Kissimmee Fishing for Trophy Bass
Avid anglers flock to the Kissimmee area of Central Florida to experience the bass fishing trip of a lifetime. They travel from all over the United States and many other countries, such as Australia, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom to fish Central Florida’s grassy waters. The fish that draws both novice and experienced fishermen to this location is the Florida largemouth bass, a fresh water giant that is fished successfully year round in Central Florida.
Adventure Fishing
Destination Kissimmee: The book Adventure Fishing describes the greatest fishing destinations in the world, including Kissimmee, Florida. Gilbey, the author, and his friend Roger traveled from the UK to experience the thrill of catching giant bass on the #1 best trophy bass lake in USA. An entire chapter in the book is devoted to Gilbey’s first-hand account of the Brits’ exciting first day of fishing with Kissimmee bass guide: Captain A. James Jackson, owner of AJ’s Freelancer Florida Bass Guides.
"I had hardly gotten started when Roger swept back his rod, wound down tight, and hooked his First American bass. The fish jumped out of the water, shook its huge mouth, and then tried to run for the sanctuary of the reeds. On Roger’s face was a look of sheer delight, and that look was one I often saw among the bass fanatics we met in Florida.
Things soon got really hectic. We were hooking leaping fish just one after the other, and it was like a juggling act trying to work cameras, catch fish, stay calm, and take it all in. It seemed strange that we could do no wrong, since the fish attacked one bait after another. But we knew that, without our guide, we would have no idea where to look for fish in the huge Lake Toho waterway. Jamie (Captain Jackson) put us on to them, and we were simply reaping the rewards..."
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes: The Headwaters of the Everglades
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is located in Central Florida near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. This waterway forms the headwaters of the Everglades, the so-called “river of grass” located in southern Florida. The top bass fishing lake in the Kissimmee Chain is West Lake Tohopekaliga, or “Toho” for short. In addition to West Lake Toho, there are four other lakes in the Kissimmee Chain -- East Lake Toho, Hachineha, Lake Cypress, and Lake Kissimmee. West Lake Toho is connected to East Lake Toho and to Cypress Lake by canals and locks. The entire chain is operated as a flood control project.
The Drawdown
Every 10 to 15 years, the Florida Fish and Game Commission begins a drawdown of Lake Tohopekaliga. Toho’s locks are opened in November and water levels are gradually lowered several feet to allow the maiden-cane grass fields to reseed along Toho’s winding shoreline. The seeds germinate only on dry ground. While the water levels are down, the Commission engages in lake restoration, which includes muck removal and bottom scraping to clean up the spawning grounds and other problem areas. Gradually, all fish move out of the existing cover into deeper open-water areas. The water level is kept down for 5 or 6 months to allow the maiden-cane grass fields sufficient time to regenerate. Come spring, the locks are once again closed and the lake is allowed to refill slowly during the summer rainy season. The entire process is completed by the beginning of the fall fishing season.
An Unforgettable Experience
It is widely reported that during a drawdown the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes has the best fishing this country has ever seen. Catching 40 or more bass per day is the norm, and 10 pounders become almost “everyday fish,” During the drawdown, artificial baits (mainly rattletraps and crank baits) work best for producing both numbers and size. However, drifting and trolling shiners bring in the largest fish.
Just a Short Drive from Kissimmee
There are plenty of exciting places to visit while you and your family are in Central Florida. As you may already know, there is Magic Kingdom at Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, MGM Studios, Gatorland, and the NASA Space Center, All are all just a short drive from Kissimmee. Click on the video below to see some of the activities you and your crew may not want to miss.
Captain AJ Jackson of Freelancer Bass Guide Service has been featured on numerous In-Fisherman TV shows, In-Fisherman Magazines, Bassmaster Magazine and other popular magazines and books.
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