The Central Florida Fishing Forecast for the third week of February starts out as if it might be actually winter, finally. Perhaps now, bass will resume their spawning activities, abandoned over a month ago when Fall-like weather forced them to move back into staging areas—waiting for water temperatures to drop and stabilize in the middle to lower sixties. 

Wind will most likely force you to participate in “angling” from your couch today as you tune-in to your favorite fishing show, rather than brave wind speeds in the middle twenties (on the lake) as the second serious cold front of this winter season passes through Highlands County today and tomorrow. However there is a ray of hope in that as the day subsides, so too, does the wind—hopefully. It better, cause I’ve got work to do out there—trying to train a few bass to help out my cause.  

The lunar perigee occurred yesterday at 1:33 p.m. and the last-quarter phase happens on Valentines Day, Tuesday the 14th at 12:04 p.m. Both lunar factors will combine to create a stronger-than-normal mid-afternoon feeding migration, which is exactly what is needed to improve fishing chances during the current cold snap—fish feed in this case scenario during the hottest part of the day.  I wonder if those bass will show me some love. I plan to find out.

The best time of the day to go fishing today and for the next two days, will be from 2 p.m. to an hour after sundown—on the non-windy side of the lake. The winds are forecasted to abate somewhat right as the water temperatures reach their daily high point. It should be said that, due to the recent extremely unseasonable warm temperatures of the past month, the current cold snap won’t hurt the fish feeding patterns enough to not “give it a try”. But please play it “safe” if you go today and launch on north-end ramps if possible.

Today the feeding rate tops-out at 5 from 4-6 p.m. Tomorrow shouldn’t change much but the rating will improve by one number. Tuesday anglers should move the times later into the afternoon by one hour, 3-8 p.m. with a peak period at 5-7 p.m. that reaches at 7.


News, events and information you might find useful:

Lake Istokpoga’s level is currently at 39.30’ above sea level with gates open--as of yesterday morning.  

The Friends of Istokpoga Annual Meeting will be held at the Lorida Community Center on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. Membership and Board of Directors meetings are scheduled along with four guest speakers that will address Istokpoga stakeholder issues.

Bill Pouder of Fish and Wildlife (FWC) will provide the Crappie Tagging Study status. Clell Ford, Highlands County lakes manager, and FWC biologist for Istokpoga, Steve Gornack, and Audubon biologist, Dr. Paul Grey, will host a discussion on how our agencies work together and resolve differences for the betterment of all the lake’s stakeholders. There will also be a power point presentation on “Weed Management”.     

F.O.I. is looking for new individuals to become members and run to serve on the board of directors. If interested, we look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Also please visit our website at Istokpoga.org, for all “Istokpoga Information”. Refreshments will be served at 6:45 p.m. and a membership table will be at the door, so please come out and bring “friends” interested in Highlands County’s prize jewel.

No One has Won the Free Bass Fishing Trip yet, although many have tried and come very close. 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.

The Lake Istokpoga Winter Hydrilla Management Treatment Event is scheduled for February 21-24. Approximately 4000 acres will be targeted in eleven areas. For complete information and mapping, visit the HighlandsBassAngler.com website’s Istokpoga Management Info page, or use “Istokpoga.info” for ease of remembrance.

A New Tackle and Bait Store has opened. The “Istokpoga Fishing Headquarter” store will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Located at the Jayvee Plaza, on U.S. route 27 and Lake Josephine Drive, Dave Dickens aims to customize his store for local anglers needs. Give Dave a call for more information at 863-655-0929. 

Tournaments 

The Monday Morning Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is on Lake Francis, February 13. Launch time is at 7 a.m. and weigh-in time is at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $15 per boat, paid at the ramp. For information, call Jerry Watson at 540-420-2862.

The Wednesday Morning “Black Bass” Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is on Lake Francis, February 15. Launch time is 8 a.m. and weigh-in is at 12 p.m. Entry fee is $15 per boat, paid at ramp. For information call, Paul Tardiff at 863-273-4062.

The Wednesday Morning Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is on Lake Jackson, February 15. Launch time is 7 a.m. and weigh-in time is at noon. Entry fee is $20 per boat, paid at the ramp. For information, call Jeff Balog at 863-840-3420.

The Friday Morning Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is on Lake Dinner, February 17. Launch time is at 7 a.m. and weigh-in time is at 1 p.m. Entry Fee is $20 per boat, paid at the ramp. Optional Big Bass fee is $5. For information, call Jerry Watson at 540-420-2862.