HighlandsBassAngler.com

Jul 04, 2023

Central Florida Freshwater Fishing Bi-Weekly Forecast - Sunday & Wednesday

Highlands Bass Angler Business Card - 2024

Army Corps of Engineers Graphical Lake Plots Website

South Florida Water Mgmt. District Lake Level Status Website

Best Fishing Occurs During Wind and Wave Action Conditions. April 14-21, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the third week of April gives anglers the first quarter moon phase waxing toward the full moon phase and a typical late spring weather forecast, meaning mild winds with occasional ideal wind days, no extreme weather, and bright sunny days. All fishing factors considered anglers will do best to fish the sunrise and sunset periods for the remainder of the week.

Wave action will be a factor this week, as in not enough of it. Therefore, the greater the wind, the better the fishing. Eight to ten mph winds are a minimum requirement in my estimation, and anything less means lots of work with little success.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for additional angling content on Angler Hot Spots Info page, this week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:24 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two past the first quarter moon and four days from the lunar apogee but four days after the lunar high, which means the moon is still above half strength but its effect on fish and wildlife is diminishing daily and will do so for the next twelve days—next week’s full moon will only produce a six and maybe seven rating.

When the moon’s influence is weakening, expect fish to take their feeding cues from the daily solar events which at this time of year will be the sunrise and sunset mainly with the solar noon period producing better during the full moon next week.

Weather Factors: Sunshine will prevail over the next six days and atmospheric pressure will not be a factor with daily fluctuations of less than 0.10 in hg which is typical when the lunar effect is weakening. High wind speeds will also not be a factor, but low wind speeds will---worst days for fishing occur when the lake has little or no wave action, again this is typical during lunar effect decline.

Wind direction forecast predicts an ideal eight mph east southeast wind today, which weakens significantly Thursday. Friday a weak south wind changes to a weak west wind by the afternoon. Saturday begins with a weak south wind but switches to an ideal eight to ten mph west wind by the afternoon. And Sunday an ideal eight to ten mph south to southwest wind is predicted which continues into Monday. Tuesday a high-pressure cold front enters the state producing rain and enough pressure rise to force fish to adjust upward the day before the full moon.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: As already stated the moon is moving toward the orbit apogee and also away from the solar energy path which means weather fishing factors will also play less of a role in causing the formation of feeding migrations. Fish will be feeding mainly during the rising and setting of the sun with the exception of when the underfoot moon occurs during the daytime and the overhead moon at midnight.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 9:08 a.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 7-10 a.m. Expect the bite to increase and peak from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Note: the feed rating today will be the same when the full moon underfoot period occurs during solar noon next week, due to a weak lunar effect.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 2:36 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 1-3:45 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the overhead moon occurs at 9:30 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Saturday and Sunday when an ideal southerly wind occurs and daily pressure changes will fluctuate at 0.10 in hg or slightly more, fish adjustment activity will pick up enough to create a better feed rate than we’ll experience today through Friday. But then again, water temperatures are causing fish to feed at their annual highest rates right now but even so, ideal southerly winds have produced my best fishing days so I’m basing my prediction on what has been proven true since 2005.

Fishing Factors Disclaimer: While the information provided in this column is accurate and has a history of being proven true since the beginning of time, it does not mean if you follow it that you’ll have fishing success.

Negative factors which can’t be accounted for. 1, fishing where fish are not, 2, fishing after other anglers caught and released or harvested fish, 3, fishing where lake management recently worked, 4, local weather forecasts inaccuracies, and 5, the fish’s feeding success rate prior to your fishing effort. Any of these unknowable factors will affect your success rate.

And finally, some truths to remember. You can’t catch feeding fish if you don’t fish when fish feed. And a non-feeding fish can be caught. And “A Bad Fishing Day” is a misnomer.

In preparation to go fishing and before writing this article I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and fishing ‘help publications and compare those sources to my own fishing journal history. The purpose for my publications is to put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather-Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 24-25 last two days of weak full moon phase, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.08’ above sea level with one of four gates open 25 inches and flowing 370 cfs. All lakes with lake-level control structures will begin to be lowered for hurricane season which begins June 1. To check the current seasonal high-low lake-level schedule of any state managed lake use the links provided above at the beginning of this article.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is published on the Angler Hot Spots’ Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots; locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications and more at HighlandsBassAngler.com. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Excellent Sunrise and Sunset Fishing Next Three Days. April 14-21, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of April gives anglers a strong first quarter moon and a sunny spring season weather forecast without any extreme conditions. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent sunrise and sunset fishing for the first half of the week followed by the beginning of a weak full moon phase which begins next weekend.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for additional angling content on Angler Hot Spots Info page, I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info soon.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:24 p.m. over the next four days. Yesterday the moon arrived directly within the solar energy path, and the lunar orbit is halfway to the apogee position, which means the daily lunar affect will be a very close to full strength causing a one-to-two-point increase in normal feed rating predictions. The first quarter moon occurs Monday and combined with the two lunar position factors will create excellent sunrise and sunset fishing today through Tuesday.

Weather Factors: Bright sunshine is forecasted all week so fish will be holding tight to protective cover. An ideal east wind of eight mph today will pick up speed to twelve mph Monday and increase to fifteen mph Tuesday. Barometric pressure will drop 0.12 in hg this afternoon but remain a non-factor until Thursday when it drops 0.12 in hg during the afternoon.

Wednesday pre-front conditions will occur when a ten-mph southeast wind occurs producing minor cloud-cover which will continue through the end of the week. Wind speeds will weaken throughout the day as a slow moving low pressure system enters the state. Thursday pressure drops about 0.12 in hg and produces a south wind at six mph. Friday an eight-mph south wind will switch to a ten-mph west wind by the afternoon and will continue through the weekend.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The strong lunar influence will improve the normal sunrise and sunset feeding migrations which normally occur during the first quarter moon phase. Early morning anglers will enjoy great fishing during the first half of the week as a result.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 6:35 a.m. producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 5:30-8:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when a feed rating of six occurs from 7:30-10:30 a.m.

A second major period happens today when the moon is overhead 7:03 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when a feed rating of five to six occur from 8-11 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 11:42 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Tuesday a strong first quarter moon will produce greater numbers of feeding fish to feed for longer than normal periods. Fishing the ninety minutes before and after the sunrise and sunset periods will be the best bet.

And finally, some truths to remember. You can’t catch feeding fish if you don’t fish when fish feed. And a non-feeding fish can be caught. And “A Bad Fishing Day” is a misnomer.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.15’ above sea level with one of four gates open three inches and flowing 120 cfs. All lakes with lake-level control structures will begin to be lowered for hurricane season which begins June 1. To check the current seasonal high-low lake-level schedule of any state managed lake in central Florida go to HighlandsBassAngler.com.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is published on my new “Angler Hot Spots’ Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots; locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info usually every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Good New Moon Fishing Continues Today and Thursday. April 10-17, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the second week of April will give anglers the last two days of a strong new moon phase and a typical spring weather forecast. Medium to strong winds will be a factor until the weekend other than that thunderstorms and very high wind on Thursday will make very challenging conditions for anglers who will adventure to brave the elements.

An overwhelming majority of my biggest bass came on days like we’ll experience Thursday. Two-to-three-foot waves coming over the front of the boat, bilge pumps running nonstop, and well-conditioned sea legs and pitching arm were put to the test and prevailed victorious.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:25 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two days past a strong new moon and three days form the solar high, which means the daily lunar periods will increasingly cause a positive effect on feeding activity, both in numbers of feeders and duration of the feeding effort.

Weather Factors: A low pressure system began to enter the state yesterday causing atmospheric pressure to drop 0.10 in hg. Today pressure will drop another 0.0.10 in hg as a thirteen-mph south wind occurs along with a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio. Thursday a strong south wind will climb to twenty-five mph by midday and rain and cloud cover will occur in the afternoon. Pressure will reverse and begin to climb 0.30 in hg during the sunset period as a high-pressure system enters the state.

Friday morning pressure will finish climbing 0.30 in hg and a ten-mph north wind will occur. Fish will be in the shallows for a period of adjustment Friday through Saturday. Bright sunshine, no cloud, and a twelve-mph north wind will occur Saturday, but the temperature drop will be minor and have no effect on fish. Sunday the same conditions will occur except an eight-mph east wind will begin and last for the following three to four days. Barometric pressure is forecasted to drop Sunday enough to cause fish to move deeper.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The solunar factor will be strong over the next ten days. Expect the daily lunar periods to play a part in improving feeding periods. Today and Thursday are the last two days of the new moon phase and with the dropping barometer today fish could feed at higher than advertised rates in the pre-front conditions.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 3:13 p.m. producing a feed rating of eight from 1-4:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by an hour and diminishes in feed rate by one number.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:16 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 10:15 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 9-11:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at a four rating.

The underfoot moon will begin to improve the sunrise period this weekend. Saturday the moon is underfoot at 5:38 a.m. and Sunday it occurs an hour later and will produce a six rating from 4-7:30 a.m.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today will be the best fishing day of the next seven days due to the new moon which occurred Monday. Pre-front conditions and a dropping barometer will create the highest level of fish adjustment activity.

There are negative factors which can’t be accounted for. 1, fishing where fish are not, 2, fishing after other anglers caught and released or harvested fish, 3, fishing where lake management recently worked, 4, local weather forecasts inaccuracies, and 5, the fish’s high feeding success rate prior to your fishing effort. Any of these unknowable factors will affect your success rate.

Some truths to remember. You can’t catch feeding fish if you don’t fish when fish feed, but a non-feeding fish can be caught. And “A Bad Fishing Day” is a misnomer.

In preparation to go fishing, and before writing this article, I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and fishing ‘help publications and compare those sources to my own fishing journal history. The purpose for my publications is to put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather-Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit this website page type into your browser HighlandsBassAngler.com which is hosted on my new Substack website domain, FloridaGunSelfDefense.net.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.20’ above sea level with one of four gates open three inches and flowing 120 cfs. All lakes with lake-level control structures will begin to be lowered for hurricane season which begins June 1. To check the current seasonal high-low lake-level schedule of any state managed lake in central Florida go to HighlandsBassAngler.com.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new Angler Hot Spots’ Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots’ locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Excellent New Moon Fishing is Happening Now - April 7-14, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of April gives anglers a very strong new moon and a typical spring weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy excellent fishing over the next four days, but wind speeds will challenge you when fish are biting at this highest rate of the day Monday through Wednesday.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And for additional angling content check out Angler Hot Spots Info page, this week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:26 p.m. over the next four days. Today the moon orbits closest to earth, arriving at the perigee and Monday the new moon occurs twenty-four hours and twenty-nine minutes later, which technically means the new moon doesn’t qualify, according to the ‘celestial experts’ for ‘Super’ status—I guess they had to draw the line somewhere.

Nevertheless, today through Tuesday a near super new moon will cause longer feeding durations and greater numbers of feeding fish, all feeding at a higher rate than a new moon during the lunar apogee—furthest orbit point from earth. And with the solar high occurring Saturday the feed rating during Monday’s near super new moon will be in the middle eight to nine range during the overhead period of the day.

In June the new moon occurs within twenty-four hours of the lunar high and four days after the lunar orbit perigee, and a feed rating of nine to ten will occur. A ten-plus feed rating occurs when the new moon, solar high and lunar perigee all occur within forty-eight hours, which I call the “Super Solunar Trifecta” and I have in my records this occurred in June 2009, Solar High on June 21, super new moon on 22, lunar perigee on 23 and in 2017 June 23 a super new moon occurred within twenty hours of a solar high on June 24.

I have my catch records for those dates in 2009 and 2017 and perhaps I’ll write an article and publish it on Anglers Hot Spots Info webpage. It was both of these fishing experiences which removed any doubt or skepticism I might have had in Rick Taylor’s Astro Tables’ predictions (A superior algorithm). I fished three days during each of these dates, which resulted in my best overall fishing performances.

If my records going back to 2005 are correct the next Super Solunar Trifecta will occur June-July 2025. Mark your calendar.

Weather Factors: Today a seven-mph east wind and a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio will occur. Monday everything remains the same except the east wind picks-up to fifteen mph. Tuesday produces warmer temperatures enough to accelerate feeding activity as pre-front conditions begin with winds switch out of the southeast producing seventeen mph speeds when the moon is overhead, pressure will also drop enough to cause fish to adjust downward.

Wednesday a fifteen-mph south wind occurs, but Thursday the low-pressure system arrives producing twenty mph south to southwest winds and rainfall. Friday a thirteen-mph west wind continues to produce rain. Next weekend a strong east wind and bright sunshine is predicted.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The near super new moon Monday will produce very well but due to the solar high occurring Saturday, the second half of the current super new moon phase will be better due to the arrival of a warm front on Tuesday. The falling barometer which is forecasted to begin in the late morning hours just before the overhead moon occurs, I predict will be the best fishing day of this seven-day super new moon phase.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 12:34 p.m. producing a feed rating of eight to nine from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when a feed rating of seven occurs from 12:30-4 p.m. Expect the feed rating to decline by a half number daily and normalizes at a five to six rating for the weekend.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occur at 6:25 a.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by thirty-five minutes and produces the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 6:50 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-two minutes and remains at a five rating over the next three days.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Of the next four days I believe, as previously stated, that Tuesday’s overhead period will be the best fishing period. However, today through Wednesday will be the best days of the month to fish.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 7-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

In preparation to go fishing and before writing this article I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help publications. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources true at a very high percentage. However, when they do fail, it’s due to weather factors which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website and publications. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather-Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.30’ above sea level with three of four gates open three inches and flowing 340 cfs. All lakes with lake-level control structures will begin to be lowered for hurricane season which begins June 1. To check the current seasonal high-low lake-level schedule of any state managed lake in central Florida go to HighlandsBassAngler.com.

Excellent New Moon Fishing Heading into the Weekend - April 3-10, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the first week of April gives anglers the arrival of a strong new moon phase and a typical spring weather forecast. All fishing factors considered anglers will have high winds for a few days followed by excellent weather for enjoying the best fishing days of the month as a strong new moon arrives Monday.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And for additional angling content check out Angler Hot Spots Info, this week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:24 p.m. over the next four days. The lunar orbit perigee occurs Sunday at 5:54 p.m. and the new moon happens on Monday at 6:23 p.m. which means that technically the “Super” status designation is missed by twenty-nine minutes.

Nevertheless, I will go out on a limb six inches off the ground and say that all the characteristics of a Super New Moon will be happening Saturday through next Wednesday. And with the solar high occurring five days after the new moon the lunar affects will be increasing which will mean the second half of the new moon seven-day period will be better than the first half—Tuesday through next Thursday better than Friday through Sunday.

Weather Factors: Today a very strong south to southwest wind will produce speeds in the twenty-five-mph range and produce heavy cloud-cover, rain and a 0.25 in hg drop in pressure –fish will be moving deeper. But pre-front conditions occurred yesterday so I don’t expect fish to experience the need to feed much if at all. Considering the high winds and well-fed fish, I think you can take the day off and perhaps clean your equipment and boat.

Thursday a twenty-mph west wind and a 0.26 in hg rise in pressure will continue to make fishing challenging but fish will be moving upward back into shoreline feeding areas for a period of adjustment. Temperatures will be on the decline about thirteen degrees, but bright sunshine will occur by the afternoon. Friday a thirteen-mph west wind, bright sunshine and stable pressure should cause fish to return to a distinguishable feeding pattern.

Saturday a ten-mph north wind and bright sunshine and stable pressure should not change feeding patterns but by Sunday morning winds will have switched to an east wind with speeds in the ten-mph range with a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio and stable pressure which means fish will continue feeding in the same locations as the previous two days.

Monday the east wind increases to thirteen mph with the same conditions as Sunday and will remain unchanged through Tuesday. Next Wednesday is forecasted to be a pre-front day and will produce a southeast wind and pressure decline. Fish will be moving downward to adjust.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The moon will be more of a factor as it moves back into the solar energy path over the next nine days. And with weather factors not forecasted to produce anything extreme but only a minor wind direction change from west to east Saturday, the strengthening near super new moon will be the only major factor in producing feed ratings. Given the weather forecast predictions I am going to predict that Monday through next Wednesday will produce excellent fishing.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 9 a.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 8-10 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Friday when the rating increases daily by half number. Sunday a feed rating of eight or slightly better will occur from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 2:17 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 12:45-3:45 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 3:45 a.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 3-5 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 9:29 p.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Saturday through Tuesday will be the best fishing days of April due to the near super new moon and stable weather conditions creating predictable and distinguishable feeding patterns with ratings in the eight to nine range.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 6-11 strong near super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9 very strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.35’ above sea level with one of four gates open seven inches and flowing 120 cfs. All lakes with lake-level control structures will begin to be lowered for hurricane season which begins June 1. To check the current seasonal high-low lake-level schedule of any state managed lake in central Florida go to HighlandsBassAngler.com.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is offered on my new Angler Hot Spots’ Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots’ locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, a paid subscription is required.

Fairly Good Sunrise and Sunset Fishing Next Three Days. New Moon Fishing Next Weekend. - March 31-April 8, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last day of March and the first week of April gives anglers a weak last quarter moon phase and a normal spring weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will find their best success during the sunrise and sunset periods during the first half of the week and during the second half of the week the new moon phase will produce the best fishing days of the month.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:28 p.m. over the next four days. Today the moon arrives at the lunar low position and Monday the last quarter moon arrives which translates into a weak lunar influence on the sunrise and sunset periods which are the prime fishing periods during a first and last quarter moon. The moon influence will remain weak until Friday when the near super new moon phase begins. April’s new moon will occur when the moon is halfway back to the lunar high position which means anglers can expect an eight-rating next weekend.

Weather Factors: Today a weak south wind, bright sunshine, stable pressure, and a continued warming trend will cause fish to hold tight to cover as they begin to feed at normal rates again. These conditions are forecasted to continue until late Tuesday.

A low-pressure front arrives Tuesday evening and will produce rain and a twenty-mph west wind and heavy cloud cover Wednesday. Pressure will drop Tuesday causing fish to adjust downward away from the shallows by Wednesday morning. However atmospheric pressure will reverse course.

Late Wednesday night a high-pressure system pushes the low-pressure system out of the state with a twelve-mph northwest wind which will drop temperatures fifteen degrees. Bright sunshine and pressure rise will occur enough to cause fish to adjust upward into shoreline shallows Thursday and Friday. I believe fish will have adjusted enough by Friday to begin feeding being influenced by the upcoming strong new moon.

Friday the seven-day new moon phase begins. A high-pressure system will put fish in shoreline feeding areas. A warming trend will be a positive influence in the numbers of fish feeding and the duration of the feeding effort. Bright sunshine is forecasted so fish will be feeding tight to protective cover. Ideal fishing winds of eight to twelve mph will come from the north on Friday, northeast on Saturday and from the east on Sunday and during Monday’s new moon.

Next Sunday’s lunar perigee will occur twenty-four hours and twenty-nine minutes before Monday’s new moon occurs. Technically this means it doesn’t qualify for ‘new’ status. However, it will be a very strong new moon and fish will form large feeding migrations for longer durations during the seven-day near super new moon week.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Due to the moon being at the low solar path position today, the lunar influence will be at the lowest level for the next seven days. For this reason, next weekend’s ‘near super new moon’ will improve throughout the seven-day phase that begins Friday. I’m predicting the last three days of the new moon phase will be better than the first three days.

Fish will be more influenced by the sunrise and sunset than by daily lunar periods. However lunar influence will provide a weak improvement due occurring in harmony with the sunrise and sunset periods today through Tuesday.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 6:05 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5-7 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number beginning Thursday when a six to seven rating occurs from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

A second major period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 6:33 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and will have a declining feed rating of a half number. By midweek a rating of four will occur from 8:30-10:30 p.m. and will become a minor period.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 11:10 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Atmospheric pressure change will be a factor which causes greater feeding activity Monday and Tuesday. Both days pressure is forecasted to drop over 0.12 in hg which is enough to trigger more fish to feed at the same time and for a long period. Both days the drop in pressure is predicted to occur during the early to late afternoon hours. Which could prove to mean that fish feed more during the moonset than during the sunrise and sunset period. However, the moon’s influence is currently weak so fish will be more affected by pressure change than lunar positions.

Upward pressure change during the high-pressure system’s arrival Thursday and Friday will be enough to cause fish to move upward due to the change being more than 0.10 in hg each day. But how that translates into improved feeding activity during a water temperature drop remains to be proven so you’ll have to suffer through the ordeal by dragging yourself to the lake, again.

Next weekend the new moon will be giving us the best fishing days of the month. Saturday through Next Tuesday will be very good. You can expect an eight feed-rating on all four days during the overhead moon.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.37’ above sea level with four gates closed. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new Angler Hot Spots’ Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot’s locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Fishing During Weather Changes, Produces Success - March 27-April 3, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the fourth week of March gives anglers the end of a weak full moon phase and a typical spring weather forecast consisting of enough weather changes to keep fish adjustment activity just above average rates. All fishing factors considered; anglers will do best to fish during the periods of pre-front conditions. Fish during the arrival of an approaching weather change and you’ll achieve success.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And for additional angling content go to Angler Hot Spots Info page, this week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:30 p.m. over the next four days. Today is the last day of a weak full moon phase and the moon will become less of an influence because it is heading away from the solar energy path and will arrive at the lunar low position Sunday. Therefore, the greatest change in solar energy will occur during the sunrise, sunset and solar noon daily periods. Lunar periods will not be the major influence again until April 7-9 when a near super new moon occurs five days before the lunar high.

Weather Factors: Today we are experiencing pre-front conditions which began yesterday but will continue to occur until the south wind changes tonight to a southwest direction, forecasted to happen by Thursday’s sunrise period. Heavy cloud cover and a ten-mph south wind will remain through tonight. Rainfall will begin early this evening and increase through the night and end when the wind changes from the south to the southwest Thursday morning. A strong twenty mph west wind will prevail by midday and switch to a strong north wind by the sunset period.

Atmospheric pressure will begin to rise late Thursday afternoon and climb 0.30 in hg by Friday midmorning. Fish will begin to move upward during Thursday’s sunset period and will be in shallow feeding areas by Friday morning. There will be a fifteen-degree temperature change, but fish will not feel that change in the shallows due to a bright shining sun with no clouds the entire day on Friday. Therefore, I expect fish to feed Friday better than most post-front days we experience due to the lack of rapid temperature drop.

Friday winds will be at twelve mph out of the northeast with bright sunshine. Saturday a five-mph east wind will switch to a five-mph south wind by the late afternoon hours. Sunday a six-mph south wind and bright sunshine will occur and will continue into Monday.

Anglers can expect fish to be holding tight to protective cover Friday through Sunday. However, a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio will occur Monday and remain consistent through next Wednesday which will serve to create a high fish adjustment actively level as fish move away from cover and back repeatedly.

And atmospheric pressure change will be a factor Monday when a slow-moving low-pressure weather system begins to affect the state. Pressure drops of 0.12 in hg will occur Monday and Tuesday causing fish to adjust downward. Wind speeds Tuesday will climb to twelve mph. Pre-front conditions will occur late Monday and Tuesday which means fish will be feeding at above average rates as they adjust to pressure and weather changes.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: With the lunar effect being weak over the next seven days fish will be responding more to the greater influence of the rising and setting sun—periods of light and solar energy-level changes occur.

And since we are just a few days from the full moon, which caused fish to feed every twelve hours---during the underfoot midday and overhead midnight periods, fish will still be in the twelve-hour pattern feeding when the sun is directly overhead when solar energy levels are highest. The underfoot moon two hours later today, will lose feeders due to the greater effect of high solar energy. But it should be noted that when the underfoot moon begins to occur during the sunset hours Sunday and Monday it will add additional feeders.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 3:12 p.m. and solar noon at 1:30 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number daily. However, the solar noon period will remain the major feeding period of the day due to a weak moon and bright sunshine.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the sunrise occurs at 7:21 a.m. and the moonset at 8:30 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 6-9 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and decreases in feed rating to a two or three while the sunrise period maintains a four to five rating.

A second minor period occurs when the sunsets at 7:41 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 6-8:30 p.m. I don’t believe the moonrise at 10 p.m. will affect the sunset feeding numbers nor duration due to being weak. The feed rating will remain unchanged until Sunday when the underfoot moon provides a minor improvement.

Best Fishing Days of Week: There are two pre-front period occurring over the next seven days. The first is happening today and could continue into the early morning hours of tomorrow. The second happens Monday through Tuesday’s midday. Both periods will produce above average feed ratings.

Prime Monthly Periods: April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.43’ above sea level with four gates closed. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Full Moon Fishing and High Winds Challenge Anglers - March 24-31, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of March gives anglers the last four days of the full moon phase and a typical spring weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will be challenged by high winds over the next three days if they fish when the bite is at the highest rate of the day. The old adage of, “The worst weather produces the best fishing” will be true today through Tuesday.

Prepare to work for it because four out of the next seven days will test your sea legs and casting ability because winds over fifteen mph will accompany you as the fish feed heaviest. Unless you engage in some nighttime full moon fishing, which will be exceptional this month.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:30 p.m. over the next four days. Today is the day before a medium strength full moon due to the lunar orbit apogee occurring today and the lunar low occurring next Sunday. A top feed rating of seven and a half to eight will occur during the midday hours.

Weather Factors: Today a high-pressure system will continue to enter the state causing atmospheric pressure to climb 0.12 in hg throughout the day. Fish have been in the process of moving upward and will continue to do so into the sunset period. Bright sunshine with a few clouds will occur along with a seventeen-mph north wind. Today is also a post-front day which typically are not days fish feed much if at all but then again with the rising pressure some fish might opportunistically feed.

Water temperatures are at the bottom of the ideal temperature range for fish to feed at their highest annual rate and with the underfoot moon occurring during the warmest water period of the day fish will feed even though yesterday they fed heavily. Temperatures will fluctuate about ten degrees this week which won’t be enough to change feeding migration patterns.

It should also be noted that the nighttime full moon will be shining brightly tonight and Monday and maybe Tuesday night. With the high wind speeds during the midday underfoot moon period perhaps fishing under the light of a bright shining full moon twelve hours later is the better option to take.

Monday a thirteen-mph east wind will produce sunny conditions, a stable barometer, with a five-degree temperature rise. Tuesday a low-pressure system will enter the state producing a fifteen-mph south wind early which will dissipate during the afternoon to ten mph. Bright sunshine with increasing clouds in the afternoon will occur. Due to the pressure change I expect fish to adjust a little downward in the pre-front conditions which will increase feeding activity as they move during the afternoon.

Wednesday heavy cloud cover and a ten-mph south wind will begin to produce rain in the afternoon which will increase in the evening and beginning so expect fish to move away from cover. Thursday morning an eighteen mph west southwest wind will occur with steady rainfall as another high-pressure system enters the state pushing pressure upward 0.15 in hg by Friday morning. Thursday evening pressure begins to rise sharply, and wind speeds subside, and fish will be on the move upward into feeding areas causing an increase in feeding activity.

Friday a ten-mph north wind and bright sunshine occurs causing fish to move back to protective cover and Saturday a weak east wind will switch to a weak south wind by the afternoon which will continue through into next Sunday. Sunny conditions will occur all three days so be ready to flip and pitch the shoreline vegetation.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: With the temperatures at the bottom of the ideal temperature range of 70-82 degrees fish will tend to feed at higher rates during the warm water period of the day which happens to be when the underfoot moon period occurs. However, wind speeds will be a real challenge. The moon is moving away from the solar energy path which means the lunar effect will be weakening throughout this week.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 1:12 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven from 12-2:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by thirty-nine minutes and improves to a seven and a half or better rating Monday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The feed rating will drop a one number daily producing a five rating Thursday from 3-5 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 12:53 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Daily the overhead full moon occurs later by thirty-nine minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the second half of the week when it produces a three to four rating from 3-5:30 a.m.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 7:09 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 6-8:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by twenty-six minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 7:20 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-two minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the full moon occurring tonight and Monday night and pressure rising over the next twenty-four hours the best fishing conditions of this week will occur. Fishing the full moon tonight and Monday night in the shoreline shallows should produce very well. With the bright shining moon over the next three days the midday bite will suffer somewhat as fish feed under a full moon.

Prime Monthly Periods: March 24-27 second half of full moon phase week, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40’ above sea level with four gates closed. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots’ Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Excellent Rainy Day and Full Moon Fishing Ahead - March 20-27, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the third week of March gives anglers a weather forecast with a strong low-pressure system and bright sunny conditions leading into the beginning of a fairly strong full moon week which begins Friday. All fishing factors considered; anglers will start the full moon phase with good rainy-day fishing followed by bright sunny warming conditions which will set the fishing stage for some great midnight full moon fishing.

Some of my best fishing memories are from rainstorm and full moon fishing trips using top-water frogs.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And for additional angling content go to my Angler Hot Spots Info page, where I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info this week.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:30 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are three days from the lunar high, three days from the lunar orbit apogee and five days from the full moon, which means the full moon week begins Friday and will produce a top feed rating of seven Sunday through Tuesday during the underfoot midday period.

Weather Factors: Today a high-pressure system finishes entering the state resulting in a very mild north wind and bright sunshine. Fish have just finished moving upward and are not in the shallows, but few fish will be feeding until they adjust to the pressure change which will occur by Thursday morning.

Thursday a ten to thirteen mph east wind occurs producing an increase in cloud cover as a low-pressure system enters the state. Atmospheric pressure will begin to drop Thursday night and produce rainfall by Friday morning.

Friday pressure will fall 0.22 in hg and constant rainfall and a strong southeastern wind will occur producing speeds in the seventeen-mph range. Fish will feed as they adjust downward Friday afternoon. If you weather the storm and fish the leeward sides of the lake, you’ll do well. But remember fish will be moving outward from the shallow toward the deeper section of feeding areas.

Saturday a seventeen-mph west wind and rainfall is forecasted. The rain will dissipate throughout the day, but the winds will not. Significant cloud cover will also prevail until the sunset period. Sunday a fifteen-mph north wind will produce sunny skies, but temperatures will not drop but instead rise about five degrees. Fish will move tight to cover.

Monday a thirteen-mph east wind will bring warm air and rising temperatures. Bright sunshine with few clouds will keep fish tight to cover. Pressure will be on the rise but too slow to cause the need for fish to adjust. The bright shining full moon will cause a percentage of fish to feed during the midnight hours which means less hungry fish twelve hours later.

Tuesday pre-front conditions occur as a ten-mph southeast wind begins. Pressure will not change but instead remain stable. Sunshine will be bright so expect fish to be tight to cover as they feed.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Over the next seven days the moon will be a little higher than half strength. You can expect the daily lunar periods to have a positive effect which will produce a feed rating’s point uptick of one point or perhaps slightly better. The pressure change on Friday will be significant and trigger a high rate of fish adjustment activity and the underfoot and overhead full moon periods will also produce fairly well Sunday through Tuesday.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 10:25 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number. Sunday a feed rating of seven or slightly better will occur from 12-3 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 3:47 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 2:30-5 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 5:06 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 4-6:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-six minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period happens today when the moon is overhead at 10:48 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 9:30-12 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs forty-four minutes later and remains at the same feed rating until Saturday when a feed rating of five or slightly better occurs. Saturday through Tuesday night a feed rating will occur during the three-hour period centered on the overhead full moon.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Friday despite the heavy winds and rainfall, will be a very good fishing day. Sunday through Tuesday will produce well above average catch rates as the full moon shines brightly on all three nights. Daytime anglers will have less feeders as a result. But nighttime midnight fishing will be very good.

Prime Monthly Periods: March 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit this website page type into your browser HighlandsBassAngler.com which is hosted on my FloridaGunSelfDefense.net, website domain.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new Angler Hot Spots Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot’s locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Excellent First Quarter Moon Fishing Today. “Time to Go Fishing.” March 17-24, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of March gives anglers a strong first quarter moon phase and a typical spring weather forecast consisting of a weather front every three or four days which will produce enough fishing factor changes to cause fish to aggressively feed several days per week. All fishing factors considered, anglers have excellent fishing today and Friday and fairly good fishing in the days in between.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:32 p.m. over the next four days. Today the moon arrives directly within the solar energy path—lunar high, and the first quarter moon occurred yesterday, and the lunar obit position is at the halfway point heading toward the furthest point from earth—lunar apogee. Therefore, the early morning bite will have the highest rating of the month.

Weather Factors: Today a sun-to-cloud ratio of seventy-thirty will occur due to a southwest wind which begins this morning at five mph and increases to thirteen mph by the early afternoon hours. Monday cloud cover increases producing rainfall as a west wind increases from seven mph in the morning to seventeen mph by noon. Tuesday a ten-mph north wind will bring a high-pressure system into the state that will increase pressure about 0.25 in hg and drop temperatures twenty degrees. Fish will move up into shoreline areas with perhaps some feeding activity occurring as fish adjust upward.

Wednesday bright sunshine and a very mind north wind with stable pressure probably won’t produce very many active feeders. If some fish do feed, they will be tight to cover as they feed. Thursday a mild east wind begins causing heavy cloud cover to begin which will produce rain by the sunset period. Atmospheric pressure will begin enough of a drop to cause fish to feed as they move downward resulting in pre-front conditions. Friday an ideal south wind will occur, producing ten mph speeds with heavy rainfall and a continuation of pre-front conditions.

Next weekend a thirteen-mph west wind will occur, and sunshine will begin to prevail, and next Sunday bright sunshine and a thirteen-mph north wind will occur, but pressure will remain unchanged.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Due to the moon being at the lunar high while in the first quarter phase and while being at the medium orbit position, today’s sunrise will produce a feed rating two points higher than the normal rating of six, for a three-hour period centered on the sunrise. Therefore, this morning will most likely produce the highest feed rating of the month.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the underfoot moon will occur at 7:50 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:32 a.m. producing a feed rating of eight from 6-9 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by one number. By Wednesday a feed rating of six will occur from 9-11:45 a.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 12:55 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 12-2:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the overhead moon occurs at 8:17 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 7-9:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By the midweek a feed rating of four to five will occur from 9:30-11:45 p.m.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today’s early morning bite will be exceptionally good, and the feeding activity will continue longer than normally due to a 0.12 in hg drop in pressure which begins around 9 a.m. Also, there will be pre-front conditions occurring which began yesterday that might also cause a greater participation rate.

Friday’s forecast predicts pre-front conditions again. Pressure will be dropping enough to cause a higher number of active feeders as fish adjust downward. Clouds will prevail along with rainfall which means fish will not be close to protective cover but instead feeding in open water feeding areas. Depending on the timing of the weather front, Thursday could be the time in which pre-front feeding begins.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40’ above sea level with three of four gates open one inch flowing a combined 130 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level threshold, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: I have added detailed angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Detailed extras such as angler hot spot locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, a paid subscription is required.

Great Fishing Today and the Weekend. Fish are Aggressively Feeding - March 13-20, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the second week of March gives anglers the last day of the super new moon week and a strengthening moon which will arrive at the high moon position Sunday. All fishing factors considered, anglers can expect fish to be very active during daily major lunar periods and this weekend should be excellent.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And to access extra angling content go to my Angler Hot Spots Info page, this week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:33 p.m. over the next four days. The super new moon occurred three days ago, and the first quarter moon will occur Saturday and the solar high on Sunday. Therefore, the overhead moon will occur during the late afternoon to early evening hours over the next four days and because the moon is four days away from being directly within the solar energy path the lunar effect will be major factor being at full strength over the next ten days.

Weather Factors: For the next five days temperatures will climb into the lower ninety-degree range causing fish to feed at their highest annual rate due to ideal water temperatures in the middle to upper seventy-degree range. The sun-to-cloud ratio will be at fifty-fifty every day. Barometric pressure will be a factor Friday and Saturday afternoons when pressure drops about 0.12 in hg causing fish to adjust slightly downward.

Wind direction will come from the south today, east on Thursday, southeast Friday, and south to southwest Saturday. Monday a west wind is forecasted and Sunday and Monday a high-pressure cold front will enter the state dropping temperatures twenty degrees and increasing atmospheric pressure 0.35 in hg Monday night through Tuesday midday. Wind speeds will be perfect at eight to twelve mph except for Sunday and Monday when speeds climb into the fifteen-mph range.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The moon will be at full strength over the next ten days and will have a greater influence in causing fish feeding participation rates, meaning an increase in duration and intensity. The moon overhead period will be the better fishing period until this weekend when the underfoot moon combined with the sunrise to produce excellent fishing Sunday morning. It should be noted that pre-front conditions will also be a positive factor. I’m predicting an eight-feed rating Sunday morning. And if fish are moving, they’ll be heading slightly deeper as the front approaches.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 4:34 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 3-6 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating due to a strong lunar influence.

Currently the underfoot moon is a minor period, but this weekend will become a major period as the overhead moon becomes weaker, becoming a minor period on Monday.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 9:45 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 8:30-11 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 4:08 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 3-5 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and improves in feed rating by one number. Saturday and Sunday the underfoot moon produces a seven to eight rating from 6-9:30 a.m. Again, as stated previously, pre-front conditions will occur Sunday morning and will push the feed rating up to eight.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today the super new moon still is producing a strong feeding effort during the overhead moon. And when the solar high occurs this weekend combined with the arrival of a high-pressure cold front on Monday, Saturday and Sunday will be better than today’s feed rating. In fact, I’m predicting the highest feed rating of the month will occur Sunday morning.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.44’ above sea level with three of four gates open four inches flowing a combined 460 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level threshold, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Access extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, a paid subscription is required.

Super New Moon Produces Super Fishing - March 10-17, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of March gives anglers for days of a super new moon phase and plenty of weather changes to cause fish to feed at high rates. All fishing factors considered; anglers will need to time their efforts to harmonize with the timing of weather changes in order to achieve a ‘super’ result.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 1:34 p.m. over the next four days. Today a super new moon occurs while at the halfway point back to the lunar high position—moon directly in the solar energy path to earth. A feed rating of eight is possible depending on the timing of the arrival of the high-pressure weather font and level of pre-front feeding that occurred yesterday.

Weather Factors: Today a west to northwest thirteen mph wind will occur and produce rainfall and heavy cloud cover which will dissipate to a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio this afternoon. This morning atmospheric pressure will begin a 0.33 in hg climb that will end Monday morning. All fish will experience the need to adjust upward and go into a period of adjustment as their bodies acclimate to a fast high-pressure change. Some fish which didn’t feed successfully during the pre-font feeding period yesterday will feed at they adjust upward.

Monday will likely be the least productive fishing day of the second half of the super new moon phase. Most post-front days are days of inactivity and adjustment which results fish entering a state of suspension---waiting for internal gasses to reenter a comfortable level and normal digestion to resume. However, if you go fishing Monday, you’ll have a twelve-mph northeastern wind and an even mix of sun and cloud.

Tuesday a slow-moving low-pressure system will begin to push the high-pressure system out of the state. If the weather forecast is correct, atmospheric pressure will drop 0.12 in hg from the midmorning to late afternoon hours. You’ll know when this begins because the wind direction will change to a southeastern direction with speeds in the ideal range of eight to ten mph. Fish will adjust downward and feed as they move deeper. I expect fish to move from two to three-foot depths to the outside edges of vegetation which have five-to-six-foot depths.

Wednesday the southeast six to eight mph wind will produce heavy cloud and steady rainfall but I believe feeding activity will be less than average due to the above average feeding the day before. But I expect you to check to see if I’m wrong. Personally, I love to fish in the rain, especially where the influent and effluents are. The slight increase in flow makes a difference and usually you have the fishing hole to yourself.

Thursday a ten-mph east wind will occur and produce a seventy-thirty sun-to-cloud ratio with no significant pressure change. Friday morning early a south wind will begin, and pressure will drop 0.12 in hg, which will cause fish to adjust downward and I predict they’ll feed as they move, at above-average rates. Wind speeds will climb to fourteen mph in the afternoon. These weather conditions will continue into Saturday, but rainfall will begin, and cloud cover will increase signaling the beginning of a rainy season weather pattern. And if the extended weather forecast turns out to be correct next Sunday will be a pre-front weather fishing day.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The medium strength super new moon occurs today and was the cause of the pre-front conditions of yesterday and the subsequent above average feeding activity of the past eighteen hours. However, the pressure rise today will cause the fish that don’t have full stomachs to feed as they adjust upward. Therefore, due to the timing of the arrival of the weather change, today’s feeding will be less than it would have been if the weather change occurred tomorrow. And again, due to the timing of weather changes, caused by the super new moon, Tuesday will produce a higher level of weather change, causing a higher-than-average fish adjustment activity and subsequent feeding efforts.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 1:59 (clocks spring forward one hour today) producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 7:57 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6:30-9 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by thirty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 8:07 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7-9 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-eight minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number until Wednesday when the feed rate averages three.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Tuesday will be the best fishing day of the last four days of this super new moon phase. Both days will produce a higher level of fish adjustment activity as explained previously.

Prime Monthly Periods: March 10-13 second half of super new moon week, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.44’ above sea level with three of four gates open seven inches flowing a combined 774 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Super New Moon Fishing Next Seven Days - March 6-13, 2024 - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the first week of March gives anglers a super new moon week, which begins Thursday and rapid weather system changes which will produce a very high level of fish adjustment activity ahead of a fast-moving high-pressure system. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent fishing Thursday through Saturday followed by challenging conditions Sunday and Monday.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:35 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are four days from the super new moon. The moon arrives at orbit perigee on Sunday at 7:07 a.m. and becomes new at 9:03 a.m. However, the moon’s position in relation to the solar energy path this Sunday will be halfway back to arriving directly within the energy path—lunar high. Therefore, this weekend we can expect a feed rating in the high seven to eight range.

Weather Factors: Today heavy clouds, a thirteen-mph south wind with stable pressure will challenge anglers. Since the wind has been out of a southerly direction fish have consistently migrated in a northward direction, following the wind-driven zooplankton and phytoplankton and smaller members of the lake’s food-chain. For the remainder of this week fish won’t have enough of a consistent wind-direction change to move fish to a different area of the lake.

Thursday a very mild northerly wind with sunny skies will occur but will switch to a east southeast ten-mph wind by Friday that will have a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio. Saturday a strong fifteen-mph south wind will occur along with a sixty-forty sun-to-cloud ratio and produce pre-front conditions in the early morning hours.

When the super new moon occurs Sunday, there will be a southwest ten-mph wind that will quickly switch to the west and pick-up speed to eighteen mph and remain strong through the sunset period. Rainfall and heavy cloud cover will dominate the day early but will clear up somewhat in the mid-to-late afternoon hours.

Atmospheric pressure will begin a 0.26 in hg climb during Sunday’s sunset period and will reach a peak Monday during the midmorning hours. A twelve-mph north wind will occur during the pressure rise, dropping temperatures about ten to fifteen degrees. Anglers can expect fish to be on the move upward Sunday evening through Monday midday. And pressure will increase 0.10 in hg Monday evening through Tuesday’s midmorning hours. Tuesday also is the first day of a consistent east wind pattern which will cause temperatures to rebound quickly.

I’ll confidently predict that the first half of the super new moon week will be better than the second half.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The moon is currently approaching the halfway point back toward the solar energy path which means this super new moon week, which begins Thursday, will have a greater lunar influence as the super new moon week progresses. And there would be a noticeable difference measured in the catch rates……if there wasn’t a fairly strong high-pressure system crashing the super new moon party this weekend.

As is always the case, the solunar factors produce weather conditions---the more intense the solunar activity the more intense the weather factors and vice versa. And when weather becomes the dominate factor due to a super new moon, which is natural that it does, depending on the timing of the weather event, an extremely high feeding activity period occurs as the weather front approaches and an extreme non-feeding non-activity period occurs after the front exists the state. And if the pre-front feeding is heavy enough, and when the fish are forced to adjust upward due to high pressure rise after they feed, they will experience extreme discomfort until their bodies acclimate and normalize, which in this case will take place on Monday which means fish will feed normally again Tuesday afternoon into next Wednesday afternoon.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 9:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 8-10:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number. Saturday a feed rating of seven to seven and a half will occur from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. However, if there is any pre-front feeding still occurring the feed rating could climb to a nine rating. Sunday, I don’t expect much feeding activity to occur during the overhead period due to high feed rates the day before. And Monday will be an adjustment day caused by extreme pressure rise.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 2:26 p.m. producing a feed rate of four to five from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by seventy minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Friday the moonset through the sunset period could have pre-front feeding occurring which might increase the feed rate to the five to six range.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 4:03 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 3-5 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Friday and Saturday the feed rating could be in the five to six range depending on the timing of the arrival of the high-pressure front.

A third minor period happens today when the underfoot moon occurs at 9:44 p.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Due to the high-pressure front blowing into the state Saturday and Sunday, which is the day of the super new moon, I’m predicting the best fishing will occur Friday and Saturday as the low pressure intensifies just ahead of the arrival of the high pressure system on Sunday.

Prime Monthly Periods: March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit this website page type into your browser HighlandsBassAngler.com which is hosted on my FloridaGunSelfDefense.net, website domain.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.50’ above sea level with three of four gates open twelve inches flowing a combined 1030 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week, however a paid subscription is required.

Fair Fishing Today Through Wednesday, Followed by Best Fishing Days of March. March 3-10, 2024. Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first full week of March gives anglers the last quarter moon phase, a weak moon, and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; fish won’t be moving much if at all but will continue to feed when water temperatures are warmest in the midday to afternoon hours. Action will be slow until next week’s super new moon.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And to access additional angling content visit the Angler Hot Spots Info page. This week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:36 p.m. over the next four days. Today the moon arrives at the last quarter phase of its twenty-eight-day orbit and will arrive at the furthest point away from the earth’s solar energy path which will be centered on the earth’s equator on the 19^th day of this month. Simply stated, the moon will have very little affect on solar energy which translates to very little fish adjustment activity caused by solar energy.

And if you note the weather factors for this week, there will be only mild changes in wind speeds and direction, atmospheric pressure, and the sun-to-cloud ratio, which will not be enough to cause fish adjustment activity.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather pattern will be occurring over the next four to five days. The sun-to-cloud ratio will be thirty-seventy, with thunderstorm activity and rainfall mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. Wind will be from a southerly direction with speeds in the five to ten mph range. Wednesday a thirteen-mph south wind will occur and will slow down to a very mild speed Thursday and pick back up to a ten-mph speed for Friday.

So, fish adjustment activity will be weak or nonexistent today through Friday. So, wherever you find fish today, they won’t be moving anywhere until next weekend.

Saturday a fifteen-mph southwest wind is predicted and next Sunday a high-pressure system begins to enter the state creating a fifteen-mph west wind. Pressure will rise sharply, and temperatures will drop fifteen to twenty degrees. Therefore, Saturday will be a pre-front fishing day and next Sunday morning pressure will rise sharply causing fish to move very shallow throughout the day. I’m expecting heavy feeding as they move shallow and while the super new moon arrives overhead.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Lunar influence will be weak over the next seven days, but solar energy will be warming water temperatures which will be the main driver in why and when fish feed. Fish are still primarily feeding during the warmest water period of the day but that is going to gradually end this week as temperatures continue to climb into the mid-seventy range on the surface.

And seven days from today when the super new moon occurs, the moon will be at the halfway point back to the lunar high---moon directly in the solar energy path to earth. Therefore, the super new moon will produce a feed rating in the mid-seven to eight range instead of a ten rating which would occur if the moon was at the high point within the solar energy path. And the weather factors will be changing causing fish adjustment activity to significantly increase as pressure rises and winds pickup so the feed rating most likely will be better than advertised.

And again, the more the moon interferes with solar energy, the more fish adjustment activity occurs due to the greater changes in the levels of positive ions entering the earth’s atmosphere. And when the sun’s energy fluctuates due to lunar interference, it produces greater weather changes. This combined affect, effects fish feeding patterns, both in intensity and duration.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 6:44 p.m. and the sunset at 6:27 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven from 5-7:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and decreases in feed rating by one number. By midweek a four rating will occur from 8-11 p.m.

A second major period happens today when the moonset occurs at 11:24 a.m. and solar noon at 12:36 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating due to entering the warmest water period of the day.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 6:16 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:47 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-six minutes and remains at the same feed rating until midweek when the seven-day super new moon phase begins producing a major feeding period. Thursday a feed rating of six will occur from 9-11:30 a.m. And daily the feed rating increases by a half number, and occurs one hour later.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the super new moon occurring next Sunday, Friday and Saturday will be the best fishing days of the week. And from Friday midday to Saturday evening pre-front conditions will trigger fish adjustment activity and much higher feeding activity. I’m predicting Saturday’s super new moon period to be exceptionally good.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.43’ above sea level with four gates closed. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is available on my Angler Hot Spots Information webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot’s locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info. Bass Guide, in depth detailed quality content for a $6 per month or $60 per year subscription.

Temperatures Are Increasing and Fish Appetites Are Too, Good Fishing Ahead. February 28 - March 6, 2024, Highlands News-Sun Fishing Forecast

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last two days of February and the beginning of March gives anglers the weather pattern change consisting of eighty plus degree temperatures and heavy clouds and rain and an approaching weak last quarter moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will need to cast instead of flipping and pitching baits due to fish being away from cover and be prepared to handle some fairly strong wind for a few days followed by ideal winds heading into the weekend.

The good news is water temperatures are on the rise and so is the activity level of fish.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. For additional angling content visit Angler Hot Spots Info. This week I’ll publish more hot spots coordinates and info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:36 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are four days from the full moon and four days from the last quarter moon and the moon is five days from arriving at the lunar low, which means anglers can expect the lunar effect on fish to be weak.

Weather Factors: The weather forecast predicts bright sunshine today and a fifteen-mph south wind by this afternoon with cloud-cover increasing by midafternoon and heavy cloud-cover by tonight, which will last through the weekend. Therefore, expect fish to be tight to cover until late this afternoon when clouds cause fish to move away from cover. The underfoot moon will occur during the warmest water period of the day just as the cloud-cover increases to expect to have to search for fish a little harder.

Thursday through Saturday heavy cloud-cover and some rain will occur along with a twelve-mph east wind which will begin midmorning. Friday a south-southeast wind starts early and climbs to fifteen mph by midmorning with heavy cloud causing fish to be in open areas and away from cover. Rainfall again is predicted. This weekend ideal wind speeds of eight mph will occur, and rainfall will increase with afternoon thunderstorms and will continue through Tuesday.

Temperatures will remain in the lower to mid eighty-degree range for the next ten days which means water temperatures will continually climb into the lower seventy-degree range which is ideal for fish to feed at will. The feeding pattern of the past two to three months of fish feeding during the warmest water period of the day will gradually end as the temperature climbs. I predict by the weekend and definitely next week, fish will be influenced by solunar factors more than weather factors.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: This week fish are in a transition phase because their body’s metabolism will be gradually increasing in speed, which means the digestion rate increases along with the increase in activeness. A rise in water temperatures from the lower sixty-degree range to the lower to mid seventy-degree range causes fish to feed at the higher rate. Fish feed more often and consume larger amounts of food which results in significant weight gain.

Bass and all freshwater fish, experience their greatest annual weight gain when water temperatures are in the seventy-degree range. If the extended weather forecast is correct, this seasonal occurrence might start early this year.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the underfoot moon occurs at 3:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven or slightly higher from 2-5 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the weekend when it begins to decrease by one point a day but will normalize to a four-feed rating on Tuesday.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 8:58 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 8-10 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is overhead at 3:11 a.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 2-4 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Sunday the overhead moon occurs at 6:16 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of five or slightly better as it harmonizes with the sunrise period.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 10:09 p.m. producing a feed rating of three from 9-11 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Since fish are still feeding during the warmest water period of the day—but I predict not for much longer if the weather forecast results in being correct—today through Friday when the moon is underfoot during the warm water period fish will feed better than they did during the full moon or the new moon. I predict a seven to eight rating this afternoon and for the next two afternoons.

Find where fish are feeding in numbers, and you’ll have a great day on the water. But remember, fish will be holding tight to cover today but away from cover Thursday and Friday. So be ready to adjust your strategy and method in order to put your bait in front of fish.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather-Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40’ above sea level with gates closed. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is available on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week. A paid subscription is required.

Full Moon and Continued Warmer Weather Makes for Good Fishing Through Heartland of Florida - February 25-March 3, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last five days of February and the beginning of March will give anglers the last two days of the full moon phase and weather pattern change from a winter pattern to a rainy season pattern during the midweek. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy better than average fishing due to water temperatures rising into the ideal feeding temperature for the first time since the end of November.

It's time to fish the shoreline feeding areas because fish will be feeding aggressively at a higher rate.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:37 p.m. over the next four days. The full moon occurred last night, and the moons arrives at its furthest orbit point from earth—apogee—today. And the moon is moving away from the solar energy path and is at the halfway point. In other words, expect prime feed ratings to be in the six to seven range over the next five days. After that we enter the weakest lunar period which lasts about fourteen days.

Weather Factors: Today we’ll experience an ideal wind speed out of the northwest, bright sunshine and the end of an atmospheric pressure rise of 0.20 in hg. You can expect fish to be in shoreline feeding areas and they’ll remain there due to stable pressure which is forecasted for the next ten days.

Winds will come from the southeast Monday again at ideal wind speeds of six to eight mph, with bright sunshine and temperatures approaching eighty degrees for a daily high. On Tuesday the southeast wind increases to twelve mph and Wednesday the speeds will increase to fifteen mph from the south.

Thursday a rainy season type weather pattern will begin and last through the middle of next week. Cloud-cover will dominate along with an east wind with speeds in the ten to twelve mph range, which will also continue into next week. Afternoon thunderstorms and rainfall will happen daily from Friday through next Wednesday. Temperatures will average in the eighty-degree range.

Fish will begin to feed at a much higher rate as water temperatures climb into the lower seventy-degree range. Regardless of the weak lunar influence, fish will feed at above advertised rates due to higher metabolism speeds.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Weather will trump lunar influence enabling fish to enter a consistent feeding pattern, feeding during the underfoot period daily which will occur during the warmest water period of the day. Solar noon through the early sunset period will be the best time to fish.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 1:34 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 12-3 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by thirty-eight minutes and the feed rating improves to a seven rating by Thursday and Friday. A six to seven rating will continue into the weekend when the underfoot moon harmonizes with the sunset period.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 7:38 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 6-9 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 7:33 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty minutes and at a four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today fish will finish they upward movement into shoreline areas. The pressure rise of the past twelve hours plus the moderate affects of the full moon and the pre-front conditions will create the best fishing day of the next ten days.

Prime Monthly Periods: February 25-26 last two days of full moon phase, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40’ above sea level with three gates open four inches flowing a combined total of 450 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week. Some content is free, but a paid subscription will be required for the majority of the extra content.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications and more at FloridaGunSelfDefense.net. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Good Full Moon Fishing Next Seven Days - February 21-28, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the third week of February gives anglers the full moon phase and the same winter weather forecast we’ve experienced since December but with a milder temperature fluctuation. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy above average fishing over the next seven days with the best days of the month occurring at the beginning and end of the full moon phase.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And for additional angling content go to my Angler Hot Spots Info webpage for hot spots coordinates and information plus strategies and methods on catching giant bass.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are three days before the full moon and three days after the lunar high and the lunar orbit will arrive at the point of apogee the day after this Saturday’s full moon.

In other words, this month’s full moon will be at half strength and produce a six to seven rating during the underfoot period, the day before and after the night of the full moon. And because the fish are mainly feeding during the warmest water period of the day, when the underfoot moon occurs during the 2-4 p.m. hours next Tuesday and Wednesday, the highest feed rating of the month will occur which will be a seven to eight rating.

Weather Factors: Today is a pre-front day so you can expect fish to be feeding at above average rates due to the barometer falling 0.12 in hg today as a warm front approaches the state from the south. However, today’s thirteen mph north wind would not indicate that the pressure is dropping today. Anglers can expect fish to be adjusting downward and away from shoreline feeding areas, feeding as they move.

Pressure will continue to drop even faster Thursday when a mild south wind begins during the midmorning hours, causing a 0.13 in hg drop in pressure. Friday pressure will drop another 0.13 in hg as a twenty-mph south wind drives the low-pressure system to the center of the state. Rain is forecasted for Friday night. Fish will adjust even deeper to maintain comfort and some fish will continue to feed as they move out into deeper feeding areas.

This weekend everything reverses as the low-pressure system leaves the state and a high-pressure system moves in. Pressure will rise sharply Saturday morning as a fifteen-mph northwest wind begins. Barometers will rise 0.22 in hg by Saturday evening and another 0.12 in hg by Sunday midday. Expect fish to move up into the shoreline shallows.

Because of the heavy feeding activity Wednesday and Thursday, which might even continue into Friday, I believe fish will not feed as they normally would during the day and day after the full moon. Digestion speeds this time of year are much slower so it will be hard to accurately predict feed rates this weekend.

Sunshine will dominate every day, but Friday and temperature change will not be a factor since a seven-to-ten-degree fluctuation is predicted over a three-day period. And a mild low-pressure system is forecasted to enter the state Sunday night so Monday morning pre-front conditions will occur, and I predict fish will feed at above average rates during Monday’s underfoot moon period.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Solar energy makes the fishes’ world go round. But the solar energy factor’s affects change with the seasons. During the winter the warming of the water temperatures daily becomes the major cause for the fishes’ feeding activity. The greater the temperature rise, the greater the feeding activity. For this reason, anglers can expect to experience very good fishing when the full moon’s midday underfoot period occurs during the high-temp period. And the underfoot period will produce better and better daily at it enters the midafternoon hours. So, expect the end of the full moon seven-day phase to produce the highest feed rates of the month next week.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 10:40 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 9:300-11:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-eight minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number.

A second major feeding period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 3:56 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Friday when feeding activity slows to a four to five rating due to more fish feeding during the underfoot period.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 5:25 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:58 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor feed period happens today when the overhead moon occurs at 11:04 p.m. producing a feed rating of perhaps four from 10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and will improve to a four to five feed rating during the weekend.

Best Fishing Days of Week: I am going to go out on a very low hanging limb here. I predict that the beginning and the end of the seven-day full moon phase will produce better than the day before, the day of, and the day after the night of the full moon. Low pressure warm front timing and daily warm water temperatures, will be the major factors that cause major feeding periods over the next seven days.

Prime Monthly Periods: February 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit this website page type into your browser HighlandsBassAngler.com which is hosted on my FloridaGunSelfDefense.net, website domain.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.48’ above sea level with three gates open seven inches flowing a combined total of 740 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: I am offering extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot’s locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week. Some content is free, but a paid subscription will be required for the majority of the extra content.

Challenging Fishing Conditions Followed by Good Full Moon Fishing, This Week - Highlands News-Sun Newspaper Article for February 18-25, 2024.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of February gives anglers a medium strength moon, a full moon phase, and the same winter weather forecast we’ve experienced since December. All fishing factors considered; anglers will have challenging fishing during the first half of the week but improving conditions should produce fairly good full moon fishing the second half of the week.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And visit Angler Hot Spots Info page, for extra fishing content such as Hot Spots Locations, Advanced Angling Techniques and more.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two days past the first quarter moon and the moon is currently directly within the solar energy path---High Moon. The lunar influence is therefore at full strength, but the lunar orbit is moving toward the apogee position which will occur next Sunday. Simply put, the blocking affect of the moon on solar energy will diminish as the moon moves further away from the earth this week. The feed rating daily high will remain in the six to seven range even when the full moon at lunar apogee occurs next weekend.

Weather Factors: Today a low-pressure system with heavy cloud-cover and thirteen mph north wind, (very rare to have a low-pressure system with a medium strength north wind) will cause fish to remain away from protective cover. I expect feeding activity to be low in numbers due to fish feeding at above average rates last Friday and Saturday morning.

A slow-moving high-pressure system will begin to enter the state late this afternoon, producing a consistent ten mph north wind today through Wednesday. Atmospheric pressure will begin to climb .017 in hg this evening and continue to climb another 0.17 in hg by Tuesday morning, so expect fish to be moving upward during this pressure change period. Bright sunshine will prevail Monday through Thursday causing fish to hold tight to cover.

Wednesday afternoon a low-pressure system arrives and will cause pressure to fall 0.12 in hg during the afternoon and from Thursday morning through Friday midday pressure will drop 0.32 in hg causing fish to move downward and away from shoreline shallows. A westerly eight mph wind will begin Thursday and become a very strong twenty plus mph west wind by Friday. And next weekend a high-pressure system enters the state causing ideal wind speeds, west on Saturday and north on Sunday and pressure will climb 0.15 in hg both days causing fish to move into the shallows again.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The lunar high position will produce a slight uptick in feed ratings which would be substantially more if the moon wasn’t heading toward orbit apogee. However, the arrival of the full moon Saturday will cause a one-point rise in feed ratings Friday through next Sunday. A seven rating will occur at best due to the additional factor of dropping water temperatures.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 8 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of six from 7-9 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains as the same feed rating.

A second major period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 1:06 p.m. and solar noon at 12:38 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 12-3 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-seven minutes and produces the same feed rating. Note: it is possible that fish could feed slightly better than advertised due to the rising water temperatures and bright sunshine.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 8:28 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and produces the same feed rating until the full moon seven-day phase begins Wednesday. I predict a five rating throughout the full moon phase.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Wednesday afternoon through Thursday early morning pre-front conditions will occur as pressure drops and fish adjust downward. They will feed as they adjust. Wednesday’s moonrise period and Thursday’s underfoot moon period should produce above advertised rates.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40” above sea level with three gates open three inches flowing a combined total of 340 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at www.HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot’s locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week. A paid subscription will be required for the majority of the content.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications and more at www.HighlandsBassAngler.com. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Good Fishing Today and Friday for Late Afternoon Anglers - February 14-18, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the second week of February gives anglers a strong first quarter moon phase and a milder version of the winter high-low pressure system roller coaster ride of the past two months. All fishing factors considered; anglers will experience ideal winter weather meaning no extreme conditions but enough fish adjustment activity to make fishing above average.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two days before the first quarter moon and four days from the lunar high. Therefore, lunar influence will be at the strongest rate as the moon is at half strength during the first quarter phase, which is when the overhead moon improves the sunset bite and the underfoot moon improves the sunrise bite. Of the two choices to fish, I’m going with the late afternoon to sunset period over the next five days. Warmer water does make a difference this time of year.

Weather Factors: Today atmospheric pressure will finish rising 0.35 in hg which began twenty-four hours ago. Therefore, you can expect fish to be finishing their upward movement by noon today. Bright sunshine prevails today, and Thursday and wind will be ideal at seven mph from the northeast today and from the southeast Thursday. Friday a low-pressure system enters the state dropping pressure with a south to southwest wind creating pre-front conditions and significant cloud-cover.

Saturday a twelve-mph southwest wind will produce rain which will continue into Monday morning. Sunday a ten-mph north wind will begin and continue until next Wednesday and temperatures will drop about twelve degrees as a result. Pressure will also rise from midday Saturday though Tuesday. The increase will be gradual and not enough to cause fish adjustment activity—a daily pressure rise of 0.07 in hg is forecasted.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Even though the moon will be at half strength as the new moon arrives it will be directly within the solar energy path which means the overhead and underfoot periods will provide some improvement in the sunset and sunset periods respectively. Bright sunshine will cause fish to remain tight to cover today and Thursday and heavy clouds and rain will cause fish to move into open water areas Friday through Sunday. Also, pressure will drop fast enough on Friday to cause above-average feeding activity.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 4:54 p.m. and will produce a six rating from 3:30-6 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating but could produce a better feed rating on Friday due to pre-front conditions.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 10:13 a.m. producing a feed rating of four and perhaps five from 9-11:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating with a chance of a one-point improvement on Friday, again when pre-front conditions occur.

A second minor period happens today when the underfoot moon occurs at 4:29 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty minutes and produces the same feed rating until the weekend when it combined with the sunrise period and produces a five-feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Friday pre-front conditions occur, causing a significant drop in pressure which will cause fish to move downward Friday afternoon into the prime period of the overhead moon and sunset period. A feed rating about two points higher than advertised will occur. Saturday morning could also produce above-average feed rates when the underfoot moon and sunrise periods also have a pressure drop of 0.10 in hg.

Also, today pressure increase will be substantial as already stated above. Fishing the overhead moon period today will be a good choice because chances are good that fish will be feeding as they are forced to move up into feeding grounds.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.44” above sea level with three gates open four inches flowing a combined total of 460 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: If there are sections missing in today’s paper edition you can access the entire article at www.HighlandsBassAngler.com along with extra angler content on my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spots locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info every week. Some content is free, but a paid subscription will be required for the majority of the extra content.

Good Super New Moon Fishing, Next Two Days - February 11-18, 2023

Note: I was providing a Substack Email Notice for both the Sunday and Wednesday Highlands Bass Angler fishing forecast articles but from now on I’ll provide two notices, one Sunday and one during the midweek, or when I publish a Florida Gun & Self Defense article. The Wednesday fishing article won’t have a notice unless it’s published along with a FGSD article.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of February gives anglers the last two days of the super new moon week and the same weather pattern we’ve experienced since the winter season began. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent fishing then need to adjust for another cold front followed by another warm front which will keep fish adjusting, which means good fishing will continue.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And visit Angler Hot Spots Info page, this week more hot spots coordinates and extra info.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:39 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two days past the super new moon which arrived a orbit perigee yesterday which means fish will be feeding at above average rates today during the overhead moon and the moonrise periods. And the moon is halfway from the lunar high position within the solar energy path, meaning it’s at half strength.

Weather Factors: Today we are three days into a warming trend which will end late Monday night when a high pressure fifteen-degree cold front arrives producing rain Monday night. Pressure is dropping today enough to cause some fish adjustment activity downward. This pressure decline will continue until Tuesday morning when it reverses and begins a rapid increase of 0.17 in hg over a twenty-four-hour period causing fish to move back into the shallows.

The sun-to-cloud ratio will remain about the same as today’s fifty-fifty ratio over the next four days, but the wind forecast will present a challenge for angler today through Tuesday. Today a south wind will climb to fifteen mph speeds by midday when the prime fishing period occurs. Monday a twenty-mph south wind will occur and switch to a fifteen-mph west wind on Tuesday. Wednesday a weak north wind will gradually switch to a weak east wind by Thursday. Friday a low-pressure system will produce rain which will continue through next weekend when a strong south wind prevails Saturday and next Sunday.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: The warming trend combined with the super new moon will produce excellent fishing today as the lunar influence and the warmest water period of the day produce a combined influence that results in a seven to eight feed rating, which is above the predicted rating by all the fishing publications. And if you can safely fish in a strong south wind on Monday, you’ll do well in the pre-front conditions which will improve feeding activity participation rates.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 2:23 p.m. producing a feed rate of eight from 1-4 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Tuesday when the rating begins to drop one number daily until midweek when it normalizes to a five to six rating from 3-6 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:28 a.m. producing a feed rating of five or slightly better, from 7-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by thirty-six minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 8:24 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the super new moon and the warming trend will combine to produce excellent fishing. Also Friday and Saturday a rapid falling barometer will cause fish adjustment activity to greatly increase causing fish to feed as they move downward during the pre-front conditions.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.47” above sea level with three gates open five inches flowing a combined total of 570 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Super New Moon Fishing Next Five Days - February 7-12, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the first week of February gives anglers a super new moon and an almost perfect weather forecast for catching fish. All fishing factors considered; anglers should have plans to fish today through Sunday. I predicting the best fishing days so far this winter.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for additional angling content on Angler Hot Spots Info page.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:39 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are two days away from the new moon which will arrive at orbit perigee 19:50 hours later, which makes it a Super New Moon. However, the moon arrived at its furthest point out of the solar energy path yesterday—lunar low. Therefore, Friday’s super new moon will produce a rating two to three points lower than a ten rating which would have occurred during a lunar high.

It should be noted that the weather warming trend plus the fact that the overhead moon begins to occur during the warmest water period of the day this weekend could result in an equal and perhaps greater than feed rating than the seven rating on Friday.

Weather Factors: Today a high-pressure cold front continues to advance down into our state. Atmospheric pressure will finish rising 0.24 in hg this evening---started rising twenty-four hours ago. Fish are on the move upward but should normalize by Friday’s super new moon which occurs during solar noon.

Pressure will remain stable until Friday when a low-pressure system begins to enter the state causing pressure to drop 0.14 in hg from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Due to the pressure drop and the underfoot super new moon combined effect, the feed rating should be better than the seven-rating predicted. I’ll predict a one point increase due to weather factors. Pressure continues to fluctuate downward Saturday and Sunday with a overall daily drop of 0.14 in hg, which is enough of a change to cause fish to continue to move deeper and away from shoreline feeding areas.

The sun-to-cloud factor today is one hundred percent sunshine but that ends tonight as a fifty-fifty ratio begins and will continue through the weekend. Therefore, fish adjustment activity will increase as fish move back and forth from cover to open areas consistently throughout the day.

Winds will be at ideal speeds of eight to twelve mph today from the north. On Thursday a mild east wind occurs and becomes a very mild south wind on Friday. Saturday and Sunday a ten-mph south wind will create ideal wave action and water temperatures will climb enough to cause fish to need more food as their body’s metabolisms speed up. Pressure will drop continually Friday through Monday, enough to cause a steady movement toward deeper feeding areas, which is the norm when four days of south winds occur in the winter.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: As already addressed, the warming trend will be enough to cause fish to require more food when they feed. Therefore, I expect the second half of the super new moon week, which is Friday through Monday to be much better than today and Thursday. And the added influence of steady pressure drop will force fish to adjust downward and they’ll feed as they go. I’m betting Saturday and Sunday will produce better than Friday when the moon is overhead. And if the extended weather forecast is correct Sunday will also be a pre-front day making Sunday my best guess as the ideal day to catch big fish.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 10:31 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 9:30-11:45 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and increases in feed rating by a half number, which will continue until Sunday afternoon when it tops-out at an eight rating. Monday the rating drops by at least one number daily until it normalizes in the five to six range by next Wednesday.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 3:40 p.m. during the warmest water period of the day and will produce a feed rating of five from 2-5 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by seventy-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 5:22 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:09 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Friday’s super new moon occurs two days after a cold front, but water temperatures will have been warming for those two days and will continue to warm significantly from Friday through Sunday. So, I’m predicting the weekend to produce the best and at the very least, as good as Friday. I have to believe the warming water temperatures adds a point or more to the feed rating this weekend.

Prime Monthly Periods: February 7-11 weak super new moon, 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon, May 4-10 strong new moon, 21-25 weak full moon, June 3-9, strong new moon, 19-23 weak full moon.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Florida Weather Specific Fishing Forecast’ in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.40” above sea level with three gates open three inches flowing a combined total of 340 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds, go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: Extra angler content is available on the new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Extras such as angler hot spot locations, techniques, methods, and other angling info. Some content is free, but a paid subscription is required for the majority of the extra content.

Challenging Fishing Will Improve to Excellent Fishing - February 4-11, 2024.

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of February gives the freshwater anglers the week of a super new moon and the same winter weather pattern of the past two months. All fishing factors considered; the first half of the week will be far more challenging than the second half of the week. The super new moon will occur during a consistent warming trend which means excellent fishing will occur.

Get ready, the best fishing days of the month will begin Wednesday.

Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit Angler Hot Spots Info page for in-depth and detailed angler content.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are five days away from the new moon which will arrive at orbit perigee 19:50 minutes later, which makes it a Super New Moon. However, the moon will arrive at its furthest point out of the solar energy path Tuesday—lunar low.

Therefore, angler can expect a top feed rating on Friday and Saturday to be seven or slightly higher. But it should be noted that as the new moon occurs within the warmest water temperature period that feed rating will improve and perhaps produce an eight-rating next Sunday through Tuesday.

Weather Factors: Today a low-pressure system is entering the state producing mild warming of about ten degrees and a fifteen-mph south wind will produce rainfall over the next thirty hours. Pressure is dropping resulting in fish moving deeper. Monday winds will come from the northwest at ideal speeds in the ten-mph range and pressure will remain stable. Tuesday a twenty-mph north wind as a cold front drops temps ten degree and pressure rises 0.35 in hg in twenty-four hours causing fish to move shallow.

Wednesday a twelve-mph north wind occurs with stable pressure. Thursday an ideal east wind occurs and will switch to an ideal south wind for Friday which will produce a fifteen-degree improvement in temperatures for next weekend.

Clouds will prevail today and Monday, and a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio will occur Thursday through next weekend. Bright sunshine prevails Tuesday and Wednesday. So even though the new moon overhead period will be strengthening this week, due to the cold front fish will be feeding primarily during the warmest water period of the day.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: With the lunar low occurring Tuesday and the cold front keeping water temperature in the lower-sixties to upper fifty-degree range, fish will naturally feed when their bodies are warmest and metabolism speeds are highest, which will be from 1-4 p.m. But the lunar affect will strengthen as the super new moon develops daily, causing more fish to become active when positive ion levels increase as a result.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 7:32 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:11 a.m. producing a feed rating of five or slightly better from 6-9 a.m. Daily, the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when the beginning of the super new moon causes more fish to feed during this period. And as the new moon begins to happen when daily water temps reach the daily high degree, even more fish will be joining the feeding frenzy a super new moon produces.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 12:44 p.m. and solar noon at 12:38 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty minutes and will produce a better feed rating as it begins to occur during the warmest water period of the day, which will be Tuesday and Wednesday. I predict a five to six rating, which if it does improve will make it a major feeding period.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 7:59 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 7-9 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by about one hour and produces a three to four feed rating.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 2:13 a.m. producing a feed rating of three from 1-3 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by sixty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Thursday when it harmonizes with the sunrise and produces a five rating which should remain consistent through next weekend.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the super new moon occurring Friday during the solar noon period, Thursday through Sunday will be exceptional fishing days. It’s hard to predict if the day of the super new moon will be better than Saturday and Sunday but I’ll predict that as the moon moves into the warm water period of the day the feeding activity improves over what the day of the super new moon produces.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Central Florida Weather Specific’ fishing forecast in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.37” above sea level with three gates open three inches flowing a combined total of 340 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: I am publishing extra fishing forecast content on the “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage. Angler hot spots’ locations, bass fishing techniques, detailed fishing methods, and other angling information will be published weekly. This page will offer some free content, but a paid subscription will be required for the majority of the content.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Winter Weather and Weak Moon Challenge Anglers - January 31-February 5, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last day of January and the first four days of February gives the freshwater anglers a weak last quarter moon phase and a winter weather forecast pattern. All fishing factors considered; anglers will have the best success fishing when water temperatures are warmest during the middle to late afternoon hours leading into the sunset hours. However abnormal atmospheric pressure changes will make predictions……suspect---I won’t be putting any money down on the table.

But I’ll give it the ‘old college try.’ Here are the solar-lunar and weather fishing factors plus conclusions and predictions to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit the Angler Hot Spots Info webpage for additional angling content.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Four days ago, the lunar apogee occurred and Friday the last quarter moon occurs. The moon is heading toward the lunar low position and will arrive there Tuesday. Therefore, anglers can expect a weak lunar influence when the underfoot moon occurs during the sunset hours and at the tail end of the warmest water period of the day.

Weather Factors: What I call a true winter weather pattern has arrived and will continue over the next ten days. Meaning, nighttime low temps will average in the middle forties to the lower fifties five days out of seven. Water temperatures will therefore slow feeding activity and fish will remain influenced by the warmest water temperature of the day rather than noticing the minor influence of the moon on solar energy levels.

Atmospheric pressure change will be a factor over the next ten days. Pressure will rise today through Thursday afternoon 0.20 in hg which is enough to cause fish to move upward into the shallows. Saturday through Monday pressure will drop continually, for a total of 0.56 in hg---not a typo. Fish will be constantly on the move deeper throughout the three-day period.

And looking a head to next week’s pressure plot, pressure will continually rise 0.75 in hg –not a typo, from Monday afternoon through next Thursday morning. Note: I’ve not seen a pressure phenomenon like this ever during the winter season!

Wind speeds will not be a factor except for today when a twenty-mph west wind occurs, and Sunday when a fifteen-mph south wind occurs. Wind direction will change daily but speeds will remain in the five-mph range. Monday and Tuesday speeds will be in the fifteen to eighteen mph range from the west and north respectively.

The sun-to-cloud ratio today through Saturday will be seventy-thirty during the daytime. Sunday and Monday rainfall with a ratio of thirty-seventy will occur.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Weak lunar influence will provide a minor half-point uptick in feed rating today through Saturday when the majority of fish feed during the warmest water period of the day. Lunar influence will not begin to noticeably improve feeding activity until the middle of next week when the super new moon begins to become a factor.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 4:53 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 3:30-6 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number. Saturday and Sunday a feed rating of five will occur from 5-8 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 10:28 a.m. producing a feed rating of three or a little better from 9 :30-11:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs thirty minutes later and produces a better feed rating as it enters the warmest water period of the day this weekend and the beginning of next week. Sunday a rating of four to five will occur.

A second minor period happens today the overhead moon occurs at 4:33 a.m. and produces a feed rating of two to three from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the weekend when it begins to slightly improve to a four from 5:30-8:30 a.m.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Saturday and Sunday, enough pressure change will occur to cause a major fish population adjustment and subsequent increased feeding activity. Today the pressure increases, causing fish to move upward, and this weekend the pressure drops, causing fish to move downward. Both periods will produce increased feeding activity.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult fishing ‘help’ publications’ every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ true a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Solunar Central Florida Weather Specific’ fishing forecast in your hands. Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated, please use email to do so, thank you.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.42” above sea level with three gates open six inches flowing a combined total of 650 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: I am publishing extra fishing forecast content now on Angler Hot Spots Info webpage. This biweekly newspaper article will provide basic information as it has since 2005, and I’ll be adding detailed fishing content such as, hot spots locations, bass fishing techniques, detailed methods, and other angling information weekly. There will be some free content, but a paid subscription will be required for the majority of the content.

Big Bass Feed When All Other Fish Don’t - January 28-31, 2024

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last for days of January and beginning of February gives the freshwater anglers the end of the full moon phase, a weakening lunar effect and a dominate winter weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; angler will find fishing very challenging this week due to a slow-moving cold front with no dominate lunar effect. Fish will not be active very often as a result.

But since we’re in Florida, it is ‘always possible’ that an angler, at any time, can in fact catch the fish of a lifetime, because the monster bass never seems to get my memos. So don’t let a little cold air and a weak moon stop you. You’re in the land with the ‘lakes of the impossible’. So…...Go Get ’Em.

Florida is the “Land of Lucky Fishermen”. There’s a hungry feeding monster bass out there somewhere.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:38 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are three days past the full moon and heading towards the last quarter moon which occurs Friday. And the moon is heading away from the solar energy path which always means lunar effect on fish activity will be diminishing daily until the process reverses after the lunar low on February 6. Simply stated, the lunar factor will be weak today and getting weaker over the next ten days.

Weather Factors: Today a twenty-degree cold front is arriving, and atmospheric pressure will rise 0.14 in hg over the next twenty-four hours. It’s a very slow-moving system which will dominate conditions until the second half of the week. Any increase in water temperatures over the past four to five days will be negated which will cause fish to feed less often and eat less when they do feed. And you can expect the warmest water period of the day to be when fish feed, especially since the lunar effect is becoming weaker by the day.

The sun-to-cloud factor will be good starting Monday and will remain so until next weekend when a low-pressure system arrives, producing rain and heavy cloud cover. And wind speeds from the west will be within the ideal range of eight to twelve mph except for today. A strong twenty mph west wind will make fishing a challenge today. Monday through Thursday atmospheric pressure change will not be a factor.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: Due to a weak lunar effect, the slow-moving cold front arriving today will have a lasting effect until next weekend, which significantly slows down the fish’s metabolism and digestive system resulting in fish feeding less and minimally when they do need to feed. Due to bright sunshine this week, fish will feed mostly when water temperatures have reached the daily high temp from 1-5 p.m.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 2:55 p.m. and will produce a feed rating of five from 2-4 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty minutes and the feed rating will drop to a three to four rating due to the falling water temperature. However as already stated, the underfoot moon will occur during the warmest water period of the day, “which will act as a wildcard factor, which means depending on the lake you fish, you could experience a much higher feed rating”.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 9:08 a.m. and produces a feed rating of three from 8-10 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by twenty-seven minutes and the feed rating will remain unchanged until it enters the warm water period of the day next weekend.

And for all you nighttime anglers who might fish this week, the moonrise occurs at 8:47 p.m. today and occurs later each night by fifty-two minutes and the overhead moon occurs tonight at 2:35 a.m. and it occurs later nightly by forty minutes, and both will have a feed rating of two to three this week. And feeding periods will be very short in duration and intensity.

Best Fishing Days of Week: I threw a dart at my wall calendar while blindfolded and it landed on Saturday. It is the day of this week, with the most atmospheric pressure downward change triggered by a southerly wind. Other than that, no other factors change enough to cause a high level of fish adjustment activity, which is the fishing factor which causes feeding activity.

I use all the angler fishing apps, websites, and consult with fishing ‘help’ publications’ information every week. And I have found that my own fishing journal history proves the majority of these fishing resources’ projections true, a majority of the time. However, when they do fail, it’s due to a weather factor which the publications cannot account for. It is for this reason that I provide my angler website. To put a ‘Central Florida Weather Specific’ angler fishing forecast, in your hands.

Lake Istokpoga Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level is 39.38” above sea level with three gates open six inches flowing a combined total of 630 cubic feet per second. To check the current seasonal high-low level thresholds go to these two sources- S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga Graphic Plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: I am publishing extra fishing forecast content here. This biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content you’ll have to go to my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage on the menu bar above. Angler hot spot locations, bass fishing techniques, detailed methods, and other information will be published weekly. This page will be free for everyone during January but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

Best Fishing Days of January Have Arrived, Time to Go Fishing - Jan.24-28, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the fourth week of January gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last four days of the full moon phase and the best winter weather forecast an angler could hope for. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent full moon fishing as the weather and solunar factors harmonize perfectly.

The best fishing days of January have arrived. Hopefully you have the time to go fishing over the next four days because fish will become more active as the warming trend continues. The weather could not be more perfect for January fishing.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for additional angling content on Angler Hot Spots Info page. Recently published, “Solunar Factors Explained, Does the Moon Cause Fish to Feed?”

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:37 p.m. over the next four days. Today is the day before the full moon and the lunar high occurred two days ago and the lunar orbit is five days away from the point of apogee, which means the full moon will produce a feed rating high of seventy-five which I believe will be slightly better due to the warming trend we’re experiencing, which is forecasted to last until Saturday night when a high-pressure twenty-degree cold front arrives.

Weather Factors: Today through Saturday a low pressure slow moving warm front which has moved up into the state will produce high-low temperatures in the eighty-five, sixty-five-degree ranges. The sun-to-cloud ratio will gradually change from today’s thirty-seventy ratio to seventy-thirty ratio by Saturday.

The wind forecast predicts speeds higher than ideal. A fifteen-mph east wind today, thirteen-mph southeast wind Thursday, twelve-mph south wind Friday and an eight-mph south wind Saturday. It should be noted that the daily high wind speed will occur during the underfoot moon period.

Atmospheric pressure change will not be a major factor until Sunday night and Monday when a high-pressure system enters the state. And the reason it won’t be a factor is because the low-pressure system currently in our state is moving very slowly and if the extended weather forecast is correct the upcoming high-pressure system will also be a slow mover. The highest the pressure change will be over the next four days is 0.09 in hg. Sunday night pressure will rise 0.12 in hg by Monday morning.

Solunar to Weather Influence Variable: I am predicting the weather will produce a positive influence in the form of rising temperatures, increasing sunshine and a consistent southerly wind producing ideal wave-action. Therefore, the 7-feed-rate prediction will improve 1.5 points over the next four days.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 11:53 a.m. and solar noon at 12:37 p.m. producing a feed rating of eight or slightly better from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily, the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Saturday when feed rates begin to decline one point per day and will normalize next Monday producing a feed rate of five to six from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 5:04 p.m. and the sunset at 6 p.m. producing a feed rating of five or slightly better from 4-6 p.m. Daily, the moonrise occurs later by one hour with an unchanging feed rating until the weekend when a three rating occurs from 7-9 p.m.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 6:42 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:16 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 6-8:30 a.m. Daily, the moonset occurs later by forty-four minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period happens today when the moon is overhead at 11:53 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. Daily the overhead full moon occurs later by forty-six minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number Sunday night.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Friday the full moon daytime underfoot period will produce an eight rating or perhaps better. Fish are still in a ‘warmest water period of the day’ feeding pattern and I believe they’ll continue that trend but begin to feed as the underfoot moon happens. With the sun becoming brighter each day over the next four days, more fish will participate in the major feeding period of the underfoot moon.

Prime Monthly Periods: January 24-27 last four days of full moon phase, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.30” above sea level with three gates open five to six inches flowing a combined total of 570 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively. Internet Link to S68 Spillway - Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov) and Istokpoga graphic plot - isthp.pdf (army.mil)

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I am publishing extra fishing forecast content here. The biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content, you’ll have to come here to access it. Also check out the “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage on the menu bar. Angler hot-spots locations, bass fishing techniques, detailed methods, and other information will be published weekly. This page will be free for everyone during January but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Warm Full Moon Fishing This Week - January 21-24, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of January gives the Florida freshwater anglers the week of the full moon and a warm winter weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; warming conditions, a fairly strong full moon will provide angles with excellent fishing this week. It’s time to do some Florida winter fishing.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:36 p.m. over the next four days. Today we are four days from the full moon and Monday the lunar high occurs however when the full moon occurs Thursday night the moon will be four days away from arriving at the obit apogee. And since there’s no extreme weather change predicted this week, and the moon will be at full strength tomorrow, the first half of this week’s full moon phase will be better than the last half.

However, it should be noted that fish are feeding during the warmest water period of the day and when the underfoot moon occurs during this period next Friday through Sunday, the combined solunar-weather factor could produce the best fishing days of the week.

Weather Factors: The good news for this week is a significant warming trend is going to happen as the full moon phase begins Monday. And there’s more good news, the sun-to-cloud ratio will be a perfect fifty-fifty ratio Wednesday through the end of the week. Water temperatures will rise daily which means fish will be feeding more often.

Atmospheric pressure change will play a minor role in creating fish adjustment activity Tuesday afternoon when pressure drops about 0.12 in hg. Other than that, pressure change will not be a factor. Wind speeds will be at fifteen mph from the northeast today and an east wind with top speeds in the early afternoons will occur Monday through Wednesday. Thursday a southerly wind will produce ten mph speeds and will continue through Saturday.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the underfoot moon occurs at 9:09 a.m. and produces a feed rating of five to six from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and will have a feeding rating improvement of about a half a number. Thursday a feed rating of seven will occur from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. I believe the feed rating will remain in the six to seven range through Saturday as the underfoot moon occurs during the warmest water period of the day.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 2:19 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 1-3:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-two minutes and remains as the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the overhead moon occurs at 9:37 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Wednesday through Friday a feed rating of five will occur from 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. The majority of fish populations are still feeding primarily during the warmest water period of the day so when water temps are lowest, feeding will only occur with fish who ‘need to feed’ because they failed to successfully feed twelve hours prior.

A third minor period happens when the moonset occurs today at 3:55 a.m. producing a feed rate of three from 3-5 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when it begins to harmonize with the sunrise period and produce a feed rating of four to five from 5:30-8:30 a.m. From Wednesday through the end of the week the moonset advances thirty-eight minutes a day and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: This month’s full moon phase looks to be a good one. Warming water temperatures, perfect sun to cloud ratio, ideal consistent weather pattern, and a fairly strong lunar affect. I’ll predict Wednesday through Saturday to yield very good results with Thursday and Friday being the best of the four-day period.

Prime Monthly Periods: January 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.45” above sea level with three gates open four inches flowing a combined total of 440 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I am publishing extra fishing forecast content here. This biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content you’ll have to go to my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage which is also in the menu bar above. Angler hot spot’s locations, bass fishing techniques, detailed methods, and other information will be published weekly. This page will be free for everyone during January but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

Good Fishing from the Midafternoon Through the Sunset Period - Jan. 17-21, 2024

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second half of the third week of January gives the Florida freshwater anglers the first quarter moon phase and a strengthening lunar effect. And the winter weather pattern will continue through the end of this week and into next week. All fishing factors considered, anglers will do well to fish during the warmest water periods of the day which will be just prior to the overhead moon and the sunset periods.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit the Angler Hot Spots Info page for additional angling content, this week I’ll be addressing Solar and Lunar Tables and Forecasts and what is true and not true about them.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:35 p.m. over the next four days. Today the first quarter moon occurs and in five days the lunar high occurs, meaning the moon’s affect is strengthening for the rest of this week. Therefore, the lunar influence will be adding one rating point of slightly more to the normal feed ratings over the next five to six days.

Weather Factors: Today atmospheric pressure will top-out at 30.28 in hg after climbing 0.35 in hg over the past twenty-four hours. Anglers can expect fish to be in the shallow feeding areas today and Thursday. Thursday afternoon pressure will drop 0.15 in hg which is enough pressure change to cause fish to move deeper to the outside edges of shoreline vegetation. Late Friday pressure will again begin to climb 0.30 in hg by Saturday midday. And climb another 0.0.15 in hg by Sunday midday. So, this weekend expect fish to be moving into the shallow again, feeding as they go.

Cloud-cover will dominate every day but Saturday, but wind speeds will be in the ideal range of 8-12 mph until Sunday. Daily the wind direction changes until Monday when a fairly strong east wind prevails for three days. Rainfall is expected Thursday and Friday, and Friday night through the weekend cold temperatures will slowdown feeding activity, but fish will feed during the warmest water period of the day.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 6:10 p.m. and the sunset at 5:54 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5-7 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and the feed rating will decline by one number until the weekend when it normalizes at the three to four range from 7-10 p.m. and becomes a minor period.

A second major period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 11:40 a.m. and solar noon at 13:35 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by thirty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating as the warmest water period of the day keep feeding activity going.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 5:46 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:17 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 5-8 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating through the weekend.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Thursday pressure drops enough to cause major movement to deeper areas, and I expect fish to feed as they adjust downward. And Friday pre-front conditions occur which will also trigger fish to feed as a high-pressure cold front begins to enter the state, signaled to the fish by a rapid reverse in pressure movement. As pressure first begins to sharply rise, fish will feed at above average rates Friday evening during the sunset period.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.36” above sea level with three gates open eight inches flowing a combined total of 880 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I will be publishing extra fishing forecast content here and at the Angler Hot Spots Info page. This biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but you can access all my fishing content on this website. I will be providing hot spot information on various lakes and as always, I’ll provide free information on any lake you want to fish if you become a paid subscriber to my website.

Check out my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage on the menu bar. There will be free access for everyone for January, but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Freshwater Fish Feeding During Warmest Water Period of the Day

Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for January 14-17, 2024

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first half of the third week of January gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last day of the new moon phase today and the same winter weather forecast pattern of the past month. All fishing factors considered; anglers will do well to fish during the warmest water period of the day.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. And a reminder to visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for additional angling content, this week I’ll be addressing Solar and Lunar Tables and Forecasts and what is true and not true about them.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Solar noon occurs at 12:34 p.m. over the next four days. Today marks the third day since the new moon and yesterday the lunar orbit perigee occurred. And the moon is eight days away from arriving at the lunar high position. So, the level or rate of effect on fish and wildlife by the moon will be increasing and anglers will notice this fact by way of a few more feeding fish during the daily major lunar periods.

However, since fish this time of year, when water temperature is solidly in the sixty-degree range, the majority of the fish feed when their bodies metabolism speeds are highest, and that naturally occurs mainly on sunny days while the sun is overhead and the few hours afterward.

The interaction of the moon with solar energy creates a variation in the amount of solar energy entering the earth’s atmosphere, nothing more. It doesn’t make fish feed! Instead, it changes the fish’s energy-level ability, which doesn’t always translate into a greater feeding rate if weather conditions work against this natural phenomenon. For instance, to take this reasoning to the extreme, a twenty-degree cold front negates a super new moon occurring during a lunar high, because weather produced temperature change shuts down the metabolism of the fish. And Florida summer conditions have the same effect on fish as a cold front because weather conditions always trump the solunar factors.

But when solunar factors benefit fish and angler, is when weather conditions work in harmony with the sun and the moon and produce water temperatures in the seventy-degree range and changing atmospheric pressure forces fish to have a high level of “Fish Adjustment Activity”.

If you’d like a comprehensive factual explanation of this natural phenomenon stop by my website, I’ll offer this content for free in honor of all those who cast dispersions upon simple astrophysics in the context of the heliosphere and how observational physics affects ichthyology.

Weather Factors: The winter weather pattern of the past month continues this week. Daily wind direction changes but wind speeds will remain in the ideal range of eight to twelve mph until next weekend which will have fifteen mph speeds or greater.

Cloud-cover dominates everyday but Wednesday and Thursday morning and next weekend which will have a sun-to-cloud ratio of twenty-five to seventy-five. Rainfall also is forecasted for later this evening, Monday and Tuesday and Friday and Wednesday’s north wind could be stronger than twelve mph.

Atmospheric pressure change will be a factor Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon when pressure drops 0.14 in hg causing fish to adjust downward. Tuesday night through Wednesday evening pressure will rise 0.30 in hg causing fish to adjust upward. And next weekend pressure will steadily rise 0.35 in hg as a strong high pressure cold front moves into the state.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the overhead new moon occurs at 3:44 p.m. works to enhance the warm water period of the day which peaks at 3 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and decreases in feed rating by one number. By midweek a feed rating of four to five will occur from 5-7 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 9:58 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 9-11 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by thirty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 9:36 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at a four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: The warmest day of the week, and thus the best day of the week to catch fish will be Monday and Tuesday with Tuesday being the best day due to pre-front conditions. Fish will feed when the water temperature is at the daily high mark and the overhead moon will also extend feeding activity into the five o’clock hour. Note, the moon plays a part but is secondary to the weather factor of ‘cold-water high-temp period’.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.30” above sea level with three gates open four inches flowing a combined total of 440 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I will be publishing extra fishing forecast content here on this webpage This biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content, you’ll find it on this page. I will be providing hot spot information on various lakes and as always, I’ll provide free information on any lake you want to fish if you subscribe to my website.

Check out my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage on the menu bar above. Free access for everyone for the month of January but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

I have been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Contact me by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Tough Fishing Until Wednesday, Changing Weather Conditions Challenge Anglers Fishing Forecast for January.10-14, 2024.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first four days of the second week of January gives the Florida freshwater anglers a weak lunar influence, and very challenging weather conditions. All fishing factors considered; anglers will have to work for it over the next four days. Heavy cloud-cover, high winds, and a weak moon will test the angler’s resolve.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next three to four days. Note: This fishing column will again be published on Sunday and Wednesday.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The lunar low occurs Tuesday and the new moon arrives Thursday and the moon arrives at the closest orbit point to earth Saturday---lunar perigee. Therefore, anglers can expect a very weak lunar influence today through Tuesday and a medium strength lunar influence during the second half of the week. Solar noon occurs today at 12:30 p.m. and advances one minute every two days.

Weather Factors: Today a twelve-mph north wind is currently causing barometric pressure to rise 0.15 in hg by sunset and over the past twelve hours pressure increased 0.15 in hg. Fish are moving upward into shoreline feeding areas. But they won’t be there long because starting Monday during the midday hours pressure will begin to rapidly drop 0.55 in hg (that’s not a typo) by Tuesday midday, causing fish to move to much deeper areas. And once they arrive at their deep-water homes, they will again be forced back to the shallow with another high-pressure system causing pressure to rise 0.30 in hg by Thursday morning.

Bright sunshine will not occur until Wednesday, which will be the only day this week that doesn’t have heavy cloud-cover. High winds of twenty-five mph from the south will occur Tuesday and heavy rainfall is predicted. Higher than ideal winds will change direction daily with Thursday being the only day with ideal wind speeds of eight to ten mph from the east.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 8:52 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8-10 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Thursday’s new moon harmonizes with solar noon at 12:23 p.m. A feed rating of five will occur.

A second major period happens today when the moonset occurs at 2:10 p.m. and water temperatures reach the daily high degree mark. A feed rating of four will occur from 1-3:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty-seven minutes and the feed rating will remain the same until Thursday when it begins to decline to a three rating by the weekend.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 9:18 p.m. producing a feed rating of two to three from 8-10 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Of the next four days Wednesday, which is the day before the new moon, will provide ideal weather conditions and fish will be moving upward into shoreline feeding areas. However temperatures will be dropping so expect fish to be active in the mid to late morning hours.

Prime Monthly Periods: January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.27” above sea level with three gates open three inches flowing a combined total of 330 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I will be publishing extra fishing forecast content here at www.HighlandsBassAngler.com This biweekly newspaper column will provide basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content you’ll have to go to my website. I will be providing hot spot information on various lakes and as always, I’ll provide free information on any lake you want to fish if you subscribe to my website.

Check out my new “Angler Hot Spots Information” webpage on the menu bar of above. Free access for everyone for January but starting February a paid subscription will be required.

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Tough Fishing Until Wednesday, Weather Conditions Challenge Anglers - January 7-10, 2024 - Note: I will again be providing this article twice weekly, Sunday and Wednesday.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I will be publishing extra fishing forecast content on a new page “Angler Hot Spots Info” This biweekly newspaper column published here provides basic information, but if you want access to all my fishing content, you’ll have to go to the Angler Hot Spots Info page listed in the menu bar. I will be providing hot spot information on various lakes where I’ve had consistent success. This page will be free for the month of January only. I hope you’ll support my work by becoming a paid subscriber.

Happy ‘Fishing’ New Years, For Afternoon Anglers - Dec. 31 - January 7, 2024

Sorry for not posting last week’s article, which I did manage to remember to send into the Highlands News-Sun Newspaper editors but with all the changes in my normal schedule last week, I completely forgot to publish it here.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last day of December 2023 and the first week of January, gives the Florida freshwater anglers a typical winter weather pattern consisting of warm fronts interrupting dominate slow-moving high-pressure cold weather systems, which will occur twice this week. And fish will not be influenced much by the moon since it is at its weakest position this week. Solar energy will be the main factor in triggering feeding activity this week.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is at its furthest orbit point from earth—lunar apogee, and two days from the last quarter moon and halfway towards the lunar low position. Which all translates into a very weak lunar influence on fish and wildlife for the next ten days. Therefore, fish will be taking their feeding cues from solar energy and will be feeding at the highest rate during the daily warm water period which is from 2-4:30 p.m., especially on sunny days.

Weather Factors: Today and Monday sunlight will prevail over cloud-cover, Tuesday through Thursday cloud-cover will prevail over sunlight. Friday bright sunlight will occur followed by prevailing cloud-cover Saturday and a fifty-fifty condition for next Sunday and Monday.

Winter temperatures will remain consistent this week, which means fish will be feeding primarily when water temperatures reach the daily high degree mark in the middle of the afternoon, especially since the moon’s influence will be very weak at best.

Two low pressure systems will enter the state this week, the first one arrives Wednesday afternoon and will produce rain on Thursday and a pressure drop of 0.30 in hg over ten hours starting Wednesday midday. Fish will be adjusting much deeper as a result during this period.

But a high-pressure system will produce a pressure increase of 0.25 in hg Thursday night which will cause fish to reverse course and move upward. However late Friday night a second low pressure system enters the state and will drop pressure 0.15 in hg which is enough to cause fish to adjust downward again. It’s anyone’s guess which migration the fish will feed most during, the downward or the upward adjustments. Since the water temperature change will be a non-factor, I’m going with the upward pressure, upward movement migration late Thursday and Friday morning.

The wind forecast predicts ideal top wind speeds daily of about ten mph and the direction changes daily in a clockwise direction. Thursday however, a strong west wind with speeds in the eighteen-mph range will occur after pressure drops 0.30 in hg. Also Saturday is supposed to produce a thirteen-mph south wind and next Sunday a fifteen-mph west wind will occur.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 4:18 p.m. and the daily high water temperature period occurs just prior to it. Therefore, a feed rating of five occurs from 3-5 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when a three rating begins and remains as it becomes a minor period.

A second major period happens today when the moonset occurs at 10:37 a.m. and solar noon at 12:28 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 10:00 a.m.-1 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating. And it is possible that the feed rating could slightly improve during sunny days as the moonset enters the warmest water period of the day starting next weekend.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 4:18 a.m. producing a feed rating of three from 4-5 a.m. Daily, the overhead moon occurs later by forty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Thursday through next weekend the overhead moon will harmonize with the sunrise and an increase in feed rating will occur, resulting in a four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: It’s a toss-up between the high pressure rise period leading into Thursday evening and Friday morning or Wednesday afternoon when the low-pressure system enters the state after four previous days of higher-than-normal pressure. Fish will be in the warmest water period of the day feeding pattern so they could feed heavy Wednesday afternoon, but then again when fish move into the shallows during a high-pressure system, they tend to feed very aggressively. I guess you’ll have to fish both periods to learn the truth of the matter.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit this page you must type into your browser “HighlandsBassAngler.com” or you will be directed to the old website location which is no longer active and results in a “Can’t reach this page” notification. And using a search engine for HighlandsBassAngler.com will result in the same error page. But if the search results produce a link to “FloridaGunSelfDefense.net, it is the correct link to my new website domain.

Lake Istokpoga S-68 Spillway Status: Lake level is 39.27” above sea level with three gates open six inches flowing a combined total of 790 cubic feet per second. Current seasonal high-low level thresholds are 39.5”-38.5” respectively.

Highlands Bass Angler Fishing Forecast Article News: This year I will be publishing extra fishing forecast content at www.HighlandsBassAngler.com This newspaper column will provide basic information but if you want access to all my fishing content you’ll have to go to my website. I will be providing hot spot information on various lakes and as always, I’ll provide free information on any lake you want to fish if you subscribe to my website page.

Starting next week, I’ll be providing Hot Spot Location Coordinates and fishing tips for those locations, as well as a brief personal history that I’ve had with that ‘Big Girl’ location. And I encourage you to hit the “Like” button (Provided at the bottom of the email page) and subscribe and perhaps consider sharing this publication with a friend. Thank you.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Rapid Weather Change Creates Challenging New Moon Fishing - Dec. 10-17, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second full week of December gives the Florida freshwater anglers a weak new moon phase and a typical winter weather pattern. Anglers will have to deal with rapid weather changes for the first half of the week and consistent overcast conditions for the second half of the week.

Fairly strong winds are forecasted all week and extreme atmospheric pressure changes will occur over the next forty-eight hours. However, there should be enough of a stabilizing period leading into Tuesday’s new moon to create excellent fishing during the major feeding period.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today we are two days from the new moon and three days from the lunar low, therefore the effects of the moon will be weak, which means fish will take their feeding cues from daily water temperature increase. And rapidly changing weather factors will be the dominate cues which cause fish to feed during the constant adjustment activity that will occur over the next forty-eight hours. An atmospheric pressure roller coaster will force fish to go deep and then immediately return to the shallow without a break or adjustment period.

Weather Factors: Atmospheric pressure change will be the dominate factor which will produce a very high level of fish adjustment activity which will not slow down until Monday evening.

A low-pressure system is presently causing barometric pressure to drop rapidly with the greatest pressure drop of 0.14 in hg occurring this afternoon. This will most certainly cause fish to adjust deeper, much deeper. But there will be a strong high-pressure system rapidly moving into the state tonight which will cause barometric pressure to climb 0.27 in hg by Monday’s sunset period.

This very fast upward pressure change will force fish to reverse course and move into shoreline shallows late tonight through 11 a.m. Monday morning. I don’t believe fish will feed much due to the normal pre-front feeding activity which occurs ahead of the arrival of the high-pressure system. I predict that Monday will have few hungry fish even though they will be forced to move upward. But by Tuesday, fish will have adjusted enough to return to a normal feeding pattern. And will be feeding at above-average rates during the midday hours as the new moon arrives overhead.

Other than this morning, cloud-cover will be a factor. Monday the sun-to-cloud ratio will be forty-sixty, Tuesday thirty-seventy, and Wednesday through the remainder of the week twenty-eighty. Therefore, you can expect fish to be adjusting from cover to open water as constant changing light conditions occur today and Monday. The remainder of the week fish will be away from cover and moving more freely in overcast conditions.

The wind forecast predicts a fifteen-mph south wind today and a fifteen-mph north wind Monday. Tuesday through Friday an east to northeast fifteen mph wind will prevail. Saturday a thirteen-mph east wind will switch to a thirteen-mph north wind by next Sunday. So, this month’s new moon will have plenty of wave action to test the resolve of anglers. But fish will be near protective cover somewhat today through Tuesday and the second half of the week open water fishing will be the best strategy as rain and heavy clouds prevail.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 10:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 9-11 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and improves in feed rating by one number Tuesday when the new moon occurs ten minutes before solar noon at 12:13 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 3:38 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty-eight minutes and remains at the same feed rating. There is a wildcard factor for this period this week, in that it occurs during the warmest water temperatures of the day. Fish metabolisms will be at the daily high speed during this period and therefore will feed at the highest rates. The higher the temperature the high the digestion rate, the more food can be eaten.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Tuesday the new moon and fish having enough adjustment time to return to normal feeding activity, will combine to create the best fishing day this week. But with the rapidly moving low-pressure system we have today, fish will be feeding at above normal rates as they move deeper so today’s feed rating could equal Tuesday’s new moon activity.

Prime Monthly Periods: December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon, March 8-13 fairly strong super new moon, 22-27 full moon, April 6-11 strong super new moon, 21-24 weak full moon.

Bass Angler Special Offer: For a limited time, I am offering again this year free bass fishing information on any lake in Florida. All you need to do is email me with “Free Info” in the email subject line and tell me which lake you’d like info on. But there is one catch, you must also go to my website, HighlandsBassAngler.com and become a free or paid subscriber. Once I receive the automatic notification that you've subscribed, you’ll receive an email verification from me, and your info will soon follow. If you select one of the paid subscriber options, I’ll also include my most recent hot spots map for the lake you requested.

Last Quarter Moon and a Winter Weather Pattern Awaits Anglers - Dec. 3-10, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first full week of December gives the Florida freshwater anglers a weak last quarter moon and a winter season weather pattern. All fishing factors considered; anglers will do their best to fish during the solar periods of the day due to a weak lunar influence.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is one day from a weak last quarter moon which means the sunset period will be the better fishing period of the day today and Monday. Then the sunrise period begins to improve and becomes the best daily period Tuesday through Friday. The moonset will be occurring just a few minutes before solar noon today, which occurs at 12:15 p.m. so you can expect a slight uptick in feeding activity during the midday.

The moon is heading away from the solar energy path this week, which always means the lunar effect weakens a little more each day. Therefore, fish will take the more dominant cue of the solar periods, over the next two to three days of the last quarter moon phase.

Next weekend the new moon phase will begin to occur which will help the late morning hours just prior to solar noon. However, the day after the new moon the solar low occurs, which means this month’s new moon will be very weak, producing perhaps a six rating during the prime period.

This month’s full moon will be strong due to the solar high occurring the day after the night of the full moon. The feed rating will climb into the eight range……if we don’t experience a crippling cold front, which is usually the case during the Florida winters.

Weather Factors: The winter weather pattern has arrived it seems. One of the tell-tale signs is a consistent high-low atmospheric pressure change pattern, which creates at least 0.10-0.15 in hg barometric pressure-change every three to four days. Such will be the case again this week.

Today bright sunshine with some cloud-cover, ideal south to southwest wind will create mid-eighty-degree temperatures and water temperatures will climb to seventy degrees on the surface by the mid to late afternoon hours.

Monday a slow-moving high-pressure system begins to enter the state. Heavy cloud-cover will result, and a ten-mph west wind will signal that pressure is on the rise, but a very slow rise, which will not greatly affect fish. The high-pressure system will slow down Tuesday and stall somewhat, producing only a five to six mph north wind.

Wednesday during the late morning hours the north wind increases to twelve mph signaling a rise in barometric pressure. If forecasts are correct, a pressure increase of 0.12 in hg will occur by Thursday midday which does mean fish will be affected. Fish will move upward and into shoreline shallows. Water temperature change will not be a factor so anglers can expect good shallow fishing late Wednesday and Thursday during prime periods. And Thursday’s wind will switch to the northeast with a high speed of ten mph.

Friday the high-pressure system begins to leave the state, being pushed by a low-pressure system from the southeast. Heavy clouds will occur along with a weak east wind. Atmospheric pressure will begin to drop Saturday midmorning. But not enough to trigger fish adjustment activity. Fish will remain shallow through next weekend.

Next weekend, an ideal east wind with speeds of eight mph for a high will occur. But Sunday a fifteen-mph east wind will produce medium to heavy wave activity depending on the size of the lake you fish.

Sunshine will prevail today, Thursday and Saturday and next Sunday. Otherwise, cloud-cover prevails. Also, water temperatures will continue to decline during the midweek, so expect fish feeding activity to decline too. By the middle of the month fish will be primarily feeding during the warmest water period of the day regardless of the lunar influence, with the exception of the days close to the lunar high, full moon, but ‘not’ the new moon this month.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 5:41 p.m. and the sunset at 5:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by one number starting Tuesday evening. By Wednesday it becomes a minor period.

Today the moon is overhead at 5:20 a.m. and the sunrise at 7 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 5-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 12:08 p.m. and solar noon at 12:15 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Monday and Tuesday, the last quarter moon will produce the best fishing of the weekdays. Next weekend the new moon phase begins and feeding activity will pick up. All in all however, due to a weak moon this week, solar periods will be the main factor in creating feeding activity.

HighlandsBassAngler.com To visit my new website location, you must type into your browser “HighlandsBassAngler.com” or you most likely won’t arrive at my new webpage. Doing a search for the domain name will not provide the correct link to a functioning website. If you see a link with “FloridaGunSelfDefense.net, in the web address, it is the correct location and link.

Bass Angler Special Offer: For a limited time, I am offering again free bass fishing information on any lake in Florida. All you need to do is email me with “Free Info” in the email subject line and tell me which lake you’d like info on. But there is one catch, you must also go to my website, HighlandsBassAngler.com and become a free or paid subscriber. Once I receive the automatic notification that you've subscribed, you’ll receive an email verification from me, and your info will soon follow. If you select one of the paid subscriber options, I’ll also include my most recent hot spots map for the lake you requested.

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Good and Bad News for Anglers This Week - Nov. 26 - Dec. 3, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last five days of November and beginning of December gives the Florida Freshwater Anglers the last half of a fairly strong full moon phase and a weather forecast that predicts the season’s first cold front which I predict won’t affect fish feeding activity very much with the exception of Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have good news and bad news this week. Good full moon fishing today and Monday and next weekend promises very good conditions for catching fish, but a cold front will interrupt things during the midweek.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today we are one day from the full moon and three days from the lunar high position with the moon halfway toward the furthest orbit point from earth. Therefore, this month’s full moon will produce a seven rating. And due to an atmospheric pressure drop of more than 0.10 in hg today the feed rating will improve to a seven rating or slightly higher as fish adjust downward as the moon approaches the underfoot position during the midday hours. When the south wind begins fish will feed aggressively.

Weather Factors: Today a low-pressure system enters the state sometime during the early morning hours—winds will shift from the northeast to the south. Atmospheric pressure will drop enough to cause a higher-than-normal fish adjustment activity, with increased feed rates as they move deeper.

Monday through Tuesday midday atmospheric pressure will climb 0.20 in hg as a high-pressure cold front enters the state. When winds switch from the west to the north you expect feeding activity to stop while they adjust upward into shoreline shallows. Since water temperatures will not change enough to shut down digestion rates after a brief adjustment period, fish will begin to feed. I’m predicting a twelve-to-eighteen-hour adjustment period, which if I’m correct, fish will resume normal feeding activity during the underfoot moon period on Wednesday---Tuesday could therefore be an off day even though the full moon occurs Monday night.

Water temperatures will drop Tuesday through Thursday which will slow fish metabolisms enough to affect digestion rates. So feeding activity will slow up a bit in the last two days of the full moon phase. Friday will be a pre-low-pressure warm-front day which will improve feeding activity. Saturday pressure will begin a drop of 0.20 in hg which will end during Sunday’s midday hours. I predict above-average feeding activity Saturday morning through the early afternoon hours as an ideal south wind occurs.

Wind speeds will be at ideal speeds every day with perhaps an exception on Friday which is predicted to produce a thirteen-mph pre-front east wind. And cloud-cover will be a factor today through Tuesday which is good news for the midday underfoot major feeding period. Anytime the full moon is blocked by cloud-cover, feeding activity twelve hours later improves. Wednesday through next weekend the sun-to-cloud ratio will be fifty-fifty, which is ideal for improving fish adjustment activity.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 11:35 a.m. and solar noon at 12:12 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven or slightly better from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Tuesday when a cold front high-pressure system triggers a lull in normal feeding. Wednesday a six rating will occur from 12-3:30 p.m. Thursday through next weekend the feed rating will average about a five rating during the underfoot period.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 6:07 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:55 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. I expect the cold front will slow down feeding activity Tuesday through Thursday, producing a three to four rating at best. Friday through next weekend a mid-to-late morning bite will produce a four to five rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 4:56 p.m. and the sunset at 5:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 4-7 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating. There will not be a slowing down of feeding activity which the moonset period has due to water temperatures remaining higher during this period of the day—bright afternoon sunshine makes the difference. But as the moonrise moves later into the nighttime hours the feed rating will drop to a three to four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the full moon will produce the best fishing days of the month. Wednesday fish will have adjusted enough to feed normally, and the influence of the full moon will produce good fishing in shoreline shallows. Saturday warmer temperatures, and a significant pressure change downward will cause fish to feed at above-average rates as they adjust downward. This increased feeding activity could continue into the morning hours of next Sunday.

HighlandsBassAngler.com -- Bass Angler Special Offer: For a limited time, I am offering again this year, free bass fishing information on any lake in Florida. All you need to do is email me with “Free Info” in the email subject line and tell me which lake you’d like info on. But there is one catch, you must become a free or paid subscriber. Once I receive the automatic notification that you've subscribed, you’ll receive an email verification from me, and your info will soon follow. If you select one of the paid subscriber options, I’ll also include my most recent hot spots map for the lake you requested.

Fish Are Aggressively Feeding, Time To Go Fishing - November 19, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers the first quarter moon phase during the first half of the week and the beginning of the full moon phase during the second half of the week. The weather forecast promises to provide ideal fishing weather albeit with significant cloud-cover during the middle of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy fairly good fishing during the first half of the week and the best fishing days of the month during the end of the week. All fishing factors are just about perfect this week, and fish are feeding at very high rates due to perfect water temperatures so don’t miss out on excellent fall season fishing. Every other day fish are feeding aggressively.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The first quarter moon occurs Monday and the moon arrives at orbit perigee on Tuesday, however the lunar low point happened last Friday, which means the moon’s strength is just under fifty percent when the moon is overhead and underfoot. Therefore, the three daily solar periods will produce almost at the same intensity as the lunar periods. Tomorrow, the overhead moon will enhance the sunset period and the underfoot moon will enhance the sunrise period. But periods will produce a six or slightly better feed rating as a result.

The second half of the week we’ll be approaching the full moon phase which will be strong due to the full moon occurring two days prior to the lunar high. The seven-day full moon phase begins Friday. A week from tomorrow, the full moon occurs, producing the best fishing days of the month. So, if you haven’t made plans to fish next weekend, you should. The fish will be very active. And the second half of the full moon week will be better than the first half.

Weather Factors: Ideal temperatures for feeding fish is currently happening and will continue until the first serious cold front. Bright sunshine is forecasted until Wednesday when cloud-cover is predicted to prevail. However next weekend when the full moon phase begins the extended weather forecast is predicting a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio, which is ideal.

Atmospheric pressure change will occur just enough to cause some minor fish adjustment upward as pressure increases daily at about 0.10 in hg. This upward trend will level off on Tuesday but on Wednesday pressure will drop enough to reverse the direction of fish causing them to move from the shallows to the deeper areas of the shoreline feeding areas. Thursday through the weekend atmospheric pressure will not be a factor.

Wind speeds will be mild today and Monday, coming out of the north today and from the east on Monday. Tuesday a fifteen mph east southeast wind will occur but will change direction Wednesday and come from the south at fifteen mph. Thursday through next Sunday an ideal speed of six to eight mph from the north will occur.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is overhead at 6:11 p.m. and the sunsets at 5:32 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number every two days. By the second half of the week this period diminishes to a minor period.

A second major period happens today when the underfoot moon occurs at 5:44 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:49 a.m. producing a feed rating of six from 5-8 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-four minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Friday when the full moon phase week begins, the rating will improve daily, producing an eight-feed rating by Sunday through next Tuesday.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 12:10 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty minutes and remains as the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Monday will be the best fishing day of the first half of this week. Sunset and sunrise fishing will be very good---tonight could also be good due to the sharp rise in pressure that will occur during the sunset period.

The second half of the week, Sunday through next Tuesday will be the best fishing days of November. All fishing factors look to be very good if the extended weather forecast results in being true.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: As temperatures continue to drop during the last fall season, crawdads begin being a factor in the world of the bass. One of the biggest threats to a successful bass spawning effort are crawdads eating bass eggs. Bass instinctively know this and will target crawdads when they feed. And when they’re not actively feeding bass will suck them in, crush them and spit them back out.

For this reason, throwing baits which mimic the crawdad, and employing the action of the crawdad on the lake bottom within thicker cover areas, is a very effective strategy. My favor bait to achieve this is the big jig with a big trailer. I prefer double brush guard versions and use red, black, or blue trailers on 3\4 to 1 oz. sizes.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four gates open nine inches with a combined flow of 900 cubic feet per minute. The lake level seasonal schedule thresholds: high 39.50’ and low 38.50’. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on a customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide detailed information and techniques that will lead to greater success. Call today I’ll save you time and money by learning the lake’s hot spots and how fish use the lake seasonally.

New Moon and Weather Create Good Open-Water Fishing - Nov. 12-19, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers the new moon phase and a cloudy, windy, rainy fall weather forecast. All fishing factors considered anglers will enjoy good midday fishing as fish continue to feed aggressively in the ideal conditions of the fall season.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Monday, but the moon arrives at the lunar low position Thursday which means the effects of the new moon will be rapidly weakening this week and the major period today and Monday will only produce a feed rating of six and a half to a seven. Tuesday through Thursday the feed rating will drop one point per day. The second half of this week will have the weakest lunar effects of the month.

Weather Factors: The first half of this week heavy cloud cover and a northeast and east wind will occur. Today wind speeds will be ideal between five and building by the late afternoon to ten mph. Monday through Wednesday a fifteen-mph wind will begin early in the morning and continue all day from a easterly direction. Temperatures will drop about six degrees which won’t affect fish.

Rainfall will occur Tuesday through Thursday and atmospheric pressure will be a factor Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon as pressure drops 0.23 in hg in twenty-four hours. Fish will adjust downward as a result, and I believe they’ll feed very well as they adjust down. The feed rating during this period could possibly be as good as the midday periods today and Monday.

With the heavy cloud-cover today through Thursday, expect fish to be away from cover and moving through open water grass beds and along break lines. Wednesday through Thursday afternoon fish will certainly be moving through these areas to deeper secondary feeding grounds. Flippers and Pitchers will be forced to fan-cast open water to locate hungry fish over the next five days.

Friday through next weekend ideal wind, bright sunshine, no pressure change, and ideal water temperatures will produce better than fishing publications predictions here in Florida. Freshwater fish are feeding at annually high rates right now and with a weak lunar effect, fish will be feeding during the three solar periods of the day. Midday through the sunset period will be the best periods of the day.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 11:35 a.m. and solar noon at 12:09 p.m. producing a feed rating of near seven from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Tuesday when it begins to drop one point per day. Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. a rating of five will occur and the overhead moon begins to occur later daily by one hour and continue to drop one feed rating point. Friday through next weekend a feed rating of three and perhaps four will occur from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 5:58 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:44 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating. Wednesday the moonrise occurs at 9:06 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8-10 a.m. The moonrise continues to occur later by one hour for the remainder of the week and will produce a feed rating of three to four.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 5:05 p.m. and the sunset at 5:35 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 4-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. The second half of the week the moonset occurs one hour later each day and the feed rating drops to a three at best.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the new moon will produce excellent fishing during the midday hours. Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon the high-pressure system leaves the state and pressure will drop more than 0.20 in hg which means fish will adjust downward, feeding at above average rates as they move.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 12-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: We are in the middle of the fall season which means red bait colors, gold blades, and spinnerbait, chatterbaits, and anything with a blade attached, is going to produce well. Fish are naturally aggressive in the fall due to ideal water temperatures and they’re instinctively putting on weight for the winter season.

Therefore, anglers must ‘match the hatch’ perfectly in most of Florida’s freshwater lakes because food-chains are usually healthy. And in many shallow type lakes the food-chains are rich, with abundant food sources everywhere. So, the richer the food-chain the more anglers need to perfect their bait presentation to mimic what fish are feeding on, or else it will be a long day on the water.

Very few lakes in Florida have fish so desperately hungry that when anglers throw their bait into the water like it’s a brick---producing a huge splash and disturbance---the fish will come running to consume it. Fish will move away from anything unnatural so anglers, to have success, must present their baits in a natural manner, without a big splash. If you need help mastering the necessary techniques to accomplish this, give me a call.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is 39.37 feet above sea level with four gates closed. The lake level seasonal schedule thresholds: high 39.50’ and low 38.50’. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, three angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide detailed information and techniques that will lead to greater success. Call today I’ll save you time and money by learning the lake’s hot spots and how fish use the lake seasonally.

Strong Moon Produces Good Morning Fishing - November 5-12, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first full week of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers a moderately strong last quarter moon and a fall season warming trend which will cause fish to feed at better than average feed rates. All fishing factors considered; anglers can expect fish to be holding tight to cover in the bright sunny conditions as they feed during the overhead period during the morning hours this week.

Hope you’re ready for some fairly good early morning fishing today through Wednesday and during the second half of the week midmorning to midday fishing will be just as good.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The lunar high occurred last Thursday and the last quarter moon occurs today, and the moon’s orbit arrives at the furthest point from earth—lunar apogee, tomorrow. Therefore, the lunar affect will be moderate to strong and produce daily feed ratings in the four to six range for the minor and major periods respectively. If you fish in between the minor or major periods expect a two to three feed rating at best.

Weather Factors: We will experience a warming trend this week with temperatures climbing into the upper eighty-degree range by Friday and next weekend. Bright sunshine, no rain, and other than today, ideal wind speeds will occur.

Today fish have finished moving deeper as they adjusted to a low-pressure system which entered the state over the past thirty hours while a strong north wind occurred, which is a strange abnormal occurrence. A thirteen-mph north wind will continue today as fish normalize, which usually means less feeding activity. Monday an ideal eight to ten mph northeast wind will happen and fish will begin to return to normal feeding. Tuesday through Friday a six to eight mph east wind will occur. Next weekend winds pick up as a high-pressure system begins to enter the state producing a east northeast wind in the thirteen to fifteen mph range. Pressure and cloud increase will cause fish to move away from cover and move shallow.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 6:41 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:39 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:04 p.m. and the sunset at 5:39 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-8 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 1:37 p.m. and solar noon at 12:08 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today the last quarter moon occurs, causing the sunrise and sunset periods to have a slight uptick in feeding activity. The sunrise bite will produce best with a solid six rating or perhaps even slightly better. But due to the drop in pressure over the past thirty hours the bite could suffer somewhat. If this happens, Monday morning’s bite should be slightly better than predicted due to fish returning to normal feeding after their adjustment period today.

Looking ahead to next weekend, if the extended weather forecast results in being accurate, a high-pressure system and heavy cloud-cover will change fish feeding activity. Fish will be moving upward into the shallow but due to the lack of sunshine, will not be holding tight to cover. Temperatures will be dropping as well, and this will only serve to increase feeding activity due to the ideal feeding temperatures enabling a rapid digestive rate.

Prime Monthly Periods: November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon, January 10-13 weak new moon, 22-27 full moon, February 7-11 weak new moon, 21-26 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: During fall warming trends in Florida, the largemouth bass feed heavily---above feeding rate predictions which occur in the various fishing help publications. Most publications predict feed ratings in the two to four range for peak periods, but this will not be accurate for the Bass Fishing Capital of the World. Bass anglers can expect to find above average excellent feeding activity during the overhead moon period every day this week.

Find where fish are holding and you’ll find hungry active feeding fish, and very large bass feeding at the end of the feeding period---trophy bass prefer to eat their prey after they have had a successful feeding effort. They’re slower and emit a heavier vibration making them easy prey.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches and flowing a combined 300 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER - A Free Guide Service on Your Boat to the First Caller. Please leave a message that you are calling about the “Bass Guide on Your Boat Special” and I’ll return your call asap. Must Also Subscribe so be sure to click the Subscribe button.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. You can find all his weekly publications at HighlandsBassAngler.com. Contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Excellent Florida full Moon Fishing Has Arrived. Oct 29 - Nov. 5, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last three days of October and the beginning of November gives the Florida freshwater anglers a typical fall weather forecast and the last three days of a strong full moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent nighttime full moon fishing tonight and Monday night and midday fishing over the next two days will be very good.

Fish are feeding well above their annual feeding average right now. So, get out on the water and join in the challenge to catch your biggest fish of the year. They’re fattening up for the winter season.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The full moon occurred last night, and solar position of the moon is four days from the lunar high point, which means the feed rating today will be in the seven to eight range when the moon is underfoot during the midday hours today. Tonight’s overhead full moon will shine brightly producing a six to seven feed rating. There will be excellent full moon fishing tonight. Because the moon is moving directly into the solar energy path over the next three days the feed rating will not diminish daily at the normal rate. Expect no more than a half point decease each day.

Weather Factors: We’ll have a typical fall weather pattern this week, with all fishing factors being near perfect but one, which is wind speeds. Today a fifteen-mph east wind will start during the mid to late morning hours and continue the rest of the day. Monday and Tuesday will give us the best wind speeds of the week, as an east wind tops-out at twelve mph by midafternoon Monday and seven mph from the north on Tuesday.

Early Wednesday morning a strong high-pressure system begins to enter the state, producing wind speeds in the twenty-mph range by the afternoon. Pressure will rise 0.10 in hg throughout the day Wednesday and 0.20 in hg by Thursday midday. Expect fish to adjust upward into shoreline feeding areas Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Wind speeds will be in the twenty-mph range Wednesday through Friday coming from the east to northeast. Friday through Saturday pressure will drop gradually but I don’t believe it will be enough of a decline to cause fish adjustment downward. And if the extended weather forecast is correct, next weekend will be cloudy with rainfall Saturday through next Monday with a northeast wind producing daily high speeds of thirteen mph.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 1:54 p.m. and solar noon at 1:08 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 12-3 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number. By Wednesday a feed rating of six will occur from 3-6 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 1:28 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 12-3 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number. Wednesday night the overhead moon produces a feed rating of four to five from 3-5:30 a.m.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 8:19 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:34 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating. Wednesday a feed rating of six occurs from 10 a.m. to 12 30 p.m. and becomes the major fishing period of the day.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 7:21 p.m. and the sunset at 6:44 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-three minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. Wednesday a feed rating of four occurs from 8:30-11 p.m.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday the bright shining full moon will produce excellent midnight fishing and very good midday fishing twelve hours later. I do believe the sunrise and sunset bites will suffer a bit as a result of the bright shining full moon.

With the significant atmospheric pressure upward change forecasted for Wednesday through Thursday morning, fish will be forced to adjust upward into shoreline feeding grounds so if you can adjust to the high wind speeds, you’ll find feeding fish moving shallow.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 29-31 last three days of full moon phase, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Fall season high pressure cold fronts do not shutdown feeding activity because water temperatures are within the annual ideal feeding range of seventy to eight-two degrees. Therefore, as fish adjust upward, they’ll opportunistically feed at above average rates. This trend will not change until water temperatures decline into the sixties.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open four inches and flowing a combined 450 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are provided at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

Fishing Improves as Full Moon Arrives Saturday - October 22-31, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall weather forecast and waxing full moon which will become full next weekend. All fishing factors considered, a weak lunar influence and mild weather will challenge anglers today and Monday, but Tuesday through Friday high winds will force anglers to change their strategies. But the good news is next weekend’s full moon should have very good weather for catching fish.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Yesterday the last quarter moon occurred, and the orbit perigee occurs Wednesday and the moon becomes full Saturday. Therefore, the seven-day full moon phase begins Wednesday and ends on the last day of the month. Currently the moon’s position in relationship to the solar energy path is three days from the low position. Anglers can expect to experience the lowest feed rates of the month over the next three days. Weather will be more of a factor than the lunar affect until the second half of the week when the full moon phase becomes the major factor.

Weather Factors: Bright sunlight with five to ten mph north wind will produce good fishing conditions minus any pressure change today and Monday. Tuesday a twenty-mph east wind, again with no pressure change, but with bright sunshine, will make fishing a real challenge. The strong east wind will continue through Friday producing a daily high speed of fifteen to twenty mph. Saturday when the full moon occurs the east wind will diminish somewhat to twelve mph and continue through next weekend.

The bright sunshine will force fish tight to protective cover and pressure change will be minor day to day and when it does occur it won’t be enough to cause fish adjustment activity. However, wave-action will cause fish to adjust to the windy side of the lake as fish follow the wind-driven food-chain. And since the wind direction will be from the east every day this week, expect fish to move westward.

Water temperatures have declined enough to enter the ideal feeding temperature range of seventy to eight-two degrees at depths where fish are holding. Therefore, dissolved oxygen rates at those depths are ideal for fish to have normal digestion rates. And that means fish will be feeding at their highest annual rates until the first serious cold front of the winter season drops water temps into the lower sixty-degree range.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:52 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7-9 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Thursday when the full moon causes a half point increase daily. Friday through Sunday a feed rating of seven will occur from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the overhead moon occurs at 8:21 p.m. and produces a feed rating of four to five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. During the second half of the week the feed rating will improve to a six rating and perhaps even higher during the night Friday through Sunday.

A second minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 3:00 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 2-4 p.m. Daily, the moonrise occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Friday through next Sunday will be the best fishing days of this week and will also be the best fishing days of the month. Anglers can expect an seven to eight rating during the midday hours Friday through next Sunday.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Fall season full moon’s produce very well at night if water temperatures are in the lower eighty-degree range on the surface. This will be the case with this month’s full moon phase. If the moon shines brightly, nighttime feeding activity will be very good.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.40 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches and flowing a combined 300 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

HighlandsBassAngler.com is where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is published. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

New Moon, Fall Weather, Turns Fish On - October 15-22, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall season weather forecast pattern and the last three days of a new moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy aggressive fish moving up and down with pressure changes this week. Today’s bite will be very good and will continue through Tuesday midday.

So get out on the water to enjoy some great Florida fall fishing because this is the time of year when great fishing stories are made.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Yesterday the new moon occurred and today the moon is six days from orbit apogee and heading toward the perigee and is four days from the lunar low position, which means simply that the current new moon rating is in six to seven range on the one-in-ten scale with ten being best. Over the next two days the feed rating will diminish to a five rating by midweek.

Weather Factors: It looks like fall weather is here to stay. Atmospheric pressure change will not become a prime factor and water temperatures will decline into the ideal feeding range of seventy to eight-two degrees. Bright sunshine will prevail this week but rain is predicted for Friday. Atmospheric pressure will climb 0.20 in hg from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon so be expecting fish to adjust upward into shoreline feeding areas during that pressure change period.

The wind forecast is typical for the fall season; today through Monday a west to northwest wind will produce a high speed of fifteen mph by midday and when wind begins to mostly come from the north you know the pressure is on the rise. Tuesday a ten-mph north wind will produce ideal wave action for fishing the shoreline feeding areas. Wednesday a northeast wind will produce eight mph speeds most of the day. Thursday a ten-mph east wind will cause barometric pressure to begin to drop causing fish to adjust downward Thursday afternoon. Pressure will continue to drop into Friday and the wind will shift and come from the west, producing ten mph speeds. Saturday a fifteen-mph west wind will start a repeat of this week’s fall weather pattern for next week.

Over the next two months or until the first serious cold front arrives, usually in the middle of December, all freshwater fish species feed at their highest annual rate. Water temperatures are ideal for sustaining a high dissolved oxygen rate, which in turn enables a very high digestion rate. When you factor in a atmospheric pressure change greater than 0.10 in hg anglers can expect aggressive active fish feeding shallow when pressure rises and feeding in open deeper areas when pressure declines. This fall seasonal cycle usually is a five-to-seven-day cycle.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 1:55 p.m. and solar noon at 1:10 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 12-3 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the five range.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:10 a.m. and the sunrise at 7:26 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the four to five range.

A second minor period happens today when the moonset occurs at 7:32 p.m. and the sunset at 6:57 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-four minutes and decreases in feed rating by a half number. By midweek the feed rating normalizes in the four to five range.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the new moon occurring yesterday, today will be the best day of the week for excellent fishing. Monday and Tuesday will be also very good as the effects of the new moon combined with a high-pressure system entering the state will cause fish to move in huge numbers up into feeding areas, feeding at above average rates as they adjust upward.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 15-17 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Three facts which anglers would be wise to remember are, the fall season produces large feeding migrations when pressure rises sharply over a twenty-four-hour period, and lower water temperatures increase feeding activity intensity and duration, and finally anything with the colors red and gold will be attacked more often than any other color.

Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.30 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seven inches and flowing a combined 700 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and techniques that will lead to greater success.

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Fall Season Has Arrived, Time to Go Fishing. - Oct. 8-15, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fall season weather pattern and the new moon phase. All fishing factors considered, anglers will begin to experience the kind of freshwater fishing Florida is known for, which is daily feeding activity that will cause anglers to set the hook often.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The moon arrived at the lunar high position three days ago and entered the last quarter phase two days ago. The moon’s orbit arrives at the apogee point Monday and the new moon seven-day phase begins Wednesday. In other words even though the moon is near the orbit apogee (furthest orbit point from earth) it’s going to have an above average power rating due to be in the solar energy path, creating greater solar energy level changes, which in turn causes greater fish adjustment activity and therefore greater feeding activity.

The second half of the week the effects of the new moon will produce a seven or slightly higher feed rating Friday through next Sunday, but Wednesday and Thursday anglers will experience increased feeding activity during the overhead moon period. Today through Tuesday, the overhead moon will create above-average fishing during the midmorning hours.

Weather Factors: This week we will experience a fall weather pattern. Water temperatures will be declining and with every drop in degrees, the fish feed just a little bit more. If the fall weather trend continues through the end of this month without a temperature spike period, which sometimes occurs, fish will be feeding at the highest annual rate.

The only sunny day forecasted this week occurs Tuesday, but is predicted to have fifty percent cloud-cover. Cloud-cover will dominate otherwise. Therefore fish will not be tight to protective cover, except for maybe Tuesday, so prepare your casting rigs a week of work.

A weather front is predicted to arrive Wednesday causing atmospheric pressure to drop 0.20 in hg within twenty-four hours. Fish will feed very well as pressure drops, moving downward toward deeper feeding grounds. It should be noted that lakes, rivers and streams are all at a seasonal high level, which means fish will be feeding in the deeper shoreline vegetation areas. Therefore, Wednesday you should be prepared to fish deeper shoreline areas at first and then moving out toward open water submerged cover.

Rainfall is predicted daily from Wednesday through Saturday, which in my opinion makes for some of the best Florida freshwater bass fishing an angler, could ask for. Rain, ideal winds, open-water casting with six different riggings, with just enough wave-action to mask the fakeness of the baits used. All the while knowing the fish will be moving deeper, feeding heavy as they adjust down.

Wind speeds will be on the lower end of the ‘ideal wind speed range’ today through Tuesday, with a top speed of six mph. Out of the north today and Monday and from the east Tuesday. Wednesday the east wind picks up speed to ten mph and late Wednesday night switches to a south wind, producing speeds in the fifteen mph range on Thursday. Friday a southwest wind of fifteen mph is predicted and Saturday a fifteen mph west wind will occur.

Next Sunday the low-pressure front passes into the Atlantic, pressure rises and a mild north wind prevails with bright sunny conditions. Pressure rise will not occur fast enough to significantly change fish feeding activity. However, the upward pressure will produce a minor effect, which will help improve the day after the arrival of the new moon. I believe next Sunday will produce a seven to eight feed rating as fish move tight to cover.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 9:01 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 8-10 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number, but tops-out a seven to eight rating Saturday and next Sunday.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 4:03 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 3-5 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-five minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number every two days.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 9:24 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: The new moon occurs Saturday during the midday hours so I predict the fishing will be very good that day however, with weather conditions causing a significant increase in fish adjustment Wednesday and Sunday I believe those two days will equal or perhaps even surpass the feed rating of Saturday.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: When atmospheric pressure changes more than 0.10 in hg fish adjustment activity increases enough to trigger a high percentage of fish to feed at the same time for a longer than average period. And it is not normal for this type of weather to occur during the Florida rainy season. When greater atmospheric pressure change begins to occur at the end of the rainy season, you know the fall season has begun. This week this change will occur just as the new moon phase begins. Get ready for some good fishing.

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Lake Istokpoga News: Current lake-level is at 39.50 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open fourteen inches and flowing a combined 1060 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. The max high and min low levels thresholds 39.50’ and 39’ respectively but the low level will gradually be lowered to 38.50’ by Dec. 15. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Fishing Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat, no angler limit. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005. Email him at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or call 863-381-8474; please leave a message for a return call.

Good Full Moon Fishing Today and Monday - October 1-8, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of October gives the Florida freshwater anglers a few days of rainy season weather but mostly fall weather will prevail and today and Monday are the last three days of the full moon phase All fishing factors consider, anglers can expect good fishing during the underfoot moon during the early to midafternoon hours this week. Bright shine after today will put fish close to cover, which will be perfect for flippers and pitchers.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Tonight, will be the second night after the full moon which occurred Friday night, which means Monday and Tuesday the effect of the full moon will still be improving the early afternoon underfoot moon period. Today the moon is five days away from arriving directly within the solar energy path (lunar high), which means the effect of the moon will be more of a positive factor in causing higher concentration of feeding fish during lunar periods this week.

Weather Factors: Today rainfall and thunderstorm will be a consideration during the peak feeding period of the day. A fifteen mph east-northeast wind and heavy cloud-cover will cause fish to be away from protective cover. Rain and thunderstorm activity will not be a factor for the remainder of the week. Wind will however remain strong during the afternoon underfoot period. Monday through Wednesday a east-northeast fifteen mph wind will prevail but with bright sunshine and minor cloud-cover. Expect fish to be tight to protective cover.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor this week. And water temperatures will be on the decline with perhaps a three to five degree drop in the daily average surface temperatures during the afternoons. Fish will remain in the shallows when they feed just a little bit longer than they have over the past three months. By the end of this month, water temperatures will have dropped into the higher end of the ideal temperature range (70-82 degrees) for fish to feed at their highest annual rate.

The second half of this week wind speeds will be ideal out of the east, northeast. If the extended weather forecast is correct, a rainy season weather pattern will return next weekend and temperatures will drop into the lower eighty-degree range. With the moon being strong, the last quarter moon phase will create very productive fishing periods during the sunrise and sunset.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 3:16 p.m. and solar noon at 1:12 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 12:45-3:45 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 9:36 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period happens today when the moon is overhead at 2:51 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 2-4 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-two minutes and produces a three feed rating starting Tuesday night.

A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 8:49 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by forty-two minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today and Monday will be the best days of the week due to be the last two days of the full moon phase.

Prime Monthly Periods: October 1-2 last two days of full moon phase, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: During the last few weeks of the summer rainy season weather pattern, water temperatures begin to decline into the best temperature range for fish to feed at will. Metabolism speeds will climb as oxygen rates increase due to the cooler temperatures. Anglers will see a noticeable change in feeding behavior in the shallow lakes this month. Deeper lakes will show signs of improvement but not nearly as much as the shallow lakes.

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Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat, so it is best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 39.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three feet and flowing a combined 2720 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 39.00’ and low 38.50’. Today through the middle of October, both the max high and min low levels thresholds will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Besides being published here at HighlandsBassAngler.com the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is also published at the Highlands News-Sun newspaper website.

Rainy Season Full Moon Fishing for Anglers This Week - Sep.24-30, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last six days of September gives the Florida freshwater anglers the full moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, the second half of the week the full moon will be fairly strong but the first half of the week will have a weak lunar affect. Nevertheless, fishing during the mid to late morning hours over the next three days will be your best bet to catch fish.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days past the first quarter moon and one day from the lunar low position, which means the lunar affect will be very weak. Anglers can expect the daily peak periods to top-out in the four to five range for the first half of this week. However, the moon is orbiting toward the perigee, which will occur Wednesday, and the full moon will occur Friday, which means feed ratings will significantly improve Wednesday through Saturday, topping-out on Friday and Saturday at a seven feed rating.

Weather Factors: Rainy season weather will prevail this week and temperatures will gradually drop into the mid-eighty degree range by the midweek. Winds will come from the east to northeast everyday with speeds reaching a daily top speed of eight to ten mph. Atmospheric pressure change will be minimal and therefore not a factor. Cloud-cover will be a factor Monday through Thursday with a sun-to-cloud ratio of seventy-thirty. But for the full moon phase Thursday through Saturday, cloud-cover will decline to thirty percent with a bright shining full moon all three nights.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 9 a.m., producing a feed rating of five from 8-10 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by one hour and improves a half number. Saturday the feed rating will begin to reverse and decline by one number daily. Friday a feed rating of seven or slightly better will occur from 12-3 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 4:16 p.m. producing a feed rating of three to four from 3-5:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the second half of the week when the full moon occurs and the moonrise occurs during the sunset period. A feed rating of five will occur from 6-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday evenings.

A second minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 9:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number ever two days. On Friday night, the full moon will produce a feed rating of five to six from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.

A third minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 1:39 a.m. producing a feed rating of three from 12:30-2:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-eight minutes and remains at the same feed rating. However, during the second half of the week the moonset begins to harmonize with the sunrise period to produce a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the full moon occurring Friday and the lunar orbit perigee on Wednesday I predict very good fishing Thursday through Saturday during the underfoot moon. It should be noted that the full moon will be shining brightly on those nights, causing less feeding fish twelve hour later during the solar noon period.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon.

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Florida Fishing Facts: Every fall season anglers should begin to use red shad-colored baits instead of green. Browns, gold and yellow highlights are also very productive when combined with red. Gold blades on spinnerbaits also contrast better. Fish see these colors best in the fall to early winter season.

Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat so it is best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.87 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seventeen inches and flowing a combined 1240 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are, high 38.85’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the max high and min low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Good Fishing Today and Friday - September 17-24, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of September gives the Florida Freshwater Anglers a rainy season weather pattern and a weak lunar affect. All fishing factors considered, other than today, anglers will have to work harder to find more than one hungry fish this week. The overhead moon period is still the best bet.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today is the last day of the new moon seven-day phase. The moon is moving away from the solar energy path and will arrive at its furthest point from it Saturday. This means the lunar influence will be diminishing gradually every day this week and therefore fish will not feed in large numbers at the same time. The lowest feed ratings of the month will occur this week.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather pattern will occur all week. Winds today will be out of the west at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph. Monday a weak northwest wind will switch to an east direction by the late afternoon hours. Tuesday through the next weekend an east northeast wind will produce daily speeds in the ten mph range.

Cloud-cover will be at fifty percent every day. There will be enough change in bright sunshine to heavy cloud cover to cause fish adjustment activity to increase enough to improve feeding activity. From solar noon at 1:28 p.m. through the overhead, moon period, which occurs today at 3:13 p.m. fish will be feeding as they adjust to the changing light levels caused by periodic cloud cover.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor this week. Temperatures will drop about five degrees from what they have been over the past month. A sure sign that the fall season is approaching. As water temperatures adjust downward slightly, fish will remain longer in the shallow feeding areas, especially when sunlight is bright.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 3:13 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 2-4:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-five minutes and will remain at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 9:21 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 8-11 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 8:58 p.m. producing a feed rating of four from 8-10 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-two minutes and remains at a four rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today being the last day of the new moon phase, anglers will enjoy the best fishing day of the week. Due to the moon moving away from the solar energy path and arriving at the low position this Saturday, the only other day, which could produce better than the other days, is Friday when the overhead moon harmonizes with the sunset, which always improves the numbers of feeding fish.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: This fact needs restating during the rainy season hot weather conditions; the best artificial baits to use for bass when water temperatures are extremely hot are short, fat, heavy vibrating baits, which emit vibrations and sounds at very slow speeds. I mean slow, as in a January day when water temperatures are the opposite of what they are today. Low oxygen rates slow fish down significantly. So smaller, slower, fat food sources are what’s for supper in the fish-eat-fish world.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.70 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open five inches and flowing a combined 520 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 38.75’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links for USACE and SFWMD websites are isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005 and a firearms and self-defense law instructor since 2012. You can find his weekly firearms and self-defense article published at his business website FloridaGunSelfDefense.com. To find out more contact him by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Good New Moon Fishing This Week - September 10-17, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of September gives the Florida Freshwater Angler the new moon phase and mixed weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy very good fishing this week as a fairly strong new moon phase produces plenty of hungry fish during the midday hours.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days away from the lunar orbit apogee but is four days from the lunar high position within the solar energy path. Which means feed ratings during this week’s new moon phase will produce a feed rating of seven to eight Thursday when the new moon occurs. Today feed ratings will be in the five range but will improve gradually until Friday when a gradual decline begins to occur.

Weather Factors: This week we’ll have a mix of rainy season and early fall weather conditions. Two days of sunshine with no thunderstorms followed by two days of sunny mornings with afternoon thunderstorms. Wind speeds will be a factor in that there will be little to no wind today through Tuesday. Wednesday through next weekend an ideal north wind with speeds in the seven to ten mph will occur. And atmospheric pressure will not be a factor.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 10:18 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of five or slightly better from 9-11:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number. Thursday the new moon will occur along with solar noon producing a feed rating of seven to eight from 12-3 p.m. Friday through next weekend the early to midafternoon period will produce a feed rating of six and a half.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 5:26 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty-seven minutes and improves slightly, about a half number every two days. The second half of the week the moonset will begin to improve the sunset period bite. Friday and next weekend sunset fishing will be fairly good.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonrise happens at 3:03 a.m. To be clear, any feeding activity today through Tuesday won’t have a feed rating above three, however Wednesday through next weekend the moonrise and the sunrise will produce a five to six rating and perhaps slightly better on Thursday and Friday.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Wednesday through Friday the new moon will improve feed ratings, topping out at an eight rating during the solar noon period on Thursday. Wednesday and Friday will produce seven feed ratings and next weekend early afternoon fishing will be very good.

Prime Monthly Periods: September 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: During the Florida summer, the best place to catch fish and especially bass, is in grass beds, tree-piles and fish attractors at depths of twelve to eighteen feet.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.70 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open six inches and flowing a combined 620 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links from USACE and SFWMD websites are provided here at HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

This page is HighlandsBassAngler.com where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast is published on the web. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, firearms, self-defense instructor, and trainer. Thanks for visiting HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling publications and please visit FloridaGunSelfDefense.com for firearms publications and in-field and classroom training options. Dave can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Last Quarter Moon and Ideal Weather Turn Fish On - Sep. 3-10, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of September gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon without a rainy season weather pattern. All fishing factors considered, ideal weather and a strong lunar effect will cause fish to feed at higher rates than normal this week.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is three days from the last quarter phase and five days from the lunar high position within the solar energy path. Anglers can expect the lunar effect to strengthen daily, especially when the moon is overhead.

Weather Factors: Today through Friday, if the weather forecast results in being true, there will be very little rain if any at all. Bright sunshine will prevail over the next six days, which means the photosynthesis rate will be as high as it can be during the summer. Cloud cover will not be a factor with the exception of Tuesday when it is forecasted to be fifty percent.

Temperatures will average at ninety degrees and oxygen production will be very good. Fish will feed at much greater rates than they did the previous two to three weeks. This week the underfoot moon in the afternoon and the overhead moon occurring during the sunrise will produce fairly well.

Winds will be from the east all week. And speeds will climb to fifteen mph today but be ideal for the remainder of the week with speeds topping-out in the early afternoon between eight to ten mph. Atmospheric pressure could be a factor when it falls almost 0.10 in hg this afternoon and again Wednesday afternoon. Otherwise, pressure change will not be a factor.

Next weekend the extended forecast predicts the rainy season pattern will return. If correct, the new moon week will suffer from the lack of bright sunlight. Oxygen rates will drop enough to slow the feeding bite significantly. Best to plan fishing the deeper lakes with depths of twelve to eighteen feet.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at4:4:39 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by fifty minutes and gradually improves in feed rating by one number to two numbers by Wednesday when it occurs during the sunset period.

A second major period occurs today when the moonset happens at 10:51 and solar noon at 1:34 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Photosynthesis will be strongest at this time, causing fish to feed at above average rates for the rainy season. Wednesday the moonset occurs with solar noon and a feed rating of six to seven will occur from 12-3 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 4:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of three to four, depending on how deep the lake is, from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty minutes and increases in feed rating by a half number. Again the deeper the lake the more in feed rating will be accurate. In shallow lakes, oxygen production will be too low to enable fish to feed normally.

By Tuesday, the overhead moon and the sunrise will harmonize to produce excellent fishing from 5:30-8:30 a.m. producing a six to seven feed rating. The second half of the week the overhead moon period will become the major period of the day averaging a six or slightly better feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Wednesday the last quarter moon and a dropping barometer will combine to produce a very good feeding bite during the sunrise, solar noon, and sunset periods. But the pressure effect will occur during the early afternoon and early evening hours.

Florida Fishing Facts: During the rainy season then bright sunshine prevails and thunderstorm activity just about disappears, fish feed best after several hours of bright light. Or in other words, when the lake produces the highest level of oxygen for the day, fish will feed. Oxygen production i.e. photosynthesis, is the main factor in why fish feed more and also the reason why fish don’t feed during the few hours leading up to the sunrise period. Oxygen rates are at the lowest point from 3-8 a.m.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open four inches and flowing a combined 430 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule thresholds are: high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Lake management links from USACE and SFWMD websites are provided on HighlandsBassAngler.com isthp.pdf (army.mil) and Site Status Reports (sfwmd.gov)

This webpage is the new home of HighlandsBassAngler.com. The Highlands Bass Angler article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” is published here weekly. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per guide trip on customer’s boat. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor and trainer. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

Super Full Moon Fishing Interrupted by Tropical Storm - Aug. 27- Sep. 3, 2023

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last five days of August and the beginning of September will give the Florida freshwater anglers a super full moon on Wednesday night, and a rainy season forecast and a tropical depression, which will produce twenty mph winds during the middle of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have good fishing the day before the super full moon as fish feed at above average rates just before the tropical depression arrives. This will not help the super full moon bite on Wednesday and Thursday. Perhaps Friday fish will feed but that depends on the effects of the storm.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is one day from the solar low position and will have a weak effect on fish and wildlife for the next week. But on Wednesday the lunar perigee occurs ten hour and forty-five minutes before the full moon on Thursday at 1:37 a.m. Due the weak influence factor the feed rating will top-out Wednesday and Thursday at seven to eight during the underfoot and overhead periods.

Weather Factors: Today the rainy season weather pattern returns due to the low-pressure system that entered the state over the past thirty-six hours. Atmospheric pressure will average in the 29.78 in hg range until Thursday morning. Today through Wednesday fish will be holding in deeper sections of the lake---as deep as fish can get in shallow lakes and eighteen to twenty-five feet in deeper lakes.

Wind speeds will be ideal today and Monday with top speeds in the afternoon of ten mph out of the east today and the south tomorrow. Tuesday the south wind will continue but produce speeds in the fifteen mph range for most of the day. Wednesday winds begin to switch to the south to southwest, producing top speeds of twenty mph. For the second half of the week winds will be from the west Thursday and Friday at top speeds of ten mph. Next weekend wind will be from the east at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph.

Atmospheric pressure will rise quickly starting Wednesday evening and climb 0.27 in hg by Friday midday. Fish will adjust upward throughout the thirty-six hour period. Anglers can expect fish to feed as they move into the deeper vegetation areas along shorelines.

It should be noted that due to heavy cloud-cover oxygen produce will be very low which means fish will need to move deeper to better oxygen areas of the water column in order to digest food and feed normally. Expect fish to be stressed as they adjust upward Thursday and Friday because they’ll be moving into low oxygen areas of the lake. Some feeding will occur in deeper lakes but shallow lakes will most likely not have much feeding activity.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 10:12 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of six or slightly better from 9-11 a.m. Daily the overhead moon will occur later by an hour and increases in feed rating by a half number until Friday when the rating will decline daily by a half number.

A second major period occurs today when the overhead moon happens at 10:44 p.m. and produces a feed rating of five to six from 9:30-11:45 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and improves in feed rating by a half number. Friday the rating will reverse and decline in rating by a half number

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 5:33 p.m. and produces a feed rating of four from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating

The moonset occurs today at 2:47 a.m. when the oxygen rate is arriving at its lowest rate of the day. Therefore feeding activity will be very poor if it occurs at all. Daily the moonset occurs later by one fifty minutes and will not become productive until Thursday when it happens at 7:33 a.m. Pressure will be on the rise, which will improve feeding activity. I’ll predict a four feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Pressure will drop 0.12 in hg during the overhead moon causing fish to feed as they adjust downward. Thursday and Friday fish will adjust upward which will improve feeding activity during both the underfoot and overhead periods.

Fishing Facts: During a tropical storm event, atmospheric pressure drops significantly, forcing fish to adjust downward enabling the swim bladders to adjust to the decrease in pressure and become normalized. This takes about twelve to eighteen hours depending on the severity of the drop in pressure.

As fish move deeper, they enter cooler temperature water, which holds greater dissolved oxygen, which in turn causes better digestion rates, and consequently enables normal feeding activity.

However, the problem in Florida’s shallow freshwater lakes, is that they are on average, twelve feet deep at their deepest point. Fish don’t have adequate depths to regain adequate pressure to sustain normal body functions. Fish in shallow lakes will enter a stressed state until pressure rises again. Also, during this time, they will not find the oxygen rates needed due to low photosynthesis, which is a result of a lack of bright sunshine. A lack of oxygen and correct pressure shuts down normal activities.

Lakes with depths greater than twelve feet, provide ideal water temperatures, which hold plenty of oxygen even though overcast conditions block out sunlight. Anglers will have a much greater chance of success fishing grass beds at eighteen to twenty-four feet during the next five days. Shallow lake anglers should fish as deep as possible using downsized fat baits at slow retrieve speeds. Even using this technique be prepared to go home empty.

Prime Monthly Periods: Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.34 feet above sea level with four S68 gates closed. The lake level schedule: high 38.50’ and low 38.25’. From September through the middle of October, both the high and low levels will be raised gradually to 39.50’ and 39’ respectively. Keep up to date by checking these two lake management websites, the Army Corp of Engineers USACE and South Fl. Water Mgmt. District SFWMD.

This webpage is the new home of HighlandsBassAngler.com where the Highlands Bass Angler weekly article, “Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast” will be published from now on. Bass Guide Services are available upon request at a rate of $125 per outing on customer’s boats. If you need to learn where the bass are, give me a call. I will put you on fish and provide information and technique that will lead to greater success.

If firearms or self-defense instruction and training is of interest to you, please check out my articles on the main page of this website. Also visit my FloridaGunSelfDefense.com business webpage for complete information on training modules and classroom instruction options customized for gun owners, from elementary to advanced levels of experience.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474, please leave a message for a return call.

August 20-27, 2023 - This Week Sunshine and Wind Will Improve Fishing

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third full week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the development of the first quarter moon phase and a weakening moon, and a weather forecast promising a strong east wind and bright sunshine with very little, if any, thunderstorm activity. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy an above-average wind during the prime fishing periods of the day and plenty of sunshine which will improve feeding activity.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: We just left the new moon phase and will have the waxing of the first quarter moon this week, which will occur Thursday. The moon is currently moving away from the solar energy path, and will reach the solar low position Saturday. Therefore, anglers can expect the moon effect to weaken daily over the next six days.

Weather Factors: The forecast predicts something rarely experienced during the rainy season. An east wind will occur for the next seven days and will produce a daily high speed in the fifteen mph range by the early afternoon hours.

With the best fishing period occurring in the mid to late afternoon hours, anglers will welcome the relief in the form of a higher than ideal wind. Wave action will actually be a factor this week during the prime period of the day.

The sun-to-cloud ratio will be seventy-thirty today and Monday. Tuesday through the end of the week bright sunshine will prevail with very little cloud-cover and very little thunderstorm activity. Tuesday through next Sunday will not feel much like a rainy season.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon will be overhead at 4:32 p.m. and will produce a feed rating of six to seven from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 10:31 a.m. and will produce a feed rating of five from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and will remain at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the moon is underfoot at 4:12 a.m. today producing a feed rating of four to five from 3-5:30 a.m. Daily the moon underfoot period occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A third minor period occurs when the moonset occurs at 10:26 p.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 9:30-11:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by thirty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Thursday evening the overhead moon and the sunset happen together to produce the best fishing period of the week. And the underfoot moon will be working with the sunset to produce a fairly good minor period.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: I’ve mentioned the rainy season fact before but it’s worth mentioning again because this week it will come into play again. Bright sunshine is forecast Tuesday through next Sunday. Oxygen production will be very good this week in the hours leading up to the major feeding period of the day. Anglers can expect to find aggressive feeding in healthy vegetation areas as a result.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.35 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open sis inches, flowing a combined 580 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule is: high 38.25’ and low 37.5’.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com to access angling and firearms publications. He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474

New Moon Produces Best Fishing Days of the Month - August 13-20, 2023.

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second full week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the new moon phase during a fairly strong moon and a rainy season weather forecast which promises more thunderstorm activity during the second half of the week than the first half of the week.

All fishing factors considered, anglers will have the best success during the late morning and early afternoon hours when the moon and sun are overhead. However if anglers fish the deeper lakes they will find success during the sunrise and sunset period. Fish will be in the oxygenated waters of twelve feet or more.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Wednesday as the orbit apogee occurs. However yesterday the lunar high occurred which means the moon is at full strength. In three days, the new moon while being furthest from earth will be fairly strong. Expect an eight rating Tuesday through Thursday during the midday solar noon period.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather forecast is predicted for this week. Today and Monday thunderstorm activity will be moderate to low but Tuesday through the end of the week thunderstorm activity will be moderate to high. Winds will climb to eight to ten mph daily, Today from the east southeast, Monday from the southeast, Tuesday the a west wind will switch to a southwest to west wind on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday a southerly wind will occur. Next weekend a ten to twelve mph east wind will prevail

Water temperatures are at a annual high mark in the high eighty to ninety degree range. Dissolved oxygen rates are also the lowest rate they’ll be all year. Expect fish to be between eight to eighteen feet deep. And the brighter the conditions the more fish will feed. Cloud-cover will be a factor in the afternoons and evenings so I predict fish will feed just prior to thunderstorm activity. .

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 11:04 a.m. and solar noon at 1:38 p.m. producing a feed rating of six from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-eight minutes and increases in feed rating by one number. Wednesday from 12-3:30 p.m. a feed rating of eight will occur. Thursday through Saturday the feed rating will drop by one number and settle at a five to six rating for the weekend 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonset occurs at 6:38 p.m. and the sunset at 7:43 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period begins to occur on Tuesday when the moonrise happens at 5:24 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:14 a.m. producing a feed rating of four from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and will improve to a five rating Wednesday and Thursday. The feed rating will remain at five for the remainder of the week.

Best Fishing Days of Week: With the new moon occurring Wednesday, Monday through Friday will produce very well. But Tuesday and Wednesday will be the best fishing days of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon, November 11-14 weak new moon, 24-29 full moon, December 10-13 weak new moon, 23-29 full moon

Florida Fishing Facts: Florida freshwater fish will move into the shallows when water temperatures are in the upper eighty-degree range. They will look for healthy vegetation during the midday hours when oxygen production is highest for the day. They won’t remain shallows for very long, but long enough to moderately feed and return to deeper more oxygenated water in order to digest their food.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.24 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open one inches, flowing a combined 180 cubic feet per second. The lake level schedule is: high 38.25’ and low 37.5’.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast.

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide and firearms and self-defense instructor. Visit his new website at FloridaGunSelfDefense.com He can be reached by email at DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or by phone at 863-381-8474

August 6-13, 2023 - Good Fishing Tuesday and Next Weekend

“High Temps Leads to Low Oxygen Levels in Lakes”

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy good fishing when wind speeds are highest for the day and temperatures are beginning to decline. Thunderstorms will be a challenge however. Play it safe with a good plan of escape.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon is two days away from the last quarter moon and six days from the lunar high solar position. Therefore, the lunar influence will be noticeably increasing each day this week as the moon begins to improve the beginning of the sunset period. By the midweek, the overhead moon will improve the sunrise period and next weekend the midmorning bite will be very good as the moon reaches full power Saturday.

Weather Factors: The weather forecast for the first week of August will be typical in that there will be a weak wind daily, switching direction every three days and no atmospheric pressure change. Today and Monday winds will be from the west. Tuesday through Thursday winds will be from the southwest, and Friday through next weekend, an ideal east wind will produce a daily high speed of ten mph.

Daily thunderstorms are predicted in the afternoon and evening, and it’s anyone’s guess where they will be. The sun-to-cloud ratio in the mornings will be eighty-twenty and during the midafternoon through the evening hours sixty-forty.

Water temperatures are at the annual high mark, which means shallow lakes will have low oxygen levels, especially from 4-9 a.m. However if sunshine prevails in the afternoon and early evening hours oxygen rates will climb enough to enable fish to feed at near normal rates for a few hours leading up to the sunset period. Lakes with twelve foot depths or more will provide normal oxygenated water within deep grass beds enabling fish to feed during all daily prime periods.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 5:59 p.m. and the sunset at 8:11 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 5-8:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-nine minutes and improve to a seven or slightly better rating Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday through the end of the week a six rating will occur.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 12:03 p.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 5:36 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:51 a.m. producing a feed rating of five from 5-8 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Tuesday’s last quarter moon will improve the sunset bite for all lakes and in deeper lakes, the sunrise bite will occur at almost normal rates but shallow lakes I doubt normal feeding will occur. Next weekend the moon’s influence climbs to the highest level of the month and Sunday the new moon phase begins, producing the best fishing days of the month, August 13-18.

Prime Monthly Periods: August 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: Due to low dissolved oxygen rates in all lakes, with shallow lakes suffering the most, fish metabolisms are slower than normal. Therefore, fish will feed less often and much less. Anglers should downsize their baits, selecting short, fat, baits that emit heavy vibration at slow retrieve speeds. Colorado blades produce better vibrations at slow speeds than Carolina blades, so give them a try. Think two-inch thick fillet mignon instead of a Porter House.

Fishing Safety Notice: Lightning is a major threat so it’s best to have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.25 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open twenty-two inches, flowing a combined 1600 cubic feet per second (8-04-23 status). The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler articles, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast be sure to check out my new website. .

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, since 2006.Custom bass guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule a one-on-one class for bass angling or gun and self-defense law. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com ..

July 30-August 6, 2023 - Super Full Moon Fishing Next Three Days

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the last two days of July and the beginning of August gives the Florida freshwater anglers the super full moon phase and a rainy season weather pattern. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy excellent fishing over the next five days. Cool midnight fishing should be on your schedule.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the moon arrives at its furthest point out of the solar energy path—lunar low. The full moon occurs Tuesday night and the orbit perigee occurs about ten hours later, which means the full moon qualifies for “Super” status. However due to the lunar low, the feed rating will top-out at seven Tuesday and Wednesday instead of a ten rating if the lunar high had occurred.

Weather Factors: A rainy season weather pattern will be consistent over the next ten days. The sun to cloud ratio will be fifty-fifty. Atmospheric pressure change will not be a factor. Wind speeds will be weak or almost ideal. Wind direction will be from the west today through Tuesday, switching to the east Wednesday through Friday. Next weekend’s forecast predicts a south wind. There will be a bright shining super full moon so daytime anglers should expect lower numbers of active feeders.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 11:01 a.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or slightly better from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by sixty-seven minutes and improves in feed rating by a half number. Tuesday and Wednesday a feed rating of seven to eight will occur from 12-3:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 6:44 p.m. and the sunset at 7:56 p.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 6-9 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the moon is overhead at 11:34 p.m. and produces a feed rating of five from 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rating. The second half of the week the feed rating drops to three.

The moonset doesn’t come into play until it begins to happen with the sunrise. Today it happens at 3:15 a.m. and occurs later each day by seventy minutes. During the second half of the week, it will harmonize with the sunrise and produce a four to five rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Thursday, the super full moon will produce excellent fishing during the midday and midnight hours. The full moon will shine brightly every night, which means less hungry feeders twelve hours later. Tuesday and Wednesday’s midday bite will be very good.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 30-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Fishing Safety Notice: Alligators are a real threat so be alert and assume they are present in all types of water bodies. It is illegal to feed them and brings a $500 fine and or a 30-60 day jail sentence. For gator removal services call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lightning strikes during the rainy season are a major threat to anglers. Have a planned escape strategy and know the time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.12 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open seven inches, flowing a combined 566 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com is the new home for the Highlands Bass Angler Sunday weekly article, Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast. .

Dave Douglass is an artificial bait only bass fishing guide, since 2006 with experience on twenty-two lakes. Custom artificial-bait bass guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule a one-on-one class for bass angling or gun and self-defense law. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo

July 23-31, 2023 - Good Fishing, Beginning and End of Week

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the fourth week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers the weak lunar influence days of the month but by the end of the week a super full moon phase will begin. The rainy season weather pattern takes a brief break for the first half of the week but will return for the second half of the week. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy good fishing during the bright sunny days and when the effects of the super full moon begins next weekend.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: We have entered the weak lunar influence days of the month this week. The moon is moving away from the solar energy path and will arrive at the low point in seven days but the first quarter moon occurs Tuesday, which will improve the sunset and sunrise periods. Therefore, anglers can expect lower concentrations of feeding fish and shorter feeding periods this week.

Next weekend will be the beginning of a super full moon phase. The moon is full August 1 and arrives at the orbit perigee eleven hours and twenty minutes later, earning it ‘Super’ status. However, since the moon will have arrived at the low point within the solar energy path, the super full moon feed rating will be seven instead of nine or better.

Weather Factors: There won’t be much thunderstorm activity over the next three days and sunshine is forecasted to prevail over cloud cover. Fish will be holding tighter to protective cover as a result. Wednesday through the remainder of the week will give anglers the rainy season pattern with a fifty-fifty sun-to-cloud ratio.

The wind forecast will not be typical for the summer rainy season. Today and Monday a strong west wind will reach speeds of fifteen mph before noon and remain strong through the late afternoon hours. Tuesday the west wind declines to a six mph speed and changes to an east wind by the evening hours. Wednesday through next weekend a typical east wind with ideal speeds in the eight to ten mph range will occur.

Atmospheric pressure usually isn’t a factor during the rainy season however, later today pressure will rise enough by Monday midday to force fish to adjust upward. A pressure increase of 0.14 in hg will occur in twelve hours. Fish will need to adjust upward and they will feed as they adjust. Monday morning through the noon hour should produce above average results.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 5:53 p.m. and will produce a feed rating of seven from 5-7 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the moonrise occurs at 11:43 a.m. and solar noon at 1:40 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

A second minor period occurs when the underfoot moon happens at 5:33 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:44 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty minutes and remains at the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Tuesday’s first quarter moon will improve the sunset and sunrise periods as the moon’s overhead and underfoot periods boost sunset and sunrise feeding activity, but not by much. Next weekend is the beginning of a super full moon phase. Fish will be feeding at above average rates during the underfoot moon periods Saturday through Thursday next week.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon, 11-16 weak new moon, 25-31 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: During the summer rainy season weather pattern, fish feed at higher rates for longer periods when bright sunshine prevails. Anytime bright sunshine occurs for periods of four hours or more, fish will be more active which results in a higher feed rate. In the hour before thunderstorm activity occurs, your odds of catching fish will be in your favor.

Fishing Safety Notice: Alligators are aggressively mating which means gators are extremely dangerous. Gators are migrating to canals, ponds, streams, rivers, or small lakes and even swimming pools. Expect them to be where they are usually not. Keep children and pets away from the water. Make sure of your surroundings and if you cannot visually determine if gators are present, assume one is there until proven otherwise.

Alligators have a normal fear of humans. If you see a gator approaching you, it is because someone has been illegally feeding it. It is a $500 fine and or a 30-60 day jail sentence. When a person feeds a gator, they are training that gator to kill humans.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lightning strikes during rainy season weather are a major threat to anglers. Every year anglers and outdoor enthusiast are the victims of lightning strikes. Anglers should have a planned escape strategy. Know how much time it takes to get to a tow vehicle or building. Trees are “not a refuge’ but in fact a place of death, don’t take cover under them. It is better to lay flat on the open ground than to take refuge under a tree. If caught on the boat, leave the motors in the water and lay as low as possible. Makes sure bilge pumps are working.

Bass Fishing Guide Free Information: If you’d like help finding bass on any lake email me and put “Fishing Guide” in the subject line, Provide the lake you want help with, and the type of guidance you would like. I will give you a return email with your requested guide information and a bathymetric map, which shows the hot spots. If I don’t have experience on your requested lake I’ll provide information on how I would fish the lake for the first time.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.25 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open three inches, flowing a combined 310 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com Personalized one-on-one bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing gun training and use-of-force law, but would love to schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I am able to. I’m committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this Sunday article and publish it Sunday morning on my new Substack website, davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense”. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only. Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law classed are also available. Call to schedule one-on-one class for bass angling and or gun and self-defense law classes. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo

July 16-23, 2023 - Time to Put a Fishing Line Into the Water

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the third week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers a strong new moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy the best fishing of the month as a strong new moon produces well-above average feeding activity during the midday period.

The best fishing of the month has arrived so get out on the water and put a line in the water.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The new moon occurs Monday and the lunar high today. Combined both lunar factors will produce the highest feed-rating of the month today through Tuesday. Anglers can expect an eight rating or slightly better during the late morning through the early afternoon hours today through Tuesday.

Weather Factors: Cloud-cover will prevail over the sunshine today through Tuesday. Expect fish to not be tight to protective cover but instead moving throughout cover when the sun is not shining brightly. Winds will be at ideal speeds of eight to ten mph all week. Wind direction will be out of the west today and Monday, then from the south on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday an east wind occurs but switches to a southwest direction on Friday. Next weekend a ten to twelve mph west wind is forecasted.

This week has a greater potential of being dangerous due to the prime fishing period of the day occurring when thunderstorm and lightning activity is most likely. And the forecast is predicting active thunderstorm activity daily during the best fishing period of the day. So be alert and play it safe. Fairly sure you don’t want your headstone to say, “He died from a lightning strike right after catching the largest bass of his career.” Or…do you?

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 1:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of eight from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by fifty-two minutes and improves to a eight to nine feed rating on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday the feed rating declines by one number daily.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 8:00 p.m. and the sunset at 8:23 p.m. producing a feed rating of six and perhaps seven from 7-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by forty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating until Wednesday when it declines to a four to five rating from 9-11 p.m.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonrise happens at 5:24 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:40 a.m. producing a feed rating of five to six from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by fifty-five minutes and will have the same feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today through Wednesday, a strong new moon will produce an eight feed rating or better during the midday period. Fishing ninety minutes before and after the overhead moon will give you the greatest chance to experience the best fishing of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 16-19 last four days of strong new moon phase, July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon.

Florida Fishing Facts: Bass use primarily sight and vibration, which they hear and sense through their ear-lateral line system. When hunting and selecting which prey to consume they monitor vibrations created by members of the food chain. I have found through experience that the greater vibration, the greater the strikes count.

For instance, when downsizing baits due to lack of action, I have found that selecting the fattest shortest baits in the tackle box, yielded the most action. The natural reason for that result is that when bass feed, they select what they sense are prey which successfully fed and thus have increased girth due to a full stomach.

I believe this is more the case with the larger, older bass, than the young smaller bass. An eight-pound bass in Istokpoga will more often than not, select the bait with the most vibration emitted when it moves.

And one more factor to consider: the more particles in the water column, the greater the vibration transfers through the water column. Therefore the so-called, “Dirty Water” transmits vibrations better than clean or clear water. Which helps explains one of several reasons why the catch rate in dirty water was always better than in clean water

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.18 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open eight inches, flowing a combined 740 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

July 9-16, 2023 - Good Fishing at Beginning and End of the Week

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the second week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers the last quarter moon phase at the beginning of the week and the first half of the new moon phase during the second half of the week. And of course, a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will do well to fish the beginning and end of this week when the lunar factors make all the difference.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: Today the last quarter moon occurs which always means the sunset and sunrise periods will produce at a higher feed rate due to the moon underfoot and overhead periods harmonizing with the sunset and sunrise periods respectively. The moon’s position with the solar energy path is currently one week from the lunar high position and thus the most powerful lunar influence of the month. Therefore, over the next seven days the moon will become more powerful daily, causing greater numbers of feeding fish during daily feeding periods.

Weather Factors: We will experience a typical rainy season weather pattern this week. Wind speeds will be a little higher than normal today and Monday, with speeds topping-out at twelve mph out of the west by the early to midafternoon hours. Tuesday and Wednesday a west wind will provide ideal wind speeds of eight to ten mph. Thursday winds will shift and come from the south and be very mild. An ideal south wind will prevail through next weekend.

Atmospheric pressure will not be a factor. The sun-to-cloud ratio will average around sixty-forty every day but Monday, which is forecasted to provide bright sunlight, very little rain and thunderstorm activity as a west wind climbs to fifteen mph in the afternoon. Ideal fishing conditions on Monday will make it the best fishing day of the first half of the week.

Major Solar-Lunar Periods: Today the moon is underfoot at 7:17 p.m. and the sunset at 8:24 p.m. producing a feed rating of six to seven from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and diminishes in feed rating by a half number daily for the next four days. Thursday a rating of four will occur from 9:30-11:30 p.m. and becomes a minor period by Wednesday.

A second major period happens today when the moonset occurs at 1:12 p.m. and solar noon at 1:31 p.m. producing a feed rating of six or perhaps slightly better from 12-3 p.m. Photosynthesis will be active at this time, producing the highest oxygen rate of the day. In turn, this produces the highest digestion rate of the day resulting in increased feeding activity. Daily this period occurs later by one hour and remains at the same feed rate.

Minor Solar Lunar Period: Today the overhead moon occurs at 6:54 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:37 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five for shallow lakes and six to seven for deeper lakes. The bite will occur between the hours of 5:30-8:30 a.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by forty-seven minutes and remains at the same feed rating for both types of lakes. However, by the midweek, during bright sunny mornings the shallow lakes will produce a better feed rating; about the same as the deeper lake’s feed rating.

Best Fishing Days of Week: Today’s last quarter moon will improve the feeding intensity of the prime periods today and Monday, and Monday’s weather, if accurate, will provide excellent conditions for fish to feed at above average rates.

The new moon occurs a week from tomorrow, which means the new moon phase, begins Friday. The lunar high occurs a week from today, so Friday through next Wednesday will be the best fishing days of the month.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 14-19 strong new moon, July 29-August 3 super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: During the rainy season, water flows southward, except for the St. Johns River, which flows northward. All flood control structures will be periodically releasing water in accordance with a schedule engineered to handle extreme weather events. Streams, rivers, and canals therefore will have flowing water, which in most cases lead to larger bodies of water. Anglers will find active fish in the moving water. Fishing influents and effluents can be very productive. Spillways are a good place to do some shoreline fishing.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.28 feet above sea level with three of four S68 gates open six inches, flowing a combined 600 cubic feet per second. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

DavidPDouglass@Substack.com Personalized one-on-one bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing gun training and use-of-force law, but would love to schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I can. I am committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this Sunday article and publish it Sunday morning on my new Substack website, davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense”. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only, when I’m not teaching Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law. Call to schedule one-on-one class for bass angling and or legal and safe competent gun operation classes. Visit davidpdouglass@substack.com “Highlands Guns & Self-Defense” to access angling and firearms publications or call 863-381-8474.or email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo.

July 5, 2023 Follow up on this week’s fishing forecast.

For the first time in three weeks, it seems, as of today’s extended weather forecast, that a rainy season weather pattern has indeed arrived and if the ten-day forecast results in becoming true, anglers can expect a significant threat of lightning during the underfoot moon period in the mid to late afternoon hours.

Fish have been actively feeding after any sunny period lasting longer than three to four hours. And before you go out on the water, it’s a good idea to look at the projected cloud-cover for 11 a.m. through the late afternoon hours. Some areas of Highlands County and central Florida in general will have heavier thunderstorm activity within the projected cloud-cover areas.

It is possible therefore to select a lake which is not withing the projected cloud-cover area which means you’ll have greater odds of an extended sunny period as opposed to heavy dangerous thunderstorms. I’ve been paying attention to this rainy season factor for fifteen years and it’s served me well, yielding some above-average catches of large bass.

In any event, always make sure you have an escape plan in mind. Know to the minute how quickly you can get to a vehicle or building to escape lightning. Do not, take cover under trees, odds are those trees just might get struck, which will be lethal.

Stay smart, keep your phone on your person, and use a weather app to alert your areas of potential threats. Your life depends on it during the Florida rainy season.

July 2-9, 2023, Fishing Forecast for Freshwater Anglers

Good Full Moon Fishing Next Three Days

The Freshwater Fishing Forecast for the first week of July gives the Florida freshwater anglers a fairly strong full moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered; anglers will enjoy good full moon fishing over the next three days.

Here are the solar-lunar, weather, and additional fishing factors, plus my conclusions and predictions, to better plan your fishing trips over the next seven to ten days.

Solar-Lunar Factors: The moon arrives at the lunar low position today and becomes full on Monday night, and the lunar orbit perigee occurs thirty-four hours and forty-eight minutes later, missing ‘Super’ status by ten hours and forty-eight minutes. Therefore, this month’s full moon will produce a few feed-rating point less than it would have if the lunar high occurred instead of the lunar low. Next month there will be two super full moons, the first one on August 1, and the second on the 31.

Weather Factors: Because the weather computer algorithms have not predicted accurately the Florida rainy season over the past two weeks, I am tempted to just generalize this week’s weather factor segment. Ok, I’ve accepted the temptation.

There will be some sunny days, which will cause fish to move closer to cover and feed due to adequate photosynthesis rates. And, there will be cloudy overcast days with thunderstorm activity which will cause fish to move away from cover and not feed, unless they have deep water vegetation areas of twelve feet or more.

Atmospheric pressure change will not be a factor no matter if there is bright sunlight or cloud cover with thunderstorms. And the daily wind speed will be less than perfect, with a daily high speed in the six mph range. The wind direction will be out of the east to southeast with the exception of next weekend when it will come from the south.

And for what it’s worth, weather.com and wunderground.com both predict rainy season conditions Monday through next Monday with heavy cloud-cover occurring Tuesday through Saturday.

And remember, during a full moon phase, the more cloud cover there is during the night, the more fish will feed twelve hours later. And the reverse weather condition will cause less fish to feed during the underfoot moon which occurs during the solar noon period.

Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is underfoot at 12:43 p.m. and solar noon at 1:30 p.m. producing a feed rating of seven or slightly better on sunny days, from 12-3 p.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by sixty-six minutes and will remain at the same feed rating until Tuesday when it begins to diminish daily by one number. Thursday a feed rating of five will occur from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonrise occurs at 8:06 p.m. and the sunset at 8:25 p.m. producing a feed rating of five from 7-9:30 p.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by sixty-three minutes and remains at the same feed rating until the second half of the week when the feed rating drops to a three to four rating.

A second minor period occurs today when the moonset happens at 5:19 a.m. and the sunrise at 6:34 a.m. producing a feed rating of four to five from 5-7:30 a.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by sixty-five minutes and remains at the same feed rating. During the second half of the week this period will happen during the mid to late morning hours and produce a five or slightly better rating.

A third minor period occurs today when the moon is overhead at 12:11 a.m. producing a feed rating of four if there is cloud cover and a five rating it the moon shine brightly. The feeding period occurs today from 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and the overhead full moon occurs later daily by sixty-five minutes.

Best Fishing Days of Week: The full moon today through Tuesday will produce the second-best fishing period of the month. Over the next three days, a daily high feed rating of seven will occur during the underfoot solar noon period. The more sunshine there is the better the fishing will be. And if the full moon shines brightly, nighttime top-water fishing should be very good when the full moon is directly overhead.

Prime Monthly Periods: July 2-5 full moon, 14-19 strong new moon, July 29-August 3, super full moon, 13-18 new moon, Aug. 28-Sep. 2 super full moon, 11-16 new moon, 26-October 1 full moon. .

Florida Fishing Facts: The more the full moon is blocked by cloud-cover, the more fish will feed twelve hours later when the moon is underfoot. Fish feed during the nighttime of a full moon phase because of the moonlight enabling them to achieve a higher feeding success-rate. So the more full moon light there is, the more fish will not feed twelve hours later. And it should be noted that digestion rates are at an annual low rate due to oxygen rates being lower than the annual average. This is true in all lakes, deep and shallow but especially the shallow lakes.

If you need a gator removed call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) and if you see anyone feeding gators call 911.

Bass Fishing Guide Free Information: If you’d like help finding bass on any lake email me and put “Fishing Guide” in the subject line, Provide the lake you want help with, and the type of guidance you would like. I will give you a return email with your requested guide information and a bathymetric map, which shows the hot spots. And if I don’t have experience on your requested lake I’ll provide information on how I would fish the lake for the first time.

Access this article online at BassFishingForecast.com or FloridaBassFishingForecast.com

Lake Istokpoga News: Today’s lake level is at 38.20 feet above sea level with four S68 gates closed. The rainy season lake management schedule high level is 38.25’ and the low is 37.5’, which is the lower level used if an extreme weather event occurs. The reason for the nine-inch buffer is that the lake rises six times faster than it can be lowered during extreme rainfall.

HighlandsBassAngler.com Customized bass guided trips on your boat are available. However for the past six years I’ve focused on providing advanced gun training and use-of-force law and will schedule a bass fishing experience for you if I can. I am committed to Bass Angling and will continue to provide this article and publish it in Sunday’s edition and on the Fishing Forecast webpage. However, if operating a firearm legally, safely and effectively is a concern to you, give me a call.

Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2006 and has experience on twenty-two lakes throughout central Florida. Custom artificial-bait bass angler guide services are available on customer’s boats only when I’m not teaching Advanced Gun Training and Use-of-Force Law. Call to schedule one-on-one class for teaching angling and or legal and safe competent gun operation. Visit HighlandsBassAngler.com for complete angling details or for firearms training call 863-381-8474.or Email: DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com – The double “S” is not a typo.

HighlandsBassAngler.com

“The Highlands Bass Angler” since 2006

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