Central Florida Slabbin!!!

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My pops and I went fishing this morning at a lake near Downtown Orlando. We got on the water at about 8am, a little too late to our liking but we made do. Caught a couple in spots as soon as we got on, but things began to pick up in a one particular spot. Caught a really nice bass, a few blue gills, and around 20+ crappie. Got off a little before noon. The lake we fished is small but very very deep, it has some monster crappie. It was a great day... hope you guys are out there Slabbin too!

Great catch, and super eating

Good catch, them green carp eat real good too.

Looks like a fine trip to me.

Nice looking fish there

Do you any idea what lake you were on ?
Did it have a public access
Can you launch a 18 - 20 ft boat there ?
Do have an address of where it might be ?

Realize these quite pointed questions but you are fist in long long time to
talk about any of lakes within Orlando area. - Excellant report - have longed to
know if any of those city lakes can be accessed.

Nice pictures..thanks for sharing

Nice looking slabs.

Good report Bisonman. I lived downtown for a while and found fish in unlikely places. There's a few that can be gotten into by a good ramp, but the mother lode is the Winter Park/Maitland chain of lakes. A city permit is required and the traffic is plain crazy in the summer but the cooler months really deliver. Hybrids in there too, some genuine footballs. Check with Winter Park city hall for the details. I had many banner days there. Conway is another and Ivanhoe is another. Lake Underhill has a lot of pressure but is always good for a short trip with lots of bridge pilings. I always had a canoe to slide into lakes that might not have been accessible otherwise, Lake Howell was one of those. Butler Chain is a real challenge being gin clear but I know little of ramps and parking which is different than most places. They will tow you if you park in the wrong place. Those are a few, hope it helps. Bisonman, you and Pops keep it up and keep us posted.

Very informative post I'm just a couple hours away keep us posted

Nice catch

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishin813

Do you any idea what lake you were on ?
Did it have a public access
Can you launch a 18 - 20 ft boat there ?
Do have an address of where it might be ?

Realize these quite pointed questions but you are fist in long long time to
talk about any of lakes within Orlando area. - Excellant report - have longed to
know if any of those city lakes can be accessed.

Nice pictures..thanks for sharing

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Thanks Guys!!!! This lake in particular doesn't have public access and a 18-20ft boat would be too big. For a boat like that I'd suggest one of the chains (WP or Butler) or the St. Johns River. Monroe and East/West Lake I hear are really good too. I'd like to get into some of those bigger lakes so if you ever need a fishing buddy give me a shout. The lakes I'm fishing are for Jon Boat. I'm looking for a nice 2.5-4hp outboard at a reasonable price so I can get in those big lakes but I haven't found one yet. Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Good report Bisonman. I lived downtown for a while and found fish in unlikely places. There's a few that can be gotten into by a good ramp, but the mother lode is the Winter Park/Maitland chain of lakes. A city permit is required and the traffic is plain crazy in the summer but the cooler months really deliver. Hybrids in there too, some genuine footballs. Check with Winter Park city hall for the details. I had many banner days there. Conway is another and Ivanhoe is another. Lake Underhill has a lot of pressure but is always good for a short trip with lots of bridge pilings. I always had a canoe to slide into lakes that might not have been accessible otherwise, Lake Howell was one of those. Butler Chain is a real challenge being gin clear but I know little of ramps and parking which is different than most places. They will tow you if you park in the wrong place. Those are a few, hope it helps. Bisonman, you and Pops keep it up and keep us posted.

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How good is the Winter Park/Maitland Chain of lakes? I'm literally 5 minutes away from the WP chain but it's so big, I don't know where to start. I'm going to have to go get permitted, but it's gotta be worth it for me to do that. I also only have a 50lb thrust troller motor so I can't go very far. I've fished off the bank once at a park off of Alabama St. in Winter Park and caught a couple nice ones but besides that I haven't done much there. The chain seems very plentiful though... a lot of lake but the people who live on it don't fish it.

Thanks for the info skeetbum. Those lakes you mentioned are all on my radar. Some of the best fishing in the world is right here in Central Florida. If any of you guys are on instagram be sure to give me a follow (somewhere_fishing). Trying to gain some fishing buddies in the area. Thanks and keep killing them out there!

If you can catch fish like that why go anywhere else? Those are beauties!

Good Job! Thanks for sharing.

Hey Ron, think we ought to break out the Ole Gheenoe and go lake hoppin again ?

Have gotten awfully complacent on the "0" -

That's a good idea. Some small lakes have big fish.

Aint the biggest 2 yall caught come out that Gheenoe?

Pretty much right on target Mike - Ron & I have taken several 2 lb plus's out of
that Gheenoe. on several wandering ponds - pools - small lakes & mud holes.

When it was first purchased, could move it around pretty easily from rear of p/u or
on small trlr. After two years with amount of equipment, live well, batteries (2), electronics, fishing equipment, life jackets, net, rod holders, trolling mtr & 3.5 hp
mercury - this thing needs a derek to move it aroundAttachment 223968Attachment 223969

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bisonman83

How good is the Winter Park/Maitland Chain of lakes? I'm literally 5 minutes away from the WP chain but it's so big, I don't know where to start. I'm going to have to go get permitted, but it's gotta be worth it for me to do that. I also only have a 50lb thrust troller motor so I can't go very far. I've fished off the bank once at a park off of Alabama St. in Winter Park and caught a couple nice ones but besides that I haven't done much there. The chain seems very plentiful though... a lot of lake but the people who live on it don't fish it.

Thanks for the info skeetbum. Those lakes you mentioned are all on my radar. Some of the best fishing in the world is right here in Central Florida. If any of you guys are on instagram be sure to give me a follow (somewhere_fishing). Trying to gain some fishing buddies in the area. Thanks and keep killing them out there!

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Funny you should mention Alabama St in WP. My Wife and I were married in Kraft Gardens on Alabama ave on July 3, 1982. It was the most beautiful place I knew of and would always be there for us to visit later on. Right by the pillars and bench that says "pause friend, and let beauty refresh the soul". Whatever the fee the lakes are worth the dollars IMHO. A small outbaord and multiple ramps make those lakes real sleepers. I seldom needed more than Virginia and Osceola to keep me busy, but we did find an eelgrass line that kept us busy in Maitland. I can only hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishin813

Pretty much right on target Mike - Ron & I have taken several 2 lb plus's out of
that Gheenoe. on several wandering ponds - pools - small lakes & mud holes.

When it was first purchased, could move it around pretty easily from rear of p/u or
on small trlr. After two years with amount of equipment, live well, batteries (2), electronics, fishing equipment, life jackets, net, rod holders, trolling mtr & 3.5 hp
mercury - this thing needs a derek to move it aroundAttachment 223968Attachment 223969

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Ahh the ole Gheenoe syndrome. Cram 40 gallons of sheet in a 5 gallon bucket.

amen brother - who ever heard of traveling light

Was nothing to get it off trailer - just loading & unloading took most the time.

Once on water " one did not move around much" and if you moved it was
all calculated timing = if person in rear caught a fish - it was somewhat difficult
for man upfront to help, but one in back could help one in front. It took a while
to learn for man in back to hand rod to one upfront - kinda of selfish thing i
suppose - if you hook a fish, you want to land it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Funny you should mention Alabama St in WP. My Wife and I were married in Kraft Gardens on Alabama ave on July 3, 1982. It was the most beautiful place I knew of and would always be there for us to visit later on. Right by the pillars and bench that says "pause friend, and let beauty refresh the soul". Whatever the fee the lakes are worth the dollars IMHO. A small outbaord and multiple ramps make those lakes real sleepers. I seldom needed more than Virginia and Osceola to keep me busy, but we did find an eelgrass line that kept us busy in Maitland. I can only hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.

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That's great! My wife and I are on Knowles right off of Park Ave. My son was born on July 3rd of this year, that's a significant date. I'm going to check those lakes out... I def want to see what Maitland has to offer. Again, thanks for the info!

You're welcome, and Merry Christmas to y'all.