Lake Santa Fe

Santa Fe Lake is very popular with recreational boaters, but fishing becomes the primary activity again as we head into the cooler months. Florida bass can be caught anywhere on the lake using any of the usual methods, but you may want to try something different this fall. Trolling shiners or baitfish imitations like crankbait and spinnerbaits just off the weed line and on out to fifty yards from cover can be effective. This is probably the best way to find schooling bass here. The fish will hang out offshore during the middle of the day and move into the cover to feed in the morning and evening. Fishing that transition zone when they are moving can be great. Crappie are the second most popular target for anglers on the lake; drifting or trolling with multiple jigs and depth options will help you find the fish. The crappie have been offshore all summer and will probably stay there during the fall, but they will be easier to catch now as they start feeding more. If you are fishing for panfish, focus on the areas inside the band of Maiden cane grass that circles the lake. Panfish prefer to be under the shade of the cypress trees, where there are more insects to eat and cover from predators. Fishing crickets and worms in these areas should produce stringers of bluegill and redear for the dinner table.