Southwest Florida Fishing Report and Forecast – April 8, 2020

South Florida freshwater canal systems have been producing good numbers of largemouth bass, mayan cichlids, peacock bass, and oscars for both spin and fly anglers. We’re seeing catch rates of between 30 and 40 fish on a 4-hour trip. Once we get into our summer weather patterns toward the end of May, these numbers will drop in canal systems that border marshes as the fish start to spread out with higher rainfall levels.

Size 6 to 4 craft fur minnows, topwater poppers, and Clousers continue to be the best producing patterns on fly trips, but there’s also plenty of bluegill and warmouth action for the kids to take advantage of on ultralight spinning gear. Try  1/16th or 1/8 ounce Road Runner marabou jigs in chartreuse and black or 3/16 ounce Original Al’s Goldfish lures in either silver or copper. The largemouth bass and bluegill bite has been early, with exotics becoming more active closer to midday.