8 minute read

MARION-CITRUS COUNTY

from SSFHMagazine March/April 2023

from SSFHMagazine March/April 2023, page 31

SEMINOLE-ORANGE COUNTY

Check out the 2023 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide Hunters across the state are counting the days until spring turkey season opens. On lands outside of the WMA system, Florida’s 2023 spring wild turkey season runs:

March 4 - April 9 south of State Road 70

March 18 - April 23 north of State Road 70

To help you get ready for spring turkey season, we encourage you to check out the FWC's 2023 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide. In addition to regulations information (including the new requirement to log and report harvested turkeys), the 2023 guide provides a list of wildlife management areas you can hunt without a quota permit, though you'll still need a hunting license, turkey permit, and a management area permit unless exempt. Before hunting a WMA, carefully review the area’s regulations brochure as season dates, bag limits and other rules may vary.

By: Capt Lynda Hawkins

If you’re planning to hunt this spring, be aware if you harvest a wild turkey, you must log and report it. This new rule went into effect July 1, 2022, and applies to all seasons that allow the take of wild turkeys.

For more info go to : www.myfwc.com

Resort! Extremely nice 1 bedroom with additional sleeping/storage in the loft. Has a galley kitchen with full size appliances, attached screened porch and a large deck with a beautiful view of the lake. Spacious pull thru lot with plenty of room for all your toys.

$115,000

Vacant fenced lot with 2 small storage buildings. Ideal for that weekend cabin or place a mobile home on the property. Has lake access through club membership, (75.00/year). $17,000

Large tiered lot with spacious storage building located in Salt Springs Resort. The resort offers a club house, 2 pools, tennis court, bath house, dog park, dock and boat ramp to Little Lake Kerr. A wonderful place to spend weekends or a lifetime! $52,000

Quaint 2 bedroom home with screened enclosed pool. Amenities include stone fireplace, eat-in kitchen with oak cabinetry, stainless appliances and laminate flooring throughout home. There is a dryer/ washer hookup in the half bath. The pool is accessed through the patio area. Lake access to Little Lake Kerr through subdivision community lot which has a club house, boat ramp and swim area.

$145,000

By: Capt Lynda Hawkins

BASS N GAL GUIDE SERVICE

352-267-0062 Bass are being caught on the Harris chain using gitzits and floating worms. A slow falling sinking weightless worm or a chrome blue or green Rat-L-Trap reeled in as slowly as possible, are both working quite well. For the fishing trip you’ve dreamed of give me a call @ 352267-0062.

Gary at BROOKER BAIT & TACKLE 352-460-0695 said on the Harris Chain the specks are hitting. Lake Apopka is hot right now but is getting some heavy pressure. Crappie are a little hard to find but they are catching quite a few and larger ones. Live bait and jigs off the grass lines are both working well.

During the recent Toyota Series Bass Tournament, Kenny Stevenson won with a three day total of 73 pounds. Trevor Fitsgerald came in 18th place out of 260 boats. The Bass college and High School did pretty good as well. Brookers has a well stocked shop and expert knowledge on both freshwater and saltwater.

Welcome to John of ORLANDO BOAT SALES in Fern Park 407-253-7111. He has beautiful pontoon boats. Stop in and see his large selection.

KEL’S ROD & REEL SERVICE in Casselberry 407-834-3008, is a warranty center for Shimano, Penn, Minnkota and Motorguide. They are open Tues.-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-3 (closed Sun. & Mon.)

David at DAVIDS TRAILERS 407-293-2922 has one of the largest inventories of trailer parts in Central Florida with over 200 trailers in stock. He is located on West Colonial Drive across from the Orange County fairground and has been at the same location since 1979. Stop in and visit with him and his friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Lakeside Bait & Tackle

352-742-3336

Mark & Heidi Bass, Owners

Located on Lake Eustis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lakeside Guide Service with Captain Mark

352-255-9706

All Tackle Included

1000 W. Burleigh Blvd. Tavares, Fl.

BROOKER BAIT & TACKLE

Owners Bill & Natalie Brooker

1351 A. W. North Blvd.

Leesburg, Fl. 34748

352-460-0695

BrookerBait@gmail.com

Astor/Pierson

Citgo

Cheapest Gas in Town!

LIVE BAIT & TACKLE

Wine-Beer-Cigs-Soda-Ice

Snacks-Groceries-Refill Propane

Hot Pizza & Chicken Wings Open 7 Days

Sun-Thur 6am-10pm & Fri-Sat 6am-11pm

1380 W. St Rd. 40, Pierson

386-749-0180

PONTOON SALOON located on Lake Eustis in Tavares. They are next door to Lakeside Bait & Tackle and you can get there from land or from water. They have a nice dock where you can tie up your boat. Stop in and say “Hi” and have a friendly drink or a nice meal.

Heidi and her dad of LAKESIDE BAIT & TACKLE

352-742-3336 tells us specks are being caught in Little Lake Harris, big Lake Harris and Lake Dora right now using minnows and jigs. Both small and large minnows are working well. Bass are picking up pretty good with several 5 and 6 pounders being caught. Bass are being caught flipping pads, out of the grass and from under docks. Dark colored plastics and shiners are working well. Mark caught a 6 pound catfish recently while fishing for bass with shiners.

Jim from FISH CAMP ON LAKE EUSTIS

352-742-4400 tells us they are now open from 11 to 8 daily and 11 to 9 on Fri. and Sat. and have live music on Saturday from 1 to 4. They are located ¼ mile East of Dora Canal right on Lake Eustis next door to Lakeside Bait & Tackle and are easy to find from the water or the highway.

BASS CAPITAL By Captain Lynda Hawkins

According to Lorraine at BASS WORLD LODGE 386-467-2267 Mark and Blonde are catching bass using June Bug blue worms. Crappie are being caught out of Crescent Lake. Jim is catching lots of catfish. LaFont and Randall are catching specks using minnows. Bass World Lodge has been in the fishing business over 50 years and has had fishermen from all over the world who have experienced the fun of an old fashioned down to earth fish camp. Their cabins range in size from a one bedroom cottage up to a 5 bedroom (10 beds) dorm room. They also have family sized 2 and 3 bedrooms.

GEORGETOWN MARINA & LODGE 386-467-2002 Nolan tells us they are catching tons of bass using wild shiners. Two of their customers, Jack and Chris of Kentucky caught an 11 pound 3 oz. bass. This was released. Harley caught a 8 pounder and two that were over 5. Some nice specks are being caught both jigging and on minnows. Captain Don Weaver took out a few customers, Mike and Marsha caught two over 6 pounds using wild shiners.

Boat of the Month

Finn Addict Charter Fishing

Captain Chris Endicott

386-547-4053

For this Boat of the Month we step aboard Finn Addict Charter Fishing, one of the area's longest running captains & charters. Captain Chris Endicott is as multifaceted as they come and his long & seasoned history in the fishing industry has taken him all over the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Originally a charter Captain turned commercial fisherman, he returned to his first love of charter fishing and has been living his dream ever since.

You'll certainly enjoy your day on this 36 FT Yellowfin Center Console that was completely refitted in 2020, powered by twin 350 HP Yamahas. Complete with a wide T-top for your much needed breaks in the shade, a toilet for your convenience, and plenty of cushioned seating to go around. Cruising along at 35 knots she'll get you there in no time and her down & center riggers will ensure you land the areas most sought after catches.

Chris Endicott has spent over 30 years as a Captain, fishing from the Carolina's all the way to South America. His experience in both commercial and charter fishing means he is not only well versed in putting meat on the deck but experienced in a wide range of big game fishing as well. Returning to charter fishing was an easy choice for him- he enjoys all aspects of being a charter Captain and he never tires of the reactions. From watching a newbie catch their first saltwater fish to the die hard 'old salts' that board his vessel with set species in mind, he's always ready to go!

Captain Chris says his favorite time of year to fish is most definitely Springwhen pelagics are on the move. Being situated 30 miles west of the Gulf Stream always has its perks & the area is well known for its Mahi, Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo & Blue Marlin fishing. You are sure to have an epic day with his dedication to providing each and every angler with the fishing adventure of a lifetime! Trips aboard Finn Addict Charter Fishing include: 5 HR / 6 HR / 8 HR Offshore trips and an 11 HR Deep Water Trip.

Westwind Witches

By: Shelby Zona

386-341-9278 • szonazona@gmail.com

1 oz. Carolina Chrome Head-$12 Out Of Stock with Mylar $13

1 oz. Assorted Painted Head-$12 with Mylar $13

3/4 oz. White Head-$8 with Mylar-$9

1/2 oz. Red or White Head-$7 with Mylar $8

Color Options

Shine White-Matte White-Crystalline Green Green-Hot Pink-Purple-Black-Blue-Red

Hand made with your choice of custom colors and heads.

3rd. Generation Fisherwoman Order yours today!!

Make sure you get them in time for the tournament/fishing season.

Mention this ad and receive $100 off Hog, Deer & Turkey Hunts!

Deer Hunting Season

August 1st-January 1st

3 DAYS HUNTS $1,295.00

5 DAY HUNTS $1,995.00

Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

We have the longest deer season in the US August 15th-January 1st, with weapon of choice for the entire season. The velvet hunts last through Labor Day weekend and the rut is throughout the months of October and November. We hunt seven days a week and allow two bucks per day, only with one small (under 12" wide) per hunter, per season.

We have open areas where first timers can take a buck, Long Managed Trophy Areas where bucks must be a minimum of 15" outside spread. Then we have our special Big Trophy Area, where the bucks have been on strict management for only mature bucks for the past 13 seasons, the bucks there have to be 16" outside spread of 110 Boone and Crockett Score. That area will be for very serious Trophy Hunters only.

Spring Turkey Season March 20th-May 5th

3 Days $1,395

Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

Turkey Season opens on March 20th each year and runs through May 5th. We have 5,500 of prime turkey woods with a mixture of river bottoms, pine ridges and lots of food plots planted with chuffas, the turkey’s favorite. Our seasoned guides are very familiar with our properties and are very personable and experienced. While on your turkey hunt , if you would like to sit for a wild hog in the afternoon, you are allowed to take one hog during the three day hunt for no extra charge. We have lots of them and some really big ones.

Wild Hog Hunts Year Round

3 Days $1,095

Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

We can hunt hogs year round and some of our most productive hunts this past year took place in May, June and July. We have plenty of land now with hogs to be able to hunt large groups, up to 10. We can even accommodate bow groups that large. Hogs are very smart animals, don’t come thinking they are just dumb farm animals. This is a fun hunt for all who just do not want to quit hunting after their deer season closes.