Doctors Inlet, St. Johns River, and Black Creek

Bluegill and red ear sunfish can be found along the sandy bottom areas around submerged vegetation, drainage canals, and drop-offs. Worms, crickets, or grass shrimp fished on the bottom work best when targeting these two species. Large crappies are moving through Dunn’s Creek and can be found along submerged snags and downed trees along the shorelines where there is fast-moving water. Small live minnows or small jigs along the bottom should be used to target these. Florida bass anglers can expect to find larger fish hiding in shoreline habitat. Anglers should target the edges of submerged vegetation and downed trees along banks, sharp bends and drop-offs near shallow bars along Dunn’s Creek and in the river. If water levels are up through January, bass will move up into protected areas behind bulrushes and wind-protected coves as they prepare to spawn. Most of the traditional methods for taking bass will work. Striped bass are active by bridge pilings from Doctor’s Inlet downstream towards downtown Jacksonville. They are caught on heavy jigs or live bait fished deep. In February and March, they are also active at bridges farther upstream, such as the Buckman and Shands bridge.