Highlands Bass Angler

Jul 4, 2023

“Highlands Bass Angler” since 2006

Central Florida Freshwater Fishing Weekly Forecast

Good and Bad News for Anglers This Week - Nov. 26 - Dec. 3, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last five days of November and beginning of December gives the Florida Freshwater Anglers the last half of a fairly strong full moon phase and a weather forecast that predicts the season’s first cold front which I predict won’t affect fish feeding activity very much with the exception of Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have good news and bad news this week. Good full moon fishing today and Monday and next weekend promises very good conditions for catching fish, but a cold front will interrupt things during the midweek.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today we are one day from the full moon and three days from the lunar high position with the moon halfway toward the furthest orbit point from earth. Therefore, this month’s full moon will produce a seven rating. And due to an atmospheric pressure drop of more than 0.10 in hg today the feed rating will improve to a seven rating or slightly higher as fish adjust downward as the moon approaches the underfoot position during the midday hours. When the south wind begins fish will feed aggressively.

Weather Factors: Today a low-pressure system enters the state sometime during the early morning hours—winds will shift from the northeast to the south. Atmospheric pressure will drop enough to cause a higher-than-normal fish adjustment activity, with increased feed rates as they move deeper.

Monday through Tuesday midday atmospheric pressure will climb 0.20 in hg as a high-pressure cold front enters the state. When winds switch from the west to the north you expect feeding activity to stop while they adjust upward into shoreline shallows. Since water temperatures will not change enough to shut down digestion rates after a brief adjustment period, fish will begin to feed. I’m predicting a twelve-to-eighteen-hour adjustment period, which if I’m correct, fish will resume normal feeding activity during the underfoot moon period on Wednesday---Tuesday could therefore be an off day even though the full moon occurs Monday night.

Water temperatures will drop Tuesday through Thursday which will slow fish metabolisms enough to affect digestion rates. So feeding activity will slow up a bit in the last two days of the full moon phase. Friday will be a pre-low-pressure warm-front day which will improve feeding activity. Saturday pressure will begin a drop of 0.20 in hg which will end during Sunday’s midday hours. I predict above-average feeding activity Saturday morning through the early afternoon hours as an ideal south wind occurs.

Wind speeds will be at ideal speeds every day with perhaps an exception on Friday which is predicted to produce a thirteen-mph pre-front east wind. And cloud-cover will be a factor today through Tuesday which is good news for the midday underfoot major feeding period. Anytime the full moon is blocked by cloud-cover, feeding activity twelve hours later improves. Wednesday through next weekend the sun-to-cloud ratio will be fifty-fifty, which is ideal for improving fish adjustment activity.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 11:35 a.m. and solar noon at 12:12 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven or slightly better from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Tuesday when a cold front high-pressure system triggers a lull in normal feeding. Wednesday a six rating will occur from 12-3:30 p.m. Thursday through next weekend the feed rating will average about a five rating during the underfoot period.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 6:07 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:55 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. I expect the cold front will slow down feeding activity Tuesday through Thursday, producing a three to four rating at best. Friday through next weekend a mid-to-late morning bite will produce a four to five rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 4:56 p.m. and the sunset at 5:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 4-7 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating. There will not be a slowing down of feeding activity which the moonset period has due to water temperatures remaining higher during this period of the day—bright afternoon sunshine makes the difference. But as the moonrise moves later into the nighttime hours the feed rating will drop to a three to four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the full moon will produce the best fishing days of the month. Wednesday fish will have adjusted enough to feed normally, and the influence of the full moon will produce good fishing in shoreline shallows. Saturday warmer temperatures, and a significant pressure change downward will cause fish to feed at above-average rates as they adjust downward. This increased feeding activity could continue into the morning hours of next Sunday.

HighlandsBassAngler.com -- Bass Angler Special Offer: For a limited time, I am offering again this year, free bass fishing information on any lake in Florida. All you need to do is email me with “Free Info” in the email subject line and tell me which lake you’d like info on. But there is one catch, you must become a free or paid subscriber. Once I receive the automatic notification that you've subscribed, you’ll receive an email verification from me, and your info will soon follow. If you select one of the paid subscriber options, I’ll also include my most recent hot spots map for the lake you requested.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications and more at HighlandsBassAngler.com. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Fish Are Aggressively Feeding, Time To Go Fishing - November 19, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers the first quarter moon phase during the first half of the week and the beginning of the full moon phase during the second half of the week. The weather forecast promises to provide ideal fishing weather albeit with significant cloud-cover during the middle of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy fairly good fishing during the first half of the week and the best fishing days of the month during the end of the week. All fishing factors are just about perfect this week, and fish are feeding at very high rates due to perfect water temperatures so don’t miss out on excellent fall season fishing. Every other day fish are feeding aggressively.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The first quarter moon occurs Monday and the moon arrives at orbit perigee on Tuesday, however the lunar low point happened last Friday, which means the moon’s strength is just under fifty percent when the moon is overhead and underfoot. Therefore, the three daily solar periods will produce almost at the same intensity as the lunar periods. Tomorrow, the overhead moon will enhance the sunset period and the underfoot moon will enhance the sunrise period. But periods will produce a six or slightly better feed rating as a result.

The second half of the week we’ll be approaching the full moon phase which will be strong due to the full moon occurring two days prior to the lunar high. The seven-day full moon phase begins Friday. A week from tomorrow, the full moon occurs, producing the best fishing days of the month. So, if you haven’t made plans to fish next weekend, you should. The fish will be very active. And the second half of the full moon week will be better than the first half.

Weather Factors: Ideal temperatures for feeding fish is currently happening and will continue until the first serious cold front. Bright sunshine is forecasted until Wednesday when cloud-cover is predicted to prevail. However next weekend when the full moon phase begins the extended weather forecast is predicting a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio, which is ideal.

Atmospheric pressure change will occur just enough to cause some minor fish adjustment upward as pressure increases daily at about 0.10 in hg. This upward trend will level off on Tuesday but on Wednesday pressure will drop enough to reverse the direction of fish causing them to move from the shallows to the deeper areas of the shoreline feeding areas. Thursday through the weekend atmospheric pressure will not be a factor.

Wind speeds will be mild today and Monday, coming out of the north today and from the east on Monday. Tuesday a fifteen mph east southeast wind will occur but will change direction Wednesday and come from the south at fifteen mph. Thursday through next Sunday an ideal speed of six to eight mph from the north will occur.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 6:11 p.m. and the sunsets at 5:32 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number every two days. By the second half of the week this period diminishes to a minor period.

A second major period happens today when the underfoot moon occurs at 5:44 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:49 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5-8 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-four minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Friday when the full moon phase week begins, the rating will improve daily, producing an eight-feed rating by Sunday through next Tuesday.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 12:10 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty minutes and remains as the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Monday will be the best fishing day of the first half of this week. Sunset and sunrise fishing will be very good---tonight could also be good due to the sharp rise in pressure that will occur during the sunset period.

The second half of the week, Sunday through next Tuesday will be the best fishing days of November. All fishing factors look to be very good if the extended weather forecast results in being true.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: As temperatures continue to drop during the last fall season, crawdads begin being a factor in the world of the bass. One of the biggest threats to a successful bass spawning effort are crawdads eating bass eggs. Bass instinctively know this and will target crawdads when they feed. And when they’re not actively feeding bass will suck them in, crush them and spit them back out.

For this reason, throwing baits which mimic the crawdad, and employing the action of the crawdad on the lake bottom within thicker cover areas, is a very effective strategy. My favor bait to achieve this is the big jig with a big trailer. I prefer double brush guard versions and use red, black, or blue trailers on 3\4 to 1 oz. sizes.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four gates open nine inches with a combined flow of 900 cubic feet per minute. The lake level seasonal schedule thresholds: high 39.50’ and low 38.50’. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on a customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide detailed information and techniques that will lead to greater success. Call today I’ll save you time and money by learning the lake’s hot spots and how fish use the lake seasonally.

New Moon and Weather Create Good Open-Water Fishing - Nov. 12-19, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers the new moon phase and a cloudy, windy, rainy fall weather forecast. All fishing factors considered anglers will enjoy good midday fishing as fish continue to feed aggressively in the ideal conditions of the fall season.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Monday, but the moon arrives at the lunar low position Thursday which means the effects of the new moon will be rapidly weakening this week and the major period today and Monday will only produce a feed rating of six and a half to a seven. Tuesday through Thursday the feed rating will drop one point per day. The second half of this week will have the weakest lunar effects of the month.

Weather Factors: The first half of this week heavy cloud cover and a northeast and east wind will occur. Today wind speeds will be ideal between five and building by the late afternoon to ten mph. Monday through Wednesday a fifteen-mph wind will begin early in the morning and continue all day from a easterly direction. Temperatures will drop about six degrees which won’t affect fish.

Rainfall will occur Tuesday through Thursday and atmospheric pressure will be a factor Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon as pressure drops 0.23 in hg in twenty-four hours. Fish will adjust downward as a result, and I believe they’ll feed very well as they adjust down. The feed rating during this period could possibly be as good as the midday periods today and Monday.

With the heavy cloud-cover today through Thursday, expect fish to be away from cover and moving through open water grass beds and along break lines. Wednesday through Thursday afternoon fish will certainly be moving through these areas to deeper secondary feeding grounds. Flippers and Pitchers will be forced to fan-cast open water to locate hungry fish over the next five days.

Friday through next weekend ideal wind, bright sunshine, no pressure change, and ideal water temperatures will produce better than fishing publications predictions here in Florida. Freshwater fish are feeding at annually high rates right now and with a weak lunar effect, fish will be feeding during the three solar periods of the day. Midday through the sunset period will be the best periods of the day.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 11:35 a.m. and solar noon at 12:09 p.m. producing a feed rating of near seven from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Tuesday when it begins to drop one point per day. Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. a rating of five will occur and the overhead moon begins to occur later daily by one hour and continue to drop one feed rating point. Friday through next weekend a feed rating of three and perhaps four will occur from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 5:58 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:44 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating. Wednesday the moonrise occurs at 9:06 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8-10 a.m. The moonrise continues to occur later by one hour for the remainder of the week and will produce a feed rating of three to four.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 5:05 p.m. and the sunset at 5:35 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 4-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. The second half of the week the moonset occurs one hour later each day and the feed rating drops to a three at best.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the new moon will produce excellent fishing during the midday hours. Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon the high-pressure system leaves the state and pressure will drop more than 0.20 in hg which means fish will adjust downward, feeding at above average rates as they move.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 12-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: We are in the middle of the fall season which means red bait colors, gold blades, and spinnerbait, chatterbaits, and anything with a blade attached, is going to produce well. Fish are naturally aggressive in the fall due to ideal water temperatures and they’re instinctively putting on weight for the winter season.

Therefore, anglers must ‘match the hatch’ perfectly in most of Florida’s freshwater lakes because food-chains are usually healthy. And in many shallow type lakes the food-chains are rich, with abundant food sources everywhere. So, the richer the food-chain the more anglers need to perfect their bait presentation to mimic what fish are feeding on, or else it will be a long day on the water.

Very few lakes in Florida have fish so desperately hungry that when anglers throw their bait into the water like it’s a brick---producing a huge splash and disturbance---the fish will come running to consume it. Fish will move away from anything unnatural so anglers, to have success, must present their baits in a natural manner, without a big splash. If you need help mastering the necessary techniques to accomplish this, give me a call.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is 39.37 feet above sea level with four gates closed. The lake level seasonal schedule thresholds: high 39.50’ and low 38.50’. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, three angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide detailed information and techniques that will lead to greater success. Call today I’ll save you time and money by learning the lake’s hot spots and how fish use the lake seasonally.

Strong Moon Produces Good Morning Fishing - November 5-12, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers a moderately strong last quarter moon and a fall season warming trend which will cause fish to feed at better than average feed rates. All fishing factors considered; anglers can expect fish to be holding tight to cover in the bright sunny conditions as they feed during the overhead period during the morning hours this week.

Hope you’re ready for some fairly good early morning fishing today through Wednesday and during the second half of the week midmorning to midday fishing will be just as good.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The lunar high occurred last Thursday and the last quarter moon occurs today, and the moon’s orbit arrives at the furthest point from earth—lunar apogee, tomorrow. Therefore, the lunar affect will be moderate to strong and produce daily feed ratings in the four to six range for the minor and major periods respectively. If you fish in between the minor or major periods expect a two to three feed rating at best.

Weather Factors: We will experience a warming trend this week with temperatures climbing into the upper eighty-degree range by Friday and next weekend. Bright sunshine, no rain, and other than today, ideal wind speeds will occur.

Today fish have finished moving deeper as they adjusted to a low-pressure system which entered the state over the past thirty hours while a strong north wind occurred, which is a strange abnormal occurrence. A thirteen-mph north wind will continue today as fish normalize, which usually means less feeding activity. Monday an ideal eight to ten mph northeast wind will happen and fish will begin to return to normal feeding. Tuesday through Friday a six to eight mph east wind will occur. Next weekend winds pick up as a high-pressure system begins to enter the state producing a east northeast wind in the thirteen to fifteen mph range. Pressure and cloud increase will cause fish to move away from cover and move shallow.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 6:41 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:39 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:04 p.m. and the sunset at 5:39 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-8 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 1:37 p.m. and solar noon at 12:08 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today the last quarter moon occurs, causing the sunrise and sunset periods to have a slight uptick in feeding activity. The sunrise bite will produce best with a solid six rating or perhaps even slightly better. But due to the drop in pressure over the past thirty hours the bite could suffer somewhat. If this happens, Monday morning’s bite should be slightly better than predicted due to fish returning to normal feeding after their adjustment period today.

Looking ahead to next weekend, if the extended weather forecast results in being accurate, a high-pressure system and heavy cloud-cover will change fish feeding activity. Fish will be moving upward into the shallow but due to the lack of sunshine, will not be holding tight to cover. Temperatures will be dropping as well, and this will only serve to increase feeding activity due to the ideal feeding temperatures enabling a rapid digestive rate.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: During fall warming trends in Florida, the largemouth bass feed heavily---above feeding rate predictions which occur in the various fishing help publications. Most publications predict feed ratings in the two to four range for peak periods, but this will not be accurate for the Bass Fishing Capital of the World. Bass anglers can expect to find above average excellent feeding activity during the overhead moon period every day this week.

Find where fish are holding and you’ll find hungry active feeding fish, and very large bass feeding at the end of the feeding period---trophy bass prefer to eat their prey after they have had a successful feeding effort. They’re slower and emit a heavier vibration making them easy prey.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches and flowing a combined 300 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER - A Free Guide Service on Your Boat to the First Caller. Please leave a message that you are calling about the “Bass Guide on Your Boat Special” and I’ll return your call asap. Must Also Subscribe so be sure to click the Subscribe button.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications at HighlandsBassAngler.com. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Excellent Florida full Moon Fishing Has Arrived. Oct 29 - Nov. 5, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last three days of October and the beginning of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers a typical fall weather forecast and the last three days of a strong full moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent nighttime full moon fishing tonight and Monday night and midday fishing over the next two days will be very good.

Fish are feeding well above their annual feeding average right now. So, get out on the water and join in the challenge to catch your biggest fish of the year. They’re fattening up for the winter season.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The full moon occurred last night, and solar position of the moon is four days from the lunar high point, which means the feed rating today will be in the seven to eight range when the moon is underfoot during the midday hours today. Tonight’s overhead full moon will shine brightly producing a six to seven feed rating. There will be excellent full moon fishing tonight. Because the moon is moving directly into the solar energy path over the next three days the feed rating will not diminish daily at the normal rate. Expect no more than a half point decease each day.

Weather Factors: We’ll have a typical fall weather pattern this week, with all fishing factors being near perfect but one, which is wind speeds. Today a fifteen-mph east wind will start during the mid to late morning hours and continue the rest of the day. Monday and Tuesday will give us the best wind speeds of the week, as an east wind tops-out at twelve mph by midafternoon Monday and seven mph from the north on Tuesday.

Early Wednesday morning a strong high-pressure system begins to enter the state, producing wind speeds in the twenty-mph range by the afternoon. Pressure will rise 0.10 in hg throughout the day Wednesday and 0.20 in hg by Thursday midday. Expect fish to adjust upward into shoreline feeding areas Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Wind speeds will be in the twenty-mph range Wednesday through Friday coming from the east to northeast. Friday through Saturday pressure will drop gradually but I don’t believe it will be enough of a decline to cause fish adjustment downward. And if the extended weather forecast is correct, next weekend will be cloudy with rainfall Saturday through next Monday with a northeast wind producing daily high speeds of thirteen mph.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 1:54 p.m. and solar noon at 1:08 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 12-3 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number. By Wednesday a feed rating of six will occur from 3-6 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 1:28 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 12-3 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number. Wednesday night the overhead moon produces a feed rating of four to five from 3-5:30 a.m.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 8:19 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:34 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Wednesday a feed rating of six occurs from 10 a.m. to 12 30 p.m. and becomes the major fishing period of the day.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 7:21 p.m. and the sunset at 6:44 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-three minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. Wednesday a feed rating of four occurs from 8:30-11 p.m.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the bright shining full moon will produce excellent midnight fishing and very good midday fishing twelve hours later. I do believe the sunrise and sunset bites will suffer a bit as a result of the bright shining full moon.

With the significant atmospheric pressure upward change forecasted for Wednesday through Thursday morning, fish will be forced to adjust upward into shoreline feeding grounds so if you can adjust to the high wind speeds, you’ll find feeding fish moving shallow.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 29-31 last three days of full moon phase, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Fall season high pressure cold fronts do not shutdown feeding activity because water temperatures are within the annual ideal feeding range of seventy to eight-two degrees. Therefore, as fish adjust upward, they’ll opportunistically feed at above average rates. This trend will not change until water temperatures decline into the sixties.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open four inches and flowing a combined 450 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

Fishing Improves as Full Moon Arrives Saturday - October 22-31, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall weather forecast and waxing full moon which will become full next weekend. All fishing factors considered, a weak lunar influence and mild weather will challenge anglers today and Monday, but Tuesday through Friday high winds will force anglers to change their strategies. But the good news is next weekend’s full moon should have very good weather for catching fish.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Yesterday the last quarter moon occurred, and the orbit perigee occurs Wednesday and the moon becomes full Saturday. Therefore, the seven-day full moon phase begins Wednesday and ends on the last day of the month. Currently the moon’s position in relationship to the solar energy path is three days from the low position. Anglers can expect to experience the lowest feed rates of the month over the next three days. Weather will be more of a factor than the lunar affect until the second half of the week when the full moon phase becomes the major factor.

Weather Factors: Bright sunlight with five to ten mph north wind will produce good fishing conditions minus any pressure change today and Monday. Tuesday a twenty-mph east wind, again with no pressure change, but with bright sunshine, will make fishing a real challenge. The strong east wind will continue through Friday producing a daily high speed of fifteen to twenty mph. Saturday when the full moon occurs the east wind will diminish somewhat to twelve mph and continue through next weekend.

The bright sunshine will force fish tight to protective cover and pressure change will be minor day to day and when it does occur it won’t be enough to cause fish adjustment activity. However, wave-action will cause fish to adjust to the windy side of the lake as fish follow the wind-driven food-chain. And since the wind direction will be from the east every day this week, expect fish to move westward.

Water temperatures have declined enough to enter the ideal feeding temperature range of seventy to eight-two degrees at depths where fish are holding. Therefore, dissolved oxygen rates at those depths are ideal for fish to have normal digestion rates. And that means fish will be feeding at their highest annual rates until the first serious cold front of the winter season drops water temps into the lower sixty-degree range.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:52 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7-9 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Thursday when the full moon causes a half point increase daily. Friday through Sunday a feed rating of seven will occur from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the overhead moon occurs at 8:21 p.m. and produces a feed rating of four to five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. During the second half of the week the feed rating will improve to a six rating and perhaps even higher during the night Friday through Sunday.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 3:00 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 2-4 p.m. Daily, the moonrise occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Friday through next Sunday will be the best fishing days of this week and will also be the best fishing days of the month. Anglers can expect an seven to eight rating during the midday hours Friday through next Sunday.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Fall season full moon’s produce very well at night if water temperatures are in the lower eighty-degree range on the surface. This will be the case with this month’s full moon phase. If the moon shines brightly, nighttime feeding activity will be very good.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches and flowing a combined 300 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com is where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is published. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

New Moon, Fall Weather, Turns Fish On - October 15-22, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall season weather forecast pattern and the last three days of a new moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy aggressive fish moving up and down with pressure changes this week. Today’s bite will be very good and will continue through Tuesday midday.

So get out on the water to enjoy some great Florida fall fishing because this is the time of year when great fishing stories are made.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Yesterday the new moon occurred and today the moon is six days from orbit apogee and heading toward the perigee and is four days from the lunar low position, which means simply that the current new moon rating is in six to seven range on the one-in-ten scale with ten being best. Over the next two days the feed rating will diminish to a five rating by midweek.

Weather Factors: It looks like fall weather is here to stay. Atmospheric pressure change will not become a prime factor and water temperatures will decline into the ideal feeding range of seventy to eight-two degrees. Bright sunshine will prevail this week but rain is predicted for Friday. Atmospheric pressure will climb 0.20 in hg from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon so be expecting fish to adjust upward into shoreline feeding areas during that pressure change period.

The wind forecast is typical for the fall season; today through Monday a west to northwest wind will produce a high speed of fifteen mph by midday and when wind begins to mostly come from the north you know the pressure is on the rise. Tuesday a ten-mph north wind will produce ideal wave action for fishing the shoreline feeding areas. Wednesday a northeast wind will produce eight mph speeds most of the day. Thursday a ten-mph east wind will cause barometric pressure to begin to drop causing fish to adjust downward Thursday afternoon. Pressure will continue to drop into Friday and the wind will shift and come from the west, producing ten mph speeds. Saturday a fifteen-mph west wind will start a repeat of this week’s fall weather pattern for next week.

Over the next two months or until the first serious cold front arrives, usually in the middle of December, all freshwater fish species feed at their highest annual rate. Water temperatures are ideal for sustaining a high dissolved oxygen rate, which in turn enables a very high digestion rate. When you factor in a atmospheric pressure change greater than 0.10 in hg anglers can expect aggressive active fish feeding shallow when pressure rises and feeding in open deeper areas when pressure declines. This fall seasonal cycle usually is a five-to-seven-day cycle.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 1:55 p.m. and solar noon at 1:10 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 12-3 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the five range.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:10 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:26 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the four to five range.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 7:32 p.m. and the sunset at 6:57 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-four minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the four to five range.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the new moon occurring yesterday, today will be the best day of the week for excellent fishing. Monday and Tuesday will be also very good as the effects of the new moon combined with a high-pressure system entering the state will cause fish to move in huge numbers up into feeding areas, feeding at above average rates as they adjust upward.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 15-17 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Three facts which anglers would be wise to remember are, the fall season produces large feeding migrations when pressure rises sharply over a twenty-four-hour period, and lower water temperatures increase feeding activity intensity and duration, and finally anything with the colors red and gold will be attacked more often than any other color.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.30 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seven inches and flowing a combined 700 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

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Fall Season Has Arrived, Time to Go Fishing. - Oct. 8-15, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall season weather pattern and the new moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will begin to experience the kind of freshwater fishing Florida is known for, which is daily feeding activity that will cause anglers to set the hook often.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The moon arrived at the lunar high position three days ago and entered the last quarter phase two days ago. The moon’s orbit arrives at the apogee point Monday and the new moon seven-day phase begins Wednesday. In other words even though the moon is near the orbit apogee (furthest orbit point from earth) it’s going to have an above average power rating due to be in the solar energy path, creating greater solar energy level changes, which in turn causes greater fish adjustment activity and therefore greater feeding activity.

The second half of the week the effects of the new moon will produce a seven or slightly higher feed rating Friday through next Sunday, but Wednesday and Thursday anglers will experience increased feeding activity during the overhead moon period. Today through Tuesday, the overhead moon will create above-average fishing during the midmorning hours.

Weather Factors: This week we will experience a fall weather pattern. Water temperatures will be declining and with every drop in degrees, the fish feed just a little bit more. If the fall weather trend continues through the end of this month without a temperature spike period, which sometimes occurs, fish will be feeding at the highest annual rate.

The only sunny day forecasted this week occurs Tuesday, but is predicted to have fifty percent cloud-cover. Cloud-cover will dominate otherwise. Therefore fish will not be tight to protective cover, except for maybe Tuesday, so prepare your casting rigs a week of work.

A weather front is predicted to arrive Wednesday causing atmospheric pressure to drop 0.20 in hg within twenty-four hours. Fish will feed very well as pressure drops, moving downward toward deeper feeding grounds. It should be noted that lakes, rivers and streams are all at a seasonal high level, which means fish will be feeding in the deeper shoreline vegetation areas. Therefore, Wednesday you should be prepared to fish deeper shoreline areas at first and then moving out toward open water submerged cover.

Rainfall is predicted daily from Wednesday through Saturday, which in my opinion makes for some of the best Florida freshwater bass fishing an angler, could ask for. Rain, ideal winds, open-water casting with six different riggings, with just enough wave-action to mask the fakeness of the baits used. All the while knowing the fish will be moving deeper, feeding heavy as they adjust down.

Wind speeds will be on the lower end of the ‘ideal wind speed range’ today through Tuesday, with a top speed of six mph. Out of the north today and Monday and from the east Tuesday. Wednesday the east wind picks up speed to ten mph and late Wednesday night switches to a south wind, producing speeds in the fifteen mph range on Thursday. Friday a southwest wind of fifteen mph is predicted and Saturday a fifteen mph west wind will occur.

Next Sunday the low-pressure front passes into the Atlantic, pressure rises and a mild north wind prevails with bright sunny conditions. Pressure rise will not occur fast enough to significantly change fish feeding activity. However, the upward pressure will produce a minor effect, which will help improve the day after the arrival of the new moon. I believe next Sunday will produce a seven to eight feed rating as fish move tight to cover.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 9:01 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 8-10 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number, but tops-out a seven to eight rating Saturday and next Sunday.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 4:03 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 3-5 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-five minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number every two days.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 9:24 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: The new moon occurs Saturday during the midday hours so I predict the fishing will be very good that day however, with weather conditions causing a significant increase in fish adjustment Wednesday and Sunday I believe those two days will equal or perhaps even surpass the feed rating of Saturday.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: When atmospheric pressure changes more than 0.10 in hg fish adjustment activity increases enough to trigger a high percentage of fish to feed at the same time for a longer than average period. And it is not normal for this type of weather to occur during the Florida rainy season. When greater atmospheric pressure change begins to occur at the end of the rainy season, you know the fall season has begun. This week this change will occur just as the new moon phase begins. Get ready for some good fishing.

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Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.50 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open fourteen inches and flowing a combined 1060 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Fishing Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Email him at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or call 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Good Full Moon Fishing Today and Monday - October 1-8, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a few days of rainy season weather but mostly fall weather will prevail and today and Monday are the last three days of the full moon phase All fishing factors consider, anglers can expect good fishing during the underfoot moon during the early to midafternoon hours this week. Bright shine after today will put fish close to cover, which will be perfect for flippers and pitchers.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Tonight, will be the second night after the full moon which occurred Friday night, which means Monday and Tuesday the effect of the full moon will still be improving the early afternoon underfoot moon period. Today the moon is five days away from arriving directly within the solar energy path (lunar high), which means the effect of the moon will be more of a positive factor in causing higher concentration of feeding fish during lunar periods this week.

Weather Factors: Today rainfall and thunderstorm will be a consideration during the peak feeding period of the day. A fifteen mph east-northeast wind and heavy cloud-cover will cause fish to be away from protective cover. Rain and thunderstorm activity will not be a factor for the remainder of the week. Wind will however remain strong during the afternoon underfoot period. Monday through Wednesday a east-northeast fifteen mph wind will prevail but with bright sunshine and minor cloud-cover. Expect fish to be tight to protective cover.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor this week. And water temperatures will be on the decline with perhaps a three to five degree drop in the daily average surface temperatures during the afternoons. Fish will remain in the shallows when they feed just a little bit longer than they have over the past three months. By the end of this month, water temperatures will have dropped into the higher end of the ideal temperature range (70-82 degrees) for fish to feed at their highest annual rate.

The second half of this week wind speeds will be ideal out of the east, northeast. If the extended weather forecast is correct, a rainy season weather pattern will return next weekend and temperatures will drop into the lower eighty-degree range. With the moon being strong, the last quarter moon phase will create very productive fishing periods during the sunrise and sunset.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 3:16 p.m. and solar noon at 1:12 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 12:45-3:45 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 9:36 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is overhead at 2:51 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 2-4 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-two minutes and produces a three feed rating starting Tuesday night.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 8:49 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday will be the best days of the week due to be the last two days of the full moon phase.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 1-2 last two days of full moon phase, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: During the last few weeks of the summer rainy season weather pattern, water temperatures begin to decline into the best temperature range for fish to feed at will. Metabolism speeds will climb as oxygen rates increase due to the cooler temperatures. Anglers will see a noticeable change in feeding behavior in the shallow lakes this month. Deeper lakes will show signs of improvement but not nearly as much as the shallow lakes.

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Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat, so it is best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 39.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three feet and flowing a combined 2720 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. Today through the middle of October, both the max high and min low levels thresholds will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Besides being published here at HighlandsBassAngler.com the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is also published at the Highlands News-Sun newspaper website.

Rainy Season Full Moon Fishing for Anglers This Week - Sep.24-30, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last six days of September gives the Florida freshwater anglers the full moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, the second half of the week the full moon will be fairly strong but the first half of the week will have a weak lunar affect. Nevertheless, fishing during the mid to late morning hours over the next three days will be your best bet to catch fish.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days past the first quarter moon and one day from the lunar low position, which means the lunar affect will be very weak. Anglers can expect the daily peak periods to top-out in the four to five range for the first half of this week. However, the moon is orbiting toward the perigee, which will occur Wednesday, and the full moon will occur Friday, which means feed ratings will significantly improve Wednesday through Saturday, topping-out on Friday and Saturday at a seven feed rating.

Weather Factors: Rainy season weather will prevail this week and temperatures will gradually drop into the mid-eighty degree range by the midweek. Winds will come from the east to northeast everyday with speeds reaching a daily top speed of eight to ten mph. Atmospheric pressure change will be minimal and therefore not a factor. Cloud-cover will be a factor Monday through Thursday with a sun-to-cloud ratio of seventy-thirty. But for the full moon phase Thursday through Saturday, cloud-cover will decline to thirty percent with a bright shining full moon all three nights.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 9 a.m., producing a feed rating of five from 8-10 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and improves a half number. Saturday the feed rating will begin to reverse and decline by one number daily. Friday a feed rating of seven or slightly better will occur from 12-3 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 4:16 p.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 3-5:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the second half of the week when the full moon occurs and the moonrise occurs during the sunset period. A feed rating of five will occur from 6-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday evenings.

A second minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 9:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number ever two days. On Friday night, the full moon will produce a feed rating of five to six from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.

A third minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 1:39 a.m. producing a feed rating of three from 12:30-2:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-eight minutes and remains at the same feed rating. However, during the second half of the week the moonset begins to harmonize with the sunrise period to produce a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the full moon occurring Friday and the lunar orbit perigee on Wednesday I predict very good fishing Thursday through Saturday during the underfoot moon. It should be noted that the full moon will be shining brightly on those nights, causing less feeding fish twelve hour later during the solar noon period.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon.

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Florida Fishing Facts: Every fall season anglers should begin to use red shad-colored baits instead of green. Browns, gold and yellow highlights are also very productive when combined with red. Gold blades on spinnerbaits also contrast better. Fish see these colors best in the fall to early winter season.

Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat so it is best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.87 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seventeen inches and flowing a combined 1240 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are, high 38.85’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the max high and min low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Good Fishing Today and Friday - September 17-24, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of September gives the Florida Freshwater Anglers a rainy season weather pattern and a weak lunar affect. All fishing factors considered, other than today, anglers will have to work harder to find more than one hungry fish this week. The overhead moon period is still the best bet.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today is the last day of the new moon seven-day phase. The moon is moving away from the solar energy path and will arrive at its furthest point from it Saturday. This means the lunar influence will be diminishing gradually every day this week and therefore fish will not feed in large numbers at the same time. The lowest feed ratings of the month will occur this week.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather pattern will occur all week. Winds today will be out of the west at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph. Monday a weak northwest wind will switch to an east direction by the late afternoon hours. Tuesday through the next weekend an east northeast wind will produce daily speeds in the ten mph range.

Cloud-cover will be at fifty percent every day. There will be enough change in bright sunshine to heavy cloud cover to cause fish adjustment activity to increase enough to improve feeding activity. From solar noon at 1:28 p.m. through the overhead, moon period, which occurs today at 3:13 p.m. fish will be feeding as they adjust to the changing light levels caused by periodic cloud cover.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor this week. Temperatures will drop about five degrees from what they have been over the past month. A sure sign that the fall season is approaching. As water temperatures adjust downward slightly, fish will remain longer in the shallow feeding areas, especially when sunlight is bright.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 3:13 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 2-4:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and will remain at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 9:21 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 8-11 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 8:58 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8-10 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-two minutes and remains at a four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today being the last day of the new moon phase, anglers will enjoy the best fishing day of the week. Due to the moon moving away from the solar energy path and arriving at the low position this Saturday, the only other day, which could produce better than the other days, is Friday when the overhead moon harmonizes with the sunset, which always improves the numbers of feeding fish.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: This fact needs restating during the rainy season hot weather conditions; the best artificial baits to use for bass when water temperatures are extremely hot are short, fat, heavy vibrating baits, which emit vibrations and sounds at very slow speeds. I mean slow, as in a January day when water temperatures are the opposite of what they are today. Low oxygen rates slow fish down significantly. So smaller, slower, fat food sources are what’s for supper in the fish-eat-fish world.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.70 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open five inches and flowing a combined 520 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 38.75’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005 and a firearms and self-defense law instructor since 2012. You can find his weekly firearms and self-defense article published at his business website FloridaGunSelfDefense.com. To find out more contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Good New Moon Fishing This Week - September 10-17, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of September gives the Florida Freshwater Angler the new moon phase and mixed weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy very good fishing this week as a fairly strong new moon phase produces plenty of hungry fish during the midday hours.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days away from the lunar orbit apogee but is four days from the lunar high position within the solar energy path. Which means feed ratings during this week’s new moon phase will produce a feed rating of seven to eight Thursday when the new moon occurs. Today feed ratings will be in the five range but will improve gradually until Friday when a gradual decline begins to occur.

Weather Factors: This week we’ll have a mix of rainy season and early fall weather conditions. Two days of sunshine with no thunderstorms followed by two days of sunny mornings with afternoon thunderstorms. Wind speeds will be a factor in that there will be little to no wind today through Tuesday. Wednesday through next weekend an ideal north wind with speeds in the seven to ten mph will occur. And atmospheric pressure will not be a factor.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 10:18 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of five or slightly better from 9-11:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number. Thursday the new moon will occur along with solar noon producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 12-3 p.m. Friday through next weekend the early to midafternoon period will produce a feed rating of six and a half.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 5:26 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-seven minutes and improves slightly, about a half number every two days. The second half of the week the moonset will begin to improve the sunset period bite. Friday and next weekend sunset fishing will be fairly good.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonrise happens at 3:03 a.m. To be clear, any feeding activity today through Tuesday won’t have a feed rating above three, however Wednesday through next weekend the moonrise and the sunrise will produce a five to six rating and perhaps slightly better on Thursday and Friday.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Wednesday through Friday the new moon will improve feed ratings, topping out at an eight rating during the solar noon period on Thursday. Wednesday and Friday will produce seven feed ratings and next weekend early afternoon fishing will be very good.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: During the Florida summer, the best place to catch fish and especially bass, is in grass beds, tree-piles and fish attractors at depths of twelve to eighteen feet.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.70 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open six inches and flowing a combined 620 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links from USACE and SFWMD websites are provided here at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

This page is HighlandsBassAngler.com where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast is published on the web. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, firearms, self-defense instructor, and trainer. Thanks for visiting HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling publications and please visit FloridaGunSelfDefense.com for firearms publications and in-field and classroom training options. Dave can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Last Quarter Moon and Ideal Weather Turn Fish On - Sep. 3-10, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of September gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon without a rainy season weather pattern. All fishing factors considered, ideal weather and a strong lunar effect will cause fish to feed at higher rates than normal this week.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is three days from the last quarter phase and five days from the lunar high position within the solar energy path. Anglers can expect the lunar effect to strengthen daily, especially when the moon is overhead.

Weather Factors: Today through Friday, if the weather forecast results in being true, there will be very little rain if any at all. Bright sunshine will prevail over the next six days, which means the photosynthesis rate will be as high as it can be during the summer. Cloud cover will not be a factor with the exception of Tuesday when it is forecasted to be fifty percent.

Temperatures will average at ninety degrees and oxygen production will be very good. Fish will feed at much greater rates than they did the previous two to three weeks. This week the underfoot moon in the afternoon and the overhead moon occurring during the sunrise will produce fairly well.

Winds will be from the east all week. And speeds will climb to fifteen mph today but be ideal for the remainder of the week with speeds topping-out in the early afternoon between eight to ten mph. Atmospheric pressure could be a factor when it falls almost 0.10 in hg this afternoon and again Wednesday afternoon. Otherwise, pressure change will not be a factor.

Next weekend the extended forecast predicts the rainy season pattern will return. If correct, the new moon week will suffer from the lack of bright sunlight. Oxygen rates will drop enough to slow the feeding bite significantly. Best to plan fishing the deeper lakes with depths of twelve to eighteen feet.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at4:4:39 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty minutes and gradually improves in feed rating by one number to two numbers by Wednesday when it occurs during the sunset period.

A second major period occurs today when the moonset happens at 10:51 and solar noon at 1:34 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Photosynthesis will be strongest at this time, causing fish to feed at above average rates for the rainy season. Wednesday the moonset occurs with solar noon and a feed rating of six to seven will occur from 12-3 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 4:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of three to four, depending on how deep the lake is, from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number. Again the deeper the lake the more in feed rating will be accurate. In shallow lakes, oxygen production will be too low to enable fish to feed normally.

By Tuesday, the overhead moon and the sunrise will harmonize to produce excellent fishing from 5:30-8:30 a.m. producing a six to seven feed rating. The second half of the week the overhead moon period will become the major period of the day averaging a six or slightly better feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Wednesday the last quarter moon and a dropping barometer will combine to produce a very good feeding bite during the sunrise, solar noon, and sunset periods. But the pressure effect will occur during the early afternoon and early evening hours.

Florida Fishing Facts: During the rainy season then bright sunshine prevails and thunderstorm activity just about disappears, fish feed best after several hours of bright light. Or in other words, when the lake produces the highest level of oxygen for the day, fish will feed. Oxygen production i.e. photosynthesis, is the main factor in why fish feed more and also the reason why fish don’t feed during the few hours leading up to the sunrise period. Oxygen rates are at the lowest point from 3-8 a.m.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open four inches and flowing a combined 430 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links from USACE and SFWMD websites are provided on HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

This webpage is the new home of HighlandsBassAngler.com. The Highlands Bass Angler article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is published here weekly. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor and trainer. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Super Full Moon Fishing Interrupted by Tropical Storm - Aug. 27- Sep. 3, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last five days of August and the beginning of September will give the Florida freshwater anglers a super full moon on Wednesday night, and a rainy season forecast and a tropical depression, which will produce twenty mph winds during the middle of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have good fishing the day before the super full moon as fish feed at above average rates just before the tropical depression arrives. This will not help the super full moon bite on Wednesday and Thursday. Perhaps Friday fish will feed but that depends on the effects of the storm.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is one day from the solar low position and will have a weak effect on fish and wildlife for the next week. But on Wednesday the lunar perigee occurs ten hour and forty-five minutes before the full moon on Thursday at 1:37 a.m. Due the weak influence factor the feed rating will top-out Wednesday and Thursday at seven to eight during the underfoot and overhead periods.

Weather Factors: Today the rainy season weather pattern returns due to the low-pressure system that entered the state over the past thirty-six hours. Atmospheric pressure will average in the 29.78 in hg range until Thursday morning. Today through Wednesday fish will be holding in deeper sections of the lake---as deep as fish can get in shallow lakes and eighteen to twenty-five feet in deeper lakes.

Wind speeds will be ideal today and Monday with top speeds in the afternoon of ten mph out of the east today and the south tomorrow. Tuesday the south wind will continue but produce speeds in the fifteen mph range for most of the day. Wednesday winds begin to switch to the south to southwest, producing top speeds of twenty mph. For the second half of the week winds will be from the west Thursday and Friday at top speeds of ten mph. Next weekend wind will be from the east at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph.

Atmospheric pressure will rise quickly starting Wednesday evening and climb 0.27 in hg by Friday midday. Fish will adjust upward throughout the thirty-six hour period. Anglers can expect fish to feed as they move into the deeper vegetation areas along shorelines.

It should be noted that due to heavy cloud-cover oxygen produce will be very low which means fish will need to move deeper to better oxygen areas of the water column in order to digest food and feed normally. Expect fish to be stressed as they adjust upward Thursday and Friday because they’ll be moving into low oxygen areas of the lake. Some feeding will occur in deeper lakes but shallow lakes will most likely not have much feeding activity.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 10:12 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of six or slightly better from 9-11 a.m. Daily the overhead moon will occur later by an hour and increases in feed rating by a half number until Friday when the rating will decline daily by a half number.

A second major period occurs today when the overhead moon happens at 10:44 p.m. and produces a feed rating of five to six from 9:30-11:45 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number. Friday the rating will reverse and decline in rating by a half number

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 5:33 p.m. and produces a feed rating of four from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating

The moonset occurs today at 2:47 a.m. when the oxygen rate is arriving at its lowest rate of the day. Therefore feeding activity will be very poor if it occurs at all. Daily the moonset occurs later by one fifty minutes and will not become productive until Thursday when it happens at 7:33 a.m. Pressure will be on the rise, which will improve feeding activity. I’ll predict a four feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Pressure will drop 0.12 in hg during the overhead moon causing fish to feed as they adjust downward. Thursday and Friday fish will adjust upward which will improve feeding activity during both the underfoot and overhead periods.

Fishing Facts: During a tropical storm event, atmospheric pressure drops significantly, forcing fish to adjust downward enabling the swim bladders to adjust to the decrease in pressure and become normalized. This takes about twelve to eighteen hours depending on the severity of the drop in pressure.

As fish move deeper, they enter cooler temperature water, which holds greater dissolved oxygen, which in turn causes better digestion rates, and consequently enables normal feeding activity.

However, the problem in Florida’s shallow freshwater lakes, is that they are on average, twelve feet deep at their deepest point. Fish don’t have adequate depths to regain adequate pressure to sustain normal body functions. Fish in shallow lakes will enter a stressed state until pressure rises again. Also, during this time, they will not find the oxygen rates needed due to low photosynthesis, which is a result of a lack of bright sunshine. A lack of oxygen and correct pressure shuts down normal activities.

Lakes with depths greater than twelve feet, provide ideal water temperatures, which hold plenty of oxygen even though overcast conditions block out sunlight. Anglers will have a much greater chance of success fishing grass beds at eighteen to twenty-four feet during the next five days. Shallow lake anglers should fish as deep as possible using downsized fat baits at slow retrieve speeds. Even using this technique be prepared to go home empty.

Prime Monthly Periods: Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.34 feet above sea level with four S68 gates closed. The lake level schedule: high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Keep up to date by checking these two lake management websites, the Army Corp of Engineers USACE and South Fl. Water Mgmt. District SFWMD.

This webpage is the new home of HighlandsBassAngler.com where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” will be published from now on. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per outing on customer’s boats. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

If firearms or self-defense instruction and training is of interest to you, please check out my articles on the main page of this website. Also visit my FloridaGunSelfDefense.com business webpage for complete information on training modules and classroom instruction options customized for gun owners, from elementary to advanced levels of experience.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

August 20-27, 2023 - This Week Sunshine and Wind Will Improve Fishing

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third full week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the development of the first quarter moon phase and a weakening moon, and a weather forecast promising a strong east wind and bright sunshine with very little, if any, thunderstorm activity. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy an above-average wind during the prime fishing periods of the day and plenty of sunshine which will improve feeding activity.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: We just left the new moon phase and will have the waxing of the first quarter moon this week, which will occur Thursday. The moon is currently moving away from the solar energy path, and will reach the solar low position Saturday. Therefore, anglers can expect the moon effect to weaken daily over the next six days.

Weather Factors: The forecast predicts something rarely experienced during the rainy season. An east wind will occur for the next seven days and will produce a daily high speed in the fifteen mph range by the early afternoon hours.

With the best fishing period occurring in the mid to late afternoon hours, anglers will welcome the relief in the form of a higher than ideal wind. Wave action will actually be a factor this week during the prime period of the day.

The sun-to-cloud ratio will be seventy-thirty today and Monday. Tuesday through the end of the week bright sunshine will prevail with very little cloud-cover and very little thunderstorm activity. Tuesday through next Sunday will not feel much like a rainy season.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon will be overhead at 4:32 p.m. and will produce a feed rating of six to seven from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 10:31 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of five from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and will remain at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the moon is underfoot at 4:12 a.m. today producing a feed rating of four to five from 3-5:30 a.m. Daily the moon underfoot period occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period occurs when the moonset occurs at 10:26 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 9:30-11:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Thursday evening the overhead moon and the sunset happen together to produce the best fishing period of the week. And the underfoot moon will be working with the sunset to produce a fairly good minor period.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: I’ve mentioned the rainy season fact before but it’s worth mentioning again because this week it will come into play again. Bright sunshine is forecast Tuesday through next Sunday. Oxygen production will be very good this week in the hours leading up to the major feeding period of the day. Anglers can expect to find aggressive feeding in healthy vegetation areas as a result.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open sis inches, flowing a combined 580 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule is: high 38.25’ and low 37.5’.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474

New Moon Produces Best Fishing Days of the Month - August 13-20, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second full week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the new moon phase during a fairly strong moon and a rainy season weather forecast which promises more thunderstorm activity during the second half of the week than the first half of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have the best success during the late morning and early afternoon hours when the moon and sun are overhead. However if anglers fish the deeper lakes they will find success during the sunrise and sunset period. Fish will be in the oxygenated waters of twelve feet or more.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Wednesday as the orbit apogee occurs. However yesterday the lunar high occurred which means the moon is at full strength. In three days, the new moon while being furthest from earth will be fairly strong. Expect an eight rating Tuesday through Thursday during the midday solar noon period.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather forecast is predicted for this week. Today and Monday thunderstorm activity will be moderate to low but Tuesday through the end of the week thunderstorm activity will be moderate to high. Winds will climb to eight to ten mph daily, Today from the east southeast, Monday from the southeast, Tuesday the a west wind will switch to a southwest to west wind on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday a southerly wind will occur. Next weekend a ten to twelve mph east wind will prevail

Water temperatures are at a annual high mark in the high eighty to ninety degree range. Dissolved oxygen rates are also the lowest rate they’ll be all year. Expect fish to be between eight to eighteen feet deep. And the brighter the conditions the more fish will feed. Cloud-cover will be a factor in the afternoons and evenings so I predict fish will feed just prior to thunderstorm activity. .

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 11:04 a.m. and solar noon at 1:38 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-eight minutes and increases in feed rating by one number. Wednesday from 12-3:30 p.m. a feed rating of eight will occur. Thursday through Saturday the feed rating will drop by one number and settle at a five to six rating for the weekend 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 6:38 p.m. and the sunset at 7:43 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period begins to occur on Tuesday when the moonrise happens at 5:24 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and will improve to a five rating Wednesday and Thursday. The feed rating will remain at five for the remainder of the week.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the new moon occurring Wednesday, Monday through Friday will produce very well. But Tuesday and Wednesday will be the best fishing days of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Florida freshwater fish will move into the shallows when water temperatures are in the upper eighty-degree range. They will look for healthy vegetation during the midday hours when oxygen production is highest for the day. They won’t remain shallows for very long, but long enough to moderately feed and return to deeper more oxygenated water in order to digest their food.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.24 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open one inches, flowing a combined 180 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule is: high 38.25’ and low 37.5’.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit his new website at FloridaGunSelfDefense.com He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474

August 6-13, 2023 - Good Fishing Tuesday and Next Weekend

“High Temps Leads to Low Oxygen Levels in Lakes”

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy good fishing when wind speeds are highest for the day and temperatures are beginning to decline. Thunderstorms will be a challenge however. Play it safe with a good plan of escape.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days away from the last quarter moon and six days from the lunar high solar position. Therefore, the lunar influence will be noticeably increasing each day this week as the moon begins to improve the beginning of the sunset period. By the midweek, the overhead moon will improve the sunrise period and next weekend the midmorning bite will be very good as the moon reaches full power Saturday.

Weather Factors: The weather forecast for the first week of August will be typical in that there will be a weak wind daily, switching direction every three days and no atmospheric pressure change. Today and Monday winds will be from the west. Tuesday through Thursday winds will be from the southwest, and Friday through next weekend, an ideal east wind will produce a daily high speed of ten mph.

Daily thunderstorms are predicted in the afternoon and evening, and it’s anyone’s guess where they will be. The sun-to-cloud ratio in the mornings will be eighty-twenty and during the midafternoon through the evening hours sixty-forty.

Water temperatures are at the annual high mark, which means shallow lakes will have low oxygen levels, especially from 4-9 a.m. However if sunshine prevails in the afternoon and early evening hours oxygen rates will climb enough to enable fish to feed at near normal rates for a few hours leading up to the sunset period. Lakes with twelve foot depths or more will provide normal oxygenated water within deep grass beds enabling fish to feed during all daily prime periods.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 5:59 p.m. and the sunset at 8:11 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 5-8:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-nine minutes and improve to a seven or slightly better rating Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday through the end of the week a six rating will occur.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 12:03 p.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 5:36 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:51 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Tuesday’s last quarter moon will improve the sunset bite for all lakes and in deeper lakes, the sunrise bite will occur at almost normal rates but shallow lakes I doubt normal feeding will occur. Next weekend the moon’s influence climbs to the highest level of the month and Sunday the new moon phase begins, producing the best fishing days of the month, August 13-18.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: Due to low dissolved oxygen rates in all lakes, with shallow lakes suffering the most, fish metabolisms are slower than normal. Therefore, fish will feed less often and much less. Anglers should downsize their baits, selecting short, fat, baits that emit heavy vibration at slow retrieve speeds. Colorado blades produce better vibrations at slow speeds than Carolina blades, so give them a try. Think two-inch thick fillet mignon instead of a Porter House.

Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat so it’s best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.25 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open twenty-two inches, flowing a combined 1600 cubic feet per second (8-04-23 status). The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler articles, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast be sure to check out my new website. .

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, since 2006.Custom bass guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule a one-on-one class for bass angling or gun and self-defense law. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com ..

July 30-August 6, 2023 - Super Full Moon Fishing Next Three Days

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last two days of July and the beginning of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the super full moon phase and a rainy season weather pattern. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent fishing over the next five days. Cool midnight fishing should be on your schedule.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon arrives at its furthest point out of the solar energy path—lunar low. The full moon occurs Tuesday night and the orbit perigee occurs about ten hours later, which means the full moon qualifies for “Super” status. However due to the lunar low, the feed rating will top-out at seven Tuesday and Wednesday instead of a ten rating if the lunar high had occurred.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather pattern will be consistent over the next ten days. The sun to cloud ratio will be fifty-fifty. Atmospheric pressure change will not be a factor. Wind speeds will be weak or almost ideal. Wind direction will be from the west today through Tuesday, switching to the east Wednesday through Friday. Next weekend’s forecast predicts a south wind. There will be a bright shining super full moon so daytime anglers should expect lower numbers of active feeders.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 11:01 a.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by sixty-seven minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number. Tuesday and Wednesday a feed rating of seven to eight will occur from 12-3:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 6:44 p.m. and the sunset at 7:56 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the moon is overhead at 11:34 p.m. and produces a feed rating of five from 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating. The second half of the week the feed rating drops to three.

The moonset doesn’t come into play until it begins to happen with the sunrise. Today it happens at 3:15 a.m. and occurs later each day by seventy minutes. During the second half of the week, it will harmonize with the sunrise and produce a four to five rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Thursday, the super full moon will produce excellent fishing during the midday and midnight hours. The full moon will shine brightly every night, which means less hungry feeders twelve hours later. Tuesday and Wednesday’s midday bite will be very good.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 30-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Fishing Safety Notice: Alligators are a real threat so be alert and assume they are present in all types of water bodies. It is illegal to feed them and brings a $500 fine and or a 30-60 day jail sentence. For gator removal services call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lightning strikes during the rainy season are a major threat to anglers. Have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.12 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seven inches, flowing a combined 566 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast. .

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, since 2006 with experience on twenty-two lakes. Custom artificial-bait bass guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule a one-on-one class for bass angling or gun and self-defense law. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo

July 23-31, 2023 - Good Fishing, Beginning and End of Week

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers the weak lunar influence days of the month but by the end of the week a super full moon phase will begin. The rainy season weather pattern takes a brief break for the first half of the week but will return for the second half of the week. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy good fishing during the bright sunny days and when the effects of the super full moon begins next weekend.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: We have entered the weak lunar influence days of the month this week. The moon is moving away from the solar energy path and will arrive at the low point in seven days but the first quarter moon occurs Tuesday, which will improve the sunset and sunrise periods. Therefore, anglers can expect lower concentrations of feeding fish and shorter feeding periods this week.

Next weekend will be the beginning of a super full moon phase. The moon is full August 1 and arrives at the orbit perigee eleven hours and twenty minutes later, earning it ‘Super’ status. However, since the moon will have arrived at the low point within the solar energy path, the super full moon feed rating will be seven instead of nine or better.

Weather Factors: There won’t be much thunderstorm activity over the next three days and sunshine is forecasted to prevail over cloud cover. Fish will be holding tighter to protective cover as a result. Wednesday through the remainder of the week will give anglers the rainy season pattern with a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio.

The wind forecast will not be typical for the summer rainy season. Today and Monday a strong west wind will reach speeds of fifteen mph before noon and remain strong through the late afternoon hours. Tuesday the west wind declines to a six mph speed and changes to an east wind by the evening hours. Wednesday through next weekend a typical east wind with ideal speeds in the eight to ten mph range will occur.

Atmospheric pressure usually isn’t a factor during the rainy season however, later today pressure will rise enough by Monday midday to force fish to adjust upward. A pressure increase of 0.14 in hg will occur in twelve hours. Fish will need to adjust upward and they will feed as they adjust. Monday morning through the noon hour should produce above average results.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 5:53 p.m. and will produce a feed rating of seven from 5-7 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 11:43 a.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the underfoot moon happens at 5:33 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:44 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Tuesday’s first quarter moon will improve the sunset and sunrise periods as the moon’s overhead and underfoot periods boost sunset and sunrise feeding activity, but not by much. Next weekend is the beginning of a super full moon phase. Fish will be feeding at above average rates during the underfoot moon periods Saturday through Thursday next week.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: During the summer rainy season weather pattern, fish feed at higher rates for longer periods when bright sunshine prevails. Anytime bright sunshine occurs for periods of four hours or more, fish will be more active which results in a higher feed rate. In the hour before thunderstorm activity occurs, your odds of catching fish will be in your favor.

Fishing Safety Notice: Alligators are aggressively mating which means gators are extremely dangerous. Gators are migrating to canals, ponds, streams, rivers, or small lakes and even swimming pools. Expect them to be where they are usually not. Keep children and pets away from the water. Make sure of your surroundings and if you cannot visually determine if gators are present, assume one is there until proven otherwise.

Alligators have a normal fear of humans. If you see a gator approaching you, it is because someone has been illegally feeding it. It is a $500 fine and or a 30-60 day jail sentence. When a person feeds a gator, they are training that gator to kill humans.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lightning strikes during rainy season weather are a major threat to anglers. Every year anglers and outdoor enthusiast are the victims of lightning strikes. Anglers should have a planned escape strategy. Know how much time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death, don’t take cover under them. It is better to lay flat on the open ground than to take refuge under a tree. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible. Makes sure bilge pumps are working.

Bass Fishing Guide Free Information: If you’d like help finding bass on any lake email me and put “Fishing Guide” in the subject line, Provide the lake you want help with, and the type of guidance you would like. I will give you a return email with your requested guide information and a bathymetric map, which shows the hot spots. If I don’t have experience on your requested lake I’ll provide information on how I would fish the lake for the first time.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.25 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches, flowing a combined 310 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com Personalized one-on-one bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing gun training and use-of-force law, but would love to schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I am able to. I’m committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this Sunday article and publish it Sunday morning on my new Substack website, davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense”. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule one-on-one class for bass angling and or gun and self-defense law classes. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo

July 16-23, 2023 - Time to Put a Fishing Line Into the Water

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers a strong new moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy the best fishing of the month as a strong new moon produces well-above average feeding activity during the midday period.

The best fishing of the month has arrived so get out on the water and put a line in the water.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Monday and the lunar high today. Combined both lunar factors will produce the highest feed-rating of the month today through Tuesday. Anglers can expect an eight rating or slightly better during the late morning through the early afternoon hours today through Tuesday.

Weather Factors: Cloud-cover will prevail over the sunshine today through Tuesday. Expect fish to not be tight to protective cover but instead moving throughout cover when the sun is not shining brightly. Winds will be at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph all week. Wind direction will be out of the west today and Monday, then from the south on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday an east wind occurs but switches to a southwest direction on Friday. Next weekend a ten to twelve mph west wind is forecasted.

This week has a greater potential of being dangerous due to the prime fishing period of the day occurring when thunderstorm and lightning activity is most likely. And the forecast is predicting active thunderstorm activity daily during the best fishing period of the day. So be alert and play it safe. Fairly sure you don’t want your headstone to say, “He died from a lightning strike right after catching the largest bass of his career.” Or…do you?

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 1:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of eight from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-two minutes and improves to a eight to nine feed rating on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday the feed rating declines by one number daily.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 8:00 p.m. and the sunset at 8:23 p.m. producing a feed rating of six and perhaps seven from 7-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when it declines to a four to five rating from 9-11 p.m.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonrise happens at 5:24 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:40 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and will have the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Wednesday, a strong new moon will produce an eight feed rating or better during the midday period. Fishing ninety minutes before and after the overhead moon will give you the greatest chance to experience the best fishing of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 16-19 last four days of strong new moon phase, July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: Bass use primarily sight and vibration, which they hear and sense through their ear-lateral line system. When hunting and selecting which prey to consume they monitor vibrations created by members of the food chain. I have found through experience that the greater vibration, the greater the strikes count.

For instance, when downsizing baits due to lack of action, I have found that selecting the fattest shortest baits in the tackle box, yielded the most action. The natural reason for that result is that when bass feed, they select what they sense are prey which successfully fed and thus have increased girth due to a full stomach.

I believe this is more the case with the larger, older bass, than the young smaller bass. An eight-pound bass in Istokpoga will more often than not, select the bait with the most vibration emitted when it moves.

And one more factor to consider: the more particles in the water column, the greater the vibration transfers through the water column. Therefore the so-called, “Dirty Water” transmits vibrations better than clean or clear water. Which helps explains one of several reasons why the catch rate in dirty water was always better than in clean water

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.18 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open eight inches, flowing a combined 740 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

July 9-16, 2023 - Good Fishing at Beginning and End of the Week

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon phase at the beginning of the week and the first half of the new moon phase during the second half of the week. And of course, a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will do well to fish the beginning and end of this week when the lunar factors make all the difference.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the last quarter moon occurs which always means the sunset and sunrise periods will produce at a higher feed rate due to the moon underfoot and overhead periods harmonizing with the sunset and sunrise periods respectively. The moon’s position with the solar energy path is currently one week from the lunar high position and thus the most powerful lunar influence of the month. Therefore, over the next seven days the moon will become more powerful daily, causing greater numbers of feeding fish during daily feeding periods.

Weather Factors: We will experience a typical rainy season weather pattern this week. Wind speeds will be a little higher than normal today and Monday, with speeds topping-out at twelve mph out of the west by the early to midafternoon hours. Tuesday and Wednesday a west wind will provide ideal wind speeds of eight to ten mph. Thursday winds will shift and come from the south and be very mild. An ideal south wind will prevail through next weekend.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor. The sun-to-cloud ratio will average around sixty-forty every day but Monday, which is forecasted to provide bright sunlight, very little rain and thunderstorm activity as a west wind climbs to fifteen mph in the afternoon. Ideal fishing conditions on Monday will make it the best fishing day of the first half of the week.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:17 p.m. and the sunset at 8:24 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number daily for the next four days. Thursday a rating of four will occur from 9:30-11:30 p.m. and becomes a minor period by Wednesday.

A second major period happens today when the moonset occurs at 1:12 p.m. and solar noon at 1:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or perhaps slightly better from 12-3 p.m. Photosynthesis will be active at this time, producing the highest oxygen rate of the day. In turn, this produces the highest digestion rate of the day resulting in increased feeding activity. Daily this period occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rate.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the overhead moon occurs at 6:54 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:37 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five for shallow lakes and six to seven for deeper lakes. The bite will occur between the hours of 5:30-8:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating for both types of lakes. However, by the midweek, during bright sunny mornings the shallow lakes will produce a better feed rating; about the same as the deeper lake’s feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today’s last quarter moon will improve the feeding intensity of the prime periods today and Monday, and Monday’s weather, if accurate, will provide excellent conditions for fish to feed at above average rates.

The new moon occurs a week from tomorrow, which means the new moon phase, begins Friday. The lunar high occurs a week from today, so Friday through next Wednesday will be the best fishing days of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 14-19 strong new moon, July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: During the rainy season, water flows southward, except for the St. Johns River, which flows northward. All flood control structures will be periodically releasing water in accordance with a schedule engineered to handle extreme weather events. Streams, rivers, and canals therefore will have flowing water, which in most cases lead to larger bodies of water. Anglers will find active fish in the moving water. Fishing influents and effluents can be very productive. Spillways are a good place to do some shoreline fishing.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.28 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open six inches, flowing a combined 600 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com Personalized one-on-one bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing gun training and use-of-force law, but would love to schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I can. I am committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this Sunday article and publish it Sunday morning on my new Substack website, davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense”. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only, when I’m not teaching Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law. Call to schedule one-on-one class for bass angling and or legal and safe competent gun operation classes. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo.

July 5, 2023 Follow up on this week’s fishing forecast.

For the first time in three weeks, it seems, as of today’s extended weather forecast, that a rainy season weather pattern has indeed arrived and if the ten-day forecast results in becoming true, anglers can expect a significant threat of lightning during the underfoot moon period in the mid to late afternoon hours.

Fish have been actively feeding after any sunny period lasting longer than three to four hours. And before you go out on the water, it’s a good idea to look at the projected cloud-cover for 11 a.m. through the late afternoon hours. Some areas of Highlands County and central Florida in general will have heavier thunderstorm activity within the projected cloud-cover areas.

It is possible therefore to select a lake which is not withing the projected cloud-cover area which means you’ll have greater odds of an extended sunny period as opposed to heavy dangerous thunderstorms. I’ve been paying attention to this rainy season factor for fifteen years and it’s served me well, yielding some above-average catches of large bass.

In any event, always make sure you have an escape plan in mind. Know to the minute how quickly you can get to a vehicle or building to escape lightning. Do not, take cover under trees, odds are those trees just might get struck, which will be lethal.

Stay smart, keep your phone on your person, and use a weather app to alert your areas of potential threats. Your life depends on it during the Florida rainy season.

July 2-9, 2023, Fishing Forecast for Freshwater Anglers

Good Full Moon Fishing Next Three Days

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fairly strong full moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy good full moon fishing over the next three days.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus my conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The moon arrives at the lunar low position today and becomes full on Monday night, and the lunar orbit perigee occurs thirty-four hours and forty-eight minutes later, missing ‘Super’ status by ten hours and forty-eight minutes. Therefore, this month’s full moon will produce a few feed-rating point less than it would have if the lunar high occurred instead of the lunar low. Next month there will be two super full moons, the first one on August 1, and the second on the 31.

Weather Factors: Because the weather computer algorithms have not predicted accurately the Florida rainy season over the past two weeks, I am tempted to just generalize this week’s weather factor segment. Ok, I’ve accepted the temptation.

There will be some sunny days, which will cause fish to move closer to cover and feed due to adequate photosynthesis rates. And, there will be cloudy overcast days with thunderstorm activity which will cause fish to move away from cover and not feed, unless they have deep water vegetation areas of twelve feet or more.

Atmospheric pressure change will not be a factor no matter if there is bright sunlight or cloud cover with thunderstorms. And the daily wind speed will be less than perfect, with a daily high speed in the six mph range. The wind direction will be out of the east to southeast with the exception of next weekend when it will come from the south.

And for what it’s worth, weather.com and wunderground.com both predict rainy season conditions Monday through next Monday with heavy cloud-cover occurring Tuesday through Saturday.

And remember, during a full moon phase, the more cloud cover there is during the night, the more fish will feed twelve hours later. And the reverse weather condition will cause less fish to feed during the underfoot moon which occurs during the solar noon period.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 1:30 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven or slightly better on sunny days, from 12-3 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by sixty-six minutes and will remain at the same feed rating until Tuesday when it begins to diminish daily by one number. Thursday a feed rating of five will occur from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:06 p.m. and the sunset at 8:25 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by sixty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the second half of the week when the feed rating drops to a three to four rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 5:19 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:34 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. During the second half of the week this period will happen during the mid to late morning hours and produce a five or slightly better rating.

A third minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 12:11 a.m. producing a feed rating of four if there is cloud cover and a five rating it the moon shine brightly. The feeding period occurs today from 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and the overhead full moon occurs later daily by sixty-five minutes.

Best Fishing Days of Week: The full moon today through Tuesday will produce the second-best fishing period of the month. Over the next three days, a daily high feed rating of seven will occur during the underfoot solar noon period. The more sunshine there is the better the fishing will be. And if the full moon shines brightly, nighttime top-water fishing should be very good when the full moon is directly overhead.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 2-5 full moon, 14-19 strong new moon, July 29-August 3, super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: The more the full moon is blocked by cloud-cover, the more fish will feed twelve hours later when the moon is underfoot. Fish feed during the nighttime of a full moon phase because of the moonlight enabling them to achieve a higher feeding success-rate. So the more full moon light there is, the more fish will not feed twelve hours later. And it should be noted that digestion rates are at an annual low rate due to oxygen rates being lower than the annual average. This is true in all lakes, deep and shallow but especially the shallow lakes.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Bass Fishing Guide Free Information: If you’d like help finding bass on any lake email me and put “Fishing Guide” in the subject line, Provide the lake you want help with, and the type of guidance you would like. I will give you a return email with your requested guide information and a bathymetric map, which shows the hot spots. And if I don’t have experience on your requested lake I’ll provide information on how I would fish the lake for the first time.

Access this article online at BassFishingForecast.com or FloridaBassFishingForecast.com

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.20 feet above sea level with four S68 gates closed. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

HighlandsBassAngler.com Customized bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing advanced gun training and use-of-force law and will schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I can. I am committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this article and publish it in Sunday’s edition and on the Fishing Forecast webpage. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only when I’m not teaching Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law. Call to schedule one-on-one class for teaching angling and or legal and safe competent gun operation. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for complete angling details or for firearms training call 863-381-8474.or Email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo.