The Kit Lake Solace

JANUARY 2026

          It was a month of rewards after waiting on Kit Lake, my home water in central Florida’s largemouth bass country. Waiting to arrive helped many. Waiting for work to be completed paid off. And, anglers could fish the sunrise, but waiting until 11:00 am paid off more.

          This month, our water level continued to drop from lack of rain. In some spots retirees walked calm old dogs on dry ground that is normally good fish holding peninsulas. Snaps of cold weather had their say on our fish as well. So, in mere observation, fish action appeared stifled. But anglers who waited on conditions and flies found fish on structure covered drop-offs.

Successful anglers had to go deep like the Thunderfish. Jay did. In his relaxed manner that benefits anglers in our winter cold and summer heat, he found success with large sinking flies like the EP Ghost.

And Mr. Towns gave flies plenty of time to find fish. At the large-lake-end, he cast bait fish flies with pink highlights tight to vegetation near the opening of the channel and got hit by a nice bass. Dead stems of lily pads tangled his action during the fight, but leader and hook held.

          New conditions gave rewards to good anglers this month. And we now will wait to see how things happen, ready to find the best chances next month.