Thread: Need info for Jacksonville area

I've been invited to fish Doctor's Lake and the St. John's river around Jacksonville by friend from that area. He is a bank fisherman and knows little about boats. My question is does anyone know about the salt content in those areas. I am set up to fish freshwater and don't want to ruin my trolling motor/motor with a heavy salt content. Also am I gonna find any crappies in that area, all he talks about are bass! Thanks for any help anybody can provide.

Ridgerunner, I'm from this area but have only been in Doctor's Lake a couple times. It is freshwater--however, I believe your concerns could be valid. You will be right close to walking the line with the tidal influence of the ocean. I do think I have read that the minute salt content in the St. Johns actually originates with intrusion of salt into the underwater aquifer rather than the ocean. But, of course, the closer to the ocean you get, the less acurate that statement would be. I'm giving a ball-park estimate here, that the ocean is about 30 miles away, and downstream from Doctor's Lake, as the St. Johns flows north. Several years ago I was there and jumped in for a quick dip. I didn't take a swallow, but what dribbles around your mouth as you come up for air all tasted pretty fresh. Also, there were grass beds in the lake. You don't see that around someplace with salt. I think you will find all the fresh water species there. You will also catch some saltwater species in that vicinity, but they start to become fewer by the time you get to Green Cove Springs.

Thanks OTN! All the research I have done has been leading me that way. It took me too long to save up for a good trolling motor and boat only to screw it up by not doing my homework. In my experience, the only thing salt water don't corrode is salt water! I'm lookin forward to the trip, I haven't done much fresh water fishin in FL! Thanks!

Just to be on the safe side, rinse your boat and motors after removing from the water.

I do that no matter what, even if I'm fishin in freshwater. I think I'm going to do a good coat of oil on some of the sensitve ares as well.

Would like a full report when you get time.
I one man who fishes there every week talks about bass and speckeled trout
sometimes red drum.Says never catches speckeld perch???