Lake Toho Cold Front 12/12/08

12/12/08

Took 2 charters on approaching cold front on Lake Toho Friday. On my first trip took Ted Sheppe and Lars Church old clients from Florida . We started out it was cloudy windy and looking like rain. Ted wanted to use shiners so we tried to find a sheltered area to anchor up where I had been catching a lot of fish but it was just too windy there. Having fished Toho for over 25 years I know that if the lake gets muddy it can be very tough fishing so I went to a spot that was out of the wind somewhat and it was a great move. We caught 14 fish up to 8 lbs. 6 of the fish were 5lbs. or larger. The first trip was ½ day so came in about 11:00 a.m. Had 2 very happy customers. My second client Robert Mantel from North Carolina was waiting at the dock when I got there. As you may know when a front come into Florida the weather can change from good to bad in a hurry and I was a little worried about catching fish that afternoon. Fish will hold to cover to cover tight or go to deeper water when the weather is changing in a cold front. Since lake Toho is a very shallow lake you need to go to heavy cover. Robert wanted to fish with some artificial and shiners both. The weather was changing from cloudy to partly cloudy to bright blue skies by the end of the trip. The second pat of the day Robert caught 11 fish the largest bass 4 lbs. 9 coming on rattle traps and soft plastic jerk baits. We had a surprise on a shiner as Robert caught a huge catfish that weighed 13.5 lbs. What you want to remember on cold fronts is to slow down and be patient. The blue bird skies, windy conditions and dropping temperature ended our day about 5 p.m. and it was time to go.

Great Fishing!
Capt Pete Matson
www.a1bassguideservice.com