Dart bored is what

I'm using to account for yesterday's visit to a lake I haven't fished for 8 years!;) I always enjoyed a decent level of success @Lake Woodruff gaining access from the Dexter/St. John's end of the lake. Yesterday, I chose to use the opposite end(Highland Park Fish camp) to add yet more intel to my portfolio. What a pleasant, rustic, scenic Old Florida flavored, first time experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Even though having to pay a $5 launch fee, an angler can literally start fishing within site of the Fish camp/cottages. The basic amenities remind me of a place that would be written up by Homer Circle back in the 50/60's with some beautifully mounted bucketmouths that may have easily been caught from the area. Regretfully, I had a late start(1030), that only allowed for six(2 keepers) long-lined fish before the stiff SE wind pushed me into the protection of Norris river. Because of the pollen/hyacinth surface clutter, I was "luckily" forced into my favored single-pole techniques. Didn't take but 5 minutes to connect with a fat 11" male associating to hyacinth/pad edges that helped yield to a 14 fish(11-13") ice bath that only needed 1 more additional spot to account for a busy day of single-poling. Large gators and manatees apparently love the area as well as the other 30ish rigs I witnessed on the Lake/river. Highly recommend the area for its laid-back ambiance and it's 10 out of 10 rating for single-pole purists(couldn't imagine, even with all the travel mileage I've amassed, to concoct a more fishable waterway!) Definitely more trips to follow!:highfive Bream fishing should be "off the charts" in a month or so... Enjoy the pics- not monsters but good eaters...Still love my saltwater but thankfully was "dart bored"!:Rofl

Attachment 395156

Doug:fish

That is a special place & I take it you seen some of the Gill mounts in the bait shop, yep, that stretch of water & lake have every type of speck fishing you could ask for...wish I lived closer...good afternoon, especially for a 1st adventure...:ThumbsUp

Wow, nice mess of fish!
Enjoyed the report.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

good outing .nice mess of fish.

good report on the amenities and ambiance which is as important if not more than the fishing! Love the idea of a lovely place to spend a day and ketch some specs. As I am coming down there next week and and hour + travel from my buddies house will have to check it out. Thanks.

they have minnows at highland park fish camp?

Nice work!

Yes they do- have minnows

But who needs em!! Nice work Doug.

I'm a jig guy thru and thru but when you have a short window to fish and others have been ketchn with minnows I am flexible!

Nice, great job.