My father law and I have been fishing about a dozen times starting back in late October when that first pass of cold weather come through. We haven't had much luck. A few large specs, but not in any numbers. I am feeling just a little frustrated, and at times, wonder if I am doing it wrong. In the past we have done pretty well with the pattern we are fishing right now, but it isn't paying off now.

Tackle:
10' Fiberglass Cane poles with reels built into them. Fish 6 lb test line down to a swivel with a 3 foot leader of 4lb test. Use a number 1 gold aberdeen hook. A no. 3 lead shot weight, 6 to 8 inches above the hook. Sometimes we fish this with no float, but most often we use a slide float rigged above the swivel with a stop on the line. This allows for quick adjustment of depth.

We also use ultralight spinning reels rigged the same (Slip floats, no.1 hook), especially when fishing the deeper water lakes.

Bait:
Missouri Minnows. Sometimes we use a white or white and red jig threaded onto the no.1 hook with the minnow. We have tried the 'Red' minnows as well. All things seem to be catching at about the same rate... slow.

Our best day has been a 11 fish trip to a local lake in the Winter Haven chain, Lake Howard. Those fish had some size and most had small row in them.

We went out this pas weekend to Howard for a night trip under the full moon and managed to boat a whopping 6 fish (dripping with sarcasm), but only 2 keepers.

Anyone else having much luck in Central Florida? Anyone have some good insight into a better rig (mouse trap!!)