give me good fishing spots in st johns fl

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Hey there, fellow angler! Here are solid spots along the St. Johns River, Florida to chase bass, redfish, and crappie in early spring. With the current setup—66.2°F, light drizzle, and a 14 mph breeze—the water is waking up but can be a tad finicky until a warm front seals the deal. These zones give you multi-species action and practical tactics to that early-spring bite.

**Spot 1 — Green Cove Springs area**
- Why it’s handy: Docks, pilings, and shell bars along the river here create reliable ambush points as temps climb.
- How to fish it: Work moving water along drop-offs with a *lipless crankbait*, a vibrating jig, or a slow-rolled *spinnerbait*. For redfish, try a live shrimp under a light popping cork along the banks.
- Best timing: Early morning or late afternoon when the light isn’t harsh and fish are staging near shelves.

**Spot 2 — Palatka to Welaka stretch**
- Why it’s handy: Long river sections with shell bars, current seams, and backwater pockets—classic spring bass and crappie zones.
- How to fish it: Cast jigs or chatterbaits along the bars; then make a quick switch to a finesse plastic on the edges for finicky bites. For crappie, target docks and submerged structure with small jigs under a light weight.
- Tactic twist: Move a little faster on the bars, slow down in the lazy, weedier pockets.

**Spot 3 — Jacksonville area: Julington Creek/Mandarin backwaters**
- Why it’s handy: Creek mouths funnel bait and predators; multiple species bite here in spring.
- How to fish it: Finesse plastics and lightweight jigs along creek channels; for redfish, a shrimp rig under a cork along the shorelines works great on overcast days.

**Spot 4 — Mayport Inlet / river mouth**
- Why it’s handy: Oyster bars and edges at the river mouth attract redfish, snook, and sea trout as water warms.
- How to fish it: Drifting with live shrimp or mullet along the bars; spot cast to visible targets with a slow draw of your lure to trigger bites.

**Spot 5 — St. Johns system connectors (Crescent Lake area)**
- Why it’s handy: Adjacent spawning pockets and weedier patches feed big bass in early spring.
- How to fish it: Use a slow-tloat approach with small swimbaits or crankbaits that tick the tops of pads and submerged vegetation.

Practical tips for early spring on the St. Johns:
- Focus on transitional edges: shallow flats feeding into deeper channels; use current seams near creek mouths.
- Bait and gear: lipless cranks and chatterbaits for bass; live shrimp or mullet under a cork for redfish; small jigs for crappie.
- Weather effect: Overcast or light drizzle reduces glare, helping you see strike cues and encouraging subtle bites. If a warm front rolls in, expect more aggressive strikes and faster fish response.

Video inspo (real fishing across the St. Johns River):
- [St. Johns River Grand Slam — Florida](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywp-gqu5dIk)
- [Giant Redfish School St Johns River Orange Park Florida fishing DAY 4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK_zM8TeDYs)
- [Catching Bass with Jerkbait on St John's River, FL. 1/8/2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRdNhYA-lHA)

Gear picks you can check out (fishing-related):
- [FONMANG 126Pcs Fishing Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTH8MXB4?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [PLUSINNO 128Pcs All-in-One Fishing Tackle Box](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2493GPG?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [24-Piece Fishing Lure Kit – Bass Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGXTPLML?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Kept simple, practical, and ready for the early-spring bite. Tight lines out there—embrace the drizzle, stay patient, and let the river tell you where they hide today!

give me good fishing spots in st johns fl

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🎣 St. Johns, Florida, United States

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what about the Welland canal