Conference wahoo::fishing

926.0. "Florida Fishing Last Week!!" by MRBASS::DSULLIVAN () Mon Dec 12 1988 14:03

      
    
     It was so strange in 72 degree temps and 63 degree water temps
    to comprehend the words winter fishing. We hired a guide out
    of the Bassmaster Magazine (Charlies Bass Guide Service). We 
    stayed on the Kissimmee/St. Cloud line and he picked us up
    at the Hotel (5:30am).
     It was cool in the morning 55 degrees at 5:30am. We drove to
    a nearby bait store and purchased 2 dozen shiners at $1.00 a
    piece!! ($24). The guide said the fish have been really turned 
    off and shiners were the only thing he recommend us to use if
    we wanted a BIG fish.
     The license's were $11.50 for 10 days. So, for my wife and I
    it was $47 to leave the tackle store. It felt like summer to
    me!! 
     We headed to Lake Tohopakaligia (TOHO) to the residents. The
    guide treated us like kings for the day. He casted our boat
    rods with penn salt water series reels and 40lb test. He had
    drinks, snacks xtra coats, gloves anything you needed. 
     It was our first hour... fishing a balloon and shiner rig
    (8:00am) I had a hit pulled and got back a scaless shiner. The guide
    said the fishing has been tough and the fish haven't attacking the
    bait.
     It's now 8:15am same spot in the thickets 4ft deep. My wifes balloon
    disappears. She pulled the hardest I've ever seen. She was hooked
    in. While the guide was assiting her my balloon blasted out of the
    water. I pulled!!! It was like sinking a hook into a folling log.
    We had the fished timed just right. The guide netted hers counted
    to 3 and netted mine.
     The was one problem though... Her's was 7lbs even and mine was
    6lbs 14 onces. We each caught a little 3 lber by the end of the
    day. We agreed the fish had to be over 8lbs to stuff. Not quite
    big enough this time...
     So now, for the rest of the winter I get to hear, "My fish was
    bigger than your fish"
    
      Bassmaster,
    
      Dave Sullivan
     

    Congrats on your catch!  I wonder just what type of rig your guide
    rigged for you.  Did the balloon have a release from the line to minimize
    drag?  How many split shot, size of hook, etc?  Did the guide have
    a favorite color balloon and how much was the balloon filled with
    air?  Guess the presentation was drifting the balloon down wind
    toward weeds or structure?  And lastly, how large and how was the
    shiner hooked thru the mouth, nostrils, etc.?
    
    I've had luck using balloons for yellowfin/bluefin tuna but limited luck
    using them in freshwater for brown trout and bass.
    

    You should see the picture of these two trucks! jeesus...I was green
    with envy!

    Re .2>
    	Did I miss something? What trucks?
    

    � So now, for the rest of the winter I get to hear, "My fish was
    � bigger than your fish"
    
    "Yes, dear, I planned it that way just for you..!"

         

    
    in reply to .1
    
    Line, 40lb mono. Rod, Penn boat rod 6ft. Reel, penn saltwater series
    level wind. Hook, BIG and weedless. Shiners, 9"'s long hooked through
    the the lip( underneath  through the top). Balloon, any color inflated
    to the size of a grapefruit (Florida of course) and tied 2 feet
    above the Shiner.
    
    - Dave

    Thanks for the info.  Am in the process of planning a trip in that
    vicinity.