North Central Florida - Gainesville Area

[Jay Dubs]

Wondering if anyone knows any good spots.  I'm familiar with Newnan's Lake, and the Santa Fe River, but don't have a boat yet, so stuck bank fishing.  I'll hopefully be getting a small boat next spring.  I love bass fishing, and recently got into surf fishing.  I'm willing to drive a couple hours in any direction, just hoping to know what that direction should be!

[N Florida Mike]

I used to fish all over the Gainesville area, but in a boat.Bank fishings difficult at the natural lakes there. If you have connections at U.F you have access to their property at wauberg lake ,which includes bank fishing and boat check- out.I wouldnt wade fish those lakes.One of the highest concentration of gators and moccasins anywhere.

I can tell you about surf fishing.Done it all my life in the st Aug. and Jax area.I start going again in Oct. Plenty of spots to fish.With surf fishing,its more about conditions , bait ,and rigs than it is about where you go.

 

[Jay Dubs]

On 8/20/2017 at 3:36 PM, N Florida Mike said:

I used to fish all over the Gainesville area, but in a boat.Bank fishings difficult at the natural lakes there. If you have connections at U.F you have access to their property at wauberg lake ,which includes bank fishing and boat check- out.I wouldnt wade fish those lakes.One of the highest concentration of gators and moccasins anywhere.

I can tell you about surf fishing.Done it all my life in the st Aug. and Jax area.I start going again in Oct. Plenty of spots to fish.With surf fishing,its more about conditions , bait ,and rigs than it is about where you go.

 

I'm up for surf fishing!  I've only been twice, both in Sarasota.  All I know is what a bait shop told me, but I caught a couple mackerel and loved wading around in the surf.  If you could share the name of a good bait shop in Jax, I'll hit them up and see if they can point me to some good spots, and let me know what they're hitting.

 

Thanks!

[N Florida Mike]

I was planning to go this week end but theres a nor' easter coming in so it will shut down the fishing. There arent many bait stores open any more in our area and the ones that are mostly cater to inshore and offshore fishermen.

There is a good surf fishing forum Im on. Look up Florida surf casters.

I usually fish the S.Ponte vedra or Vilano beach area. But I occasionally go up to Amelia Island or down as far as Matanzas inlet.Stay in touch, maybe we can go sometime. 

As far as spots, they are numerous and I dont mind sharing them. Anywhere you can cast a line in the surf has potential.Some spots where Ive done esp. well are porpoise pt On the N. side of St aug. inlet , Matanzas inlet , and rhe " Gate station " , which is now an Exxon station near Guana preserve at S ponte vedra. Guana preserve can be great at times, its a dam over Guana river ( inshore of the beach ) It can offer incredible action during Nor eastrers, but the crowds there can be a nuisance .Where do you live ,Gainsville ?

 

[Jay Dubs]

Yes, I'm over in Gainesville.  From Indiana originally, and when I was a kid, I read about all the Florida bass fishing.  Then I end up in Gainesville, which really doesn't have anything to offer.  I'm a bank fisherman, but hoping to get a small v-hull or jon boat to give me some more options.  

 

I make the drive to the Ocala National Forest and over to Rodman Reservoir, when I can.  I just wish that Gainesville had all the little urban ponds like you see in the larger cities.  

 

I'll look up the Florida Surf Casters forum and get on there.  I really want to get into surf fishing as I find myself in Jacksonville and St Augustine fairly often.

[earthworm77]

Orange lake and Loochloosa are right there.......when Orange is on.......it can be the best lake in the state.

[N Florida Mike]

Yeah ,I love Orange but havent fished it in years. I used to fish all the lakes around there. Favorite was probably Sante- fe. Also did well in Lakes Rowell and Sampson near Starke. Fished Newnans but didnt care for it, with that murky green water. 

And I love the Ocala forest ponds/ lakes . Got me some good spots out there.

As far as surf fishing,It should get real good when the water clears up.Oct / nov. are my 2 favorite months to go. I went near st aug. this morning and had a catfish fest. Water was Too dirty.