Cape Canaveral Area

Hey everyone. Avid crappie fisherman here from Pennsylvania. Coming down to Cape Canaveral area from January thru March to work at Kennedy. Going to bring my boat with me. What lakes would you guys focus on if you wanted to catch some crappie (I know it's speck in FL...Ha ha)? Would like to stay within about an hour of Cape Canaveral. I know Okeechobee's been hot but that' about two hours. I have a little bit of experience fishing some lakes further south (Lake Placid and Istokpoga). My grandfather spent many winters down there fishing and I would often join him for a week or two. Not looking for anybody's hotspot, just some guidance on areas that hold good numbers of speck. Appreciate any help.

There’s not a lot of lakes within an hour of Canaveral.
Lake Poinsett off SR 520 is probably the closest but I don’t know how the spec fishing is there. Lake Washington might be another but never fished it.
Lake Harney and Lake Monroe to the NW are a better bet but a little further drive.
Kissimmee chain, East Lake Toho, Headwaters and some smaller lakes are other options.

Drift minnows in Lake Washington. Sleeper Speck lake. Most boats are seeking bass. Looking forward to your report on this fishing adventure. Tight Lines.

JJ

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the input.

sc53 - Was definitely thinking about Harney.

Jeepjock - Will certainly check out Lake Washington. Any advice on depth?

If you decide to fish Lake Washington, there is an alternative boat ramp that would be easier for you to get to and would be far less busy.
The main ramp is located on the east side of the lake in a busy area due to its proximity to Melbourne.
However, since you will be traveling south on I 95 get off at the Melbourne exit at Rt 192.
Head west on 192, which is a divided 4 lane highway, proceed west about 2 miles, on the left ( east ) side of the road, look for
Camp Holly, which is a bar/restaraunt and air boat tour place.
There is a left turn spot just past, allowing you to enter their parking lot.
They have a good ramp, but no dock for a small fee.
You would be on the river, about 1 mile south of the south end of Lake Washington.
So go left under the 192 bridge for Lake Washington.
Or, go the other way, (south), and you will soon come to Lake Sawgrass, and a bit further little Sawgrass.
And you can go further, and further, with no other boats.
Be carefull as you go, as there are some shallow spots when you get past Sawgrass.
You should get a Florida Atlas which shows all the roads and lakes in the entire state.

Lake Harney and Lake Jesup are also both in the range of travel you’re seeking. Boat safe and catch some slabs.