How far south do I need to drive?

[casts_by_fly]

hi gents,

 

Thinking ahead to spring since minus 8 has locked us up pretty good. If I wanted to fish prespawn fish (55-65 degrees or so) in March, how far south do I need to go down I95?  North Florida?  South Carolina?

 

I’d love to do a trip with the kayak for a long weekend.

 

thanks

rick

[crypt]

go to Headwaters in central Fl.       you won't be disappointed. spawn will still be going on....

[A-Jay]

I've not been able to fish this place yet,

but it seems to be putting out some decent fish lately.

Bit of a hike though

A-Jay

 

[Catt]

Toledo Bend Reservoir ?

 

Wednesday 71 high, 61 low, 24% change of rain

Thursday 72 high, 61 low, 67 % chance of rain 

Friday 70 high, 59 low, 70% chance of rain 

Saturday 70 high, 50 low, 43 % chance of rain 

Sunday 73 high, 61 low, 18 % chance of rain

[TnRiver46]

He said he wants pre spawn in march, not tomorrow 

[Catt]

 

They will be in full on spawn by March!

[TnRiver46]

The answer to your question will depend heavily on which part of March. The first part can be quite snowy around the mid south, the later part will be right in your wheel house 

[N Florida Mike]

March is probably the best month for numbers of bedding fish in N. Florida. I’ve caught fish off beds from late december through April here. For me , the biggest fish have come early in the spawn though…

[Mike L]

19 hours ago, crypt said:

go to Headwaters in central Fl.       you won't be disappointed. spawn will still be going on....

Yep,

That place, the Stick and certain places on The Lake should be exploding about then. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[casts_by_fly]

Thanks guys. For some more info, I’m not locked into a date in March. Ice out here is usually end of March so nothing will be fishing up here throughout the month. I’d rather not go as far as Florida if something 10 hours closer is there by the end of the month.  Atlanta is 14 hours from me and a long one day drive. I’d like to keep it under that if I can. 
 

I don’t purposefully sight fish beds, hence prespawn when fish are staging and piling on the feed bag. 

and I’m another 2 hours north of Trenton so that’s a long way. I’ve done most of that route going to Atlanta though (just did at thanksgiving). 

[Ppennin986]

Santee Cooper system South Carolina (Lake Marion)

[casts_by_fly]

this was one I was thinking about. It’s 11 hours which is a long drive but plenty doable. 

[Ppennin986]

My son recently moved to Savannah Georgia I have only fished there once it’s a 2.5 hour drive from his home 

it was late October we didn’t do very well but it was worth the trip to check it out In my researching a lot of people have reported great smallmouth fishing in march even watched videos Scott Martin made at that time (march) Brandon Palaniuk another Pro took some good videos too so yea I think it would be worth your time to check it out and your absolutely correct Florida is a long drive from NJ 

[Kyle S]

Here in central Virginia, The entirety of March has treated me well with prespawn fish. Lots of great fishing to be had in the spring.

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 12/27/2022 at 4:25 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Thanks guys. For some more info, I’m not locked into a date in March. Ice out here is usually end of March so nothing will be fishing up here throughout the month. I’d rather not go as far as Florida if something 10 hours closer is there by the end of the month.  Atlanta is 14 hours from me and a long one day drive. I’d like to keep it under that if I can. 
 

I don’t purposefully sight fish beds, hence prespawn when fish are staging and piling on the feed bag. 

and I’m another 2 hours north of Trenton so that’s a long way. I’ve done most of that route going to Atlanta though (just did at thanksgiving). 

If you do take A-Jay's route through Knoxville and Nashville, Me and TnRiver46 will be expecting a couple of empty seats! And stopping in Memphis and Little Rock for some Barbeque!