Slab/Flycaster vs Woodruff

Flycaster and I went to Woodruff to catch some of the monsters there. I thought we were talking "Monster Big Crappie", but once we got to checking out the lake, I think people were more talking about the gators. Absolutely unbelievable how many gators there are. And that coming from a guy that lives on Lake Griffin!

We could see at least a dozen large alligators at one time, seriously! Most were just floating/swimming slowly around us. I sure would hate to have fallen in the water! And thank God I did not honk Flycaster off anytime recently, otherwise, one small shove, I I'd be gator bait! lol

Attachment 227967

They were not just in the water, they were sunning themselves on shore too. All over the place. It's almost an infestation!

Attachment 227966

And to think, there were alligators everywhere. Yet, there were large mammals swimming around in the water without a care.

Attachment 227968

The above picture is a selfie I took with a Manatee feeding right there behind me. Unreal cause this is exactly the same area where all the gators were.

Attachment 227969

It was so cool to be fishing there, and having a Manatee feeding right in front of us. It did not care one bit about us. In fact, he came out, swam around our boat, and starting eating again over on the other side of us. So cool

Attachment 227970

Manatee and Gators living side by side! wow - The St. Johns River System is truly an awesome place. Crystal clear (yes a little stained) water. Pretty much all spring fed. Blue Springs is down river and pumps out 100 Million gallons of spring water a day down this system, and there are many more springs in this water system as well.


Attachment 227965

And think about it, I even caught my limit!

Attachment 227971

Thanks for taking me out for a great nature trip Flycaster. It was truly a pleasure. Too bad two other goobers didn't make it. But we did see Kaiserboy and his wifey on the water. We looked for the Crappie King and Queen but never did run across them (did trade texts though). I was kinda worried the gators got'em, but I'm sure they are OK, right?

Oh, and never did hear from Crappieday. Hopefully he will chime in with a pic or two.

Nice pictures. Good thing! I only see one fiish. lol

Great pics! I absolutely love that river system. And this state has many remarkable waters, I am sure Speckanator can agree as he has camped at many of the same state parks and County parks we have. The ones that truly amazes me is Rainbow River with its crystal clear water and the Hillsborough River with its mini rapids in the river. We do have a very scenic and natural state for the most part. Our State parks do a good job preserving the natural state.

I will be there the weekend of March 17-20 staying in Astor at Castaways. I cant wait. My brother and I are taking my dad spec fishing Thursday and Friday and then bass fishing Saturday and Sunday. I assume by mid March they will be up in the pads. Hope you left a few for us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FishnNole

I will be there the weekend of March 17-20 staying in Astor at Castaways. I cant wait. My brother and I are taking my dad spec fishing Thursday and Friday and then bass fishing Saturday and Sunday. I assume by mid March they will be up in the pads. Hope you left a few for us.

---

If you talking about PADS in Lake Wodruff, we did not see many, I mean hardly any. The keeper at TEDDERS FISH CAMP indicated that they (FWC or Lake Water Authority) had sprayed, to kill most of the pads.
I was surprised at how shallow the lake is. Some places around the edges, 10 to 30 feet from shore I had to raise the main motor, so it would not get mired in the bottom while I trolled with trolling motor.

I absolutely love the swamps and what they have to offer. St Johns is a long swamp.

Nice pics Slab, we were on the lake trolling, only caught 6 but nice fish. No pics, sorry. I did see crappieday and he and his friend had some real nice fish, a few over 2lbs.

Thanks for the report and the pics. Sounds like you had a great time

Tough day fishing with all the boats, had 11 boats within 100 yards of us all fishing the banks. Caught 15 had two nice fish one 2lb 8oz and one 2lb 7oz both caught within 20 foot of each other, and it was around 11:30 and another boat had just pulled away from the area. I was just about to pass the spot up and look for some less harassed fish. Guess they liked our jigs better. Having trouble getting the pics from my friends phone on here, I will keep trying.

Great pictures Ed, I missed a good trip.... Well have to try again now that you and John got the lake down!

Pic This is a poor photo, could not get her to sand closer to take the pic
Attachment 228006

Them some good fish even at a distance. No pic foolery needed on them 2.

Forgot to mention. Love fishing around the Manatees. They stir all kinds of stuff up feeding. Never pass one buy whrn they munching on the weeds like that. Tiny lil black or brown or watermelon tube on a 1/48oz head and game on.

Nice fish guys, those are serious pigs there.

Slab, you got the best experience that we have to offer locally. The idle zones are frustrating when you're trying to get somewhere but the trip can be wonderful. I saw the biggest Otter I've ever seen just using the TM on the Wekiva one day. A Bobcat grabbed a duck on another trip. There just isn't any telling what may be around the next corner. Glad you guys had a good trip yesterday. Flycaster sure looks happy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Nice fish guys, those are serious pigs there.

Slab, you got the best experience that we have to offer locally. The idle zones are frustrating when you're trying to get somewhere but the trip can be wonderful. I saw the biggest Otter I've ever seen just using the TM on the Wekiva one day. A Bobcat grabbed a duck on another trip. There just isn't any telling what may be around the next corner. Glad you guys had a good trip yesterday. Flycaster sure looks happy.

---

Still say we need to do the trip from old Katies to Highbanks. Could leave your truck and trailer at Highbanks and take mine to mett Slab at Katies and paddle down and go back in your truck to drop off slab and get my truck. Be cool to get a group to go.with.

love the fish Crappyday. Pic and stories great.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Still say we need to do the trip from old Katies to Highbanks. Could leave your truck and trailer at Highbanks and take mine to mett Slab at Katies and paddle down and go back in your truck to drop off slab and get my truck. Be cool to get a group to go.with.

---

Sounds very cool. I know where Highbanks is, but where's old Katies?

I have yaks and even a canoe, btw.

We need to talk of this face to face and get the details down. I'm in, but probably have to be a Sunday for me as I'm back to working all the Saturdays I can. Got a canoe too. Katied is where tha Wekiva crosses Hiway 46 west of Sanford. A good trip and all downstream.

Leaving Mt Dora headed towards Sanford on Hwy 46, soon as you cross the Wekiva River turn on next road to left. Was a place there called Katies that rentex boats, kayaks and canoes. I believe it is now called Katies Landing and is a park with kayak/canoe launch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skeetbum

We need to talk of this face to face and get the details down. I'm in, but probably have to be a Sunday for me as I'm back to working all the Saturdays I can. Got a canoe too. Katied is where tha Wekiva crosses Hiway 46 west of Sanford. A good trip and all downstream.

---

Well every other Sunday would be doable for me. Maybe towards later March. We will get it worked out. Would a Sunday be doable for you Slab? If so we will plan it and post it up for anyone else interested.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Well every other Sunday would be doable for me. Maybe towards later March. We will get it worked out. Would a Sunday be doable for you Slab? If so we will plan it and post it up for anyone else interested.

---

Yep, Sundays are good.

Isn't that run, a high speed run for boats? Wouldn't a better one be going past Blue Springs to Hontoon or around there (Ed Stone Park might be too far). Just askin'

You have about a mile on the St.Johns itself but a wide portion and can easily stay out of the way of traffic. The Wekiva is so twisted and narrow very few boats can run much above idle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

You have about a mile on the St.Johns itself but a wide portion and can easily stay out of the way of traffic. The Wekiva is so twisted and narrow very few boats can run much above idle.

---

Ahh, the Wekiva! I missed that part of the conversation some how. Looking at google earth, that looks AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS DO IT.

We will do it! I will get with Tim and work on some dates and get it posted up.

Looks like a good time to be had by all on Woody....couple brutes there Andy, anxiously a-waiting pics during "crew's" visit....Hey Slab, those talks with folks back in Chi-town starting to sound like the teacher from the Peanuts cartoon WA-AU-WA-WA, yep that's normal after 1st moving here, when your minds already thinking about your next adventure & you realize all the drama's back there & not here...enjoy all Florida has to offer & life be GOOD

I would sure hate to accidentally hook one of those gators.:help

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pesce

I would sure hate to accidentally hook one of those gators.:help

---

The lil guys will mess with your bobbers and topwater baits, the bigger ones usually stay about 50'+ away and just kinda monitor what your doing. Unless they been fed or your getting close to a mound in spring. Course if they are the bulls displaying you better give em some clearance.