Fall in Florida

The air is cooling and the sunrises are magnificent. It's time to head for the nearest lake and try your luck.

Lake Manatee, a 2,500-acre body of water near my home, is my choice. The worst day I've ever had on the lake was pretty darn good. It has the reputation of being tough, but I've not found it that way at all.

I've made two trips in the past week. Last Friday, I did very well, catching 60 bluegill and speckled perch (crappie). I also hooked three fish that I couldn't handle. I suspected they were channel cats. But my 1-weight and 3.6-pound tippet weren't up to the task.

So, today, I beefed up to 4-weight and 8-pound fluoro tippet.

I caught 80 fish. Most were bluegill (about half were hand-size), but I also caught shellcracker, bass and stumpknocker. I also solved the mystery of the tackle-busting fish. They indeed were channel cats. I hooked on and landed one. It was big; it was 3 pounds on the Boga Grip. They fight was great.

Lake Manatee truly is a great lake. Most of my fish came on No. 10 bead head nymph under and strike indicator -- what a great producer.

Sunrise:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC04246.jpg

Crappie:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC04232.jpg

Bluegill:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC04236.jpg

Channel cat:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC04250.jpg

Steve,
Good post and pictures. What kind of indicator, how deep and what type retrieve? I would like to try that setup here in Ky.

Thanks,
Tom

Nice, Steve. It is indeed getting to be Speck season here with the cooler weather and water temps of Fall and Winter. Those copperheaded bluegill are a blast, especially the large ones. Did you invite any of your catch home for dinner?:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappiecrazy

Steve,
Good post and pictures. What kind of indicator, how deep and what type retrieve? I would like to try that setup here in Ky.

Thanks,
Tom

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Tom,

I use a strike indicator that Dixieangler turned me onto. It's a VOSI (vertical oriented strike indicator). I just buy small perch floats from Wal-Mart, cut them in half with a razor blade. So, you get two for one.

I place it up the leader and it depends on how deep the water it and how deep you want your fly to work.

I cast it out, let it sink, then twitch it back. I use two one-inch quick strips, then pase. Repeat.

I catch a majority of my fish on this rig.

My fly of choice is a simple No. 10 or No. 12 gold beadhead nymp that's quick and easy to tie. I catch bass, bluegill, specks, shellcrackers, shiners and catfish on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dixieangler

Nice, Steve. It is indeed getting to be Speck season here with the cooler weather and water temps of Fall and Winter. Those copperheaded bluegill are a blast, especially the large ones. Did you invite any of your catch home for dinner?:)

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I released everything, but I thought about bringing home a few next trip. Can't beat fresh bluegill or specks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SteveGibson

Tom,

I use a strike indicator that Dixieangler turned me onto. It's a VOSI (vertical oriented strike indicator). I just buy small perch floats from Wal-Mart, cut them in half with a razor blade. So, you get two for one.

I place it up the leader and it depends on how deep the water it and how deep you want your fly to work.

I cast it out, let it sink, then twitch it back. I use two one-inch quick strips, then pase. Repeat.

I catch a majority of my fish on this rig.

My fly of choice is a simple No. 10 or No. 12 gold beadhead nymp that's quick and easy to tie. I catch bass, bluegill, specks, shellcrackers, shiners and catfish on it.

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Steve,
Thanks for the info! What is the deepest (distance from indicator to the fly) that you have ever used this rig?

Tom

crappiecrazy,

Here is the link for the VOSI:

Vertically Oriented Strike Indicator (VOSI)

When I use the VOSI, I typically place it about four feet up the leader above the fly to start off with. I may adjust the depth of the fly as needed but I usually don't have to. Four feet has seemed to be the best all around depth for me under the VOSI. Your results may vary.:p

P.S.
I don't cut a slit in the VOSI because the leader will work its way out of the slit especially when casting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappiecrazy

Steve,
Thanks for the info! What is the deepest (distance from indicator to the fly) that you have ever used this rig?

Tom

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I'd say about four feet.

Thanks for the replies. I would guess that anything over 4 ft would be awkward to cast with a fly rod

Thanks again,
Tom

Nice pics thanks