There are so many great bass fishing lakes and fishing guides in Florida that it is almost mind boggling to comprehend. The sheer number, size, location and scope of these lakes is overwhleming for the average angler to understand much less know how to target and fish these bodies of water.
But there is one guide and one lake that we recently found and fished that may separate them from the rest of the pack.
Captain Mark Beaver is a renowned bass fishing guide who lives and fishes only one lake in the Sunshine State: Lake Istokpoga. We booked a 4-hour morning trip with Capt. Beaver and set out from the dock on a recent foggy morning just before sunrise around 6:45 AM.
Located five miles northeast of Lake Placid, Highlands County, this 27,692-acre lake has quality fishing for black crappie (specks) and one of the highest largemouth bass catch rates in the state.
The lake gets its name from the Tribe of Seminole Indians. According to legend a group of Seminoles attempted to cross the lake and were bogged in the mire and swallowed by whirlpools. The name Istokpoga literraly translated means: "Our People Died there."
Long-time Canespace blogger Old Skool and I hooked up with Mark Beaver Guide Services perhaps by chance or maybe by our good fortune. Skool, although he does not post often on the blog, has been on all of our Canespace adventure trips from Florida to Georgia and South Carolina and cooks some mean scallops with linguini if you get my drift.
It was Old Skool that set up this trip on Lake Istokpoga with Captain Mark Beaver. It was a dark and foggy morning when we drove to Sebring to go fishing for large mouth bass and try not to get eaten by alligators.
Hopefully we would catch some fish and even have some fun along the way.
Once at the ramp we met Capt. Beaver, who was friendly and pleasent, but all about the business of catching fish. Mark is not about sunrise sight-seeing trips (we saw a beautiful one) or gator adventures (we saw a legitimate 10 footer) he is all about fishing. And we like that, yeah we like that a lot.
Once on the lake, we caught fish almost immediately, Old Skool was the first to land a 3 pounder on his second cast. It was fun for me to watch so I will let you watch it too:
Then we set up some more live shiners and Judson, or Old Skool as he is known on the blog, nailed the biggest fish of the day. It was estimated at just over 7 pounds and put up one heck of a fight before being boated.
Below is the photo I took of the proud Canespacer with his trophy fish.
Then it was my turn. I was getting a little rattled and upset because when some guy named "Old Skool" or even "Judson" out-fishes you, well it is just a tad embarassing. So I dug deep, got serious and went to work. That was when I landed several BIG bass one after another during the next two hours.
That one was easy. She was big, about 6 pounds, but swam right towards the boat just as just easy as you please. I lost a few others that may have been bigger in the bull rushes that surround the North side of the big, calm, beautiful lake. One even broke my hook and not the 30 lb. braided line we were using to haul the big bass in.
This one was hard (above). She didn't like me or the boat and ran into the weeds and then dove deep before I yanked her out of the water and into the boat. So I decided to throw up "The (half) U" with her before letting her back down gently into the tannin-stained, brackish looking water.
This fatty (above) almost broke my left wrist before I boated her. She was fat as could be with roe after mating and then bedding on the hard, sandy-rocky bottom just away from the weed line and in about 4 feet of water in the Northeast corner of the lake.
As you can see, the bottom line is: Beaver knows bass. And, he knows where they live, what they eat and exactly how to catch them.
We encourage you to book your trip now by contacting Capt. Mark Beaver at (863) 214-9991 or at: markbeaverguidesvc@wildblue.net .
He can also be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/mark.beaver or at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Beavers-Guide-Service .
Calgary...negative.
We only had 12 all of last year so I think 20 will be about right in 2013. But that is basically 8 fewer drives for the opponents and 8 more possesions for the good guys and maybe a turnover or two more for us to get.
After a sack the chance of getting a first down declines a bunch and the chance of scoring on that drive drops significantly.
Posted by: 86cane | March 01, 2013 at 05:16 PM
WOW!, they moved Fentress to Safety?
S 26 RAYSHAWN JENKINS 6-1, 215, So.57 Nantambu-Akil Fentress 5-9, 205, Jr.
No Hamilton on the depth chart either...and if Grimble is a legit 290, I can see them kickin' Him inside to DT.
But like I said, it's still Spring, looooong way til' August.
Posted by: CaneRock | March 01, 2013 at 05:30 PM
CR, Grimble was the signing that I was most excited about a few years ago in the inaugural recruiting class and the light switch coming on for him this year would be big for the team all around.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 01, 2013 at 06:03 PM
OGV...check email, good news all around.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 06:05 PM
I am ready for some football
Posted by: Canesteeler | March 01, 2013 at 06:36 PM
O&G in the vein has exposed itself as a disgruntled Shannon fanboy. To suggest that Shannon left anything less than a cancer infested, dysfuntional program for his predecessor is ridiculous. The defensive side of the ball will not recover depth wise for at leat another recruiting cycle.
Posted by: Dan | March 01, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Any word on the "site" of the Naples scrimmage?
Posted by: roachcane77 | March 01, 2013 at 07:00 PM
Palmer hits the 0-1 for a leadoff double.
Go Canes.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 01, 2013 at 07:08 PM
Posted by: Dan | March 01, 2013 at 06:40 PM
You sound like a cancer there yourself Dan. Go expose yourself in the bathroom mirror to your D'No plushie.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 01, 2013 at 07:09 PM
LOl at the "Skool Interview". It was fun
Posted by: CGNC | March 01, 2013 at 08:29 PM
Go Canes beat the Crocs.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | March 01, 2013 at 08:53 PM
Across from the Holiday Isle spot is Gary Dunn's (former UM player and Pittsburgh Steeler) Ocean View Hotel, lounge and outdoor patio restuarant (todo es muy bueno!).
http://www.theocean-view.com/
Keys casual, relatively inexpensive, nice accomodations with salt water pool, patio and restaurant/bar on site.
No drinky/drivey in da Keys. Only one road in and one road out they ARE watching.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 11:23 AM
I got married in Islamorada across the street
(Well, technically across 2 streets, US 1 and Old US 1) from this place. Great bar.
Posted by: BEERicane | March 01, 2013 at 09:03 PM
And if you are looking for an amazing place to eat and like sandwiches, Chads (just north of islamorada) in tavernier is unbelieveable!
Posted by: BEERicane | March 01, 2013 at 09:06 PM
UM 2 - UF 0 Top 8th
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:21 PM
Holiday Isles, "Home of the Rum Runner"! Mmmmmmmmmm...
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:23 PM
UM 2 - UF 0 Bottom 8th
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:26 PM
Lazy Days at mile marker 79.9 is amazing. If you can, get a table out on the balcony. It's a tradition for me to always stop there and get conch fritters, a shrimp cocktail and a blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich, along with a rum runner with a 51 floater when I get to Islamorada.
Posted by: semperfi_cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:27 PM
Brandon Lopez 3rd error!
UM 2 - UF 2 Bottom 8th, 2 outs
Grrrrrrr 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:51 PM
2 - 2 top of the 9th
Let's go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:53 PM
O&G in the vein has exposed itself as a disgruntled Shannon fanboy. To suggest that Shannon left anything less than a cancer infested, dysfuntional program for his predecessor is ridiculous.
Posted by: Dan | March 01, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Dan...U nailed it!
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:55 PM
Lazy Days at mile marker 79.9 is amazing.
Posted by: semperfi_cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:27 PM
This is TRUE. Highly rated.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:55 PM
Brandon Lopez 3rd error!
UM 2 - UF 2 Bottom 8th, 2 outs
Grrrrrrr 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:51 PM
Saw that. Did NOT like that.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Any word on the "site" of the Naples scrimmage?
Posted by: roachcane77 | March 01, 2013 at 07:00 PM
Heard it will be at Naples HS.
Will confirm.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 09:57 PM
Gracias.
Posted by: roachcane77 | March 01, 2013 at 10:03 PM
UM 3 - UF 2 top 9th, 2 outs!
Clutch RBI for David Thompson!
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Tom what section are you in for the game on Sunday?
Posted by: SwagGirl | March 01, 2013 at 10:05 PM
3 - 2 canes, bottom 9th
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:06 PM
Swag...don't know yet, haven't bought tickets yet, but will tomorrow online, then I will post it here.
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:07 PM
Ok... I am in section B
Posted by: SwagGirl | March 01, 2013 at 10:09 PM
CANES WIN, CANES WIN!!!
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Somewhere "Six" is crying Gator tears...
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Just got out of the movie theater here in Ocala and saw a lady wearing a Canes shirt that said PapaCane!!
Posted by: SwagGirl | March 01, 2013 at 10:13 PM
Miami wins 3 - 2!
Go 'canes!
10-0 record!!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:13 PM
FIRE JIM MORRIS!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!
I mean, Go 'Canes of course.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 01, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Great win tonight!!
Posted by: Brevardcane | March 01, 2013 at 10:26 PM
Now if we can just beat Duke tomorrow..
Posted by: Brevardcane | March 01, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Davis The Clutch Thompson did it again.Chris Diaz Pitched great for the hurricanes.
To all the so-called pre season analysts, reporters or what so ever Miami is now 10-0
and the Gayturds 3-7 on the season.
Series: Miami 125-107 vs Gators
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:30 PM
David
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | March 01, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Great job Canes. 10-0 baby. I love it.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | March 01, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Save your breath Dan. He runs the blog
With hall monitor privledges. Can't make this stuff up.
Posted by: Mcginns ale house | March 01, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Mcginns, you didn't stop by Canespace to celebrate the big road team win for VT two nights ago? I'm shocked at you missing that opportunity. How about the clenching of the ACC title for UM thanks to Duke's loss? No for that either?
Man I hope your D'No plushie put on its owl feather tiara that matched its eyeshadow for you then instead.
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Terrific Post.thanks for share..alot more wait ..
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