Jacksonville Fishing

[justin apfel]

I will be in the Jacksonville area within the next week and I have never fished Florida. I just need some tips on what to use there around this time of year, thanks!

[basscrusher]

what bodies of water will you be fishing?

I do not live near J'ville, but I fished several times there with my uncle while he was on a work project there several yrs ago. I fished the St. Johns river and Rodman res. with him, and did fairly well. Most of my fish at Rodman came on Zoom trick worms, although we did downsize to finesse worms one time as a cold front passed through. Any dark color seemd to work equally well, although Muscadine was the main color we used. Plastics were the story for me in the river as well, although my uncle was fond of throwing the DOA shrimp in places where bass and reds mingled. i would think Gulp shrimp would do even better, but our experiences were before they got popular. I'd also consider a frog bait, although I never used any down there (I left mine here in VA and my uncle has never been a frog guy -- I can't understand why.)

[justin apfel]

I will actually be in kings bay, georgia. But I will possibly be making a trip down to jacksonville. I'll primarily be fishing smaller lakes and I was planning on trying the same stuff I use here in Virginia Beach like senkos and trick worms and maybe some jigs. Does that sound right for florida and southern georgia lakes?

[heyitskirby]

If you have the opportunity, see if its a good time of year for redfish, either guided or on your own. When I head deeper south I try and never miss out on them. They will make you want to forget about bass fishing and move south.

[justin apfel]

Thanks, I just emailed a guide in Jacksonville...I hope the redfish are running right now because that would be a blast. I know I've watched shows when they are running and they can't seem to keep them from hitting their buzzbaits.

[basscrusher]

your regular lures sound fine, but if you go to Florida, be prepared to fish in some thich grass like you've never seen before. Straight lures like senkos and trick worms will slither through that stuff a little easier than the jig, but of course there will be opportunities to throw whatever you like.

[justin apfel]

Thanks! Will they tend to be deep this time of year just like up here in VA?

[basscrusher]

they'll be as deep as possible. Alot of the natural lakes (and rivers) in FL aren't very deep compared to man-made lakes, so deep will be relative. In shallow bodies, look for thick, green vegetation (a sign of well oxygenated water).

[BassnG3]

There is good bass fishing on the base itself! How long will you be in Kings Bay?

[justin apfel]

From the 6th through the 10th of July