Thread: Saddlebag Lake, Lake Wales, Florida

Well, I finally got my "toon" rigged up and have started pursuing......

Here is what I know about the lake so far.
180 acres
40'-45' deepest I have found
Very little structure or grass from about 5 foot and deeper.
In mid day there are tons of fish stacked up between 20'-30'
Pulled 300 Bandits for these fish....no luck
Spider rigged jigs for these fish......no luck

Lots of grass around the edges, have not tried the grass early morning or late evening.

If I had trolled Bandits in Indiana I would have had several fish, all varieties.
Any ideas?

VV

woke up from last nights fishing and saw your post
Saddlebag years and years ago was one of the better turtle lakes around,matter of fact an old man who lived out on the highway use to sell turtle meat.
If your after specks the water in the lakes around these parts to me are still to warm to get too serious,usually the earliest I start is at Thanksgiving time during a normal year but that all depends on the weather.
If I was serious right now I'd try lights and (gulp) minnows at night---my wife is sort of partial to rosey reds (she's the so called expert at minnow drowning in our family), if you can come up with some, they work great at certain times.
She claims they are better if you hook them in the tail for deeper water.....

Originally Posted by Florida

woke up from last nights fishing and saw your post
Saddlebag years and years ago was one of the better turtle lakes around,matter of fact an old man who lived out on the highway use to sell turtle meat.
If your after specks the water in the lakes around these parts to me are still to warm to get too serious,usually the earliest I start is at Thanksgiving time during a normal year but that all depends on the weather.
If I was serious right now I'd try lights and (gulp) minnows at night---my wife is sort of partial to rosey reds (she's the so called expert at minnow drowning in our family), if you can come up with some, they work great at certain times.
She claims they are better if you hook them in the tail for deeper water.....

It still is a Turtle lake, but between the Alligators, Otters, and myself we have thinned quite a few out. I've caught at least six soft shells that would
weigh roughly between 35-50 pounds.

I will heed your advice on the "rosey reds", and nights. Right now it's pretty hard to keep any minnow alive without adding ice.

I trolled Bandits last evening and came up with four Green Carp that would add up to about 4 foot worth.

I still see lots of fish stacking up around mid day, and then gone by evening, I have to believe they are going to the grass and feeding.

Thanks for the advice,
Best of the best,
VV

VV:

I would also look for any deep structure on the depth finder...often..they will really be stacked on the few that are usually available on a lake like you describe. I will soon be
down for the winter...about 20 miles north of you, so if you need someone to balance out your pontoon, give me a shout! Good Luck,

tnvol

Originally Posted by tnvol

VV:

I would also look for any deep structure on the depth finder...often..they will really be stacked on the few that are usually available on a lake like you describe. I will soon be
down for the winter...about 20 miles north of you, so if you need someone to balance out your pontoon, give me a shout! Good Luck,

tnvol

I have yet to find any structure they would be stacking up on, it's just always
in the two deepest parts of the lake. I think I will concentrate on the ShellCrackers for awhile, I know where to find them in the late evening.
VV

Is there a public boat ramp there? Its across the street from the Bee/Honey place on 60, right?

Originally Posted by slimecoat

Is there a public boat ramp there? Its across the street from the Bee/Honey place on 60, right?

That is correct, as far as I know there is no public ramp.

Can you use that ramp, or do you have to live on the lake? Went fishing to Mt Dora yesterday, caught a few dinks and lost a couple nice ones. What are you doing next wednesday? Might be able to come down for a day of fishing and talk over old days.

Chuck

Originally Posted by chuckauten

Can you use that ramp, or do you have to live on the lake? Went fishing to Mt Dora yesterday, caught a few dinks and lost a couple nice ones. What are you doing next wednesday? Might be able to come down for a day of fishing and talk over old days.

Chuck

The ramp is for the residence only or the guest of residence.
I have my toon rigged and in the water 24/7
I have my sister and brother-in-law here for the next couple of weeks, then my daughters coming down for a week or two. Maybe shake free sometime in early December.

Trolled Bandits this morning for a couple hours, 2 Green Carp, 1 Gar
Been cool and windy for the past several days, almost impossible to fish jigs.

VV

Good report, stay after em