Researching retirement around Welaka

Hi Crappie Folk,
Lookin' into retirement in the Welaka (between St. John's & Crescent Lake)
area. I spent a couple years in FL at the "Space Coast" in the 70's so I'm familiar with FL in general, wondering how Speck & Bream fishing is on the river and Crescent. Lot of people in the area and I'm wondering if you have to "take a number" to find a place to fish? I know there are peak times to catch both species but can a person pick up enough fish for a meal in the off season? I know a lot depends on ability, I'm no Roland Martin but I have done ok in the past:biggrin any opinions or local info will be appreciated.

Fisch

You will have zero problems catching fish all year in this area. Just gotta change tactics and maybe even chase a lil brine once in a while. The last few years Crescent has been the hottest lake in the state for Crappie. The St.Johns river from Welaka to Harney is no slouch either. Summertime gills and crackers are very good.Lake George has a resident population of stripers as well as a variety of saltwater fish coming through chasing shad, shrimp and crabs from Lake George all the way to inlet.

Go back in the pages and find the reports from October through February. Plenty stargazing to be done.

Thanks Huntin, you mention salt water fish, is it worthwhile targeting flounder? Would love some fresh broiled flounder I know they're in the intercostal but never heard they came that far down the St.Johns.

If you want to target flounder you would be better off going either to the Matanzas inlet area or Amelia Island area. They do come into Crescent and are caught while fishing for Crappie occasionally. Not sure if enough to actually target them in Crescent or George.

Crescent, George or Astor would all be close to the Welaka area and you would be in a prime location for any species you wanted for any time of the year. My wife and I are tossing the idea about moving down that way when we retire....Or at least it is on the list!!!

Thanks guys, looks like we're headin for Putnum County!

Good luck on your relocation and retirement.

I have a place in Welaka on the river and love it
We are leaving Jax for good in a couple of years and retiring there.
You have crescent and dead lake are real close and you can go thru the locks to rodman.
Striper fishing is awesome in the spring and shrimping in the late summer was off the chain last year .
If you want to fish the fla crappie club tournaments you will be less than hour from a lot of them .
The oklawaha river joins the St. John's there , salt springs is about 12 miles and silver glen is about 16.
If your in the area let me know and I'll show you around. Usually there every week.

Wow Liberty hound! I'll definitely take you up on that offer. I knew of Rodman but had no idea the locks were functional I fished lake Rouseau quite a bit years back so I have an idea of what might work on Rodman, and I'm up for some stump bumpin' :-) !! With all that water available I'll be busy for years looks like! Thanks again fellas I'm all worked up now!:-)

Well then! Pack yer sheet, sell yer stuff, hook up the boat, grab mama and head on down, never know when that first blizzard will get there.

Man you got that right! This dang global warming gonna be the end o'me, ain't seen cold like the last couple years since I was a kid back on the farm. We got no snow last year but all of Feb. was -20 and worse with single digit highs the whole month. Pretty hard to convince yerself to go out fish in' with weather like that! Gotta admit I will miss the yellow perch up here but Specks, Bream & Crackers are just as good eatin and I won't miss my ice auger one bit LOL!

Well it gets cold here to! Dern near get 10 hours a year at 30 degrees:yikes:biggrin

LOL, When we get a 30 degree day up here in Jan everybody sheds their coats and runs around in shirt sleeves! Is there a good barbecue place around Welaka?

Well I have not spent a bunch of time in Welaka so libertyhound will have to give that info. But you will be south of the Mason Dixon line so I would hedge my bet on YES! With a BIG OLE GLASS OF SWEET TEA!

Tell you what this is one "Dang Fool Yankee" that'll get with some good ole Southern sliced pork barbecue! Sweet tea and maybe a side o beans & I'm in fat city!

Just leave yer socks up there, dont need em down here unless yer going to work or Fancy Church. Enjoy your retirement, relax and have a good time. When ya lookin to come this away.

Got to sell some stuff,,,I hope to be outa here by fall.

Well the bite starts getting hot come mid September. Remember DAV makes door to door pickups of leftovers:biggrin

I live about 6 miles south of welaka on 309, you will enjoy the area

i am due east on crescent by pomona park and love it there

Thanks for the response,,,found out today an ole boy from Carolina who's won multiple awards for his barbecue has opened up a restaurant there, SWEEEET!!

Hogwash in Welaka is the best barbecue I've ever had!

a good friend of mine who is pres of the Florida BBQ association told me to go and see him also