5.0(2 Reviews)Wintertime Black Crappie Charter on Lake Istokpoga
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour guided black crappie fishing on Lake IstokpogaAll tackle, rods, and bait provided for anglersExpert pontoon boat guidance from local fishing professional
When Florida's winter months arrive and the crappie start schooling deep, there's no better guide to put you on fish than "Poga Gal" Tangie Neff. This five-hour guided pontoon trip on Lake Istokpoga gives you serious time to dial in on some of the state's best black crappie fishing. We're talking about a lake that consistently produces slabs, and with Tangie's local knowledge, you'll be working the right spots at the right depths. The base price covers up to two anglers, but you can bring the whole crew – we'll take up to five people total for an extra $50 per person. All your rods, tackle, and bait are included, so just grab your Florida fishing license, pack some snacks and drinks, and get ready to fill the cooler.
Lake Istokpoga spans over 27,000 acres of prime crappie habitat, and winter is when these fish really stack up in predictable patterns. You'll be fishing from a comfortable pontoon boat that gives everyone plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques. Tangie knows this lake like the back of her hand – she's been guiding here for years and understands exactly where the crappie hold during the cooler months. The beauty of a five-hour trip is you're not rushed. You'll have time to learn the nuances of winter crappie fishing, from reading your electronics to understanding how these fish relate to structure when the water temperature drops. If five hours isn't enough and the bite is hot, you can extend the trip for $50 per additional hour. The pontoon setup is perfect for panfishing – stable, roomy, and equipped with everything you need to target these finicky winter crappie effectively.
Winter crappie fishing is all about slowing down and fishing deep structure, and that's exactly what you'll master on this trip. Tangie will have you working the lake's deeper channels, submerged timber, and drop-offs where crappie school up when the water cools. You'll be using light jigs tipped with live minnows, working them slowly through the strike zone at depths ranging from 8 to 20 feet. The key is patience and precision – winter crappie don't chase bait like they do in spring, so you need to put your offering right in their face. You'll learn to read the electronics, identify fish-holding structure, and understand how to present your bait at the right speed. Tangie provides all the tackle, including an assortment of jigs in different weights and colors to match the conditions. The rods are sensitive enough to feel the lightest bite, which is crucial when crappie are in their winter feeding mode. By the end of the trip, you'll understand why winter can actually be one of the most productive times to target these fish on Istokpoga.
"We limited out before noon" - Joe. "I had an awesome time. Tangie is the best would go with her again anytime!" - Jimmy.
Black crappie are the star of the show on Lake Istokpoga, and winter is when they really shine. These fish typically run 10 to 14 inches in this lake, with plenty of slabs pushing over a pound. During the cooler months from December through February, black crappie form tight schools around deep structure, making them easier to locate once you find them. They're incredibly tasty – many anglers consider crappie the best eating fish in freshwater, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. What makes winter crappie fishing so exciting is the potential for numbers. When you find a school, you can often catch fish after fish from the same spot. Black crappie have excellent eyesight and can be finicky about presentation, which makes landing them a rewarding challenge. They're also known for their paper-thin mouths, so playing them requires skill and patience. On Istokpoga, the lake's abundant forage base means these crappie grow fat and healthy, and the clear water structure provides perfect habitat for big schools to thrive throughout the winter months.
This wintertime crappie charter offers everything you need for a successful day on one of Florida's top panfish lakes. With Tangie's expertise, quality equipment included, and five full hours to work the best spots, you're set up for the kind of crappie fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The flexible pricing makes it perfect for couples or small groups, and the option to extend your trip means you can stay on the water when the bite is hot. Lake Istokpoga's winter crappie fishing is legendary among Florida anglers, and this guided experience puts you right in the middle of the action with someone who knows exactly how to put you on fish. Don't miss out on some of the year's best crappie fishing – book your trip with Corky & Tangie's Guided Bass & Panfishing Tours and experience why Istokpoga is considered a world-class crappie destination.
This 2020 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy pontoon boat puts you right where the black crappie are biting on Lake Istokpoga. At 18 feet with a Mercury 75HP engine, she cruises comfortably at 25mph to get you to the productive fishing spots without burning up your day traveling. The stable pontoon design gives you plenty of room to move around while working jigs and minnows, plus Captain Tangie can position up to 5 anglers for the best presentation. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of crappie suspended in the lake's structure, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots trip after trip. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long winter fishing sessions when the crappie are schooled up tight. The roomy deck layout means no tangled lines or crowded casting, just solid fishing time focused on filling your cooler with slab crappie.
5.0 out of 5.0We limited out before noon
Great Day of fishing. Thanks for the great review Joe
I had an awesome time. Tangie is the best would go with her again anytime!
Sebring, FL