Left the Public Ramp this morning at daylight fishing the Hernando chain of lakes in search of specks. Did not catch a single one!!! Tried the pads in shallow (3' - 6'), tried deeper open water (8' - 12'), tried pads in the deeper areas and middle areas of the lake. . .used minnows, jigs, jigs with minnows - NADA!!! Did catch a bunch of bass, mudfish and several gar and one catfish, which passed the time and provided some "pull-back" and line singing - just not the targeted species I had in mind. Everyone I talk to seems to tell me to give up on the specks until November??? I understand that the spawn may be over, but the fish don't just vanish from the planet or go into hibernation like bears for several months. . .they have to be there and have to eat! Any advice from the seasoned veterans of my neck of the woods??? I have a long weekend coming up. . .thinking of a combo turkey hunt/speck fish'n/camping trip in the St. Johns/Lake George area, any recommendations? Thanks in advance.