An astronomical number of Quebecers spend quality time in Florida during the cold season.
• Also read: Be prepared to deceive them again
Estimating that one in eight residents of La Belle Province is an avid angler, that means there are several thousand snowbirds that would certainly like the opportunity to hunt American species. The ocean offers incredible challenges for those who want to compete with the saltwater warriors. Inland, the largemouth bass is undoubtedly the undisputed king.
Tour guide
When it comes time to bring in a specialist to help us find productive locations and efficient techniques, the choice is huge, very big. There are advertisements everywhere and the Internet is full of websites such as bassonline.com. The problem, like everywhere else, is that we don't always know who we're going to meet or what the results will be. I remember hiring a guide and telling him clearly that I wanted to fish for trout using lures. After 45 minutes he informed me that he didn't trust this approach and preferred to use live minnows. I caught a few clownfish and a few small bass. It was an unsatisfying experience.
A professional
One of my friends referred me to Garrett Rocamora, a nice 31-year-old man, an American guide license holder, who lives in the Lake Kissimmee area. After working for a long time at the electromechanical anchor manufacturer Power-Pole, he entered the world of major professional BASS and MLF tournaments in 2011. He won several regional titles and placed fourth nationally at Lake Champlain.
Guide Garrett Rocamora accompanies fishermen visiting Florida to more than a dozen waters. Photo provided by Patrick Campeau
When not competing, he directs full-time. In his 21-foot bass boat, equipped with a 250-hp Pro, he offers space for up to three rod guides
playground
Garrett travels to accompany his clients from Lake Okeechobee to the Winter Heaven region.
His favorite waters for trout, as our neighbors to the south call them, are the Kissimmee and Winter Haven lake chains, Headwaters, Stick Marsh, Yale, Okeechobee, Jackson, Walk-in-Water, etc.
Packages of 4, 6 or 8 hours are offered. In summer, the hardened bachelor even offers excursions from morning to evening for real enthusiasts upon request.
He provides all the equipment in the form of heavy and light casting as well as lures or shiner minnows to those who ask. The English-speaking lecturer also teaches new sonar technologies to amateurs who want to know more about the subject.
My experience
During my trip to Stick March on December 19th, we bagged 72 bass weighing up to 5 pounds. The average size of the specimens caught varied between 900 g and 1.8 kg.
The average weight of the 72 trout we caught was between 2 and 4 pounds. Photo provided by Patrick Campeau
The day before, they had caught just over 200 at the same location with his two customers. Imagine the total weight of their five largest fish was 30.5 pounds (13.60 kg). Something all tournament participants can dream of.
Offers
More than two thirds of the fish were deep diving fish such as Norman DD22, Bandit 300, Bomber Fat Free Shad Next Gen and Rapala DT16. A 15-pound invisible tactical fluorocarbon line allowed us a very subtle approach.
Our swimming fish had to wobble just above the aquatic plants that covered the shallows. At the slightest touch we had to give the rod a strong blow to free the rushes that might have stuck to the bait, and it is often precisely this moment that the opponents are tempted. The area along a power line near a small dam was also very productive.
Spectacular
Umbrella mounting, better known as Yumbrella, has also proven itself. On each of the five branches was a jig head and a Scottsboro-shaped minnow. This arrangement perfectly imitates a school of moving forage fish. A very stiff rod and super strong 50 pound line allowed us to retrieve it in all types of environments.
Basically
During the rare lull, Garrett suggested I try my luck with a Carolina rig. This approach involves dragging a two- to three-foot-long, soft Senko worm behind a one-ounce sinker. During its passage, the ballast moves the benthos that has sunk to the ground and the offering then appears as if by magic in the predator's attack field.
Some fighters also liked the famous drop-shot technique with a small 12 to 15 cm slug.
►To learn more or reserve the services of this guide, call 813 610-3073 or visit the site facebook.com/garrett.rocamora
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