Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 12/27/07: Florida Reservoir Fishing

Rodman Reservoir and Lake Rousseau are reservoirs that were created when the Florida Barge Canal project was underway many years ago. This project was going to result in a shortcut for ships travelling between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The project abruptly ended when environmental concerns intervened. The lucky bass fishermen in Florida ended up with two beautiful timber laden reservoirs with a variety of weed growth and water depth which is quite different from the shallow natural lakes of Florida.

Rodman Reservoir was created by damming of the Oklawaha river near the St. John’s river on the northeast side of the state near Palatka. It offers beautiful scenery with multitudes of wildlife throughout it’s expanse. The bass fisherman can access the reservoir through the St. Johns river locks or several boat launches directly on the reservoir including Kenwood Landing.

Rodman is known for very large bass and the tactics for catching them varies depending upon the season. During the spring spawn, you can find the fish bedding either up the reaches of the Oklawaha near pad roots in the main river channel or along the reed/grass laden shoreline. Be prepared to throw your favorite sight fishing bait on the bed such as a tube, worm or lizard. Also, don’t neglect the awesome flippin cover in Rodman such as hyacinth mats and blow downs, as these often harbor both pre-spawn and post spawn fish.

Summer and fall fishing in Rodman is great for those fishermen who enjoy fishing timber laden drops and deep river bends. The bass often school during these months and loading the boat with crankbaits and Carolina rigs can often be done in a matter of an hour if you locate them!

The winter months can be tough, but the key is to fish the timber. The wood tends to hold underwater schools of bass especially if underwater vegetation exists as well such as hydrilla. Throw crankbaits and Carolina rigs after these fish in 10-15 foot of water.

Lake Rousseau is a result of damming the Withlacoochee river. This lake is on the northwest central portion of the state near Crystal River and Dunnellon. The reservoir can be accessed via several public ramps with my personal favorite is near downtown Dunnellon near the junction of the Rainbow River and Withlacoochee. The lake offers a variety of fishing cover including vast expanses of hyacinths for flippin, hydrilla (if it’s not sprayed), timber galore as well as reed and grass lines.

As with Rodman, the time of year dictates where the most activity will be. In the winter and spring, a great place to fish is the Rainbow River. The spring water moderates the water temperature to a consistent 68 degrees. Bass use this river and the canal systems off of it for bedding even in the winter. Sight fishing equipment is a must for those fishing the Rainbow as well as lighter test line due to the extreme clarity of the water. Be cautious with any beverages you may have as there are strict rules regulating litter. Check with the locals for the latest information on what is allowed on the beautiful Rainbow River.

In the summer and fall months, the main reservoir is often the ticket, especially with any current coming in from the Withlacoochee. The bass will set up ambush sites along river channels near timber and underwater vegetation. Look for active bass feeding on the surface in small schools and don’t be afraid to follow them through the timber laden lake. Work channel drops and humps if no active bass are seen as they will use these areas while waiting for a shad school to come by.

So if you would like try a different style of bass fishing in Florida, check out Rodman and Rousseau and do more catching with less fishing!