October 2026 Butler Chain Bass Fishing Report
Bass fishing on the Butler Chain of Lakes produced plenty of action during our October 13 trip, with approximately 15–17 largemouth bass caught during three hours of fishing. We were joined by a father and son visiting from Scotland for their first-ever bass fishing experience, and the Butler Chain gave them a great introduction to Central Florida bass fishing.
We started with an 81.3°F water temperature, pristine clear water and slick-calm conditions under bright bluebird skies. The morning developed into two different patterns: chasing schooling bass feeding on tiny glass minnows and working Texas-rigged worms and creature baits around isolated peppergrass in 13–16 feet of water. Most bass were between approximately 1½ and 2½ pounds, with several fast bursts of schooling activity producing multiple fish within just a few minutes.
Current Butler Chain Fishing Conditions
Date: October 13, 2026
Fishing Time: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Butler Chain of Lakes — Windermere/Orlando Area
Starting Water Temperature: 81.3°F
Water Clarity: Pristine/Clear
Weather: Sunny, bluebird skies
Air Temperature: Approximately 75°F at 8 a.m., rising into the low 80s
Early Wind: Slick calm
Later Wind: Southeast at approximately 5–7 mph
Productive Depth: 13–16 feet
Primary Vegetation: Isolated peppergrass and outside grass edges
Primary Forage: Small glass minnows
Best Bottom Presentations: Texas-rigged worms and creature baits
Schooling Bass Presentations: Weightless flukes, jig-head flukes and swimbaits
Approximate Catch: 15–17 largemouth bass
Starting the Morning in Deeper Peppergrass
We began the morning targeting isolated peppergrass in approximately 13–15 feet of water. That pattern quickly produced three or four smaller bass and gave us an indication that fish were using the deeper vegetation.
With virtually no wind and extremely clear water, conditions were slick calm. While fishing the deeper grass, we began noticing significant schooling activity elsewhere on the lake and decided to change gears and see if we could take advantage of it.
Chasing Schooling Bass on the Butler Chain
The schooling fish quickly became one of the most exciting—and challenging—patterns of the morning.
Bass were chasing very small glass minnows near the surface, but the schools rarely stayed active for long. The fish were constantly moving, making it difficult to predict where they would surface next or stay with them for an extended period.
When we were able to get around an active school, however, the fishing could become extremely fast. On a couple of occasions we caught three to five bass in only a matter of minutes, with opportunities to get a bite on nearly every cast while the fish were actively feeding.
The key was getting a presentation in front of the fish quickly before the school moved again.
Matching the Small Glass Minnows
The forage the schooling bass were chasing was noticeably small, so we adjusted our presentations accordingly.
Weightless flukes and flukes rigged on small jig heads were effective when we could reach actively feeding fish. Swimbaits also gave us another option for targeting bass around the schooling activity.
With the bass moving quickly, presentation speed and being ready when a school surfaced were important. There wasn't much time to reposition once the fish began feeding.
Kyle with a quality fish close to 3 pounds. This fish was caught dragging a worm
on an outside peppergrass edge in 15 feet of water.
Schooling Activity Changes With the Wind
The schooling pattern didn't last throughout the entire trip.
Around 9:45–10:00 a.m., the previously calm conditions began changing as a southeast breeze developed and eventually reached approximately 5–7 mph. Around the same time, the obvious schooling activity faded.
Rather than continuing to chase a pattern that was disappearing, we transitioned back to the deeper vegetation that had produced fish earlier in the morning.
That adjustment proved important and ultimately produced some of the better-quality bass of the trip.
Returning to the Outside Peppergrass Edges
After the schooling activity slowed, we concentrated primarily on the 13–16 foot depth range, focusing on the outside edges of the peppergrass.
Texas-rigged worms and creature baits worked slowly along those deeper grass edges became our primary presentations.
While the schooling fish provided some of the fastest action of the morning, slowing down around the deeper peppergrass produced several of the more respectable bass by the end of the trip.
It was a good example of why being willing to change patterns during a trip can make a difference. The fish didn't completely stop biting—the most productive way to target them simply changed as the morning progressed.
A First Bass Fishing Experience in Florida
This trip was especially enjoyable because we were joined by a father and son visiting Orlando from Scotland, and this was their first experience fishing for largemouth bass.
The morning gave them an opportunity to experience two very different styles of Florida bass fishing—from casting quickly to bass chasing baitfish near the surface to slowing down and working soft plastics through deeper vegetation.
We finished the three-hour trip with approximately 15–17 bass, with most fish in the 1½- to 2½-pound range and a few respectable fish mixed in by the end of the morning.
We didn't connect with one of the Butler Chain's bigger bass on this trip, but the steady numbers and periods of fast schooling action made for a quality morning on the water and a memorable first Florida bass fishing experience.
Captain Marc's Fishing Tip
When bass are schooling on small baitfish, pay close attention to the size of the forage and be prepared to move quickly. On this trip, the bass were chasing very small glass minnows, making smaller fluke-style presentations a good match for the available forage.
Just as important, know when to stop chasing schooling fish. Once the surface activity faded, returning to productive deeper vegetation and slowing down with Texas-rigged plastics allowed us to continue catching fish and produced some of the better-quality bass of the morning.
Butler Chain Bass Fishing Near Orlando
Located in the Windermere area, the Butler Chain of Lakes provides a unique Central Florida bass fishing experience within the greater Orlando vacation area. Its exceptionally clear water, aquatic vegetation and variety of fishing opportunities can require anglers to adjust throughout the day as conditions change.
For this October trip, those changing conditions gave us two distinct approaches: fast-paced fishing for roaming schooling bass and slower presentations around deeper peppergrass.
Hooked on Fishing Bass Charters fishes the Butler Chain of Lakes along with other productive Central Florida waters, giving visitors an opportunity to experience Florida largemouth bass fishing while staying close to Orlando's major attractions.
Planning a Butler Chain Bass Fishing Trip?
Every day on the Butler Chain can present a different opportunity, from deeper vegetation and docks to schooling fish chasing bait across the lake.
Hooked on Fishing Bass Charters offers private 2–6 hour bass fishing trips for families, beginners and experienced anglers visiting the Orlando area. Fishing equipment and artificial lures are provided, and each trip is adjusted to the conditions we're seeing on the water.
Ready to experience Central Florida bass fishing for yourself?
Call OR Text Captain Marc : 607-382-5138
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