This week my wife Katie and I are vacationing in Orlando. While here I thought I’d try to see who was available to spend a day with on famous Lake Toho. I called Capt James (Jamie) Jackson, owner of AJ”s Freelance Guide Service to check on the bite and availability. He said Bass over 10 pounds are not caught everyday, but his cliets DO land one over 10 every week. This weeks largest so far went 13 1/2 pounds.
I booked a half day and we went out this last Wednesday. Fishing this time of year is pretty straight forward. Jamie recommends 7-8 foot medium heavy rods spooled with 30-40 pound braided line tied to a 6/0 Kahle hook. He said that in the top Florida lakes, 90 % of the Bass over 10 pounds are caught on Wild Shiners. That’s good enough for me. We rigged our Shiners a foot and a half below a 2” Styrofoam float, and cast them to Hydrilla weed edges. Katie and I each had a float rod, and we took turns with the third free line rod. The Shiner on the free line would swim around and into pockets in the Hydrilla.
We started to catch fish right away. We ended up with 17 Largemouth Bass landed over a four hour period. The technique is after your float goes under the water is to pick up your rod and slowly reel in the slack, then just before the line tightens up, you use a medium hook set and keep the pressure on. Katie’s better fish were in the 4 to 5 pound range up to 20 inches and I was able to get a few better fish into the boat. I was able to catch a 23 inch 7 pounder, and the best of the day was a 24” x 16 ½ an 8.6 pounder(formula). This Bass is my third biggest Largemouth I’ve ever caught. Very nice fish anywhere you go.
Orlando is NOT just about Disney, give yourself a brake from all the crowds and spend a day or half day on the water, possibly catching the biggest Bass of your life. Jamie has been guiding for over 32 years on Lake Toho and has a staff of seven full time guides that he can set you up with. Give Jamie a call at 1 800 738 8144.
His website is:
http://www.orlandobass.com
You can also send me a PM with any questions.
Jack .
I’ll bet you enjoyed the escape to warmer temps. 
