I have a reservation for South Moon Fish Camp which is on the St. John’s just below Lake George for week after next. Any tips or advice on how to fish the river this time of year? I figure one or two days I will run up the river and fish Lake George, maybe scout some spots for a future trip, so any Lake George tips would also be appreciated.

Salt springs run is usually good in February …maybe @GRiver will be along soon, he lives in the general area…

I live on the north end of the lake so it’s more my stomping grounds, but I’ve talked to few people and have done some exploring round there. I seen a lot of boats fishing the jetty coming out of the lake. People also fish the east side of the lake, pitching in the cypress, winner of one of the big tournaments got the biggest part of his catch there.  Off pine island where the old targets used to be( it’s on a chart) a lot of debris there.
I've always wanted to fish blue creek, looked promising,lots of Lilly pads.

Blue creek is kinda cool too ….People have hung all kinds of different bird houses along the banks. Don’t know why.

   dwight-hottle ( member here) gave a fishing report for Deland Astor area back in December, might touch base with him.

Hope this helps.

My last trip from Astor was a year ago. We fished the vegetation mats south of Lake George by about a quarter mile & further south. All our fish came tight to the pads. 

 

 

Elkins45 

I forgot to mention mind the weather, Lake George can get nasty quick. The wind plays a big factor on the lake, it is a pretty shallow as far as lakes go. 

33 minutes ago, GRiver said:

Elkins45 

I forgot to mention mind the weather, Lake George can get nasty quick. The wind plays a big factor on the lake, it is a pretty shallow as far as lakes go. 

 

Years ago I had a very close call on Lake George during a BASS tournament.  Too long to describe here, but I found myself drifting in 6 foot waves without power. Lake George is very shallow and tidal on the north end.  It could also be colder than you think.  Fortunately, the river itself has great fishing out of the weather.  Look for pads as they hold the bigger fish in the river.  Fish the outside edge of the river bends.  If you run north, you can fish Dunn's Creek, one of my favorites. 

Any recommended lures or techniques for this time of year?

8 minutes ago, Elkins45 said:

Any recommended lures or techniques for this time of year?

Shiners!?

 

Artificials: When I fished down there more   , I caught most of my fish on 7.5 culprit worms and 8” producto tournament worms fishing cypress and pads. Fishing slow. 

N Florida Mike is right shiner work.

7 1/2” and 8” curly tailed worms work too, June bug and watermelon pearl works for me. Senko type worm, rigged Texas weightless, let it sink then pulled up to the surface and  let sink again nice an slow, Bubble gum is my favorite for this. 
I like rattle traps too chrome black or blue back has worked too. 

I like to parallel the bank with a spinnerbait.  Fish as close to the shoreline cover as you can.  The outside bends are the deepest.  Flipping pads is a great way to catch a big fish if you have patience.  Old timers used buzz baits in the pads with great success.  Gambler makes a soft plastic bait called a Flappn Shad that is killer as a buzz bait.  Good Luck!

I fished a BASS Nations Regional out of there a couple years ago in October and the winning bags were mostly on traps, and june bug paddle tails. 
 

My best ones came on a red/shad Fat Max ribbon tail with 3/16 unpegged swam over and through any grass line on the inside cuts. That thing got hit swimming through pad fields in obviously “frog water” which they wouldn’t touch.
 My boater pitched craw baits all day. 
 

When you’re running around watch that you don’t get too close to the shore. 
We and others ran into a few submerged lay downs. Luckily no one broke anything. 

 

Good Luck

 

 

 

 

Mike

one other lure to throw is a floating Rapala. my color is gold f-9 or  an f-11.  

I’m going to be there for four days so I should get the chance to try a bunch of different stuff. I’ve never fished with shiners but I think I’ll give it a try.