THE BASS COLLEGE

Lake Arbuckle

This lake is near Avon Park and is pretty shallow. Nevertheless, it produces very consistent fishing and has its' share of lunkers.

Location and Method: 

#1- Buggy whip line/point- Deeper reeds (3-4 ft) good in early morning summer and all day in spring. Pitch crawfish lures and junebug using 1/4 ounce weights. Key on isolated pads mixed in with reeds.

#2- Main point Reed line- I like the southern end of the line where scattered reeds are. Pitch Junebug/redshad 1/4 ounce into reed clumps. Usually 3-4 feet deep.

#3- Large pad field(4-6 ft)- Inside pockets good during early spring using soft plastics. Outside edge and pad islands excellent during summer working work from outside to in. Work cuts with #7 shadrap.

#4- Arbuckle creek- Nice area for summer bass approx. 2-3 ft deep just past bridge. Flip mats with 1/2 ounce craw lure. Cast 1/8 ounce worms to logs/cypress knees.

#5- The circle is the general area (4-5 ft)to look for peppergrass or submerged weeds. Can be great for schoolers. Use rattletraps and worms here. Summer spot.

#6- Cattails and reeds with pads near lake point- 3-4 ft. I like using redshad 1/4 ounce and pitch the cattails. I found that the pads on the outside hold fish, but like smaller craw lures like the Ditto Fireclaw using 1/4 ounce weight. Work the worm/craw slow and quiet.

#7- Creek- The mouth usually holds numbers of smaller bass. From the lake, cast small 1/8 ounce 6" or less length worm up into the creek. Let the current bring the lure out and be ready for line movements! Best in summer.

I've fished arbuckle before and it can be tough but when its on its as hot as it gets. The lake is a big bowl and is loaded with pads and cane grass. I like to cover water with a chatterbait,spinnerbait and crankbait and when I catch a bass I'l slow down in that area and work a big worm or trick worm in any color as long as its JUNEBUG!!!