Santa Fe Lake

Since its cold and rainy in South GA, a friend, my little girl and myself are going to make a haul to FL for a crappie fishing trip this Sunday. I've fished, Crescent, George, Samson, looking to attempt Santa Fe Lake. Mainly because it is deep and has some shoreline structure to fish. I can long line, cork and jig, or jig trees/pads/docks. Any advice on a small area to start would be much appreciated!
I read some of the forum threads that say the fish are super deep on the lake and I can troll to 20 ft, we do it on Oconee often. Just not sure if you would look for ledges, fish the main lake or the little lake? and any need to attempt shoreline fishing?

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to offer advice.

Lee.

See if you can find a show that Shaw Grigsby made on Santa Fe with his son or grandson. Gave good info. I’m no help, hope it a good time for y’all.

Thanks I will look on the internet tonight. I find every little tip helps on new water.

Great lake. I can’t help you but will say that the old timers talk about how fish from that lake taste better than all the others. There and a small section on the Suwannee produce best tasting fish.

We have Santa Fe, but also Newnans, Orange and Lochloosa if needed.....two ramps for each. Been windy last few weeks with overcast skies. Not many people out fishing. If you go through Micanopy don’t speed and make sure to stop at Pearl’s Country Store for pulled pork sandwiches. Good luck.

Well.... I’m a firm believer in give and take. I asked for info so I’ll leave what little I have. Fished Santa Fe from 8am-3pm today... shot docks deep and shallow, caught 1 bass and 1 Warmouth. Swapped to trolling when the wind finally calmed. We managed 4 specks about 6 inches long... all caught over the fish attractor in the little lake. Right on the structure. Water temp was 55 in the morning and 59 by 3. Lots of bass fisherman only one other crappie fishing and they were fishing the grass with minnows. Trolled deep and shallow with multiple colors finally caught the small fish on double rigged 1/16s at .55-.60 mph only color they bit was white body chartreuse tail triple ripple.
Hope this reports helps someone later.... even though we weren’t very productive.

I don't feel so bad. I went to Newnans Lake near Gainesville on Thursday. I could not have ask for better weather. An absolutely beautiful day. Light wind from the south, blue sunny skies. Truly awesome. And not one bite. Not even a nibble. And I tried everything. Trolling, bobber fishing in the pads at the north end, etc. Must have been at least 80 boats all around me and I didn't see anyone put a fish in the boat between about 9am when the fog burned off until 3pm when I left. I guess that's why they call it fishing, not catching.

Yep, very odd day. I know there have to be specks in Santa Fe, just tough fishing. There must have been some bad weather down that way saturday, trees down everywhere even on some of the lake houses. I will be returning to Astor toward the end of the month and I intend to get my revenge on the FL. perches! plan to fish 4 days, Astor, Crescent, George, Little Lake George!! I can't wait...

Santa Fe can be a tough lake to fish. Longlinning in the little lake is where I have most of my success. A good morning on Little Santa Fe lake might be 10 to 15 fish but they will usually be very good quality fish.

Thanks 6mm I may try it again one day. Very cool lake.

I concur with what 6mm said above. I've heard of folks doing well in Melrose bay too. You obviously found the marked fish attractor. I think a lot of people sink private brush piles there too, and you might be able to see them with a good bottom machine. Santa Fe can be a tough lake to figure out, but it does hold some nice fish.

I fished Lochloosa Friday. Didn't get to the ramp till 9:00 due to rain forecast. It was blowing westerlies so we started just east of the north point between the little and big lake. Pushed Minnows on single jigs and Kentucky rigs in 7-8' along the weeds and picked up 7 10"ers. We pushed across the gap south to the south point between the lakes and picked up 3 more in the open water. When we got to the bank at about 11:45, the wind died down and the sun came out and we didn't get a bite till we loaded up at 2:00. We tried a deepest hole in the lake for 45 minutes with no bites, bobbed around in the pads for a bit, they just shut down. Barometer climbed up to 1460 by 1:00, water temp was 64°. My dad caught this 29" mudfish, biggest I've ever seen.Attachment 394621

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That’s a stud mudfish. Glad y’all found a few.

You did a whole lot better than I did. Never got the boat out of the drive. You did good on a rainy day.

I agree with others this lake can be hard to find them and even harder to get them to bite. But when you do there are some nice fish. I mostly fish the little lake and find them in 18 fow about 15' down. Long line with minnow on top and jig on bottom. Good luck.