[dog friendly]

Anyone know of good fishing around the villages, catch and release of course.. My grandkids are coming in this week and love fishing. There are so many alligators around I really don't know of a safe place.

[sandybill2]

The lake behind Spanish Springs would probably be the easiest one with grandkids--lots of bank and we have never seen a gator there. If you go across the golf cart bridge over to the Historic Side you can fish there as well--beautiful with shade--lots of live oaks with moss. Can't guarantee you will catch anything but I'm sure you will have fun with the grandkids!

[cabo35]

I was waiting to tee off on the 9th at the Palms and I saw an angler from the bank land about an 8 lb. bass. If I had my rod with me, I would have jumped ship and fished instead of playing the 9th. Good luck. Tight lines.

[jadebox]

Check at Hacienda Rec Center. I believe they have rod and reels that you can check out. I read that the fishing club has provided them.

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by cabo35

I was waiting to tee off on the 9th at the Palms and I saw an angler from the bank land about an 8 lb. bass. If I had my rod with me, I would have jumped ship and fished instead of playing the 9th. Good luck. Tight lines.

You're killing me. 8 lb bass probably 25-27 inches.

Dear Lord Please Let Me Catch Five 12" Keeper Bass Tonight.

Your Favorite Tuesday Night Tournament Angler "F16" ;D

[cabo35]

F16, please don't die on my account. Been fishin' for 60 years. Won a little money in some tournaments. Sold a few angling articles to sport fishing magazines. Still run a sportfisherman between the Jersey coast and the Outer Banks from June to November and have for the past 20 years. Mostly Manasquan Inlet to Cape May. Actually ran out of the Canyon Club in Cape May for a few years. My screen name should give you a clue to the make of my boat. From tournament fishing I have a fair eye at weight estimating although I was pretty far away. He released it. The fish was an 8 lb bass and your length estimates are approximately correct.

I was fishing Lake Miona with my grandkids and met an old time native fisherman. Bearded fellow. He told me he caught a 12 pounder out of that lake. I nodded but had doubts. He than opened his fish box and took out a picture that looked like it was taken on the beach at Lake Miona and he was posing with a good 12# + bass. From the picture I could tell he did not release it.

While walking the boardwalk at Lake Sumter with a good friend who is a 45 year professional Captain and has competed in and won some big tournaments, he spotted a few trophy 10 lb. plus bass.

Considering several Florida large mouth records are from central Florida, big fish in The Villages are very possible. The recent world record arguably comes out of Georgia at 22.25 lb. Some guy in California has submitted a 25.1 large mouth. Nearby Pasco County yielded a pond fish of 20.2 lb.

Be happy to trade fish stories and lies with you anytime.

[Irish Rover]

Cabo - I only get two months a year at TV but I carry an ultra lite in my bag for those moments when things are slow and opportunity presents itself. Fishing around TV is great for bass and crappie. I'm a tournament fisherman too and you are right about being able to estimate a fish's weight by looking at it. I have a home at Lake of the Ozarks, one of the best kept bass fishing secrets in the country. I only get about ten tournaments a year due to family commitments but I make every one count. I'm also into salt water out of Marathon and Islamorada. Love the Mahi, Tarpon, and Permit. Hope we get to meet someday and swap stories.
Irish

[BUC]

Man that's one of my concerns is if my boat will fit in my car port at the TV. I can't wait to get to central Flordia and catch and release those Flordia strain bass.

[cabo35]

Irish, we spent a lot of time over the years in Islamorada. We stayed at the Chesepeake and for longer periods at Beacon Reef. We used to fish a lot with Capt. Rob Dixon on the Challenger at Whale Harbor.

I have some of my freshwater tackle here in the Villages but just can't find time to fish some of the lakes and ponds. Too much golf, softball, Harley rides and visiting family and friends. That's why we concentrate on fishing when we head North for the summer.

I hope the original poster catches some fish with his grandkids.

[Irish Rover]

Hello Cabo - sorry for the delay in replying but I've been doing some traveling and haven't checked this site. We have been hitting the Cheeca Lodge the last three trips (off season) and it is terrific. The chef agreed to take our catch and be creative. We share our catch with him so it's a win - win situation. The accommodations are terrific and there are plenty of activities at night. We usually fish out of Bud and Mary's and I have found that most all of their guides and captains are great. Good luck with the fishing and golf.
Irish