Beaver Knows Bass

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 .

Comments

[86Cane]

Harry Miller...if U wanna fish Lake Istokpoga then let me know and we will go. U can stay here with me and Mrs. 86 in Winter Haven and we will roll out just like Old Skool and I did.

Email me either way for your Canespace shirt at:

canespace86@aol.com

[86Cane]

Terrance...do U fish? U wanna go?

[LB]

Ricky Town!

[Ohio_Cane]

Has the Ray Lew video from last night been posted on BHSN yet?

[86Cane]

Read this:

http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Time-for-College-Football-to-Issue-a-Declaration-of-Independence-from-the-NCAA

[Ohio_Cane]

From Tito Benach:

Alin Edouard has an announcement

He sent me this message

"I'm tired hearing people say I'm a soft commit to Miami, let the 'Canes people know that it's a hard commit for me, that's why I Don't LIKE DOING INTERVIEWS , they twist my words up.."

Why can't all kids be like Alin?

[86Cane]

Ohio...no it has not been posted to their web site and prolly will not be until 3/4, I just checked.

[86Cane]

Rhuh Rhooo...

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2013/march/saint+marys+california+failed+to+monitor+its+mens+basketball+program

[UpNorthCane27]

86,

being your the Tour guide on canespace, i know i asked you this question before.... Ill be down in miami in june and were going to Islamorada and Key west for a day, what is the best place to stay a few hours and rent jet skis and have a couple of drinks and some food?

[CaneRock]

WOW! Watching the interview with the guys brother who got swallowed up by that sinkhole...that's some SAD and SCARY ish.

[86Cane]

UpNorth...Depends, U looking for simple Keys casual or fancy upscale kind of place?

Start here:

http://www.fla-keys.com/islamorada/

[86Cane]

For jet ski rental go here:

http://holidayisle.com/Islamorada-Watersports/

Bars, food and jet skis all at one site. U can ride out just a short distance to the World Famous sand bar and hang out with lots of locals too.

[86Cane]

I don't know Key West so no luck there.

[The Dude]

Dang. I've been sequestered. They let me and 3 others go. I may file suit with some of the other employees. Good thing I have a backup plan. Sucks sometimes working for the gov.

[86Cane]

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.

[UpNorthCane27]

Thanks 86 you the man boss!!

[Nomad]

The good press continues for the BB Team and Coach Larranaga – coaching matters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/jim-larranaga-finds-hes-still-fashionable-in-miami/2013/02/28/63505c44-81d2-11e2-a350-49866afab584_story.html

[The Dude]

Up North,

We would usually stay on Marathon. The Key Fisheries was a good inexpensive place to eat.

[86Cane]

From ESPN and The Heather:

3. A favorable schedule: Miami has an entire month to prepare for league play, as its first ACC game isn’t until Oct. 5 against Georgia Tech. It doesn’t even have to leave the state until Oct. 17, when it travels to North Carolina, and even then the Canes have a bye week to prepare for the Thursday night game against the Tar Heels. Yes, they have to play rival FSU on the road, but they do get Virginia Tech at home. Winning at Pitt on a Friday in November won’t be easy, but getting Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech at home helps compensate for it.

[CaneRock]

LMAO!
Trick Daddy talking about the Miami investigation on WQAM:

"They actin' like my Mama back in the day...owin' me a but whoopin.
If you gonna whoop me, go ahead and whoop me...you ain't finna sit up here and talk me to death and then WHOOP ME!"

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Yes Harry, it's true, the basketball team is winning and setting all the right kind of records because I, and several other very influential bloggers, are supporting them, the football team is not because I, and those same influential bloggers, are taking shots at them.

Wait, that sounds completely ridiculous. Here's the truth, the basketball team is succeeding because a smart AD hired an excellent veteran coach who had proven himself in the lower ranks of his profession to be overqualified for his current job to take over for a first time head coach who was not developing as a coach fast enough for the fan-base's approval.

The football team is treading in cement because an idiotic AD hired an over-hyped veteran coach who had proven himself to be smoke and mirrors in the lower ranks of his profession but also proved to be still a slicker talker than even a ponzi schemer to take over for a first time coach who left his successor a boatload of talent by comparison to both the roster he had inherited and the guy who replaced him ever had assembled simultaneously and wasn't developing as a head-coach fast enough for the fan-base's approval.

The defensive records being set in the wrong way are a direct result of the mutant from Philly both needing a complete reeducation of basic defensive philosophy from the ground up, not because some bloggers are supportive of the ACC champs and take justified shots at horrible coaches who can't call a winning game on Playstation freshman difficulty much less a real life Saturday where a team doesn't run only plays they've seen on film.

Great news though my friend, since you are concerned about my comments holding the program back from where they should be instead of the play calls the coaches send in every 50 seconds during games, I agree with 86, this year, the only coach who can lose the Broyles award for himself is D'No.

So in other words, some other coach is going to need to make some trophy space in his office outside of Coral Gables this year.

[86Cane]

More from Ms. Dinich:

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/52942/why-miami-will-win-the-coastal-division-in-2013

[86Cane]

UpNorth...here is a great place to eat at sunset, it's on the water and gulf (bay) side with fresh seafood, awesome sunsets and live music almost every night:

LORELEI RESTAURANT & CABANA BAR
Phone: (305) 664-4338
Mile marker 81.9, bayside
Overseas Highway
Islamorada , FL 33036

Here is another GREAT place to go and eat, it is also on the water on the Gulf side and you can eat and then walk around The World Wide Sportsman Store which is next door and way cool. They have the a lot to see inside and there are fishing docks and boat rentals there also so you might see some fresh catch being brought in:

ISLAMORADA FISH COMPANY
Phone: (305) 664-9271
81532 Overseas Highway
Islamorada , FL 33036

[86Cane]

Both of the above are in Islamorada and about 1/2 mile apart from each other (MM 81.9 and MM 81.5) and 2-3 miles South of Holiday Isle jet ski rental.

[Ohio_Cane]

Manny - 8 players will be held out of spring ball #UM: LB Armbrister, RB Clements, WR Lewis, WR Lockhart Jr., C McDermott, DL Perry, LB Terry

#UM football LB Eddie Johnson remains suspended indefinitely

[Ohio_Cane]

Manny - Here is a photo of the full #Canes depth chart pic.twitter.com/yLxFkiBg4p

[Ohio_Cane]

Manny - 8 players will be held out of spring ball #UM: LB Armbrister, RB Clements, WR Lewis, WR Lockhart Jr., C McDermott, DL Perry, LB Terry

#UM football LB Eddie Johnson remains suspended indefinitely

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:20 PM
--------------------------------------

^^^ ALL except EJ held out due to injury.

No one flip out.

[Ohio_Cane]

Tyriq McCord up from 215 to 236, and listed as Strongside LB.

Sheesh!

[86Cane]

On the eve of spring practice, University of Miami head football coach Al Golden released his team's spring depth chart Friday. The Canes open spring practices at 9 a.m. Saturday at GreenTree.

Miami returns 10 starters on both offense and defense from its 2012 squad that finished 7-5 overall and tied for first in the ACC Coastal Division with a 5-3 league mark.

Eight players will be held out of spring practice: LB Thurston Armbrister, RB Eduardo Clements, LB Eddie Johnson (suspended indefinitely), WR Malcolm Lewis, WR Robert Lockhart Jr., C Shane McDermott, DL David Perry and LB Gabe Terry.

The Canes' spring schedule will feature 15 practices, including four before Spring Break (March 10-16) and a total of six practices before their first scrimmage March 23 at Traz-Powell Stadium. Four more practices will follow before its April 5 scrimmage in Naples. There will be two more practice dates in April culminating in the annual Spring Football Game on April 13 at Sun Life Stadium.

[86Cane]

Deon Bush listed as 2nd string behind Highsmith? SMH and LOL

[Ohio_Cane]

Deon Bush listed as 2nd string behind Highsmith? SMH and LOL

Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:30 PM
--------------------------------------

Generally based on beginnings of UTough. Highsmith out-weightrooming him?

Yes, I made up that word.

[Ohio_Cane]

Deon Bush listed as 2nd string behind Highsmith? SMH and LOL

Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:30 PM
--------------------------------------

Generally based on beginnings of UTough. Highsmith out-weightrooming him?

Yes, I made up that word.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:32 PM
------------------------------------

If U look, Fr Alex Figeroua listed as starting SS LB

[UpNorthCane27]

Guys thanx for all the recommendations on places to go and eat appreciate it!!

[86Cane]

University of Miami coach Al Golden released his first depth chart Friday going into the start of spring practice (at 9 a.m. Saturday and closed to the public). Please keep in mind that the first depth chart is mostly based on the offseason, UTough strength and conditioning program. For example, Golden's first spring depth chart two years ago had Spencer Whipple as the No. 1 quarterback, followed by Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/03/football-is-upon-us-miami-hurricanes-release-first-depth-chart-for-spring-practice-mostly-based-on-o.html#storylink=cpy

[orange 'n green in the vein]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9002769/acc-address-issue-court-storming

What puss bag AD from nicotine way is the unnamed wuss? Kevin White has to be the correct answer as a K proxy whiny mouthpiece, right?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Golden be Keefing with the depth charts every year, Al looks more like a vape ingest-er to me though.

[86Cane]

The University of Miami has posted a new football roster with the newest players and jersey numbers, in anticipation of spring football, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday (closed to the public).

Linebacker Eddie Johnson is still suspended indefinitely. His name was mistakenly added to the new roster, then removed in the afternoon by UM.

Some new players with their jersey numbers: Fr TE Standish Dobard, 5 (Mike James' old number); Fr QB Garrison Lassiter, 16; Fr LB Alex Figueroa, 36; Fr OL Sunny Odogwu, 66 (same as Dequan Ivery's); Jr TE Beau Sandland, 85 (same as David Perry).

David Perry, who was a tight end, is now officially listed as a D-lineman.

Dyron Dye, who also was a tight end, is now also listed as a D-lineman, and keeps his former No. 49.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/03/new-um-canes-football-roster-with-new-players-jersey-nos-lb-eddie-johnson-back-on-roster.html#storylink=cpy

[Ohio_Cane]

Rayshawn Jenkins is biggest DB at 215 lbs

[UpNorthCane27]

Was it ever mentioned on the blog or anywhere, what the hell eddie Johnson did to get and stay suspended?

[86Cane]

Do NOT know this as a FACT (so do NOT repeat it as such) but from what I heard through the grapevine:

Allegedly he had some sort of major argument with Barrow (over what I do NOT know) that almost went to blows. Then he apparently refused to accept the consequences and kinda went AWOL for a bit.

Allegedly he still believes he was wrongly punished and singled out as according to what I heard he feels others had done worse and got less punishment. He is not a happy camper and the coaches are not happy with him. Prolly gonna take some serious give and take from both sides for him to come back, but it is still possible.

[CaneRock]

C 75 JARED WHEELER 6-5, 317, Sr.54
Hunter Knighton 6-5, 278, Fr.

Is McDermott hurt or something?

[Ohio_Cane]

CR,

Manny - 8 players will be held out of spring ball #UM: LB Armbrister, RB Clements, WR Lewis, WR Lockhart Jr., C McDermott, DL Perry, LB Terry

#UM football LB Eddie Johnson remains suspended indefinitely

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:20 PM
--------------------------------------

^^^ ALL except EJ held out due to injury.

No one flip out.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | March 01, 2013 at 01:27 PM

[Terrance Sullivan]

86 I am not a good fisherman. I appreciate good fishermen. The depth chart was practically as I expected of course it will look different come April 13th

[TJL]

If EJ was going to leave wouldn't it already happened?

[86Cane]

TJL...prolly. I'm jus sayin he has not been in a good place mentally or with the team for awhile now.

[herbieibis]

I see on the depth chart that there is a Wyatt Chicklo listed as a DB, must be Chick's cuz. I see Nate Doretch is a whopping 170 LBS. I can see he's really been in the weight room! I can't really see the prupose of moving O'Donnell to TE, when he's never going to see the field at that position, must be a stiff.
Speaking on Eddie Johnson, either reinstate the guy or can him. I mean he's been suspended for like 5 months.
I see Gabe Terry has really packed on the LBs, tilting the scales at a robust 210.

[86Cane]

The Chickillos are related.

O'Donnell = transfer. They just moved 2 TE's over to DE.

I like Terry and he will play this year.

[calGary Cane]

Posted by: 86Cane | March 01, 2013 at 04:37 PM

Are we going to see some serious QB sack numbers this year?

[Ohio_Cane]

I see Gabe Terry has really packed on the LBs, tilting the scales at a robust 210.

Posted by: herbieibis | March 01, 2013 at 04:21 PM
----------------------------------------

Didn't he tear his ACL? Kinda tough to gain weight when injured badly.

[herbieibis]

Didn't know he had an acl tear but he can still eat and do some upper body stuff.