Good morning early rise and shiners! Now that we’re into May if you want the best bite of the day, it is time to go to bed early, set your alarm clock (early) and get to the ramp in time for that early morning schooling bite. Let’s get to our latest Central Florida Bass Fishing Report for May 2024.
Starting out in Winter Haven on the South Chain we’re throwing Pop’R(s) first thing, with Z-Man Jerk ShadZ and 2.5-3” 3/16oz jighead swimbaits in white shad or blue back herring getting the most out of the early bite. Once the sun is up, focus on fish that have gone deeper with Rattle Traps, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits. You can pick any color you want but we’re throwing natural color shad patterns to match the bait fish in these lakes. Also, make sure you do have some watermelon red along with junebug senkos/sitck baits on board. Some days they want the wacky rig, other days a slow Texas rig presentation fished slow as the sun gets high in the sky is the way to go.
Moving over to the Kissimmee Chain fishing out of Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Marina, Lodge & Resort I’m hoping for better conditions than we have had the past few months. The topwater bite fishing hollow belly frogs and Gambler EZ Swimmers needs to finally kick into full gear about now. When you can find open water with scattered hydrilla that is not topped out along with eel grass those are perfect areas to throw a spinnerbait of chatterbait to compliment the frog and EZ Swimmer. Please never leave the dock without a big black & blue “senko” with blue flake and a blue tip to pitch around pads, the edges of k-grass and reed heads when you find them. For RV or lodging accommodations at Camp Mack please visit https://guyharveycampmack.com.
If you want to fish with shiners in Winter Haven or out on the Kissimmee Chain please see my good friends at Lake Haven Bait on Hwy 60 in Lake Wales. Mention my name and get a free shiner☺!
For those looking for the latest and hottest baits to hit the water in Polk County please go to Bridgemaster’s in Lake Wales on Hwy 60 across from Walmart. The boys in there can hook you up with rods, reels, hats, shirts, and the greatest selection of baits you will find in this side of the county!
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners page for links to the companies that help us stay on the water providing excellent tackle and equipment for our guests while out on guide trips. They also make it possible to provide these monthly Central Florida Bass Fishing Reports and to search past reports please click here https://tmcguideservice.com/news-reports/.
