REPORTS

FLORIDA BASS FISHING JANUARY 2024

Well we’ve officially made it to 2024 and we’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year from Paula and myself. Since she retired from State Farm last month after “many” years she’s becoming a bigger piece in our operation and I’m very thankful for having the best “First Mate” in all of Central Florida! Now on the forecast for Florida Bass Fishing in January 2024.

As the weather forecast and Farmer’s Almanac stand for January, we’re in for a lot colder than normal month with most days reaching 70 for the highs which is not our normal SOP (standard operating procedure). That being said, most days fishing will likely focus on very deliberate presentations and generally a little bit slower fishing styles. If you plan on burning down a grass line with your trolling motor on 90% like KVD it may not be your best approach for these next few weeks. If it works for ya, honest to God please email me and tell me it did. I never pretend to know it all and will always take in new info to learn and grow.

Let’s get going with trips on the Kissimmee Chain fishing out of Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort. Out here my main focus will be on areas with healthy vegetation adjacent to relatively deeper water, and ideally having shell beds that will hold heat in as the surface water temps drop. In these temps, most of you will beat me to the ramp in the dark because I’m waiting for the sun to break the trees and hit the water and start warming it up, even if ever so slowly. Baits of choice will always without hesitation include a black & blue stick worm with blue flake and blue tip. Do NOT leave the dock without one. Next is a hollow body frog, you pick the color but I always have a white one and also a dark brown or black. These are great search baits for finding shad and where there’s bait, there’s bass. My next “have to have” on deck is a Gambler EZ Swimmer to slow roll, wake, or put on a belly weight and fish lower thru the pad roots.

Moving over to Winter Haven and fishing on the South Chain our approach is still patience, slower, and methodical. Because the primary forage is smaller shad – glass minnows, emerald shiners, etc – we’re throwing smaller baits. That being said a standard sized Rapala, SK, or whatever your favorite flavor of jerkbait is will work well in whites, silvers, or most shad, even the “sexy shad” produces well. A small swimbait that is in the 2.75” – 4” in natural pearls, white with some watermelon red, chartreuse, etc will serve you well on ¼ jig head. Always have flukes on board. If you only take one pack, make it the ZOOM fluke in watermelon pearl. You can thank me later. Hopefully this has helped give you a direction or some ideas to work with for your Florida bass fishing in January 2024 adventure.

**Local insider tips**

1) For those not local you can find these and everything else you need at Bridgemaster’s on Hwy 60 in Lake Wales.

2)If you are bringing your boat, or have it down already, and need anything service related please call Crossed Industries in Haines City. I will tell you hands down, with my own business on the line, if you need help with any of your boating/marine needs Chaz ands his staff are the best in the biz!

3) For those wishing to explore and enjoy old world Florida at it’s finest please visit https://guyharveycampmack.com, we have a lodge, cabins, and RV sites available year round. For other accommodations around Lake Wales and Winter Haven please checkout https://tmcguideservice.com/sleep-eat/