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During the summertime, the fish and fishermen feel the effects of the summer heat after 11 a.m. So Crawford recommends fishing between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. “Fishing in the summer is a little tough. My suggestion is to get out on the water early,” he says.
He likes to stay close to the water where he can cool off. “It’s too hot to be out in the woods in the summer,” Crawford says. “I’m always right near water, whether it’s a spring, beach, lake— somewhere I can jump in the water and cool off.”
When traveling to a new area, he advises people to seek local knowledge. “I always try to find a local bait shop or fish camp. Buy some bait. Buy something,” he suggests. “If you’re buying something, typically they’re okay with giving you some information.”
Crawford, who lives in Lake Mary, says one of his favorite places to fish is at Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand. There is a stocked bass pond for children, along with cabins and rental boats. He also suggests Lake Toho for bass fishing.
“It is a place
Paddleboard fishing is a good way to get into the backcountry, onto small creeks, where it is difficult for boats to maneuver. Because they are very quiet, it is possible to “sneak up on the fish,” he points out.
Meanwhile, Updike likes to travel to Chokoloskee, an island in the Gulf of Mexico near Everglades City, off the beaten path. “It’s an old Florida fishing spot,” he says. “A lot of the ag guys fish down there.”
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“I like the challenges of going out and targeting that species. That’s kind of success for me,” he continues. “It takes a little while to learn the different fish. When you learn, it’s really fun.” He has caught more than fish. “We hunted them [alligators] all night,” he recalls. “It’s fun, a good time. We got a bunch.” ag
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