I never fished Lake Butler....

[rocknemo]

I'm sure its a circus on the weekends but has anyone fished there during the week and what kind of fish have you caught. Would like to try some deep offshore fishing. Thanks

[d1andonlyman]

Was thinking of Lake butler in Lake Butler, fl

[rocknemo]

Yes the Butler chain of lakes in Windermere

[Hez]

It's a deep fishery with very clear water. Visibility up to 15 ft in places.

I had a tournament there in January. It is a mad house on the weekends for sure. Tons of recreational boaters. Only 1 public ramp too. Other than that, offshore fishing would probably be good there. I imagine those fish are going to be deep in the summer heat.

[Philmanchu]

I only fish it during the week. Offshore will work well for you.

[Bill2e]

Great Chain of Lakes - Awful ramp, gate locked until 7:00 AM

Ramp is fine, just the 7:00 AM sucks

[rocknemo]

Great Chain of Lakes - Awful ramp, gate locked until 7:00 AM

Ramp is fine, just the 7:00 AM sucks

Really, it states that it opens at 6:30. Have you been there lately?

[Hez]

I think it is 6:30...but the line of cars on the weekend is ridiculous lol. When I was there, there were 2 tournaments launching. Mine and 1 other. The line was out the gate and down both directions on the main road.

[rocknemo]

Went there this morning, very weird for someone who lives in the boonies to drive thru the heart of Orlando to go fishing. Ramp was pretty good with heavier activity then I'm used to but not all that bad, can see on weekends if would be impossible. Ran thru the little lakes and got to Butler, the water clarity and depth blew me away, also the amount of offshore vegetation. I'm used to fishing in mudholes here that the St Johns water mismanagement sprays on a weekly basis. Started catching fish right off the bat on a deep crankbait in 10'-13' of water. Ended up with around 12 bass, nothing big but them dudes hammered it and pulled like 6 pounders. The strange thing is I could not catch a fish on anything else, I threw everything, Carolina rigs, dropshots, rattles traps, swimbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater, chatterbaits, senkos, you name it I threw it. Any explanation on that? Very cool set of lakes but the boat traffic was pretty heavy today, I couldn't even imagine on the weekends. Plus got to see Shaq's house, now that's insane the size of that thing and with his full size superman statue on this dock. Anyway thanks for all the input.

[Philmanchu]

Congrats. I think what you experienced is pretty normal for this time of year. Shaq's house is cool and it is amazing how some parts of the chain are still pristine.

[Hez]

Yeah - Shaq's house is unbelievable. Superman on the dock and stuff lol

[Ba$$n]

Shaqs house is nothing compared to other homes on the chain. Off shore fishing is very productive.