Crappie

[LaCajuninNC]

Located in Lake City. Where can I find some specks/Crappie/SacaLait(papermouth).
Are there any in the rivers? About to be home on 11 Dec and will finally fully retire. Looking to get to know the local waters and make some new fishing buddies. Tournament fished all over the east coast, mainly in NC while active duty. I own a Phoenix Bass boat, and about Jan will be ready to go almost daily...

[gatrboy52]

Not saying there aren't any in he rivers because I have caught on e here and there but wouldn't be my destination for specs. Nothing to speak of in L.C. proper. Alligator went down the sinkhole drain. 15 miles to the east is Palestine which has a decent population and ocean pond use to. East of gville is Newnans,putting out good this year. Lochloosa/ Orange, little orange in Hawthorne, Santa Fe in keystone, Sampson and Crosby in Starke, Hampton just down the road and for Military Kingsley . just to name a few. . congrats on your retirement and thank you for your sacrifice and service.

[Firebone]

First of all thank you for your service and congratulations on your retirement. Like gator said above I think the best bet is to go after the Gainesville area lakes. I am not familiar with the lake city area so can’t speak to that. You might try talking to the bait shop guys that way and see what they say. I think most speck/crappie folks are not as closed lip as the bass folks. Since I live just south of Jax I usually hit Crescent lake for specks and will also try Lake George every now and then. For me the specks are the top eating freshwater fish IMO.

good luck

[gatrboy52]

First of all thank you for your service and congratulations on your retirement. Like gator said above I think the best bet is to go after the Gainesville area lakes. I am not familiar with the lake city area so can’t speak to that. You might try talking to the bait shop guys that way and see what they say. I think most speck/crappie folks are not as closed lip as the bass folks. Since I live just south of Jax I usually hit Crescent lake for specks and will also try Lake George every now and then. For me the specks are the top eating freshwater fish IMO.

good luck

The problem I have with Newnan and Loosa is the crowds.There are better speck lakes with wY less pressure. Hampton and Santa Fe has big schools this year and little pressure. S. F can get crowded but plenty of room to fish.

[cwilt]

Can't help you with that part of the state, but congrats on your retirement! I've got 5 years left. Rusty old crew chief here. It's not fishing, but If you get a chance go floating down the Ichetucknee in the summer. It's something my family does often.

[LaCajuninNC]

Thanks all, I agree crappie are the best eating freshwater fish. I'm guessing the tried and true bucket of minnows will do the trick. Any local tackle stores carry them? I'll probably be hitting those lakes just near Gainesville.

[Old hurst]

Thanks all, I agree crappie are the best eating freshwater fish. I'm guessing the tried and true bucket of minnows will do the trick. Any local tackle stores carry them? I'll probably be hitting those lakes just near Gainesville.

Greens outdoors and more 1613 E Duval Lake City for bait.

[LaCajuninNC]

ventured out to Ocean Pond today with the fmily. Place is like a fish bowl with no underwater structure. Fished the trees for a while, then ventured off to I think the only bouy on the lake labeled fish attractor, took the bobbers off and started tightlining some minnows just off the bottom, it wasn't long until we got into a huge school of what I'm guessing is sunshine bass, they hit like a freight train. Wasn't sure of size of creel limit, so we put them back. Caught 6 and broke a few off that were big. Only a few small specks were caught. All in all fun trip, and didn't get skunked..Will probably hit Palestine next week, went out there a few days ago and noone was there, worried about my truck and trailer at such a remote location.

[gatrboy52]

ventured out to Ocean Pond today with the fmily. Place is like a fish bowl with no underwater structure. Fished the trees for a while, then ventured off to I think the only bouy on the lake labeled fish attractor, took the bobbers off and started tightlining some minnows just off the bottom, it wasn't long until we got into a huge school of what I'm guessing is sunshine bass, they hit like a freight train. Wasn't sure of size of creel limit, so we put them back. Caught 6 and broke a few off that were big. Only a few small specks were caught. All in all fun trip, and didn't get skunked..Will probably hit Palestine next week, went out there a few days ago and noone was there, worried about my truck and trailer at such a remote location.

I've never had any problem with hoodlems . good speck lake.

[LaCajuninNC]

That's good to hear.

[gatrboy52]

Specks have been in pads on n. End of newnanas

[LaCajuninNC]

Going to Santa Fe with the family tomorrow.

[Firebone]

Good luck, I am going to try some creeks up by me on Monday…hopefully get a few

[rocknemo]

Not saying there aren't any in he rivers because I have caught on e here and there but wouldn't be my destination for specs. Nothing to speak of in L.C. proper. Alligator went down the sinkhole drain. 15 miles to the east is Palestine which has a decent population and ocean pond use to. East of gville is Newnans,putting out good this year. Lochloosa/ Orange, little orange in Hawthorne, Santa Fe in keystone, Sampson and Crosby in Starke, Hampton just down the road and for Military Kingsley . just to name a few. . congrats on your retirement and thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Just wondering what you meant by "Alligator went down the sinkhole drain", haven't been there in a while. thanks

[gatrboy52]

Just wondering what you meant by "Alligator went down the sinkhole drain", haven't been there in a while. thanks

At the time I posted reply Alligator had been dry for almost a year. Due to sinkholes. This last big rain and now it is as high as I've seen it and fish are biting good. Go figure

[LaCajuninNC]

Yea went walking the park a few weeks ago, water is full. On another note the bite on Newnans is on fire...