Bass Fishing Lake Toho: Lures, Locations, and Live Bait Tricks

Lake Tohopekaliga — better known as Lake Toho — is more than just a pretty name on the map. Located in Kissimmee, Florida, this 22,700-acre freshwater lake is a bucket list destination for bass anglers across the country. Its reputation for producing trophy largemouth bass and hosting major tournaments like Bassmaster Elite Series makes it one of the most famous bass fisheries in the Southeast.

Whether you're fishing from the bank, a bass boat, or a kayak, Lake Toho offers a blend of structure, vegetation, and baitfish that supports an incredible largemouth population. Here’s how to fish it right.

Why Lake Toho Hosts Major Tournaments

Lake Toho's ideal mix of hydrilla, lily pads, eelgrass, and open water creates an environment where bass thrive year-round. It’s common to catch bass over 8 pounds, and double-digit giants aren’t rare.

Tournament organizers love it because:

• The lake is easily accessible from Orlando and major highways

• It has excellent boat ramps and marinas

• Fish are plentiful and can be caught shallow or deep — offering a wide range of strategies

• Connected access to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, expanding fishing territory

If it’s good enough for the pros, it’s definitely worth your time.

Wild Shiner Fishing: The Local Secret Weapon

While artificial lures are effective, live wild shiners are the top bait for landing giant bass on Toho — especially during winter and spring, when fish are shallow and aggressive during the spawn.

How to Fish Wild Shiners on Toho:

• Free-lining near vegetation or under docks

• Using a float/bobber to keep the bait in the strike zone

• Fish near reed heads, grass mats, and isolated cover

🛑 Pro Tip: Wild shiners are different from farm-raised ones — they’re more active, durable, and effective. Many local guides use them exclusively for clients chasing trophy bass.

Top Lures & Tactics: Topwater vs. Hydrilla Ledges

While shiners are unbeatable for big bites, artificial lure fishing is productive and more hands-on. Toho’s diverse structure allows for multiple techniques depending on the time of day and season.

Topwater Tactics (Best early mornings and late evenings)

• Hollow-body frogs over lily pads and hydrilla mats

• Walking baits like Zara Spooks or Sexy Dawgs in open water

• Poppers in calm conditions near isolated cover

Nothing beats the explosion of a bass smashing a topwater frog in 2 feet of water.

Hydrilla Ledge Fishing (Midday & deeper water)

When the sun climbs and bass retreat to deeper edges:

• Use Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, or swimbaits along hydrilla drop-offs

• Lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits work well along submerged grass lines

• Focus on 8–12 ft zones near creek channels or offshore humps

🛍️ Local Bait Shops & Boat Ramps

Having the right gear — and local intel — can make or break your day. Luckily, the Kissimmee area is well-equipped for anglers.

🔧 Top Local Bait Shops:

• Big Toho Marina (Kissimmee): Live bait, tackle, guide services, and food

• Toho Tackle: Well-stocked with both artificial and live bait

• BPS Orlando or Academy Sports (for travelers needing a bigger selection)

🛥️ Popular Boat Ramps:

• Big Toho Marina Boat Ramp (Downtown Kissimmee): Clean, wide ramp with plenty of parking and nearby facilities

• Southport Ramp: Good for accessing southern parts of the lake and connecting canals

Final Thoughts: Toho Is a Lunker Factory for a Reason

If you’re looking to catch the bass of a lifetime — or just enjoy consistent action on one of Florida’s most legendary lakes — Lake Toho checks every box. It’s user-friendly for beginners, challenging for pros, and absolutely stacked with fish.

Whether you're tossing frogs at dawn or free-lining a shiner at high noon, Lake Toho rewards those who come prepared.

🎒 Quick Recap Checklist:

✅ Wild shiners for trophy bass✅ Hollow-body frogs & walking baits for surface explosions✅ Soft plastics & swimbaits along hydrilla ledges✅ Launch from Big Toho Marina or Southport✅ Don’t forget your polarized sunglasses and sunscreen

Ready to fish Lake Toho? Let the lunker hunt begin.