suggestions for a out of stater?

hello all, been dealing with an engine issue for over a year. After having several merc mechanics look at my boat nobody could figure it out. Anyways I sent my engine to chris carson marine in key largo florida to be looked at/rebuilt if necessary. Anyways, sometime in the very near future my uncle and I will be leaving ohio with boat in tow to his shop to get boat motor put back on and setup. Anyways, we are crappie fisherman from ohio and looking to maybe fish for a day beings it may be the only time we will ever be lucky enough to have our boat with us in Florida? Was hoping someone could give us info on a good lake in that area we could fish that are well known crappie lakes. I guess it could be anywhere on our route back to Ohio. Prefer it to not be a huge lake to figure out since only having the one day.

I see that a lot of you guys fish with several poles which we aren't set up to do. We normally single pole fish jigs in brushy cover in ohio. Love to find a lake with cover so we can fish the obvious cover since we only have one day to fish.

Id sure appreciate you guys helping us out.. Id say it will be within the next month or so.......

Thanks,

Crappiecrazed from ohio.

Astor area of the St. John's. Alot of laydowns and deep brush to jig in and some pretty hefty fish.

The little river on Talquin is good for this type fishing. Also the oclocknee above Talquin is too. When do you plan on coming through?

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

The little river on Talquin is good for this type fishing. Also the oclocknee above Talquin is too. When do you plan on coming through?

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Well that's where things get tricky as I have a landscape business and have to be sure there is no snow in the forecast for about 5 days straight. Plus im waiting on him to let me know my motor is done. He saids it should be within the next week or two then I have to keep my eyes on the weather forecast. So with that being said Im just hoping it will be within the next month!!! LOL

I talked to my uncle on the phone a few minutes ago and he saids you guys probably think im an idiot for asking this question because there is so many lakes in Florida!!!!! I forget things are different here in ohio where there are only a few good crappie lakes within an hour drive of us!!! LOL

Thanks guys!!

ps, its rare to get fish in the 1lb range in our area and from what I am seeing on the Florida board I may get to get some bigger fish!!! Sure hope so!

Listen to Young Gun. The Astor area of the St John River is by far the best Spec fishing in Florida for size. Fish from the Hwy 40 bridge out to the Lake George Jetties. Lots of timber in deep pockets. Feb is the best month.

I would venture to say, most any lake during the period you are coming would being holding fish on the edges for minnow dippin with cane poles.

Different from jig fishing as you only need a cane pole (extending fiberglass), a split shot, small aberdeen hook and a slip float to adjust the depth. Most any local bait shop has missouri minnows, that in my area are sold by the 1/4# for a few dollars.

Usually fishing the edges right next to, and into holes in the cover. I usually start with my depth set at (spilt shot to cork), around 4 - 6'...

It helps to have a good net man as trying to keep pressure on the fish, fight the cover, net and trolling motor can be a battle, expecially with wind.

Down around the area you will be, obviously Lake Okeechobee, would be a top choice. Central Florida offers tons of options also... Lake Kissimmee, and several in the Orlando area and north of.

No need for figuring the lake out for the most part with this type of fishing and time of year... Move around until you find the fish consistantly and then look for those same areas and conditions...

On Kissimmee, I have most luck fishing areas that have both Lillies and Grass mixed together.

Southern Young Gun has best answer to fishing to your style.
St Johns River, Astor, Fl off highway 40 is best place to start. Plenty of laydowns,
lilly pads - water from 1 - 14 ft deep. Can go either direction from Bridge. Its
a single pole jiggin world around that area as well with the bobber people. River
is somewhat sheltered, would be of help in case of wind ...Easily catch 1 1/2 - 2 pounders - Good motels and resturants at the bridge area on 40.