Mid-September is the shoulder season on Central Florida's bass lakes. The summer heat is still hanging on, the big spawn-season crowds have not arrived, and the boat ramps are quiet. Here is what the state's fisheries biologists point to on each of the three waters Capt. Jackson fishes, and how to plan around them.
Lake Toho
Lake Tohopekaliga covers 18,810 acres southeast of Kissimmee, about 14 miles from Disney Springs. FWC's forecast for Toho highlights a few patterns worth knowing right now:
- Moving water after storms. FWC points bass anglers to areas with moving water after summer storms, and September still delivers afternoon storms.
- Shad busting on top. When bait fish are breaking the surface, FWC recommends topwater baits and lipless crankbaits.
- Hydrilla holes and edges. Wild golden shiners worked along the grass remain the go-to for the biggest fish.
Named areas in FWC's forecast include Goblets Cove, Lanier and Browns points, Little Grassy Island and the offshore grass beds. More on fishing Lake Toho.
Lake Kissimmee
At 34,948 acres, Lake Kissimmee is the big water at the south end of the Kissimmee Chain. FWC's forecast keeps the focus on hydrilla:
- Early mornings: topwater baits over the hydrilla beds.
- During the day: spinnerbaits, senkos, flukes and plastic worms in and around the grass, with crankbaits along the edges.
- Surface feeding: lipless crankbaits when bass start chasing on top.
FWC names Brahma and Grassy islands, Lemon and Philadelphia points, North Cove and the Pig Trail as places to start. It is a longer drive from the parks, so a 6-hour Trophy Day makes the most of the trip. More on fishing Lake Kissimmee.
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes
The Winter Haven Chain links 22 lakes and about 9,000 acres by canals, with a South Chain and a North Chain joined by a lock. FWC's forecast for the Chain recommends:
- Vibrating swim jigs worked along grass beds
- Texas-rigged soft plastics
- Deep-diving crankbaits or heavy jigs in deeper water
Because water and grass vary so much from lake to lake, being able to move through the canals to a different lake is the Chain's biggest advantage. More on fishing the Winter Haven Chain.
Plan Now for Spawn Season
FWC calls spring the best time of year to catch bass, when fish move shallow to spawn, with March and April the peak months statewide. Capt. Jackson's prime window for trophy fish runs January through April, and those dates book first.
If you are visiting this fall, the seasonal 2-hour trip ($250) runs through November 1, 2026. Half days start at $400. See all trips and rates.
Sources
FWC fishing forecasts for Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Kissimmee and the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, and FWC's black bass page. Conditions change quickly; call or text for what is biting this week.