February might be the peak month for speckled perch (Crappie) this season.  Recently we have seen bigger Specks and more limits then earlier in the season, with multiple two pounder’s coming in weekly.  A verity of different fishing methods will work this month depending on water temperatures, moon phases and weather conditions. Trolling or drifting with minnows and jigs will be the most effective tactic, until Specks move to shallow water to spawn. When fish are preparing to spawn, vertical jigging and pitching a cork and jig or live minnow against the bank will produce the most fish.

     Lake Woodruff has long been rated one of the top lakes in Florida for both Largemouth Bass and Speckled Perch. February is a great month for Bass fishing here on the Central St. Johns River and surrounding lakes. Late January produced many trophy size large mouths, with wild river shiners being most productive.  Wild river shiners are proven bait but many artificial baits will be effective this month too.  Top water plugs, slow roll large spinner baits or try throwing a 9 inch trick worm with no weight. If you use a weighted worm try a slow steady retrieve. The colder the water temperature the slower you should retrieve your bait.
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October is one of my favorite months of the year to fish. It’s a wonderful transition from a long hot summer to the beginning of fall. As the first north winds begin to cool the water down, it excites the fisherman and the fish. With cooler water temperatures the Bass and Speckled Perch begin their feeding and fattening in preparation for the spawning periods that occur several times throughout the season.
     Bass will be more active this month, and wild river shiners are a great live bait that will almost always produce this time of year. October provides excellent top water action as well. The Devils Horse is a proven bait in the dark tannic stained water of the great St. Johns River and connecting Lakes. Another favorite will be the buzz bait, it is one of the easiest lures to use. Just cast and retrieve over many types of vegetation.
     October is also the month that really kicks off the Speck season. With water temperatures dropping, Specks start to feed. Early in the season you can use a variety of different methods. Open water fishing usually is the best early on in the season. Drifting lives minnows or slow trolling 1/32 oz hard heads or plastic jigs are a local favorite here at Highland Park and on the Lake Woodruff. Using light line, 10 pounds or less is essential. During the last few months many nice Speck catches came in and with cooler weather approaching we are expecting a great Speck season.

     We are having record hot weather over here on Florida’s most famous river, and it looks like September will hold more of the same. But not to worry, fish early and late or straight through day for some real good catches of largemouth bass or Bluegill and Bream. For Bream local guide Capt. Tom Hodges says to fish the outside edges of lily pads with crickets or try mouths of creeks and float crickets with small tapered bobber, use light line, small lead and a #6 hook. If Bluegills are bedding try drifting over shell beds until you locate the hot spots, then anchor over them and try for your limit of 50 per person.
    The dog days of summer have not prevented the lunker Bass from biting. We have reported many Bass 10 pounds and over coming from Lake Woodruff in the last month. For largemouth Bass, a favorite lure is the buzz bait, because they are weed less. Throw them over pads, grass, tree tops or anywhere you think might hold bass. If you get a follow up or short strike don’t slow your retrieve. Throw back over and over to try the same spot. If you don’t get a hit then throw a dark colored plastic worm or a swim bait.

     Wild river shiners are always your best bet to catch a trophy Bass in Florida waters. Fish them against cover. The staff at Highland Park Fish Camp will give you a free fishing map and point you in the right direction.

     August is no doubt one of the hottest months of the year! That being said, it is important to start out early. The first 3 to 4 hours after sun up are going to be the most productive time during the day.
   Once it starts getting hot bass will retreat to deeper cooler water and the St. Johns River is a great place to find largemouth bass. The main channel of the St. Johns River between marker 46 to marker 26 hold lots of great bass cover such as downed trees and large areas of spadderdock lily pads with a good average depth around 13 feet. Try this area using crank baits and dark colored plastic worms.
     Panfish like bluegill, warmouth and shellcracker will continue throughout the month of August. Depending on the moon phase and bedding partners, you will find the fish in lakes or along the banks of the river. Try pitching crickets along the edge of cover and tree tops early in the morning and late afternoon. The Norris Dead River is a great stretch perfect for this method.

June is a great month for pan fish and bass fishing on the central St. Johns River. Artificial baits such as rattle traps, fast moving shallow running crank baits and spinner baits will produce good bass catches this month. When the weather warms up, switch to dark colored plastic worms or deep running crank baits on the drop offs on the main St. Johns River.
    Keep an eye out for threadfin shad which are abundant this time of year and are easy to catch using a small cast net. You can also use a small wild shiner, either way, be sure to use a light wire hook so not to weigh down these fragile baits.
     Summer months are known for bluegill, shell cracker’s and limits of pan fish. When the fish are not bedding pitch crickets or worms along the shoreline using light line and a small float. Artificial baits will also work. Try using a 1/32oz beetle spin against tree tops and shoreline cover. Four to five days before the full moon locate bedding areas in Lake Woodruff and target shell beds as the fish begin to prepare for the spawn.
     Ask us for a free map and we will highlight productive fishing areas. To have a productive day of fishing, it is important to start early before the weather gets too hot.

    May is arguably the best month of the year for bass fishing action. With water temperatures rising all methods will work, including buzz baits, spinner baits, crank baits and live bait like shiners and thread fin shad. With water temperatures rising the threadfin shad will move to the surface and create a feeding frenzy. This is a perfect opportunity to try all of your top water lures.  A favorite top water lure is the F125 devils horse, working it over the eel grass beds and hydrilla beds of Lake Woodruff.  Spinner baits fished in spadderdock lily pads and dollar pads will also be a productive tactic.
     Pan fish will also turn on this month with limits of bluegill already being brought in throughout the month of April.  Pitch live crickets or minnows close to the bank in the Norris Dead River to target bluegill, warmouth and shell cracker. You can also use a 1/32 oz beetle spin. Black with a yellow stripe is a classic color.  Pay attention to the moon phases for the month.  Around the full moon on the 6^th shellcracker will move to the shell beds of Lake Woodruff. You can use live worms or crickets and surely catch a limit.

   April is a fantastic month for fishing here on the central St. Johns River. Not only is the weather great but fishing is good too. We are winding down on our speck (Crappie) season but just beginning our Bluegill and shell cracker season. The best method for catching these fish is to use live crickets fished under a small bobber against the shoreline cover or tree tops. Depending on the moon phase you can use live worms fished on the bottom of shell beds. You can also pitch beetle spins near cover and troll various small spinners and lures in open water, a 1/32 oz beetle spin black with yellow stripe is a classic lure to try. The limit on bluegill and shell cracker is 50 per person.
    This is an exciting month for bass fishing; we should see lots of schooling bass. In the early mornings look for pods of threadfin shad to hit the top of the water, this is a great time to use your favorite top water lures and jerk baits. Spinner baits will also work if you are using artificial. The best live bait will be the threadfin themselves or small wild river shiners. If the action slows down in the afternoon, try plastic worms in and around lily pads and shoreline cover.

  We’re hoping to continue our strong Speckled Perch season throughout the month of March. We’ve already have had a record breaking speck season with big limits coming in from Lake Woodruff and connecting water ways. This month all methods will be productive at various times of the month depending on moon phase, water temperature and water levels. Most productive time for the month should be around the new moon.  March we will also start to come into to all of our spring and summer pan fish season, such as bluegill, warmouth and shell cracker. For panfish pitch crickets or minnows up against tree tops and vegetation.
     This month is a great time for Bass fishing on the main St. Johns River. Artificial baits like top water lures and spinner baits will be productive. We could see some schooling activity in open water if water temperatures rise high enough. Look for pods of threadfin shad coming to the surface, this will create a feeding frenzy for bass. Use any lure that mimics the action of threadfin and you will have success.  Highland Park Fish Camp offers free fishing maps and up to date fishing reports by calling 1-800-525-3477


By Capt. Bryn Rawlins

     Even though the weather wasn’t consistent in January we still saw good catches of Speckled Perch brought in and February should be no different. In fact it could be the best month of the season. This is an excellent month for Speck fishing and all methods of fishing will work to catch these sought after fish. Trolling, jigging and drifting with minnows are some of the most productive methods used depending on weather conditions, moon phase and water temperatures. Some of the best jig colors for February will be yellow, blue and silver and pink. Make sure to use lighter test line while trolling. Find the best speed for trolling and then shorten or lengthen your line as needed. When Specks move to more shallow water to spawn, vertical jigging and pitching a cork and jig or live minnow against the bank will produce the most fish. When the fish aren’t good against the bank, try drifting or trolling in the open waters of one of the many lakes that connect to the St. Johns River. Lake Woodruff has long been rated one of the top lakes in Florida for both largemouth Bass and Speckled Perch.
     February is also a great month for Bass. Many Bass will spawn this month, but not all of them. Wild river shiners are a great bait for these largemouth Bass. Fish these shiners against floating vegetation under a egg shaped float with a weedless hook. For artificial lures, try top water plugs, spinner baits or a 9 inch trick worm with no weight. Remember the colder the water temperature the slower the retrieve.


 

 November brings cooler weather to our area of the central St. Johns River and surrounding lakes and this makes fishing better. It’s a great time to be on the water for speck fishing. Whether you like trolling, jigging, or drifting with minnows, November is a great month. With the high water levels in late October we’re looking for a very productive season.
     Try fishing Lake Woodruff a secluded 2,200 acre lake with an abundance of banana lilies, (dollar pads) and hydrilla and yet it still has plenty of open water for trolling. Use live Missouri minnows fished under a bobber or drop a small colored 1/16 oz jig in holes within the heavy cover. When trolling use a variety of small jigs trolled slowly across the open expanse of the lake until you locate protective areas.

     One way to increase the size of your stringer is to always use the lightest line that will work for you. Ask your local fish camp for advice and current conditions. For Bass use a wild river shiner fished under floating vegetation with a weedless hook and bobber pegged at 2 ½ to 3 feet. For more realistic action, never use swivels, lead or leaders on your line and always leave plenty of slack on the water until its time to set the hook. For anglers that use artificial lures try a Devils Horse in the F-125 series. Work lure slowly around cover with a steady retrieve.