5.0(3 Reviews)Private 6-Hour Lake Fishing Trip - AM
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour morning fishing trip targets bass and crappie speciesTrip includes premium rods, reels, tackle, and refreshments onboardEarly 7 AM start maximizes prime morning fishing conditions
There's nothing quite like being on the water at first light, watching the mist rise off the lakes while bass are still feeding in the shallows. This 6-hour morning charter on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes gives you and a buddy the kind of guided fishing experience that turns good days into great stories. Captain Terry Elliott knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got one mission – putting you on fish. Whether you're after chunky largemouth bass or a mess of crappie for the dinner table, this trip delivers the goods with top-rated equipment and local knowledge you just can't get anywhere else.
You'll meet up at 7 AM sharp – prime time when the fish are most active and the lakes are still quiet. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter where you get handed a rod and pointed toward deep water. Terry's approach is hands-on, sharing techniques and reading the water as you fish. The Winter Haven Chain connects 16 lakes, giving you access to diverse structure, varying depths, and different cover types all in one trip. Some spots have thick hydrilla beds where bass love to ambush baitfish, while others feature deeper channels where crappie school up during certain times of year. You'll fish multiple locations based on current conditions, seasonal patterns, and what the fish are telling us that day. All your gear is provided – quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven lures. But here's the secret weapon: live wild golden shiners. These aren't your average bait shop shiners. When bass and crappie see these native baitfish, it's game over. They're available at market price per dozen, and honestly, it's money well spent if you want to maximize your catch rate.
The beauty of fishing the Chain is adapting your approach to what's working. Early morning often means topwater action – throwing buzzbaits, poppers, or walking baits along grass lines and around cypress trees. As the sun climbs higher, we might switch to soft plastics like flukes or Senkos, working them through submerged vegetation or along drop-offs. For crappie, we're talking about precise presentations around structure – docks, brush piles, and creek channels where these fish congregate. Terry's got an arsenal of techniques in his back pocket, from flipping heavy cover for big bass to spider rigging for suspended crappie. The gear setup matches the technique perfectly. You'll use medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rods depending on what we're throwing. Fluorocarbon leaders help when the water's clear, and the drag systems are smooth enough to handle those heart-stopping runs when a big bass decides to head for heavy cover. But it's not just about the equipment – it's about reading the water, understanding seasonal movements, and knowing which spots produce at different times of day. That's where Terry's experience really shines.
"I don't recommend anything unless it is the real deal. I have to much pride in my recommendations. Scales & Tales Outdoors LLC is legit. The captain Terry Elliott has so much drive to put you on some good fish, along with teaching while guiding. His knowledge of the Chain of Lakes is immeasurable. Check him out if you are in the Winter Haven area he can show you the Winter Haven Chain of Lake area, put you on some big fish and make you a rod to assist with the whole catching fish thing. I know who is making my next flipping rod!! Thanks once again for taking me out I will definetly be back for more!!" - Andrew
"I had an awesome day on the water with Terry. He truly knows what the fish are feeding on and exactly where to find them." - Kevin
"My son wanted to catch a bass—and Terry made it happen! He got us on the fish, brought us to an awesome lunch spot, and showed us around the chain for a day we'll always remember!" - Colburn
Largemouth bass are the crown jewel of the Winter Haven Chain, and for good reason. These fish have everything they need to grow fat and feisty – abundant forage, diverse structure, and year-round feeding opportunities. Florida strain largemouth can reach impressive sizes here, with fish in the 3-5 pound range being fairly common and bigger bass always a possibility. They're most aggressive in the early morning hours, especially during spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal. You'll find them relating to grass beds, timber, docks, and creek mouths. What makes catching bass here so addictive is their fight – they'll jump, run for cover, and test your drag system. Plus, these fish are smart. They've seen plenty of lures, so having a guide who knows which presentations work and when can make all the difference between a few fish and a day you'll be talking about for years.
Crappie fishing on the Chain offers a completely different but equally rewarding experience. These fish are excellent table fare, which is why many anglers specifically target them for family fish frys. Crappie here typically run 10-14 inches, with some slabs pushing 15 inches or better. They're structure-oriented fish, often found around submerged trees, brush piles, docks, and creek channels. The best crappie fishing usually happens during their spring spawn when they move shallow, but they can be caught year-round if you know where to look. What's really fun about crappie fishing is the numbers game – when you find a school, you can often catch several fish from the same spot. They respond well to live shiners, small jigs, and minnow-imitating lures. Terry knows the seasonal patterns and specific structures where these fish concentrate, taking the guesswork out of finding them.
This 6-hour morning trip gives you the perfect window to experience what makes
Hit the water at sunrise in this 2023 21' Phoenix 921 Elite bass boat, perfectly rigged for serious angling on Winter Haven's legendary chain of lakes. This fishing machine packs a 250HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working the structure. The built-in fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating bass and crappie, and there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those productive morning hours. With premium rods, reels, and tackle provided, plus GPS navigation to hit all the best fishing grounds, you'll have everything needed for a successful day chasing Florida bass. The boat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers and includes convenient amenities like a toilet and kitchen area for those extended sessions when the fish are biting.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie (or "specks" as we call them locally) are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. These 7-12 inch panfish travel in schools around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in 8-20 feet of water. Spring spawning season is peak time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round if you find the right depth. What guests love about crappie fishing is the numbers - once you locate a school, you can catch dozens. Plus, they're hands-down the best eating fish in our lakes with sweet, flaky white meat. They're less aggressive than bass but still fun on light tackle. Pro tip for Winter Haven: use live shiners under a bobber around the cypress trees - crappie can't resist them, especially in the early morning hours.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the kings of our Winter Haven lakes, averaging 12-24 inches and putting up one heck of a fight when hooked. You'll find them around structure like fallen trees, weed lines, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. They love ambushing prey from cover, which makes them exciting to target. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but early mornings year-round produce solid results. What makes bass fishing special is that explosive strike and the way they jump trying to shake the hook. The meat's pretty decent too if you want to keep a few. Here's a local trick: when fishing our lakes, throw your bait past the structure and work it back toward you - bass usually sit on the shady side waiting to ambush.
5.0 out of 5.0I don't recommend anything unless it is the real deal. I have to much pride in my recommendations. Scales & Tales Outdoors LLC is ...
I had an awesome day on the water with Terry. He truly knows what the fish are feeding on and exactly where to find them.
My son wanted to catch a bass—and Terry made it happen! He got us on the fish, brought us to an awesome lunch spot, and showed us ...
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