The South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) has been around “forever.”
At least that’s what its longtime members say.
The Land O’ Lakes-based fishing club prides itself on its “camaraderie, sportsmanship, and commitment to worthwhile activities in the community.”
(Photos courtesy of South Pasco Bassmasters)
Each year, the club hosts 12 tournaments across various freshwater lakes in Central Florida, including their two-day “Club Classic” at Lake Okeechobee in December.
The club, which has 28 members, accepts new participants at all times during the season — the only condition being that new teams (made up of two members) must have a boat they can utilize.
If you don’t have a boat, club president John Medvid said you can still join the club as an alternate in the event that another team’s member is unavailable for a particular competition.
“It’s a good excuse to get out and get together,” Medvid said about the fishing club. “The majority of us have regular jobs, and we’re weekend warriors.
“We’re in it for fun most of the time,” he said.
While it’s mostly friendly competition, there is “some seriousness” to it.
According to Medvid, the contests can get “wild” for the 14 two-member teams.
“The guys are all buddy-buddy until it comes to the competition,” the club president said. “Some of these guys are really competitive and want to win. Sometimes there’s trash talk, where, ‘Hey, I’m going to beat you.’ Then another guy steps in and says, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to take you all on.’”
Medvid, who’s fished for more than 50 years, said fishing in Florida is a “different animal,” compared to fishing in other states.
“Florida’s one of the most difficult states to fish, because of all the changes with the weather,” he explained. “The average lake is about 6 (feet) to 10 feet (deep), then you go out of the state and lakes are 20 feet; some are even 200 feet in some of these reservoirs. “Water temperature plays a big factor…in Florida.”
The best places to fish vary, based on the time of the year, Medvid said.
During winter months, fisherman search for bass that are “bedding” in the water, he said.
“They want to hit the big lakes like (Lake) Kissimmee and Lake Harris,” Medvid explained. “Even (Lake) Tarpon is not a bad lake…but because it’s centrally located near St. Petersburg and Clearwater, there are a lot of people using it, and there’s a lot of boat traffic on it.”
For those new to fishing, Medvid recommends immersing yourself in trade publications and watching video tutorials in gaining a deeper understanding of the activity.
“Study as much as you can. Do your research,” he advised.
Of course, he added, it’s important to “get out into the water and experience all the different conditions.”
But, doing a little homework can help, he reiterated.
“Reading does help — it gives you different ideas, different techniques, and then you go out there and try to apply them.”
Even after decades of fishing, one aspect never gets old for Medvid: Seeing the sunrise, as he prepared for a club outing.
“It can be very peaceful. When the wind’s not blowing and the conditions are right, you (live) for those days,” he said. “It’s a great way to start the day.
“And, then when you catch fish — that’s a plus.”
For more information, email John Medvid at , or call (813) 996-3377.
Published February 3, 2016
