Listing all the possibilities is almost impossible, and deciding which to sample isn't easy. But here are 36 hotspots you might want to keep in mind this year, along with the best times to visit them.

JANUARY
Largemouth Bass: Rodman Reservoir
Rodman was scheduled to be drawn down on Nov. 1. By the time January arrives, it should be very close to low pool level. The temporary ramp will be a bit primitive, but the fishing will be fantastic!

Look for bass to be concentrated in the only deeper waters remaining -- the original river channel, the Barge Canal and the secondary creeks. Few bass will be spawning this month unless we have an exceptionally warm winter, but there should be plenty of pre-spawn fish willing to bite.

During the last drawdown, the top lures were diving crankbaits and big 10- to 12-inch plastic worms fished along channel edges. Savvy anglers also flip any mats of floating vegetation they find over deeper water.

Alternatives: Lake Lochloosa was the hottest speckled perch lake in Florida in 2004, and this year could be even better. They might still be in open water or they might have moved into the shallow pads this month. Watch the other boats to discover where the fish are.

The first tarpon of the year are showing up in Key West Harbor, and cut bait on the bottom can connect you with some of them.

FEBRUARY
Largemouth Bass: Lake Tohopekaliga
This is normally the best spawning month on Toho. Concentrate on vegetated areas in the 3- to 5-foot depth range and stay on the move until you locate a concentration of beds. Sight-fishing with weedless soft-plastic baits can produce monster bass.

Should a cold front interrupt the proceedings, start flipping the thickest vegetation in that area before moving to the outer weed line. Bass may not move very far from their beds the first day or two after a front.

A popular tactic of the local guides is to fish large shiners on the outside cover edge in areas where beds are found, and this method regularly produces trophy fish.

Alternatives: This can be a top month for topwater plugs on the Big O. The bass are mostly done with spawning on Okeechobee and ready to feed.

White bass can be stacked up below the Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola Rive. Light tackle and 1/4-ounce bucktail or plastic jigs can fill the cooler with these tasty fish.

MARCH
Largemouth Bass: Lake Arbuckle
This Polk County lake doesn't get the publicity that Kissimmee and Toho do, but some biologists consider it to be one of the best big-bass lakes in the area.

The spawn is largely over this month, so look for bass to be concentrated on lily pad and bulrush points on the outer weed line edge. Topwater plugs, black buzzbaits, 1/2-ounce spinnerbaits and big plastic worms are top choices during the morning and evening hours. Savvy anglers also flip any surface matted cover on the points at midday.

This is a simple lake to fish -- stay on the outside weed line, concentrate on points, and use 20-pound-test line.

Alternatives: Dolphin are crashing trolled baits off Hobe Sound. The best success will be had by those trolling in 80 to 200 feet in areas where weed lines are present.

Bass are in pre-spawn mode on Crescent Lake and relating to the outer edge of eelgrass beds. Eelgrass shifts location on this lake every year, so finding the best grass is the first step.