bottles work great. Place one in each side of your livewell every 3 hours and your water will stay cool all day.
Kissimmee Chain

  This place is as hot as the weather. The Kissimmee chain is fishing as good as anywhere in the country. Even with closed locks, rising and falling water levels, and surface temps approaching boiling point, 30 lb five fish limits are coming to the scales in just about every tournament. A 6 lb average in the dog days just once is impressive, but every tournament, that’s stupid good. It’s hard to say which lake is fishing better now because it’s equally as good on both sides of the southport locks. The improved water clarity and vegetation growth has to have something to do with the chain’s success. Let’s hope it stays this way and it should with good management. It’s good to see these lakes returning to their former status as one of the best bass fisheries in the country.
  There’s a very strong but short lived early bite. Topwaters fished along inside and outside grass edges and down boat trails are working good for first hour or so of mornings then fizzles out fast with the rising sun. Also flip outside grasslines early with 1/2-3/4 oz Texas rigged craws or creature baits. Jigs are also taking their fare share of big fish. As it gets hotter and brighter fish further back into the thicker portions of the grass. There’s still some bluegill bedding activity in the lily pads as well, which always means there’s a few big bass hanging around to feed on them.
  Look to offshore structure for the best midday action. Brushpiles, shell beds, and hydrilla are all holding quality fish. Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics are usually best bet in these areas. Black/blue, watermelon, and junebug are always good choices in these lakes. Shad or chartreuse colored crankbaits are also worth a shot. Try flippin’ a craw or creature bait into hydrilla mats which can be a slow but very rewarding tactic. Also check mouths of creeks, canals, and rivers after rains for schoolers. Crankbaits and Texas/Carolina rigs are usually best when there’s current flowing.

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.

Don’t know what’s hotter, the weather or the bite. The Kissimmee Chain continues to amaze. Surface temperature is approaching 90 degrees yet tournament fishermen are still finding 30 plus lbs of fish consistently. Don’t know of too many fisheries around the country that can compete with that. Rising water temp mixed with low water levels have fish searching out deeper, cooler, areas. There’s still plenty of fish along outside grasslines. Topwaters and spinnerbaits will work early then switch to flippin’ a 1/2 oz or heavier Texas rigged black/blue or watermelon craw or creature bait. Sometimes casting soft plastics with lighter weights along grass edges can be more productive especially in clear water areas.  Junebug, blueberry, watermelon, and redbug are all great color choices. 7-10 in Ribbontail or paddletail worms along with 5 in stickworms paired with 1/4 oz or less weights is a good combination for casting. Look for offshore hydrilla, eelgrass, or peppergrass, submerged or matted as either can and will hold fish. Try 3/8-3/4 oz white spinnerbaits or shad colored 1/4-3/4 oz rattlebaits over submerged grassbeds. Work Carolina/Texas rigged worms slowly along bottom to pick off less aggressive fish. In thicker, matted hydrilla try topwater frogs/rats over the top of the mat then punch through it with 1/2 oz or heavier craw, creature bait, or jig. Pray for a breeze as the hydrilla gnats will be out in full force. Brushpiles planted offshore and shell beds should also be holding fish. Shad or chartreuse colored Deep diving crankbaits along with Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics will produce in these areas.
Winter Haven

Finally, there’s enough water to go from one end of the chain to the other. Only lakes Mirror and Spring are inaccessible on the South Chain and lake Smart on the North Chain. Both chains still need about 2 ft to reach normal levels. Overall fishing is pretty tough. There’s plenty of fish to catch and they are biting. The hard part, as always, is finding them. Most fish are in deeper, cooler, water. Only the deepest of shoreline areas will hold any concentrations of fish in most lakes and these areas become stagnant after about 9 a.m. The one exception to this is boat docks which provide cooler, shaded, water for bass to wait out the day in. Pitch Texas rigged soft plastics such as craws, lizards, worms, or creature baits as far underneath the docks as possible. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits can be good around the docks as well. Look for offshore structure such as shell beds, ledges, humps, and dredge holes. Find some sort of cover on the structure such as brush or hydrilla to locate schools of fish. Fish these areas with shad or chartruese deep diving crankbaits and Texas/Carolina rigged worms. Junebug, redbug, and watermelon colored worms always good here. In more stained water lakes concentrate on depths of 6-12 ft. In clear lakes 8+ ft. Also look to mid-lake areas in clear water lakes for schoolers. Toss topwaters, rattlebaits, and jerkbaits to these mostly 1-2 pounders. Occasionally a big fish is mixed in with the smaller fish. Tournament fishermen please remember to take good care of your catch. There’s way too many dead fish being weighed in. Use ice to cool down the water in your livewells. Surface water is about 10-15 degrees hotter than water 8 ft or deeper. That variance will cause temperature shock in fish and kill them. Two 32 oz bottles filled with water and frozen will keep most livewells cool all day. Start the morning with one and add the other halfway through the tournament. Also fish caught deeper than 15 ft down need to have their air bladders vented. It only takes about 30 seconds to vent a fish and save it’s life. The vent tool I use is a bends mender which can be found cheap online. There are videos on youtube showing how to properly vent a fish.  

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.

 Bass are heading deeper to escape the rapidly rising water temperature. Look to offshore structure such as drop-offs, dredge holes, and mussel bars to find the largest concentrations of fish. If there’s some form of cover available on or around the structure that makes it even better. Submerged grassbeds and brushpiles will both hold schools of fish. Try shad or firetiger colored deep diving crankbaits in 7 – 12 ft of water. Also drag Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics slowly along the bottom to entice less aggressive fish. Junebug, redbug, and watermelon are always good color choices. Look for schooling bass 1-3 lbs in open water areas in clear lakes. When visible on the surface, these fish will eat almost anything thrown in amongst them. Use shad imitating topwaters, rattlebaits, and jerkbaits. In dirtier water lakes there’s still some fish on the deeper shoreline areas. Flip grass, cattails, pads, or docks with soft 1/4-1/2 oz soft plastics or jigs. Also try fishing submerged grassbeds 3-6 ft with spinnerbaits, shallow crankbaits, and rattlebaits.

Kissimmee Chain

 Look for outside grasslines to provide the most consistent action. Try topwater baits or spinnerbaits early then switch over to flippin’ stick as the sun gets up overhead. Use 1/2-1 oz weights to penetrate the thick grass. Some big fish are holding around lily pads feeding on spawning bream. Flip black and blue craws/worms into the cover. Check river, canal, and creek mouths for schoolers after rains as water levels will be kept low for lock maintenance project and upcoming hurricane season. Locks will be closed until January 1rst. Offshore submerged grassbeds, shell beds, and brushpiles will all hold fish throughout summer months. Fish these areas with junebug, black/blue, and watermelon colored Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics. Deep diving and lipless crankbaits in shad or firetiger colors will also produce. Tournament fishermen bring extra ice along to cool down livewells and save your catch. Water temperature is 10+ degrees cooler than surface temp under thick grass mats and depths of 8 ft or more. This sudden temperature change can and will kill fish, especially larger ones.

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.

 There’s still plenty of spawning bass on the Kissimmee chain although most have spawned out and started to recover from a tough, long, and cold spawn season. Most fish remain in the shallows. Some have begun to migrate to deeper water. Look for late spawners around hard bottom areas with scattered cover 3-5 ft deep. Cast or flip Texas rigged soft plastics in and around cover. There’s lots of very aggressive buck bass guarding fry the shallows to keep you busy. Also bluegill and shellcracker are spawning in the pads. This will always attract some big fish to these areas to feed on them. Find the bream and the bass won’t be far away. Try spinnerbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, swimbaits, or anything else in the box you can think of as the bass are in attack mode. Use colors that will mimic bream such as black/blue or chartreuse. Fish faster as the bass and their prey are becoming more active with the rising water temperature.
Winter Haven

 Most, but definitely not all, fish have spawned and moved to deeper water areas. There’s still some fish that have not spawned yet so don’t rule out the shallows, especially in the dirtier water lakes. In the greener or darker water lakes flip grass, cattails, pads, or reeds with 1/2-3/4 oz Texas rigged craws, creature baits, or other soft plastics to tempt some late spawners. Also try slow-rolling 3/8-1/2 oz white or chartreuse spinnerbaits through any submerged grass as these areas will hold schools of post-spawn bass. Rattlebaits are worth a shot in these areas as well. In the clear water lakes look for late spawners as deep as you can see down to the bottom. These fish are harder to see but far more cooperative. For the post-spawners try rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, and deep diving crankbaits around deeper submerged grassbeds or brushpiles. Also Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics worked slowly are worth a try. There’s schooling fish in mid-lake areas however most are smaller sized. These schoolers will readily bite rattlebaits and topwaters thrown in front of them.

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.