Doctors Inlet, St. Johns River, and Black Creek

This is a great time of year to fish for Florida Bass in the St. Johns River and its tributaries. The post-spawn period and warming temperatures should increase bass feeding activity. Anglers will want to fish around ledges and under floating vegetation. The confluences of creeks and the river, docks, bridge pilings, and snags are also worth a look. Another favorite area is Julington Creek and its side creeks and canals. This section of the St. Johns River is tidally influenced, so bass tend to move where cover is optimal for feeding. Look for structure that allows fish to rest in the current, while feeding on passing items being carried by the rising or falling tides. Several trophy bass were caught in 2022, and multiple trophies have been reported in 2023. Black Creek is another great spot to fish for bass and panfish. Spatterdock and boat docks provide great cover and attract fish to the shallower areas. Soft plastic and topwater baits are great for pulling in bass, while live bait, such as worms and crickets, is very effective for panfish, especially redbreast sunfish. Anglers in Doctors Lake and other sections of the lower St. Johns River also could target saltwater species including drum, seatrout, and flounder. Live baits such as shrimp, blue crabs, finger mullet, and mud minnows are popular choices when targeting saltwater species. Fishing around docks, bridge pilings, or other structures with live bait or artificial baits such as fish imitating soft plastics and plugs should produce fish.