South Lake

South Lake MagicThe art of weed fishing in Google Earth is a tool every Anglerheavy cover is a must when should learn to use. You won’t need FBon South Lake or Fox Lake. to ask for spots. The Journey is the bestUsing Google Maps we will part!!!!! Wear your PFD!!!!look at the Key features andwhy the fish relate to themthe way they do. Also theEquipment I use and haveused for 45 plus years fishingthere. This Weed Coveredwonderland will test thebiggest motors and operatorsin navigation difficulties. TheLake has burn up a fewmotors. Paying attention topump pressure and water peais a must for the new guys.Forget the Jet Drive. To me itis Gheenoe and feel freeKayak Water. I have been in aGheenoe all my life thanks toHarley and in feelfree foryears. Both have the stabilityfor big bass I trust!! And theStealth it takes to get them! Ihave towed my Kayak tospots in the lake to stealth theweeds with amazing results.Mud Motors help in thiswater.

History!!!!The Launch is at Fox Lake Park and access to South Lake is through a Canal on theupper side of Fox. Again Look at Google. I always look at the water level on how Irun the lake. If water is touching the lower side of the dock board or Higher I’m inmy comfort zone with the exception of summer weeds. Lake Navigation is an art.When in South Lake you see fast how weed choked it is and that the deeper openwater is right next to the pads Running on plane slow gives the bass time to movedon’t haul A$$ respect it. Use the Holes to get on plane and look at the pea holeoften. Weed Control seems to always be spraying, you find the bass and the nextday they spray your spot, Dam the Bad luck but do to the weeds, lots of spotsexist. Please Respect this pristine waterway, keep your trash with you and oldbaits in the boat.

Where do I start? Google Earth.Look for Deep water hard edges, Boat paths to Docks and canals. Remember a 6inch change in the depth in Florida is like a10 foot drop in our northern lakes. Themap above is marked on How I would approach the lake in a fast pace. Rememberbass migrate and seasonal movement is key to success. Bass Habits do changewith the season and there is a lot to learn on them. The more we learn the morewe respect them. This not fishing for pond bass, anyone can luck into the pondgiants, save those for our kids. These bass are smart and know the game. I haveshown folks 15lb plus bass in this lake on many occasions only to be snuffed. Justseeing them is an adrenalin rush.Lure Choice!!!! I am bias so use your favorite baits. I will cover what I have used.Slop Lures are King here. The Flats Creeper in Black and Blue and Frog Spit Colorsis great on the edges, I love the Bayou Dawg in the same colors with 1/8th oz andno weight in the slop. I also use a custom Spoon I make as well as Custom InlineBuzz Baits.

Top water is Deadly During Spawn and at night on this lake for those with thepatients to use them. 15.3 What a night!!!!!! Photo Cred to Ashley Collins!!!! Parkcloses at dark, Launch off Roadway Thus the Kayak Gheenoe being the besttools!!!! P.S. Big Gators Respect em!!!! Ya might want to join the Gheenoe or feelfree Family. These Folks Can Fish!!!!

These Two Legends saw something in me I guess I did not. I thank them for thetime, friendship, and love they shared with me. The knowledge they shared andhad was priceless. GOD Bless These true Legends!!!!!!! March the 11 2016 I fishedthe lake and they were with me in my boat, mind Body and Soul. I popped 4 fishover 8 lbs that day and I had John Andersons Seminole wind in my head on repeatplaying in my head. Yes they Live on!!!!!!! Thank you Harley and Doug!!!!Flipping is a technique you love or hate, get over it, its deadly on this lake and Iagree it’s boring work that pays big!! Lying on her side, in a salt solution, getting readyfor release. Note the live well is full of water and the front live well on an LT25isn’t small!!!!! Flipping Works Learn How to flip and Pitch Softly and you will beamazed. Use a Fly Rod and Mouse Pattern and see how fast a soft presentationWorks on the Giants, Have Martin Jennings Tie ya a few!!!

I have had fun fishing this water for many years and enjoyed the company of afew souls within it. Mike, Josh and Robert Thanks for GreatMemories!!!!!!! We will fish again!!!! March the 11 2016 was a Birthday I won’t forget!!!

Let em go so they grow!!!!!Weather and Moon?Yep it matters. Doug Taught me, that If you find the true monsters and you catchSun rise and Moon set at the same time that you have roughly 30 minutes of BlindLight. Kinda like when the sun goes down your driving and your eyes areadjusting. You are not 100 percent on your sight. The same applies to Mrs BigStuff, She is keen in vision and at this time if you use a White Tail hunting theme100 percent stealth and presentation is spot on, you will have a shot. Make itcount. Research, Study, Patience and Persistence is needed OH and hell yes I likeLuck too!!!

Frontal Conditions always help. In the winter if you are on the water during thepassing of a cold front the Bite can be brutal, Take advantage of this when ya can.Hurricane and Tropical weather is the time to be on it in summer!!!! Be safe notstupid, wear your PFD!!!!!!!Remember big bass eat Bass so on the edge or under the school bass you want tobe. I caught this Giant In my feelfree on a frog spit color Marsh Minnow lure itwas chasing a Bass 12” along a weed line. Yes Preparation Meets Opportunity andLuck happened.What a battle, look at the vapor trail!!!!!!!To summarize:Learn to use Google EarthStudy your preyWork on Presentation-Flip, Pitch, SkipFind the Structure near deep water or Heavy Cover. Both work!Learn Seasonal MovementLearn Weather PatternsCatch and ReleaseTeach a KidP.S. Learn the weed Mix Correlations, patterns exist. Arrow Head!!!!!! Study!!!!

Please be considerate of other anglers give space. Don’t be that Guy!!!!!I want to thank Gheenoe Boatshttp://www.gheenoe.net/http://www.customgheenoe.com/ feelfree Kayakshttp://feelfreeus.com/ for theexception product they make and I use daily.Thank you to Johnny Built Rods for the best flipping/Muskie sticks I could ask for.Thank you Swivel Stick Anchor only one I use in shallow water.https://www.swivelstick.net/If you’re interested in what Custom can do for you Check me out athttp://bankslures.com/

Written by: Capt. Rick Banks