I am retiring in one year and am looking to spend January-March crappie fishing. I’m looking for recommendations on what lake would be a good fit with good fishing and a good area to buy/rent. Thanks for any info you can give me. Thanks!
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I am retiring in one year and am looking to spend January-March crappie fishing. I’m looking for recommendations on what lake would be a good fit with good fishing and a good area to buy/rent. Thanks for any info you can give me. Thanks!
Anchorman has been doing that for a few years. He would be who I would talk with.
How isolated do you want to be?
If regular trips to a decent size town for dining, shopping etc, are important, then thats what you will be zeroing in on, and the fishing will become a secondary issue.
Lake Kissimmee for example is the second largest lake in the state, with numerous others not very far away.
We currently live in a town of 2000 so used to small town living. I would like to be 20 minutes or closer to the lake. The other thing that we like to do is pickleball.
Look up Welaka Florida along the Saint Johns River,small town great restaurants and two different condo complex’s. Riverbend condominiums is where we own and have some rentals as well. Great area and people , an hour away from many lakes as I’m learning.Quote:
Originally Posted by mhogan7374
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Welaka is a sleepy little friendly village, we stayed there last winter. The crappie are there, but they are on the move with the tides every day.
From a town of 2000, well that leaves my city out of the running. 90,000+ and still counting.
Don't move too close to either coast's saltwater temptation...you may really get into a pickle"bawl"!:Rofl The Villages(Lady Lake, FL) may be your Total ticket!
u2s
My best buddy moved to Fruitland Park (close to the villages)a little over a year ago and is minutes away from lake Harris and Griffin. He fishes both lakes with limited success. We are from central Illinois and fish a lot of structures here. Doesn’t seem to be near the structure we are used to there, so it’s taking him a minute to figure out how to catch crappie on those lakes. I’m not a fan of fishing the coast. I appreciate all of the feedback from everyone!
My vote's for any lake along the St. John's, many good choices.....
IMHO this year Griffin has been terrible. Last year was the only good year in a number of years here to catch crappie on Griffin. I'm a transplant from IL. Best thing I ever did. Don't get me wrong, I love it here on Griffin, and can catch crappie, but it's so tough. Honestly I prolly shoulda selected any lake on the St. Johns. Who knows, might still if this darn lake don't improve. We do see manatee on Griffin now though, that's cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by mhogan7374
I like my little section of the St. Johns. It gives me lots of options to work with.
our best couple friends moved to the villages and if you like pickleball, golfing or just lots of activities with transplant folks like yourselves that's the place to be. Lots of lakes, canals to fish and visit and you can trailer to many good lakes all around as your on the Harris chain of lakes. Easy drive to st john's river system and it's lakes like Monroe. We have it ideal as when your besties have a place there, good fishing boat plus seado's and a nice guest room!
BTW most pickleball courts per capita than anyplace in the world and tons of folks play it at a very high level or just for fun and exercise. Lots of CDC members around that part of FL to hang with too, including Slab.
If you want to continue the small town living, my vote would be for Astor. A couple gas stations, a Dollar General, grocery store, and a few good restaurants is about it. My family is from a town of 2,000 in Indiana and we love it down in Astor. My parents have been staying there January through March for over 20 years now. I bought a place of my own down there a few years ago. The crappie fishing is phenomenal. You have Lake George just north of Astor and Lakes Dexter and Woodruff to the south, all accessible via the St Johns River. The river can be great crappie fishing too, in fact that's where the folks have caught the most for the past couple years. If you're wanting water front there is usually places for sale on the river or canals. If not, there's usually really affordable housing available and a HOA(only $35 a year) boat ramp on Blue Creek as well as a big public ramp on the river. Good luck with your search!
Astor Florida on the St Johns River area online Information, Businesses, Relocation Guide, Events Calendar, History
Sounds like I’m looking for the same thing you and your folks have been doing. I’d love to visit with him sometime. Thank you so much for your response!
Astor is a cool little place .................
Central Illinois being what town?Sent from my SM-N960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile appQuote:
Originally Posted by mhogan7374
Strip mine lakes are a little different than the lakes in flSent from my SM-N960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile appQuote:
Originally Posted by Crappiegirl1
Moweaqua
Don't over look the Florida Panhandle...Tallahassee...Quincy. You'll have Lake Talquin and Lake Seminole nearby.