8 Big Bass Fishing Stops on Your Florida Trailer Tour
Did you know Florida has 7,500 lakes – most of which are home to largemouth bass? Whether you’re hauling a bass boat, a flats boat, or an RV, bring your freshwater gear and join us for 8 perfect bass-fishing stops on your Florida trailer tour.
1. Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee — also called “Lake O” or even the “Big O” — hosts some of the biggest bass tournaments in the sport fishing industry. There are plenty of great captains that will put you on the lake and onto fish. If you are ready to go it on your own, you can also navigate through the weeds in a rental or your own boat. Bring your GPS because this is Florida’s largest lake. When you are ready to pull in, there are good eats and cold beer at Scotty’s Tiki Bar. If you need a place to bunk, make sure to book ahead at Roland Martin’s Marina and Resort.
2. Lake Istokpoga
Lake Istokpoga in Sebring is a favorite for bass pros. Plus, it is always impressive if you can pronounce it. Istokpoga is the fifth-largest lake in Florida. According to Florida’s Trophy Catch program, it is a place you are likely to top your biggest catch.
3. Lake George
If size matters, Lake George comes in second only to Lake Okeechobee. With an average of catching more than one fish every two hours, you are in for an exciting day of exploration. This one might require multiple stops to fish all the good spots.
4. Lake Ocklawaha (Rodman Reservoir)
Rodman Reservoir (also called Lake Ocklawaha for the lower river) recently produced a 17.2-pound bass. Can you even imagine? This fishing paradise is a flooded forest with a plethora of underwater structure, a perfect place for your future story of the one that did not get away.
5. Lake Talquin
Lake Talquin, also a reservoir, balances big fish with non-stop catches. And you might just be able to Instagram your first “Bass Slam” — a largemouth, a striper, a white bass, and a spotted bass. Lake Talquin is the perfect demonstration of the uniqueness of each of Florida’s lakes… and why you need to make so many stops on your Florida trailer trip.
6. Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho)
“Lake Toho” — part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes — will put up almost a fish per hour on average. While they may not be the biggest fish, you might get your biggest collective catch on Tohopekaliga.
7. Harris Chain of Lakes
The Harris Chain of Lakes in Central Florida exemplifies the great comebacks of many lakes that recovered from serious pollution problems. From excessive weed spraying, to bass viruses and grass carp, the Harris Chain had big problems in the 1990s. When bass tournaments on the Chain hit record lows in 1992, the tide started to turn. It is a true success story and it is all thanks to a true team effort, with attitude changes for both water management and anglers. Now the lakes have recovered nicely, and great bass fishing is back with continual improvement on the horizon.
8. Lake Tarpon
You may not have heard of Lake Tarpon in Pinellas County. It has been a bass fishing haven for decades, producing 20-pound tournament winners. If you are looking for the excitement of a new spot, move this up to #1 on your list.
Everyone knows Florida is “God’s Fishing Country." From mangrove snapper to 200-pound tarpon, amazing saltwater catches await us everywhere we look. But the Sunshine State also has fantastic freshwater fish ready to be discovered on your next Florida trailer tour . Compared to our fantastic saltwater species, the largemouth bass might be easy to forget about. But, when you feel that first “WHOMP” on a topwater bait, we know you will not forget again.