Orlando, FL

 Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)

The weather has been warming and the Orlando fishing is heating up.  On Lake Toho near Kissimmee the bass are in all stages of the spawn and can be caught in a variety of different ways. I found some big bass  on the south end of Toho.  Ripping lipless crankbaits  along these grass flats has been a productive technique for my clients.  We have also been having success casting plastic worms in dark colors to isolated vegetation. Top water lures such as the Gambler Flapp’n Shad have also been raising trophy bass.  It has been important to fish in productive areas several different times in the course of the day.  These Orlando bass are constantly moving in and out from shallow to deep water.  I had several trips where I would go into a spot and we would only catch a couple of fish,  I would then return a few hours later and we would catch 10-15 bass in the same spot that only produced a few earlier in the day.  That’s Lake Toho for you, The Florida bass in this lake prefer different vegetation at different times of the year,  day,  or hour!!  March,  April,  and May are excellent months to fish for trophy bass while visiting central Florida.  We will see great numbers of big hungry post spawn bass in the next few months.  With the weather and water temperature warming the top water bite and live shiner fishing will be fantastic.  This is the time of year to enjoy an unforgettable Orlando fishing experience with me on Lake Toho and The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.  Lake Tohopekaliga is just a short drive from Orlando area attractions such as Disney,  MGM,  Universal Studios, Sea World,  and International Drive.

 Catch “Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

 Lake Toho

The first two weeks in February brought back to back cold fronts to Orlando and the central Florida area.  The forty degree night time and morning temperatures dropped the water temperature on Lake Toho into the 50’s. This backed the bass out of the shallow spawning areas and made the bite difficult.  These conditions didn’t stop Jimmy Watson and John Beeland of Macon, Georgia from having a successfull Orlando fishing charter.  Facing temps in the 40’s and 15-20 mph north winds all day,  the duo landed 11   bass on artificial lures.  Fishing for the first time on Lake Toho,  Watson put on a fishing clinic.  He caught bass on several lures including,  flukes,  plastic worms,  and lipless crankbaits.  His best five fish weighed 17 lbs which included an 8 lb Orlando trophy bass!!  This is why it is so important to book an experienced professional guide on Lake Toho and The Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes. Knowing what lures to use,  where,  and when during these difficult conditions is the key to a productive Orlando fishing experience.

Catch “Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Toho

The third week in January around the full moon we had a warming trend and a wave of trophy bass started to move into the shallows of Lake Tohopekaliga(Lake Toho) to spawn.  During the Bassmaster open event several bass weighing 8-10 lbs were caught, including a 12 lb monster!!.  Several 5 bass limits of over 25 lbs and a few over 30 lbs were caught on Lake Toho and Lake Kissimmee.  Various soft plastics took bass in bedding areas and rat-l-traps were productive in staging areas. The next week we had a severe cold front which dropped the water temperature 10 degrees and backed the majority of the bass out of the spawning areas.  The new moon and full moon periods along with the warmer weather in February and March should encourage the majority of Lake Toho’s bass to spawn.

Catch “Em Up!!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Conway

It’s Here……………..schooling bass time folks.  We have had several cold fronts and the water temperature has dropped on Orlando’s Conway Chain Of Lakes.  The shad are all balled up and the feast has been going strong.  We have been catching 20-30 fish per day weighing from 1-3lbs.  I have been fishing in 15-20 ft of water using gold and silver spoons.  When the fish come up to the surface feeding, throwing a jerk bait into the frenzy will result in hook ups and often two fish at a time.  Light tackle rods and reels with 6 lb line is the ticket to this exciting Orlando fishing charter.

Catch “Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Conway

 The first cold front of the season dropped the water temperature on The Conway Chain Of Lakes.  This has concentrated the shad and the furious schooling bass action has begun!! Lake Conway largemouth bass are healthy,  chunky deep water fish that act exactly opposite of Lake Tohopekaliga bass. During cold fronts when Lake Toho bass have lockjaw,  Conway fish gorge themselves and feed heavily.  On several of my trips jerk baits and shad raps have been taking up to 25 bass a day.  The fish have been ranging from 1  1/2 – 3lbs and are a blast to catch on lite 4 lb tackle.   The cooler the better, as this will improve the fishing for both size and numbers of fish.  In December and January 100 fish days are possible making this the perfect time to book a truly memorable Orlando Fishing Charter.

Indian & Banana River

 The trout have began to move back into the creeks and canals with the cool down.  The key has been to fish the correct canal and creek mouths and intercept them on their way in.  The Heddon Super Spook in chrome,  and gold spoons have been taking the majority of fish for my clients.  Live free-lined shrimp and finger mullet have been taking some nice fish as usual.  We have also been catching some nice redfish in the same areas with the same techniques.  The best areas have been the Thousand Island area of Cocoa Beach and the Grand Canal in Melbourne.  Many more trout will  flock to these creeks and canals in the next couple of months providing exciting Cocoa Beach inshore saltwater fishing charters.

Catch “Em Up!!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321) 514-2967

Orlando, FL

It’s that time of year again,  The water and air temperature are starting to cool and the days are getting shorter.  This is a great time of year to enjoy some excellent fishing with a variety of different angling opportunities available.  Whether you choose to cruise the offshore waters off Cape Canaveral for kingfish and dolphin(mahi-mahi),  drift the flats of the Indian River Lagoon for trout and redfish,  or dissect the open water grass beds of Lake Toho for Orlando trophy bass,  This is the time of year when dreams come true!!

St Johns River

The fishing  has been exciting on the St. Johns River.  Schooling bass weighing 2-3 lbs have been busting shad and are a ball to catch on light tackle.  Small swim baits and jerk baits have been producing the most fish.  When they go down deep carolina rigged soft plastics are the ticket.  sand bars and shell beds have been holding the bait fish as well as the bass.  Flipping into heavy mats of vegetation with stout tackle in the deeper bends of the river has been producing some larger bass from 6-8 lbs.  Large wild shiners floated on the surface against the edge of these mats will call them up.                             

  Cape Canaveral Offshore

The Spanish mackerel bite has been strong north of the cape and these fish are a blast to catch on light tackle.  They love to eat Gotcha Plugs and my personal favorite Clark Spoon.  Flounder and Pompano are around if you know the honey holes.  8A reef has been good for kingfish as well as mangrove snapper.  Livies of appropriate size lowered in the right location will put bends in the rods.  Dropping squid to the bottom has been taking good numbers of Trigger fish.  I have also been getting a few dolphin(Mahi-mahi) while fishing for the kingfish.  These fish have been weiging 8-20 lbs and are energetic,  acrobatic,  and delicious for the table. 

 Indian and Banana River

With the fall bait migration in full swing the fishing has been excellent for redfish and trout.  The grass flats of Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island have been productive.  The pattern is simple,  Look for clean grass flats with bait present and work the area.  My clients have been enjoying a stellar top water trout bite during early mornings. The fish have been averaging 2-4 lbs and have been extremely aggressive.   We have been catching some redfish as well in these same areas and they have been weighing 7-20 lbs.   The storm Chug Bug in chrome has been working well,  and for those that don’t care to work as hard, live mullet and hand picked shrimp are the staple.

Catch “Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

The Large-mouth Bass fishing has been steady on Lake Tohopekaliga.  There has been a good top water bite throughout the day. The Gambler Flapp’n shad fished over hydrilla mats has been raising plenty of chunky bass.  In open water pockets between vegetation the Heddon Zara Spook has been calling them up.  If the top water bite slows a 7″ plastic worm fished slowly will trigger some bites.   Big Grassy Island and Brown’s Point are good places to start searching on Lake Toho.   Lake Cypress has been producing some nice fish in and around submerged vegetation.  Lip-less crank baits fished erractically  have been provoking some violent strikes.   Chrome with blue back and chrome with green back have been the primo choice.  Chatterbaits in the white/chartreuse combination have been taking some fish as well.

Indian and Banana River

The higher water levels along with the cooler temperatures will continue to produce a variety of fishing opportunities in the Indian and Banana River.  Snook season is now open and I have been having success skipping baits under mangroves and docks.  These fish have been running 3-10 lbs,  with early mornings and late evenings providing the best bite.  The Thousand Island area of Cocoa Beach has been the best bet.  Look for slightly deeper docks and mangrove shore lines.  In these same areas drop offs have been the ticket for hungry legal trout,  slot sized redfish,  and the occasional tarpon.  Bass Assassin weighted shads rigged weed less have been taking all species.  As we approach the fall bait run the fishing will get even better.

Port Canaveral Offshore

When the weather permits I have been having good success with several species offshore Cape Canaveral.  I have been hitting the buoys on the way out catching some big tripletail.  I had a client catch a gorgeous fish that went 25 lbs.  We hooked the fish and pulled it away from the buoy.   When we got the fish into the boat after a tough battle I noticed a hook in the fish’s mouth with a cut off leader.  When I cleaned the fish back at the dock I found two jig heads in his stomach!!.  The fish broke three other anglers hearts before my client landed this trophy.  A truly memorable catch he will never forget.  The kingfish have been steady in 80 ft around wrecks along with the occasional cobia.  Live free lined baits are money.  There have been some weed lines and flotsam around lately from steady winds and some dolphin(mahi-mahi) have been showing up in 100-150 ft.  Slow trolled live bait or rigged ballyhoo have been landing some fish from 8-15 lbs.  Wahoo are starting to show up in 250 ft and this fishing will improve later in the month.  Hi speed trolling with dark colored lures is the secret to success here.

Catch ‘Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Toho and The Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes

There has been a good morning and afternoon bite on Lake Toho and The Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes.  Offshore weed beds are holding bait fish, which is ringing the dinner bell for resident Orlando trophy bass.  When the bass bust the bait to the surface,  fast casts to the area are producing fish from 2-5 lbs.  Top water lures such as the Rebel Pop-R  and Smithwick Devil’s Horse are triggering violent strikes. Big 10″ worms worked slowly will raise them up when they go deep.  Live wild shiners soaked along these weed-beds are enticing their fare share of bass as well.   I have been getting fewer bites on live wild shiners,  but the average fish is heavier then the ones being caught on artificials.  On Lake Tohopekaliga,  Open water vegetation off  Brown’s Point has been holding plenty of bass.  Lake Kissimmee bass fishing charters have still been enjoying a great bite near Philadelphia Point.  The west side of Lake Cypress and north side of Lake Hatchineha have been excellent for those ripping Rat-l-traps through the submerged vegetation.

Cape Canaveral Inshore

The Kingfish and Cobia bite remains strong in 30-70 ft of water off Cape Canaveral.  It hasn’t been as easy to find concentrations of bait like it was a few weeks ago,  so it is important to get out early and start looking!  Slow trolling and drifting live baits while keeping an eye out for cruising fish has continued to put fish in the box. The kingfish are ranging from 15-40 lbs while the cobia have been running 25- 50 lbs.  I have been keeping multiple lines in the water as long as possible when a fish is hooked.  This is often the key to multiple hook-ups.  We have also caught some tremendous Barracuda lately,  one of which was just shy of 5 ft long!.  On spinning tackle  these fish provide drag screaming runs combined with aerial displays that you won’t soon forget.   The Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing has been sporadic.  There have been some fish showing up in 125-170 ft of water around scattered sargassum weeds and debris.  Live pogies,  sardines and naked rigged ballyhoo have been catching a few.  Some bigger fish are being caught but they have been 50-60 miles out of Port Canaveral.

Catch ‘Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

(321)514-2967

 Orlando, FL

 Cape Canaveral Inshore

There’s a buffet of fish right now off the beaches gorging themselves on sardines and pogies.  In the 20 to 50 ft depth range we’ve got kingfish,  tarpon,  cobia,  false albacore,  jack crevalle,  snook,  redfish  and sharks.  I usually start fishing off Cocoa Beach and head south toward Melbourne Beach until I find a concentration of fish.  I’ll sight fish to visible fish,  drift,  and slow troll for hook ups.  The fish have been running larger then usual this year,  I had a client land a monster 81 lb Cobia and a 46 lb kingfish on the same fishing trip the first week in July.  The Tarpon are marching in huge schools from Port Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet.  They have been weighing anywhere from 50-150 lbs and are eager to pounce on live baits.  Jack Crevalle and bull redfish are never too far away to crash the party and add excitement to your Orlando fishing trip.

West Lake Toho

The weather is extremely hot here in central Florida and during the middle of the day the bass fishing has been slow on Lake Toho and Lake Kissimmee.  The first two hours and last two hours of the day are a different story!.  My half day charters have been successful fishing these key time periods.  We have been catching big Orlando trophy bass on various topwater lures the first two hours of safe light.  When the topwater bite quits a 10″ Zoom monster worm in red shad has been the meal ticket. Open water off  Big Grassy island and Browns Point have both been productive areas on Lake Toho, while Philadelphia Point has been hot on Lake Kissimmee.   Most of the fish have been weighing 3-5 lbs with the daily kicker weighing 6-8lbs.

Harris Chain Of Lakes

I had two half day central florida bass fishing trips on Lake Harris and we experienced excellent fishing off ledges and drop offs.  Deep diving crankbaits and live free lined wild shiners in these areas put plenty of bass in the boat.  In Lake Harris,   Horseshoe Island gave up 11 largemouth bass from 2-4 lbs.  The Howey Bridge was good for a few,  and on the south end of Little Lake Harris carolina-rigged lizards produced six nice bass.  This included two trophy bass over 7lbs.  The mouth of the Dead River which flows into Lake Eustis has also been extremely productive when current from run-off is present.  Rat-l-Traps and carolina-rigged worms are tuff to beat in this area.  The Harris Chain Of Lakes is in excellent shape and should be in prime form for the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in the spring.

Catch ‘Em Up

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

321-514-2967

Orlando, FL

Lake Toho

Lake Toho continues to produce the Orlando trophy bass it’s known for.  This year,  I’ve seen some of the best big bass fishing in recent memory.  The lake draw-down six years ago to scrape muck off the bottom has allowed native vegetation to re-establish itself and greatly improved water quality and bass nursery areas.  I believe we are just starting to see the results of the restoration and the fishing will get even better.  The bass are well into their summer patterns right now,  and the majority of the fish are being caught offshore around submerged vegetation in 4 to 8 ft. of water.  Various top water lures have been effective early and late in the day.  10″ worms Florida or  Carolina rigged have been a good bet throughout the day.  Make sure to have the Rat-l-Trap ready when surface activity is spotted.  It’s a great time of year to enjoy a memorable Orlando bass fishing trip.

Mosquito Lagoon

The Trout and Redfish continue to feed heavily on the grass flats of the Mosquito Lagoon.  The Heddon Torpedo and Zara Spook rapidly fished on the surface will provoke violent strikes.  Bass Assassin Shads fished weight less are also working as usual.  Live free lined shrimp and pigfish are the ticket for those that don’t want to work so hard!.  Fair numbers of Snook have been biting in creeks around oyster bars and deeper mangrove shore lines.  The fishing can turn fast and furious when current from run-off is located.  Jerk baits and D.O.A shrimp will entice them for some fun catch-and-release fishing.  Tarpon are still present and can be spotted while snook fishing.  These fish have been weighing anywhere from 10 to 50 lbs.  Fishing will only get better in July and August,  so come on down to the Space Coast for an exciting Orlando inshore saltwater fishing charter.

Catch ‘Em Up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea

321-514-2967