Lake Hatch (Kissimmee Chain) 9/16/23

[Capt. BassinLou]

Conditions:

Temp: 90+
Humidity: High
Skies: Sunny, partly cloudy
Water Temps: 86-88
Clarity: Tannic clean
Wind: very, very light
Water levels: Normal pool for this time of year
Fishing Time: 0640-11:00am
Bass Boated: 3



I attended FD's BB&B event this past weekend. Arrived on Fri, but the event was held on Saturday. Didn't get to fish on Friday, but we took advantage of the downtime to prep the boats and hang out.

Saturday morning came around, and our backseat guests met us at FD's house at 0530. We launched at 0545 and idled along into the darkness to meet up with the rest of the events participants over at the Port's boat ramp. It was a beautiful star filled night. No clouds, no moon, just millions of stars above us. Pretty cool.

As the horizon began to change colors, all the boats gathered near a shallow flat, an ear shot away from FD's boat. At around 0640, FD gave the go-ahead, and off we went. My first spot was less than a half mile from the launch. It's a great looking spot. Scattered pads, buggy whips, and Kissimmee Grass.

I started with a Mega Vibe style worm and worked the area thoroughly. We heard bass blowing up at various places, but no takers. Not a one!! 

Decided to make a move to a running water spot. As we approached the area, I jumped on the TM and idled towards the creek channel. All the while, I was surveying and listening for active fish. Nothing! Fished the area for a while, and I managed to catch a 10" bass. I was thrilled for the catch. No BS. You see, what makes the BB&B event so special is the fact that there are only 2 categories to win. Biggest bass, and yep, you guessed it, smallest bass. A 10" bass is really hard to beat, so I was pretty optimistic I would win in this category!  After the catch, I moved again.



The third spot was a pretty cool spot. Nice scattered vegetation, and a nature preserve as my backdrop. I could hear owls and eagles chirping inside the dense tree canopy. By this time, I had ruled out top water fishing, switched to fishing a weighted trick worm, and focused my attention on fishing the bases of the buggy whips.

My second bass came along while working the buggy whips. I felt a distinctive tap. Felt a little bit of weight, set, and missed! I reeled in quickly, cast to the same spot, felt the tap again, waited a bit longer, set, and connected. Little guy. Not tiny, but nothing that could have helped me for the competition. A few minutes later, I repeated the pattern at over another cluster of buggy whips, felt the tap, set, and connected again!! Another little guy. Thought I was on to something, but to make this report short, that was the last bass I boated.



Moved to another area, but it was dead also. As 11am rolled around, I asked Derek if he wanted to be dropped off early, and he quickly answered YES!! 
I dropped off Derek at his house and idled over to FD's house. I was in the shower by 11:30. Felt great!! Lines were supposed to be out by 12 pm. So I had time to chill.

FD arrived around 1145, and by 12:30, we were headed to the Port for the group lunch. As always, it was great to see everyone. Big fish ended up being a 20" bass, and the smallest bass was mine, right at 10".   



(Smallest bass award. 3oz Tumbler! I love it!!)

The event wrapped up a little after 2 pm. All in all, it was another fun event. HOT, but we had fun nonetheless. @Larry, it was great catching up and seeing you again, my friend. 

Maybe FD will chime in with his report a little later.

The next event will be in January. Hope to see some new faces next year! Thank you for reading!!

@FD, thanks again for your hospitality, brother!

[Donald Garner]

Lou, thanks for sharing the trip and those pictures with us.  Congrats on the catching also.  That's a cool looking trophy there   

That event BB&B sure sounds like a great event 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Lou, thanks for sharing the trip and those pictures with us.  Congrats on the catching also.  That's a cool looking trophy there   

That event BB&B sure sounds like a great event 

Thank you, Donald.

[Larry Francis]

It was a great day and even though fishing was tough I enjoyed the day and the company. I started on a spot that has produced before for me as the Kissimmee Chain has proven to be my local Nemesis. That spot produced a 14 inch fish quickly. After nothing else came I wanted to move into lake Kissimmee to another spot which also failed to produce. Off to the 3rd spot which was 3 huge 50 yard wide brush piles with sticks and live trees surrounded by Kissimmee Grass and Pads galore in 5 ft of water. Sounds perfect right? Wrong, this is the 3rd time fishing it and it has yet to produce a fish. Back to the starting spot with an hour to go. I should have stayed where I started as we caught 3 fish and watched another guy catch a 4lb fish close by. All fish came on Junebug / Blue Tail speed worms or Junebug beavers. Blessed are we that are allowed the opportunity to share in God's nature and her bounty. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Appreciate your report Larry.