Lake Jackson | Lake Talquin Fishing Report by Cliff Mundinger, Jr
WARNING: Below average rainfall for the past 12 months has all our area lakes and rivers very low, even Lake Talquin. Though Lake Talquin has somewhat of a stable water level it’s still lower than normal and some areas have stumps just below the surface that can cause severe damage to your boat or motor and possibly injure those in it. Use extreme caution when navigating Lake Talquin and ALWAYS wear your life jacket while boating! While January brings New Years and College football bowl games, bass fishing on Lake Talquin slows down. Most fish have moved deep into the main lake and the river channel. Though some bass can still be found in deeper creeks you’ll want to focus on docks and ledges near deep water. Rattle traps, crank baits and large spinner baits fished in these areas are a good way to locate and catch bass. When fishing the rattle trap this time of year I like to use the “yoyo” method. Lift your rod tip quickly and let your bait drop back down. Be sure not to lose contact with you bait as most strikes occur when the bait is falling. For crank baits big, deep divers with a large wobble to them works best. No need to “rip” the bait across the bottom. If there was ever a time to fish a crankbait slow it’s now. Fish are much more lethargic as water temps drop into the 50’s and won’t chase a bait very far. But they still eat and when they do they want something big! Spinnerbaits can be very effective around docks that fall into deeper water. Bass use these as ambush points so “slow rolling” a 5/8oz or 3/4oz white spinnerbait near the ends of docks can be deadly this time of year. On warm sunny days bass will move into the upper column near structure especially on the upper end of the Lake near Coe’s Landing. Banks on the North side get most of the sun throughout the day and attract more fish. January is also one of the best months to Crappie fish on Lake Talquin. Big slabs up to 3lbs can be found this time of year suspended under huge balls of bait in the main river channel. Hundred fish days are possible with many limits caught by trolling or drifting minnows. You’ll find some fish already have roe in them, building up for the spawn in February. Creek mouths, river channel bends, and main lake sand bars adjacent to the river channel is where the speckled perch tend to school up. As you troll through fish keep an eye on your graph. When you see bait with fish underneath, get ready for action! Small spinners, Hal Fly’s or Bab Fly’s trolled on 6lb test line at about 1mph behind the boat, is a great way to not only catch fish, but also cover water. Always troll with the current. Wether it’s wind or water current, you’ll increase your chances of a more productive day by following this tip. For those of you that have never been to Lake Jackson, it’s loaded with big fish and at any time you can catch that trophy you’ve always wanted. As below average rainfall reaches 36”, water levels on Lake Jackson are dangerously low. For those of you with smaller boats and Kayaks, jerk baits and swim baits work very well this time of year. So until next time, be safe, have fun and always wear a life jacket while boating!
Oct 22, 2011
November’s one of my favorite month’s to fish Lake Talquin. Highs still in the 80’s, water temps in the 70’s and most all the bass in the lake are shallow by now. Lily pads are the first place I look as shad, shiners and brim are all in the same place. This makes for a bass fiesta, at times resembling a boiling pot of water with all the fishy activity. My favorite baits are White 3/8oz Terminator spinner baits, Zoom Super Flukes in Shad, Pearl or Watermelon seed, and Yum Money Minnow swim baits fished on a 1/8oz #5 Stinger Dinger. Not only can action be fast and furious but quality exists as well. On a November trip several years back I boated three fish that each weighed over 8lbs, and others in the 2-3lb range throughout the day. Each month you’ll notice I refer to the importance of “bait” in the areas you find fish. This is probably one time of the year when this could not be more important. With the recent emergence of scattered grass in certain creeks, I’m looking forward to some of the best fall fishing I’ve seen in years. Last time I found grass like this the fishing was spectacular with big limits very common. With time on the water and a keen eye, you could be one of those lucky fishermen to find the Holy Grail!
For you crappie enthusiast’s, get your batteries charged ‘cause it’s time to troll. Fish will feed heavily on shad fattening up for the upcoming short winter we have down here. You’ll find some fish already have roe in them, building up for the spawn in February. Creek mouths, river channel bends, and main lake sand bars adjacent to the river channel is where the speckled perch tend to school up. As you troll through fish keep an eye on your graph. When you see bait with fish underneath, get ready for action! Small spinners, Hal Fly’s or Bab Fly’s trolled on 6lb test line at about 1mph behind the boat, is a great way to not only catch fish, but also cover water. 1 big hint: Always troll with the current. Wether it’s wind or water current, you’ll increase your chances of a more productive day by following this tip.
For those of you that have never been to Lake Jackson, it’s loaded with big fish and at any time you can catch that trophy you’ve always wanted. As below average rainfall reaches 18”, water levels on Lake Jackson as dangerously low and vegetation is very high. For those of you with smaller boats and Kayaks, jerk baits and swim baits work very well this time of year.
September 15, 2011
Been almost a month since our last report. Not a whole lot of change since then, but there is some.
Biggest change on Lake Jackson is water levels have dropped almost to the point where launching a full size bass boat is dangerous at Sunset Landing. Several fisherman have damaged their props while trying to load the boat back on the trailer. The September Xtreme Bass tournament had to be moved to Lake Talquin due to low water levels. If you do get out on Lake Jackson, bass fishing should be picking up as water temps also fall. Some of the heavy hydrilla has fallen back in the Crowder area and made for some very good bass fishing. Top water poppers, or soft plastic frogs thrown on a Stinger Dinger still work very well.
Lake Talquin's water levels are stable for now, and temps have dropped back into the high 70's. Most bass are still hanging out on main lake ledges and creek channel points close to the main lake but look for that to change very soon. As water temps continue to drop, shad will make their way into the creeks and the bass will follow. You won't want to miss out on this, as action can be fast and furious when fish begin to school. A couple good pointers to look for schooling activity. One is watch for birds. If you see birds diving in the distance, chances are some species of bass are chasing bait to the surface. The other is simply watch the surface. Calm seas make it much easier to spot schooling activity, but the more you do it the easier it gets. Can't pin point an exact spot where they are right now, as the schools move constintly. I can tell you a small chrome rattle trap or Little George will increase your chances to catch them.
August 18, 2011
We've almost had some change. not much but almost. Water temps are still in the high 80's during low light hours and reaching into the 90's by mid day. Lake Jackson has been producing some big fish this year with the majority being caught after dark with artificials or during the day with shiners. Water levels are very low and the only place I feel safe putting in is Sunset Landing. As I write this the water levels drop each day. Two weeks ago I had a hard time loading my 21' Triton on the trailer. Maybe a nice Tropical Storm can drop another 20" of rain before we lose it again. Early mornings and throughout the day the one technique I stick with is the frog. Even if I don't catch them the strikes it produces will give away their hideouts. Once I find them I can slow down and fish that area until they bite. Flipping a creature bait is my go to bait once Mr. Bass reveals his location. You have to be quick. Once they roll if you can get the bait right back in there they usually bite. Don't get caught without heavy equipment either. I use a stout 7'6" Deep South Flippin Stick. A high speed Shimano reel and at least 50# test braided Power Pro. For a hook I like an OWNER 3/0 or 4/0 wide gap+. You could almost fish for Grouper with it.
Lake Talquin water levels have recently come back to about normal so look for a detailed report September 1st. As of now, river is stained and most fish are coming from Williams Landing and up river.
July 4th, 2011
Happy 4th everyone! With July comes fireworks, heat, afternoon storms and some great bass fishing on Lake Talquin. From one end of the lake to the other, Bass chase shad up and down the river channel waiting to feed. Find the shad, and the bass aren’t far behind. River channel and main lake ledges are key to all of this. Early and late in the day bass will even be chasing bait in pockets off the main lake. Top water action can be fast and furious and my favorite bait for this is a Pop R. As the sun gets higher, bass get more active as shad “ball up” in the deeper water. Now’s the time to break out the medium diving crank bait and Carolina rig. A Norman Deep Little N or Bomber Fat Free Shad in natural colors is a great bait to activate a school of hungry bass. Once you locate the fish and they slow down, it’s time to throw a big Zoom worm in Junebug or Red shad on a Carolina rig. The best ledges have the deepest drops near by. Lots and lots of Brim are being caught around the main lake in the deeper pockets. Beetle spins on light tackle is a great way to introduce kids to the sport. Not only is the equipment easy to use, but it’s relatively inexpensive and keeps the kids interest up but constantly doing something. Please be extra careful out there over the holiday!
Lake Talquin is low, clear and fishing just awesome right now. If your not fishing ledges during the day your missing the boat. Carolina rigs and Jigs are the one two puch I use now to fill my limit. On the end of my Carolina rig I'm using 10" and 11" worms. Either a Gambler red/shad or Net bait Redbug. My choice for jigs is a 1/2oz Jigdinger in Backwater Black tipped with Zoom Speed worm in Junebug or Redbug. Find ledges right off the river channel that have lot's of bait around them. Later in the day they'll bite a crank bait also in shad colors. Reports are coming in of schooling bass near Coes Landing.
Brim fishing was off the chain during the full moon last week. Not many people out on Talquin now brim fishing so if that's what your after you'll have most of the lake to yourself. Main lake coves with sandy bottoms are just loaded. I came across one bed that was 50' long and had hundreds of hand sized fish all over it. With the water so clear brim beds are easy to spot. Great time to try your luck with a fly rod. Word of advise, practice at home first before going with others in a boat.
A couple weeks ago when I mentioned Lake Jackson was full of water I meant it was fishable. The lake levels are lower than normal leaving a few boat ramps out of the water. You can still launch a good sized boat at Sunset, Crowder and Millers landings. Once on the water fishing has been hit or miss depending on the part of the lake you are on. Early mornings and late afternoons are definately better fishing with topwater lures. Soft plastic frogs and swimbaits fished on a #5 or #6 painted Stinger Dinger. Zoom, Gambler and Strike King all make good soft plastic baits that will catch fish on Jackson. During the day as temps climb into the 90's, flip a Texas rigged worm or brush hog with a 1oz weight into heavier cover. Last week we got into them right before dark using an oldy but a goody in the boat lanes catching 15 bass in 20 minutes. The lure...Remeber the Chug Bug? Give it a try if you still have one in your tackle box.
Brim fishing during the last moon was just as good on Jackson. Lots of limits were caught and one secret the locals use is find the holes in the middle of the lily pads. 6'-8' was the best depth for the bigger fish. Crickets and wigglers both worked, which ever you prefer. Here's a pic of David Hinton with a 9.4 lber and a 7.5 lber caught on back to back casts last week during a Thursday night tournament. Yes, they won!!!
June 6, 2011
Hard to believe it’s June and we’ve already had 100 degree days. If you can stand the heat, fishing has been pretty good on area lakes and rivers even with the lower water levels. On Lake Talquin, bass are already into summer patterns holding on main lake ledges and points. Medium diving crank baits in shad patterns are producing nice catches when there is current. With lack of rainfall Talquin Electric is unable to generate as often and without current fish are more apt to take a slower, steady presentation like a Carolina or Texas rigged worm. Good reports from brim fisherman are coming in with most fish taken on main lake points and deeper edges with crickets.
Lake Jackson drops a couple inches a day, so even a short afternoon shower is welcome. It’s now almost impossible to launch a big boat of any kind at Rhoden Cove. That hasn’t stopped the big bass from biting, as David Hinton and Randy Trousdelle weighed in two nine pounders last Thursday night to take the big bass prize. Fishing cuts near boat runs and flipping worms in deeper cover seems to be the theme with the above normal water temps now in the high 90’s by mid afternoon. You might also want to try dead sticking a Zoom Super Fluke or fishing a weightless trick worm near clumps of lily pads. Brim fisherman are also having luck fishing boat runs and open water in Church’s Cove.
May 31, 2011
Get out your rally caps, dancing shoes, rabbit’s foot and even say a little prayer, ‘cause if we don’t get some rain pretty soon Lake Jackson will be inaccessible to anything but john boats and kayaks. Rhoden cove is almost certainly out of the question to launch a bass boat, but you’re still able to put in at Sunset, Crowder or Millers landing. Once you’re out there bass fishing’s still excellent, with top water frogs or swimbaits thrown on a painted Stinger Dinger. With water levels down , water clarity is up to 5’ in the Crowder area. With the lack of cover in Crowder, bass have moved to other parts of the lake with heavy matted vegetation and lily pads for shade and more oxygen. Lots of brim are being caught also, with crickets the number 1 bait followed by wigglers and then poppers on a fly rod during lower light hours. Water temps have reached the low 90’s.
Not only is Jackson low, but Lake Talquin is below normal too. Low water levels have increased visibility by 2 –3 feet and bass are biting very well on main lake ledges and points. Great big Carolina or Texas rigged worms work best during the day, while crank baits and rattle traps fire up schooling fish early and late during low light hours. Up river (above Coe’s landing) bass can be found on channel turns and blow throughs. Brim fisherman are also having good luck fishing small spinners near docks and cover.
Thursday night tournaments on Lake Jackson are back with a nice 8lber as big bass the first week. Over 30 boats participated the first week with most catching fish. John Ross and Richard Predmore took top honors with just under 12 lbs and big bass with a nice 8.40. A variety of baits from shallow running crank baits to 7” plastic worms were reported catching fish from one side of the lake to the other. With water levels below normal, vegetation is thick and it actually makes the fish easier to find. Look for points created by grass or lily pad edges in 4-7’ of water. Weekly tournament results and information are posted on fishtallahassee.com. Brim fisherman are finding limits easy to come by in the Crowder and Millers open water areas. Work grass edges with wigglers or cast small spinners near cover to locate bigger brim.
On Lake Talquin great catches of largemouth bass are coming from creek channel and main lake ledges on medium to deep diving crank baits. Couple of my favorites are the 5/8oz Bomber fat free shad in Firetiger or the 1/2oz Deep Little N in Tennessee Shad. Once they slow on the crank bait, you can mine the area with an 8” or 10” Gambler worm fished on the end of a Carolina rig or 1/2oz Backwater Black Jigdinger. There’s still some fish in the creeks with top water action coming during the first hour. Once that’s over it’s over! Time to move out to the main lake. Crappie fishing is some of the worst I’ve seen in 12 years! Not sure where they all went but they certainly aren’t as abundant as they were. Some catches are coming from in front of the docks just outside of Hammock creek while trolling 17-22’ of water. Brim are still doing great and you can catch them all over the lake. The new or full moons are best, with huge shellcracker being caught in 4-6’ of water on wigglers.
FISHING REPORT May 10, 2011
04/17/2011
Bass fishing on Lake Talquin has really taken a change for the worst over the past week with water temps rising into the high 70's, and fish in the latter stages of the spawn. Although a few spawners are still left, the majority of bass are making their way back to deeper water and staging in 5-9' depths near deeper lily pads, creek channel ledges and points.
Early mornings have bass hoppin' as shad are spawning in some creeks like Polk, Rocky Comfort, and Bear, while Little River and back water areas off the main river have lot's of shad in them too. Small top water poppers and swim baits are taking their share of bass, and you might even want to try a 1/4oz White Buzzbait as shad are smaller.
Carolina rigged Lizards and worms, along with medium diving crankbaits will cover lots of water while probing points and ledges. You'll find lot's of bass with big heads, and skinny bodies as these fish have recently come off the beds and are worn out from the spawn and gaurding nests.
Crappie fisherman are finding nice catches while trolliing in Oklawaha and Freeman Creeks.
Brim were tearing it up on last weeks full moon but some can still be found shallow. Mike Outz reported while fishing with his daddy, they caught lots of hand size brim with one close to 2lbs. Most were shellcracker and caught on wigglers.
04/10/2011
Lake Temps are heating up and so is the bass fishing on Lake Talquin. I’ve been fishing for over 40 years and last week, recorded my personal best with an 11lb 14oz monster I caught while sight fishing. Using a Jackson Green JIGDINGER tipped with a Gambler Craw, I finally caught her on the third pitch to the bed. With the lack of rainfall, backs of creeks are very clear and bedding fish can still be found there. Early mornings try a small spinner bait around the lily pads as bass are feeding heavily on spawning shad. Another way to try for bass is Carolina rigging creek channel points and ledges.
The full moon will move brim to the beds all over the lake. Crickets or wigglers fished on the end of a cane pole is a great way to catch them and also introduce kids to fishing.
Lake Jackson bass fishing has improved with lots of fish being caught on soft plastic jerk baits, swim baits and frogs. A weighted hook works great on these baits making them run true and a little deeper. I prefer a 1/16 or an 1/8oz STINGER DINGER by HUMDINGER BAITS. Fish these around scattered vegetation near old spawning areas as lots of bass are guarding fry and this makes for some awesome strikes. Don’t forget the heavy action rod and the braided line.
Brim fishing is excellent now have with most catches coming from grass lines in front of Miller and Crowder landings.
