Red and largemouth bass are running in the upper reaches of area tidal rivers where salt and freshwaters mix. Pictured are, from left, Andy Holland, Peter Miller, Sande Kirby and backwater guide Capt. Terry D. Lacoss. Terry Lacoss/special

Bassin’ hot through winter months

With television cameras rolling, Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s Red Maple Lake was recently showcased for Peter Miller’s fishing show “Bass 2 Bills.”Down syndrome patient Andy Holland and Sande Kirby were selected to headline the popular fishing show recently filmed at Amelia Island. the show literally covers bass to high-leaping billfish.Exploring Red Maple Lake’s famous waters on foot, Terry David Lacoss guided the threesome of anglers to some of his favorite bass holes.the first bass of the morning struck a buzz bait and weighed just over three pounds. as the surface action diminished and the morning dim light gave way to bright sunshine, bass fishermen switched to shiny, chrome “Rattle Traps.”"Rattle Traps” are an extremely popular bass lure that incorporates a fish calling sound chamber and catchy swimming action when fished with a speedy retrieve.

“Reel your bass lure faster and keep your rod tip high,” Miller instructed Holland. “This bass lake is fairly shallow, so you will need to keep your lure working in the upper column of the water.”Seconds later, Holland had a three-pound Red Maple largemouth bass charge his plastic bass lure. Exciting cartwheel leaps followed before pictures were taken and his first bass of the morning was released.All of the lakes and lagoons located on Omni Amelia Island Plantation are catch-and-release fishing only.the following morning, Lacoss guided Miller and party to a memorable day on the water redfishing.”I have never seen anyone so excited as Andy Holland became during his fishing trip here on Amelia Island,” Miller said. “Following each bass and redfish catch made, Andy made sure that everyone knew that he was extremely grateful for his fishing trip.”

Without a doubt, this has been one of the best fall fishing seasons for redfish. Local red redbass fishermen have been enjoying fast action throughout the tides while fishing with live shrimp under a small float and casting a variety of plastic tails rigged to led head jigs.If you go, the last few hours of the falling tide and the first few hours of the incoming tide have been key for redfish. during these shallow water tides, redfish are schooling in the deep sloughs that border large flats and oyster bars.Once the tide stops running, make long casts to locate redfish that are holding in open water.Bass fishing has also been red hot this fall and should produce great Florida trophy largemouth right through the winter months and into the spring fishing seasons.Trophy bass pool, Rodman Reservoir, has been in a draw down stage since early November and will refill completely by April 30.one of the Southeast’s premiere bass lakes will be drawn down from 20 feet to 11 feet and maintained at 11 feet through most of the draw down period. Rodman will then be filled to a lake level of 20 feet by April 30.a temporary boat ramp will be in place at Kenwood Landing during the draw down, which will be operative Dec. 15.”Bass fishermen will need to release their bass during the draw down, however fishermen can keep specks and catfish,” said Jim Darby of Messer’s Bait and Tackle. “Fishermen can still put their fishing boats in at Kenwood Landing because there is still enough water. however, as the reservoir continues to be drawn down, a temporary boat ramp will be needed to access the lake.”Rodman was scheduled to be drawn down in 2010, but was determined unnecessary by the Florida Water Manage-ment Department. Draw downs on Rodman Reservoir are scheduled every 3-4 years to expose shallow grassy shorelines, which ultimately kills vegetation and revitalizes lake bottoms.Messer’s Bait and Tackle sells live shiners, which are the premiere bass baits for trophy Rodman Reservoir bass. For information, call (386) 328-4895.

For information and TV schedules, visit www.bass2bills.com.

Story created Dec 08, 2011 – 10:57:27 PST.

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