Bass fishing near Gainesville Florida

[MIbassin]

Is anyone familiar with the area that would be willing to share some spots that produce from the bank? I go to UF, so I am right in the heart of Gville. I have a car, so I can drive a bit if need be but im looking to stay within a half hours drive for some decent fishing. Thanks!

 

I am used to the south florida ponds, where every pond has fish. I'm not sure if that is the case here, as I have tried ponds in apartment complexes with no luck.

[cport0519]

Which apartment ponds have you fished? I know a few that hold fish. Here's one

[MIbassin]

On 10/20/2017 at 5:07 PM, cport0519 said:

Which apartment ponds have you fished? I know a few that hold fish. Here's one

Nice fish! I have stayed close to UF for the most part, but many places I find are surrounded by houses so I can't legally fish.

[N Florida Mike]

When I went to UF I made some local friends real quick and they had boats. I fished many of the lakes within 1/2 hr of there but in a boat. You could try lake wauberg. It used to have a good amount of bank fishing on the side owned by UF. But watch for gators!

[Jay Dubs]

I'm also in Gainesville and would love to know some local ponds.  I always enjoy trips to Jax, Orlando, or anywhere that you can find the "urban ponds."  I've been hunting for some in Gainesville with no luck.  Feel free to PM me if you don't want to share here.

[bigbassin']

On 10/20/2017 at 2:13 PM, MIbassin said:

Is anyone familiar with the area that would be willing to share some spots that produce from the bank? I go to UF, so I am right in the heart of Gville. I have a car, so I can drive a bit if need be but im looking to stay within a half hours drive for some decent fishing. Thanks!

 

I am used to the south florida ponds, where every pond has fish. I'm not sure if that is the case here, as I have tried ponds in apartment complexes with no luck.

 

I've only been able to find one pond within Gainesville that doesn't have a no fishing sign and actually looks worth fishing, biggest bass out of it in 4 years is only 1.5 pounds.  The pond fishing here just isn't what it is in most of Florida based on my experience.

 

 If your willing to drive about 30 to 45 minutes north and aren't scared to wade, the Sante Fe river is pretty fun to fish.  It's definitely a seasonal thing, water is too high from about May to mid-October to wade typically, too cold in January and February, of course buying waders can fix that issue.  From what I've seen online, the river level is still several feet too high to safely wade due to Irma, so it may remain unfishable until around December. 

 

The river has largemouth and Suwannee bass, which is basically like a 1 pound smallmouth.  They like fast-moving, rocky areas, almost all of ours have come on crankbaits, and they fight much harder than largemouth.  The slower moving and grassier areas tend to hold largemouth, whith worms account for most of the ones we catch.

[Soulfisher]

Fish Lake Alice at night with big worms.  I know fishing is not allowed there, but i once new a guy that fished it all the time under the cover of night with 10" worms. He released several over 10 and one that was almost 13.  Legend say that the anti-fishing authorities almost caught him one night in 1992, but he was too fast- even for them. 

[bigbassin']

On 11/10/2017 at 10:51 AM, bigbassin' said:

 

 If your willing to drive about 30 to 45 minutes north and aren't scared to wade, the Sante Fe river is pretty fun to fish.  It's definitely a seasonal thing, water is too high from about May to mid-October to wade typically, too cold in January and February, of course buying waders can fix that issue.  From what I've seen online, the river level is still several feet too high to safely wade due to Irma, so it may remain unfishable until around December. 

 

Was at the river this past week, the water is now low enough to safely fish. 

[mmastery16]

I'm heading up for Ky game this Saturday and came across your post looking for guidance. Were you able to find anything useful? Have you tried Newnan's Lake? It's about 15 minute drive Southeast of Hawthorne Road.