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 .
First in like foeva!
Posted by: herbieibis | February 28, 2013 at 05:31 PM
First!
Posted by: Hooper cane | February 28, 2013 at 05:32 PM
86' Been woking at a lake here in G-Town, NC and a dude caught 4 large mouth yesterday, ave. wt of 6 lbs for the 4 of them. He was on fire using jigs.
Posted by: herbieibis | February 28, 2013 at 05:34 PM
Damn, close but no cigar
Posted by: Yoopercane | February 28, 2013 at 05:35 PM
Herbie and UMike...email me for your Canespace shirt for your recent "FIRSTS"!
Anybody I missed?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 05:39 PM
Herbie...That is an impressive catch. What lake or river was he fishing?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 05:40 PM
Mmm... I know he tasted good.
Posted by: CoCane | February 28, 2013 at 06:02 PM
Eddie Johnson's name is back on the official UM roster
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | February 28, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Excellent news Monty
Posted by: Old Skool | February 28, 2013 at 07:21 PM
Damn those are some big ass bass, NICE!!
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2013 at 07:21 PM
Montreal -
WE MUST KEEP EJ!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2013 at 07:22 PM
C'mon EJ44... Get your shiz together bro and re-earn my LOF status!
Johnson & Johnson baby!
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 28, 2013 at 07:33 PM
Is stubhub the best way for me to get GOOD tix to the canes/bulls games in Tampa? I can't say I've really ever hit up an away game so was just wondering.
69 days left and counting..............
Posted by: DeployedDiehardCane | February 28, 2013 at 07:45 PM
Herbie and UMike...email me for your Canespace shirt for your recent "FIRSTS"!
Anybody I missed?
I was first 2 times in the past 2 weeks!
Posted by: TJL | February 28, 2013 at 07:59 PM
Jenkins changed to 26 and is up to 219lbs. He and Deon will be our starting safeties. LBs are big, fast and athletic.
Posted by: Hassan | February 28, 2013 at 08:25 PM
Rico Williams, 250 lbs. Jimmy Gaines, 235 lbs. Denzel Perryman, 236 lbs. Raphael Kirby, 230 lbs. Kelvin Cain, 242 lbs.
Posted by: Hassan | February 28, 2013 at 08:34 PM
I was first 2 times in the past 2 weeks!
Posted by: TJL | February 28, 2013 at 07:59 PM
Yeah, but U don't count.
U got $$$ and a closet FULL of Canespace shirts.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 08:39 PM
Yes stubhub is good!
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2013 at 09:20 PM
Hassan -
How much is EJ up to?
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2013 at 09:22 PM
86. First this week..up in Canada though so will maybe wait til next time I am at a home game. Best
Posted by: Habcane | February 28, 2013 at 10:07 PM
I got one but you gave me an extra for the misses so I guess I earned it.
Posted by: stay away from the space gallo | February 28, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Was logged in at the Herald under that name.
Posted by: Anthonyjmanis | February 28, 2013 at 10:19 PM
HabCane...no worries mate, email me your vitals at:
canespace86@aol.com
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 10:21 PM
UVag up by 11 on Duke
Posted by: Anthonyjmanis | February 28, 2013 at 10:22 PM
AJM...we are cool. But U guys gotta hook up with us at the tailgate for real time games this season.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Working on coming to Canesville Sunday. I hope with a broom in hand. Please keep Jim Gallo off the space he posted two blogs ago in between two Ohio comments.
Posted by: Anthonyjmanis | February 28, 2013 at 10:39 PM
AJM...I have some serious weapons aginst Gallo. He slipped one thru, but OGV, Ohio and I are ready to blast him ASAP next time.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 10:44 PM
What's a JimGallo?
No, seriously, I have no clue.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 28, 2013 at 10:48 PM
OGV...a MH blogger who is a GAYtor.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 28, 2013 at 10:49 PM
Duke about to lose
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | February 28, 2013 at 10:54 PM
EJ is 238 our starting LB's are all over 230 for the first time in a long time.
Posted by: Hassan | February 28, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Then just laugh at his @$$ for the Louisville stomping if he shows up JCane? This should be simple guys, no need to take any guff from swine like that. What's he going to say, how great 2008, five whole years ago, half a decade, was? C'mon.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 28, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Kacy Rodgers looked like he had a pretty serious leg injury.
on crutches. but didn't have braces on. just had heavy wraps
Posted by: Hassan | February 28, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Miami wins the ACC!!!!!
Who would have thought Miami would win the conference in basketball before football?!
Posted by: BEERicane | February 28, 2013 at 11:05 PM
Reining ACC champs are playing puke to be ranked #1 in the nation now. We have reached the serious part of the proceedings ladies and gentlemen. I believe The Pimp's agent is on line one about that lifetime extension for winning the first conference title in a basketball league in school history, restructure the crappy football coach contracts to find the scratch I say.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 28, 2013 at 11:15 PM
Ogv...Hell give the pimp a lifetime contract. What does the add up ? Three years for the old fart.
Posted by: Mcginns ale house | February 28, 2013 at 11:46 PM
The U clinches at least a tie in the ACC regular season. 3 games left with a 3 game lead. Beat Duke on the road this weekend, and it's all over, along with a nice move up the rankings. For those who care, Gonzaga has a test going on tonight on the road vs. BYU, up by 2 with the half not far away. With a Gonzaga loss (which I wouldn't count on, but who knows) and a U win (would be worth a bit less with the Duke loss tonight), it would likely be between IU (even with the loss), KU (with a win vs. Iowa State that the refs admitted they botched) and the U for getting next week's #1 ranking. I just hope the team isn't reading any of this media stuff (just like they're not allowed much contact with the media in reverse right now) and just plays loose. I prefer them ranked in the top 5 but not #1 going into the NCAA frankly, but I won't complain with a #1 ranking for the first time ever.
Lost in all of this was the U ladies taking down #5 and previously undefeated in the ACC Duke tonight by 4. It was Duke's 2nd loss of the season, and the U made up for the 82-43 thrashing they got on 1/31. Yes, Duke lost one of their top players for the season a few games ago, but this was easily the best played game of the season by the ladies. This should secure an NCAA tnmt. berth, something that hadn't been a lock until this win.
BTW, does it bother anyone that FGCU is still a game behind Mercer for their conference lead. What a big loss that was! Luckily, all is forgiven now!
Posted by: JCane | February 28, 2013 at 11:55 PM
1:29 left until the half, with the Zags now holding a one pt. lead over BYU. Let's go, Cougars!
Posted by: JCane | February 28, 2013 at 11:59 PM
86, what's your email address , was first on Hokey Pokey.
Posted by: 1Miamifan | March 01, 2013 at 12:24 AM
No. 2 Gonzaga tied with BYU, 4:07 left on ESPN2.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:10 AM
Hey, MC:
Bulldogs up by 1 with 1:14 left in a nailbiter....make it 3 with 42 sec. left....
Posted by: JCane | March 01, 2013 at 01:18 AM
Not looking good for BYU. Too many missed shots in the last two minutes, including a layup, a few 3s, and now forced to foul with 24 sec. left. The Zags make the FTs, game looks over. BYU missed the jumper, the Bulldogs with the rebound with 14 sec. left and calling TO. I'm gonna get some sleep. Night, all...Wait, Zags get fouled, miss the FT, BYU ball, down by 5. Wow, fouled with 9 sec. left, FT x 3 made, now a 2 pt. game with the same 9 sec. left and Gonzaga up. Wow.
Posted by: JCane | March 01, 2013 at 01:26 AM
Zaga on the TO. How do you foul on a 3 pt. shot with 9 sec. left and up by 5??? Now, it's a matter of either a quick steal or foul and then hope for missed FTs. Two shots, missed the first, makes the second....3 pt. game, BYU ball with 7 sec.... obvious TO by the Cougars, although I have a feeling I'm the only one here right now and I'm talking to myself! ;)
Posted by: JCane | March 01, 2013 at 01:29 AM
BYU misses the 1 on 1, ball to Zaga, foul on BYU, FT made, that should do it, close call for Gonzaga, but they survive the scare and are still undefeated in their conference and should move to #1.
Posted by: JCane | March 01, 2013 at 01:32 AM
Mcgee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr80eNH1NLc
Posted by: Hassan | March 01, 2013 at 01:43 AM
86 u doing it big on the Fishing. Props to our Canes for winning the ACC regular season. Props to the Lady Canes on their win against Duke. Hopefully our Canes baseball team lay the smackdown on the Crocs in Canesville.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | March 01, 2013 at 01:47 AM
canespace86@aol.com
Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 02:02 AM
Our family stayed in some cabins at Ikes fish camp in the late 1950's. fished and cought some nice Bass in Lake Istokpoga.Would like to go back some day.
Had a first a little while back. The one Willie Will Thought he had.
Ricky town a little over 195 lb., He is going to be real good as an eleventh grader.
If OGV and a few others would stop running our team down our chances would go up believe me.
Posted by: Harry Miller | March 01, 2013 at 02:52 AM
Miami wins the ACC!!!!!
Who would have thought Miami would win the conference in basketball before football?!
Posted by: BEERicane | February 28, 2013 at 11:05 PM
BEER - That is literally a post for the ages!!!
Wouldn't it have been great to have conducted that poll upon the U joining
the ACC!?!?
Congrats to the Men's Hoops team!
Posted by: Pre83 | March 01, 2013 at 02:56 AM
Thanks Hassan....
Posted by: Jack | March 01, 2013 at 06:38 AM