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Central Florida bass fishing news with Power-Pole Pro Bass Tip of the Week

michael wilson
·8 min read
Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville, Florida, competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He's qualified for nine Bassmaster Classics and five FLW Championships.
Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville, Florida, competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He's qualified for nine Bassmaster Classics and five FLW Championships.

Power-Pole Pro Bass Angler Tip of the Week with Bernie Schultz

When temperatures cool to the point where bass become lethargic, I rely on a jerkbait to wake them up. There’s something about the flash and erratic movements of jerkbaits that can trigger a bite from even the most stubborn, cold-water fish.

Simply cast beyond the target area, work the lure down in the water, then start with a jerk-jerk-pause retrieve. Depending on the mood of the fish, I may speed the action or slow it almost to a standstill. The fish usually let me know their preference.

Shimano World Minnow jerkbait for Power Pole Pro Bass Angler Tip of the Week with Bernie Schultz. (Photo: PROVIDED BY BERNIE SCHULTZ)
Shimano World Minnow jerkbait for Power Pole Pro Bass Angler Tip of the Week with Bernie Schultz. (Photo: PROVIDED BY BERNIE SCHULTZ)

In extreme cold conditions, lengthy pauses can be very effective. That’s the condition when a Shimano World Minnow excels. It features an internal mirrorlike reflector called Flash Boost. When the lure is at rest, Flash Boost continues to pulse and flicker as if the lure has a heartbeat.

Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville, competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He’s qualified for nine Bassmaster Classics and five FLW Championships. His career winnings exceed $1.5 million. He also serves as a columnist for Bassmaster.com, InsideLine.net and JustFishing.ca. Follow him on Facebook @Bernie Schultz Fishing or on Instagram @bernieschultzfishing.

Fishing Results

Robert Weeks had 21 lbs, 8 oz. and also had big bass with a 9 lb, 3 oz. fish to win the Lone Fishing Club tournament Jan. 7 at Lake Reedy.
Robert Weeks had 21 lbs, 8 oz. and also had big bass with a 9 lb, 3 oz. fish to win the Lone Fishing Club tournament Jan. 7 at Lake Reedy.

Robert Weeks had 21 lbs, 8 oz. and also had big bass with a 9 lb, 3 oz. fish to win the Lone Fishing Club tournament on Jan. 7 at Lake Reedy. Bill Barlow took second place with a 9 lbs, 8 oz. bag.

Mark Browning and Daniel Beadle had 17.52 pounds and also had big bass with a 7.96-pounder to win the Mosaic Bass Club tournament on Jan. 7 at Lake Alfred. Robert Wiggins and Josh Dunn took second place with 15.75 pounds. Johnnie Renner and Bruce Renner took third place with 12.43 pounds.

Joe Magnatta and Keith Howlett had 15.70 pounds and also had big bass with a 5.50-pounder to win first place during the Wednesday Open Bass Series tournament on Jan. 4 on the Winter Haven North Chain. Frank Sylvester and Woody Griffith took second place with 10.60 pounds. Anthony Papania and Steve Swaugger were third with 9.20 pounds.

Matt Dean and Adarius Taylor had 10.40 pounds to win the Happy Hookers Bass Club tournament on Jan. 7 at Eagle Lake. Duane Robinson and Heather Robinson took second place with 8.40 pounds. Mike McFarland and J.J. Eckertson placed third with 8 pounds. Josh Long took big bass with a 3.40-pounder.

Tim McLees and Trey Owens had 20.25 pounds and also had big bass with a 6.43-pounder to win first place at the Florida Bass Club Survivor Series tournament on Jan. 7 on the Harris Chain. Tim Troutt and Steven Lanigan took second place with 14.44 pounds. John Sabatini was third with 12.46 pounds.

Tanner Scarborough had 14.64 pounds and also had big bass with a 7.55-pounder to win first place in the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers’ tournament on Jan. 8 on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Stacy Thomas was second with 14.15 pounds. Robert Kimbrough was third with 10.59 pounds.

Mark Browning, left, and Daniel Beadle had 17.52 pounds and also had big bass with a 7.96 pounder to win the Mosaic Bass Club tournament Jan. 7 at Lake Alfred.
Mark Browning, left, and Daniel Beadle had 17.52 pounds and also had big bass with a 7.96 pounder to win the Mosaic Bass Club tournament Jan. 7 at Lake Alfred.

Upcoming Tournaments

The next Kissimmee Bass Series Seniors tournament is on Jan. 13 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester. Entry fee is $80 per boat and $20 for big bass. Anglers must complete a registration form and pay a one-time trail fee of $20. For more information, contact Charlie Wynperle at Cwynperle@aol.com.

The next Fishing Misfits tournament is on Jan. 14 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Port Hatchineha. This event is for members only and there is a ramp fee. Time is safe light to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call Harry at 863-397-6597 or Larry at 863-287-2864.

The next Florida Crappie Club tournament is on Jan. 14 at Lake Harris out of the U.S. 27 ramp. Entry fee is $60 per boat for seven-fish aggregate and big fish. Sign-up is from 5:45 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. Tourney time is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Tony Strollo at 352-584-6970.

The next CATCH’EM CRAPPIE tournament, held by Hoppy’s Marine, is on Jan. 14 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Port Hatchineha. Time is safe light to noon. Up to four anglers per boat with a $60 fee per boat, plus $5 ramp fee. Heaviest six fish go toward place prizes and big fish. For more information, or to sign up for the tournament, call Matt Ingram at 863-412-5207 or Catch’em Crappie at Facebook.

The next Xtreme Bass Series Kissimmee Division tournament is on Jan. 15 on Lake Kissimmee out of Camp Mack. Entry fee is $120 per team and $35 membership fee per angler. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. For more info, go to www.xbseries.com or call Brian Stahl at 813-470-0963.

The next Wednesday Open Bass Series tournament is on Jan. 18 on the Winter Haven South Chain out of the Lake Summit public ramp. Entry fee is $30 per boat with 100% payback with exemptions. FWC rules apply. Time is safe light to 1 p.m. For more information, call Keith Howlett at 863-669-5805 or Joe Magnatta at 863-581-7011.

The next Kissimmee Bass Series One-Man tournament is on Jan. 21 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester. Entry fee is $80 per boat and $20 for big bass. Anglers must complete a registration form and pay a one-time trail fee of $20. For more information, contact Charlie Wynperle at Cwynperle@aol.com.

The Bass N Boats will host an open tournament on Jan. 21 on Lake Hamilton out of the public ramp. Launch is at safe daylight and weigh-in is at 3 p.m. There is a $60 tournament entry fee. The club is seeking new members. Club membership fee is $50. For more information, contact Ken Singletary at 863-651-7607 or Brant Sims at 321-246-2385 or visit Bassnboats.com.

The Polk County Bass Assassins will hold an open tournament on Jan. 21 on the Winter Haven Chain out of the Lake Shipp Park ramp. Entry fee is $40 per boat including big bass. Time is safe light to 2 p.m. The club is accepting new members for the 2023 season. The membership fee is $35 per angler. For more information, contact Jimmy Saxon at 863-581-5939 or go to www.facebook.com/bassassassinsofpolkcounty/.

The next Mosaic Bass Club tournament is on Jan. 21 at Eagle Lake out of the public ramp. The tourney is open to Mosaic employees only. Please be launched and ready to fish by safe daylight. Weigh-in is at 2 p.m. For information, contact Richard Blair at 863-581-1523.

The next Xtreme Bass Series Central Florida Division tournament is on Jan. 22 at Lake Parker out of the Lake Parker Park Ramp. Entry fee is $120 per team and $35 membership fee per angler. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. For more info, go to www.xbseries.com or call Brian Stahl at 813-470-0963.

The next Xtreme Bass Series Lake Toho Division tournament is on Jan. 22. Entry fee is $120 per team and $35 membership fee per angler. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. For more info, go to www.xbseries.com or call Jeremy Smith at 813-967-1821.

The next Lake Wales Po Boys Bass Club tournament is on Jan. 22 on Lake Arbuckle out of the Lake Shipp Park ramp. Entry fee is $70 per team. Time is safe light to 2 p.m. The club is always seeking new members. For more information, contact Terry Nesbitt at 863-232-6897 and Carl Carmichael at 727-463-4802 or visit lakewalespoboys.com.

The next Happy Hookers Bass Club tournament is on Feb. 4 at Lake Rosalie. Time is safe light to 1:30 p.m. Entry fee $50 per boat and $10 for big bass. For more information, contact Brandon Robinson at 863-397-7932 or visit the Happyhookers Club on Facebook.

The next Lone Fishing Club tournament is on Feb. 4 at Lake Juliana out of the public ramp. Club membership is now closed. For more information, call Walt Hunziker at 407-284-0277 or email at whunziker@tampabay.rr.com.

The next Florida Bass Club Survivor Series tournament is on Feb. 4. on Lake Toho out of the Southport ramp. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. Anglers must pay a one-time club membership fee of $50. Tourney entry fee is $100 per boat. Optional big bass side pot fee is $10 and optional big bag weight side pot fee is $20. For more information, contact Brant Sims at 321-246-2385 or Dustin Meneley at 689-777-8809 or visit the club’s website at http://www.FloridaBassClub.com.

The next Toho First Sunday of the Month Team Trail is on Feb. 5. on Lake Toho out of the city ramp. This tournament is open to the first 50 boats. Entry fee is $60 per team with an optional $100 per boat, winner-take-all side pot. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. For more info, call Rich Patterson at 407-394-4474.

The next Winter Haven Lunker Lovers tournament is on Feb. 12 on Crooked Lake out of the public ramp. The draw meeting will be held on Feb. 7 at Beef O’Brady’s in Winter Haven. The Lunker Lovers tournaments are for members only. To inquire about becoming a member or for more information, call David Glenn at 863-559-0824, Lamar Middleton at 863-224-4050 or go to lunkerlovers.com.

The next Central Florida Slay Nation Club Tournament is on Feb. 25 on Lake Garfield out of the public ramp. The tourney is open to club members only and only small vessels are allowed. Kayaks, canoes and johnboats with no gas-powered vessels only. Club membership is $60 per angler. For more information, contact Josiah Vansickle at Josiahvan27@gmail.com.

Send tournament notices or results to Ledger correspondent Michael Wilson at fishingresults@theledger.com. Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Central Florida bass fishing news with Power-Pole Pro Bass Tip of the Week