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

michael wilson
·5 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 searching for bass on shallow, weedy flats, try swimming a worm near the surface. My approach is to fan cast ahead of the boat while zigzagging from deep to shallow water. Once I connect with a fish, I then concentrate on that contour or depth zone.

The Yamamoto Speed Senko for Power Pole Pro Bass Angler Tip of the Week with Bernie Schultz.
The Yamamoto Speed Senko for Power Pole Pro Bass Angler Tip of the Week with Bernie Schultz.

My go-to soft plastic is a Texas-rigged Yamamoto Speed Senko. Simply throw it as far as you can and start reeling. A steady retrieve near the surface will entice them as if it’s prey trying to escape. You’ll know when one hits it, trust me.

Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville, Florida, competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He’s qualified for nine Bassmaster Classics and five FLW Championships. His career winnings exceed 1.5 million dollars. 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

Cody Holley, left, and Robert Weeks had 9.55 pounds to win first place in the Freedom Bass Anglers tournament Jan. 14 on Lake Parker.
Cody Holley, left, and Robert Weeks had 9.55 pounds to win first place in the Freedom Bass Anglers tournament Jan. 14 on Lake Parker.

Cody Holley and Robert Weeks had 9.55 pounds to win first place in the Freedom Bass Anglers tournament on Jan. 14 on Lake Parker. Charles Huffstutler and David Huffstutler were second with 7.05 pounds. Charles Walker and Kevin Blevins placed third with 6.25 pounds. Seth Norman took big bass with a 4.10-pounder.

Chris Maxwell and Jacob Eaton had 18.33 pounds to win the Xtreme Bass Series Kissimmee Division tournament on Jan. 15 on Lake Kissimmee. Travis Tucker and Bobby Miller took second place with 17.68 pounds. Andrew Hall and Will Brown placed third with 17.54 pounds. Rodney Hunter took big bass with a 7.75-pounder.

Jacob Eaton, left, and Chris Maxwell had 18.33 pounds to win the Xtreme Bass Series Kissimmee Division tournament Jan. 15 on Lake Kissimmee.
Jacob Eaton, left, and Chris Maxwell had 18.33 pounds to win the Xtreme Bass Series Kissimmee Division tournament Jan. 15 on Lake Kissimmee.

Upcoming Tournaments

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. 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. 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, winne-take-all side pot. Time is safe light to 3 p.m. For more info, call Rich Patterson at 407-394-4474.

The next Freedom Bass Anglers tournament is on Feb. 11 on the Winter Haven North Chain out of Lake Rochelle. Time is safe light to 2 p.m. Membership at this time is closed. For more information, email Charles Matlock at matlockcn@gmail.com.

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.

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