Ocala Forest Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Ocala Forest Fishing Report. Three windy days were spent chasing the elusive largemouth bass. I had a reader who asked me to contact him next time I went up there. I was unable to do so- forgot the name, had deleted the email. My sincere apologies.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Early Monday morning Caleb Vogl met me at an Ocala National Forest lake. We both had kayaks, fishing gear, and high expectations. How many times do I have to tell you to leave the expectations at home, John?? My first fish, caught on a Senko worm about ten minutes in, was a pretty nice one and the only one I photographed.

Fish certainly bring me to beautiful places.

Fish- beautiful. Fisherman- not so much.

Fishing was hotter and colder during the day, not that steady one-after-another that we all dream about. I got somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 fish, with exactly one on fly. Most were modest in size. The best fish of the day was about five pounds, but no photo. The wind made everything harder. The wind wouldn’t let up all week, either.

We camped at the Alexander Springs Recreation Area.

Early the next morning we launched at a different lake. Still had the wind, though! We again fished hard all day. Caleb did better than the previous day. I did not. The lunker we were searching for stayed unfound, though. There were some schooling fish intermittently, sometimes within casting range, 12-inch fish for the most part. Tired of fighting the wind, I shot a few non-fishing-related photos.

White water lily, common in warm shallow water.

Miniature lily pads. I need to learn the name of these.

Pickerelweed. I fail to see why they’re named weeds. They’re gorgeous.

Caleb left Tuesday after fishing, leaving me on my own for Wednesday. I had to go home then, so it would not be a full day effort.

There were mixed goals for Wednesday. I still wanted a shot at the lunker, but also wanted to fish the Alexander Springs Run. Why not do both?

Alexander Springs Run.

So I launched at the first lake just after sunrise, and tossed a weedless frog for 3/4 of an hour. Not a sniff. Tossed a Senko for 3/4 of an hour. Not a nibble. Got up in the shallows and tossed a gurgler on the fly rod, which produced a half-dozen small fish.

Pulled the boat and went to the spring run. The wind was ridiculous, blowing me up the stream. Still, I fly-fished with the gurgler and got another half-dozen small ones. Then it was time to leave, so I loaded up and headed home.

While I think last year’s trip was better in terms of both numbers and quality, this trip was certainly successful, and was way better than the trip in February. I would go back!

Thursday- cleanup on aisle van.

Friday- to keep the bassiness of the week intact, I went local, to the Econlockhatchee. I had made all of four or five casts when this beast inhaled the gurgler.

A good start to a spectacular if breezy day.

I stopped to stand up and rest my butt when I spotted a fattie about fifteen feet away. I flipped a Senko in front of him and let it drift in. I was pleasantly shocked when I saw him eat it. I suspect he was unpleasantly shocked when I set up on him.

Couldn’t believe this fish ate the bait while eyeballing me.

Got a few others, and a couple nice redbellies that hit the gurgler. They (the redbellies) are starting to bed.

The Econ has high banks, which made it at least fishable. Anywhere else I would have blown away.

Love that Econ!

And that, folks, is the Ocala Forest fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

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