Starke Lake:  The bass fishing this quarter requires flexibility.  In the early part of the quarter most of the largemouth bass will still be in deeper water (>10 feet).  Fish attractors (marked with a yellow FWC buoy) and the edges of deep (5–10 feet) submerged eel grass and peppergrass will hold their share of fish.  The fish attractors are listed on a topographical map, which can be obtained by emailing or calling the Fish Orlando office (see contact information above).  By December there is a good chance that a significant number of largemouths will have moved shallow into a pre-spawn/spawn pattern.  The shorelines along Lakeshore Drive and from the boat ramp to Silver Star road are both places to start.  Effective baits on the attractors include Texas- and Carolina-rigged plastic worms.  Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft jerk baits and finesse worms have all produced in the past when the fish move shallow.

Turkey Lake:  This quarter has historically been tough for largemouth bass fishing.  As the first fronts of the season blow through, the bass in this shallow basin lake can get a serious case of “lock jaw”.  However, during stable weather the bass will be active, most likely along the grass edges or schooling out in the open water.  Soft jerk baits, lipless crankbaits and topwaters will all work well under these stable conditions.   While the bass fishing can be uncertain during this quarter, the black crappie (speck) can usually be counted on.  Troll or drift jigs or jig/minnow combinations in the south lobe for best success.  The schools of speck are fairly concentrated so don’t give up if the first hour or so produces nothing.  When trolling, vary the depth and speed until a successful combination is found.  When drifting, make sure baits are presented at all depths.  Due to deed restrictions there is no public boat access on Turkey Lake, but the FWC, the City of Orlando and Bass Pro Shops have teamed together to provide a Boat Loaner Program where four Bass Tracker Boats are available for rent for only $15 a morning (7 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; Thurs-Sun).   Call the City of Orlando’s Bill Frederick Park at 407-299-5581 to reserve a boat.

Lake Underhill:  Like last quarter, the edges of the submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet of water will most likely hold the fish.  Try Texas-rigged worms, wacky-rigged seinkos or Zara Spooks along these edges.  It may also be worthwhile to run a plastic toad bait over the areas that have topped-out vegetation.  Due to a road-widening project, the north lobe of Underhill will only be partly open until spring 2010.

Ivanhoe:  The bass in this FAB FIVE lake will most likely be relatively deep (8–15 feet) for most of the quarter.  Find this depth range next to submerged vegetation and you double your chances.  Texas-rigged worms or a wacky-rigged seinko (with rattles inserted) are good baits to start with.  A 4-inch plastic worm (tequila sunrise) with a small 1/8-1/32 oz weight pinched or pegged a foot or two in front of the worm can also be the key to unlocking bass action on Ivanhoe.

Clear Lake:  As the water cools this quarter, the hybrid striped bass fishery that this lake is known for begins to heat up.  Crappie minnows or a small domestic shiner fished under a slip bobber at various depths (including right off the bottom) is one of the most effective methods for catching these fish.  Drifting the open water or trolling with Rat-L-Traps, Shad Raps and shad-type jigs also works well. For starters try the areas around the fish attractors and the numerous dredge holes.  The fish attractors and dredge areas are listed on a topographical map, which can be obtained by emailing or calling the Fish Orlando office (see contact information above).  If the dredge holes don’t work try the deeper areas in the south and east shorelines where shallow water connects up quickly to the deeper water.  Use of a depth finder is essential to success; look for shad on the structure (i.e. changes in depth) to find where the hybrids are located.

Urban Ponds (Barnett Park Frog Pond, Bear Creek, Lake Island Park, and Santiago):  The URBAN PONDS are managed as put, grow and take channel catfish fisheries.  With the weather cooling the fishing should be good for longer periods of time. Try fishing chicken liver rigged on a #6 or #8 hook around the “Baited Fishing Area” signs.  Night crawlers and wigglers are a good second choice for bait.  Although channel catfish are the management focus, some decent largemouth bass fishing can be had in Bear Creek using plastic worms and soft jerk baits thrown first thing in the morning.  Because of their abundant small bream, the URBAN PONDS are also a good place to take a kid to catch their first fish.  A small piece of worm or biscuit dough fished under a small float is usually all that’s needed.  Once again, focus efforts around the “Baited Fishing Area” signs.

Until next time remember, “knowledge, not luck, is the key to consistent fishing success.”

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