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FWC SELECTS FLORIDA’S TOP 12 PANFISH LAKES FOR 2003 March 21, 2003 Editor’s Note:
This is the third of four feature stories highlighting the best freshwater
fishing spots in Florida. The first feature story in this series highlights
largemouth bass hot spots. The second feature highlights the best black crappie
lakes. The next installment on the best catfish lakes, will be released in early
April. Florida has 7,710 lakes
and ponds and 12,000 miles of rivers all brimming with bream. So how can anyone
narrow the state's best panfish
spots down to 100, let alone just 12? Almost any water body in
the Sunshine State, regardless of size or locale, contains bluegills
and, probably to a lesser extent, redear
sunfish (shellcrackers). Steve Crawford, a veteran
biologist with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC), had anticipated
that cooler than normal water temperatures would have delayed the shellcracker
spawn. However, high temperatures in early March have put fish back on track for
normal patterns. In south and central Florida, shellcrackers will likely spawn
in mid-March and again go onto the beds during the full moon in mid-April. Look
for shellcrackers to concentrate in the Florida panhandle in late April to
mid-May. According to Crawford,
shellcrackers bed well into August, while bluegills spawn throughout the summer
months and, sometimes, even as late as November in south Florida. "Water depths for
bedding bream may range anywhere from three to 10 feet,” he said,
"However, bluegills seem to opt for slightly more shallow depths, and it's
not unusual to see shellcrackers and bluegills intermingle, using the same beds
at the same time." Of the two species,
bluegills are easily the more popular due to their availability, although
shellcrackers appeal to many anglers since they are often larger than bluegills.
Found in lakes, streams,
rivers, ponds and canals, bluegills are caught on a wide variety of live
offerings, with earthworms, crickets and grass shrimp being the most prevailing.
Anglers who use spinning gear won't go wrong when tossing or trolling small
spinnerbaits, and flyrod buffs particularly enjoy this little scrapper because
of its eagerness to clobber both popping bugs and sinker flies. Ounce‑for‑ounce,
the prolific bluegill is a strong battler when not over‑tackled. They will
range from just a couple of ounces to 6 to 8 ounces. Heavier fish in the
8‑ to 12‑ounce range frequently occur during bedding activities, and
an occasional 1-pounder is not uncommon. Florida's record bluegill
scaled 2.95 pounds, while the world record for this species was an impressive
Alabama‑caught 4-pound, 12-ounces. To qualify for a “Big Catch” angler
recognition certificate, sponsored by eAngler.com, you need to land a bluegill
that is at least 11 inches long or weighs 1.25 pounds. A shellcracker is the
Sunshine State's largest "bream" and is easily identified by the red
spot at the end of its gill flap. The average size for shellcrackers is about 10
to 12 ounces, but 1- pounders are frequently caught on beds. Florida's record is
4.86 pounds, while the world record for this species is a whopping 5 pounds, 3
ounces. The “Big Catch” angler recognition program recognizes catches of
shellcrackers that exceed 2.25 pounds or 12 inches. Favored live baits on a
"shellfish" menu include snails, mussels, earthworms, crickets and
grass shrimp. Shellcrackers are seldom caught on artificial lures, but
flyrodders can occasionally connect with this hard fighter, casting popping bugs
with a small sinking fly tied to an 18-inch trailer. Shellcrackers usually hang
around areas with soft bottoms but may also be targeted near grass patches,
pads, reeds, snags and stickups.Enough already? Want specifics? Okay. Here are opinions
from FWC fisheries biologists, based throughout Florida, on which spots they
think should be included on our Top 12 panfish lakes (in no particular order)
for 2003. ST. JOHNS RIVER The St. Johns River flows
from south to north. Try fishing the stretch between S.R. 50 near Titusville and
Lake Monroe, especially for bluegill. In this area, look for sandbars and try
around grass points. Also, try the area from Sanford to Astor. Fish the edges
near drop-offs and around lily pads or brush. In addition, don’t overlook
spotted sunfish (stumpknockers) along the brushy banks. Water levels should be
good at least through summer. (Joe Jenkins (386) 985-7880) LAKE KISSIMMEE This 35,000‑acre gem
in central Florida boasts the best bluegill and shellcracker populations just
about anywhere following a drawdown a few years ago. The 24 miles of cleared
shoreline, plus its enhanced open areas, gives boaters and waders a superb shot
at spectacular catches. Also, try around each of the islands and in open areas
off the boat trails. (Marty Mann (407) 846‑5300) LAKE OKEECHOBEE FWC biologists expect a
good year for panfish on the Big “O” as vegetation has responded well to
management practices. Try the Rim Canal for bluegill and Indian Prairie,
Fisheating Bay, West Wall, Bay Bottom and Pelican Bay for bluegill and
shellcrackers. There are a lot of good areas on this 730-square-mile lake in
south Florida, so look for two to five feet of water and firm sand bottom. The
best bait for both is grass shrimp, while worms also will entice shellcrackers,
and crickets will catch bluegill. (Dan McCall (863) 462‑5190) LAKE TALQUIN Anglers in the Tallahassee
area are advised to break out their flyrods, cane poles or light spinning tackle
early this spring, because shellcrackers should be bedding by late April and
bluegills should be soon behind. What's more, both species should continue
biting well throughout the summer months. FWC biologists recommend working the
upper end of the reservoir and in the back of various creeks in depths ranging
from three to seven feet. (Rich Cailteux (850) 627‑9674) TENOROC FISH MANAGEMENT
AREA This 7,300‑acre fish
management area on the outskirts of Lakeland has 13 lakes (with more on the
immediate horizon) ranging in size from seven to 227 acres. Harvest statistics
for bluegills and shellcrackers show a consistently higher catch ratio here than
in any other Florida water body. Call the Tenoroc office to find the lake that
currently offers the best opportunity and to make reservations, because lakes
are open to the public only four days a week. (Danon Moxley (863)
499‑2421) LAKE HARRIS If you live in, or happen
to be visiting, the Leesburg area and have a hankering to tussle with some
heavier-than-usual bluegills and shellcrackers, both Big and Little Lake Harris
will be to your liking. Some of the better locales include the grassy areas at
the far end of Little Lake Harris in four to six feet of water, plus the lily
pads and spatterdock tracts near the 9th Street. Canal out from Leesburg.
Bluegills also frequent shallow waters tight to sawgrass shorelines. (John
Benton (352) 742‑6438) LAKE MARIAN Although this
5,740‑acre "sleeper" lake in Osceola County doesn't receive much
notoriety, it's still one of the best panfishing spots. In past years,
shellcrackers have been known to bed later than usual, while bluegills can be
gangbusters one day and just so‑so the next. An angler's best bet might be
to tackle Marian during the month's full and new moon periods. (Marty Mann (407)
846‑5300) LAKE ISTOKPOGA This large, shallow lake a
few miles southeast of Sebring gets most of its press for its outstanding bass
and crappie fishing. However, experienced panfish anglers have tried to keep
Istokpoga a secret for years. Anglers should concentrate their efforts from late
spring through summer around the shoreline areas, working along bulrush and
spatterdock patches. The west shoreline, south of Henderson’s Cove, Grassy
Island south of Istokpoga Park, north end of Big Island and Bumblebee Island
should be prime spots throughout the year. (Tom Champeau (863) 648‑3202) LAKE JESUP Lake Jesup, near Sanford
is widely recognized as a top bluegill and shellcracker hotspot, especially from
April through July. Spring samples in 2002 revealed that Jesup has some of the
biggest, heaviest panfish of any lake in Florida. Anglers should concentrate in
sandy areas in or near cattails during low‑water periods. When levels are
high, both species may be found in and around all types of aquatic vegetation.
For bluegills, try grass points along the south shore, the near shore pilings of
the expressway bridge and around Bird Island. Shellcrackers can be located in
the open water at the entrance of the lake just south of the S.R. 46 bridge,
near Bird Island and off the north shore wherever hard, sand bottom can be
found. (Joe Jenkins (386) 985-7880) CHOCTAWATCHEE RIVER For river and stream
lovers in Florida's Panhandle, this river is ideal, particularly for
shellcracker aficionados. Shellcrackers usually bed in quieter waters during
April and remain active through the early‑fall months. If tooling around
in smaller creeks off the main channel and sloughs during late spring and summer
months, be sure to check out redbreast sunfish, stumpknockers and warmouth
perch. (Fred Cross (850) 819‑3456) SUWANNEE RIVER Although bluegill and
shellcrackers can be readily caught in the Suwannee, this river is second to
none for stumpknockers and redbreast sunfish. These scrappy fish are good in the
middle river and excellent in the lower portion of the river. Try near tree
banks on deep shore areas, the mouths of creeks and along water lilies. Use
crickets, mealworms, Beetle Spins or flyfishing tackle, such as popping bugs.
(Jerry Krummrich (386) 758-0525) LAKE MARION Not to be confused with
Lake Marian, Lake Marion is a 2,990-acre lake near Haines City. Samples
collected in fall and winter found concentrations of large bluegill and
shellcrackers along knotgrass beds on the eastern shore and Bannon Island. Prime
fishing should occur from March through June. Locate hard bottom and try worms,
grass shrimp or crickets. (Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202) mat/ois |
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