Forecast - Highlands Today Title:   "Fish slow to get results" 1-15-12

Anglers will have a last-quarter moon phase to deal with this week along with a lunar perigee and the same up and down temperatures range that occurred last week. The good news that should provide some “warmth” in the hearts of anglers is that the perigee flat-out causes fish to migrate. When fish migrate they move, when they move, anglers see them, the contest is on—even in water temperatures in the current range.

The last-quarter moon phase occurs tomorrow at 4:08 a.m. and the orbit perigee on Tuesday at 2:29 p.m. and both will be hindered somewhat by the “cold snap”. The fish will move shallow—following the warmer water near the surface as the sun produces some “speed” to the fishes’ metabolisms—albeit very slowly. Did I say, “slow”? Cause this is the secret anglers need to remember if they want to catch fish.

This is the time of year in which anglers must slow down, literally. The technique of “matching the hatch” is never more important than during Florida Winters. Anglers can use the same baits that match what the fish is eating, but this won’t cause success with temps as low as they are now. The key to the “match” part is the speed and action that your bait produces. This is critical right now, there is no catch if there is no match in the cold, slow, changing habitat, criteria needed to deduce bait selection and retrieval selection. If going very slow doesn’t work, try the next best thing, stopping, and waiting. For a very long time—in angler’s world—of about thirty seconds to a minute for starters.

Now that I have you slowing down, and waiting for almost a minute, I’ll put up a few times in which I believe you’ll do better than you would otherwise.

For the next three days, the major feeding migration will be forced to occur in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to sundown due to the cold temps. The peak period should occur from 5-6 p.m. and have a one-in-ten rating of 5-6. These times will move later into the morning by about a half hour daily.

The early morning bite will develop this week, especially as the temperatures begin to climb. Today through Tuesday however anglers should expect to have a very challenging experience in producing the same speeds while actually feeling the cold—unlike our finny friends who just go slower and feel no change what so ever. This weather factor could cause a midday bite which is totally strange for this lunar phase.

The morning migration will take place from 4-7 a.m. and have no discernable peak period and most likely a rating of 3-4 if we cross our finger and .., well maybe not. Just bring coffee and it should go fine when trying to read the paper. 

News & Events

Win a Free Bass Fishing Trip by visit the HighlandsBassAngler.com website and try your luck at guessing the correct weight in pounds and ounces of the bass I am holding in the Mystery Bass Giveaway Picture. Email your guess to me by using the contact info at the end of this article or on my website.

Lake Istokpoga’s level is currently at 39.35’ above sea level where it has remained for the past three weeks. Anglers can expect a slow steady decline in lake level as the water management schedule kicks in and releases are provided for agriculture. The current level is the new high-pool mark for the remainder of this month.

Attention fishing tournament directors If you would like to advertise your fishing tournaments and events please call or email me with the particulars and I will be glad to include them.

Also if you have a picture of you and a fish, and a little story about how you caught it, I would invite you to send me your picture and information to be used as a featured story or segment. Nothing inspires anglers more than other successful anglers.