How to Fish St. Johns River: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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St. Johns River

Published: Nov 1, 2018

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on St. Johns River

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are staging near spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for the spawn. They're relating heavily to vegetation edges and hard cover Fish are making transitional movements from deeper winter areas to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, particularly around lily pads and submergent vegetation	Lily pad fields and their outer edges, especially where adjacent to deeper water Submerged vegetation in protected canal areas Reed lines and emergent vegetation in shallow protected areas	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses around vegetation edges Neko Rigs worked slowly through pad stems and vegetation Lipless Crankbaits with yo-yo retrieve near vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with slow, steady retrieve	Shad concentrating near vegetation edges Early season baitfish schools in transition areas	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	58-68	Pre-spawn striped bass are actively feeding and moving into staging areas near spawning grounds, following shad movements in river channels Fish are showing increased activity in shallower waters, especially during morning and evening hours, taking advantage of tidal influences	River channels with current breaks and deeper holes Channel edges adjacent to spawning flats Areas where tributary streams enter main river channel	Live Bait Rigs with shiners, confirmed effective by recent catches Umbrella Rigs to mimic schooling baitfish Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along channel edges	Shad - primary forage base confirmed by lake profile Shiners - proven effective as live bait in recent reports	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-75	Bass are actively engaged in spawning behavior, with females moving into protected shallow areas near lily pads, canals, and seawalls to create beds Fish are exhibiting territorial behavior around beds, with less active feeding but aggressive responses to threats to their nesting sites	Lily pad fields in protected areas, especially near canals and seawalls Areas between docks in canals where spawning activity is concentrated Shallow protected areas with hard bottom suitable for spawning	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with slow presentations around visible beds and lily pad stems Wacky Rigs worked slowly in spaces between cover when current is minimal Bladed Jigs around dock areas and between canals for pressured fish	Bluegill establishing in shallow spawning areas Perch present around laydown areas Crawfish becoming active in warming waters	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	58-68	Striped bass are actively moving into pre-spawn staging areas and feeding aggressively, particularly around current breaks and channel edges due to tidal influence Fish are schooling and pursuing shad, with increased surface activity during morning/evening hours Males arrive first in spawning areas, followed by larger females staging in slightly deeper water	Main channel edges and current breaks where pre-spawn staging occurs Tributary mouths and river channel intersections with strong current flow Secondary points and flats adjacent to deep water access	Live Bait Rigs with shiners, particularly effective during pre-spawn Umbrella Rigs to mimic schooling shad in current breaks Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along channel edges Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') parallel to channel breaks	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas Shiners moving into spawning flats Various baitfish concentrating around current breaks	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding around shallow cover and starting to establish deeper haunts Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and late evening, particularly around vegetation and dock areas	Lily pad fields and vegetation mats, especially those adjacent to deeper water Docks with nearby vegetation, particularly those along channel swings Shell beds and hard bottom areas along main lake channels	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through vegetation and around docks Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads during morning hours Swim Jigs around dock pilings and through vegetation lanes	Bluegill spawning in shallow areas around vegetation Shad schools starting to group up along channel edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	62-75	Post-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to recover energy, following shad schools and responding to tidal movements along channel edges Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper main lake structures, with frequent feeding periods during morning and evening hours	Main channel edges where current creates feeding opportunities Deep water access points near vegetation edges where baitfish concentrate Secondary channel intersections with primary river channels	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along channel edges with current Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish chasing shad schools Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') parallel to channel breaks	Shad schools congregating along channel edges Live shiners gathering near vegetation edges	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	80-86	Bass are actively feeding in shallow water zones, particularly during early morning and evening, utilizing shade from docks and vegetation as ambush points Fish are responding strongly to tidal movements, repositioning with current changes and congregating in areas with good water flow Schooling activity reported in mid-basin areas when chasing shad, with more solitary ambush behavior around structure	Boat docks with walkways in 6 inches to 2 feet of water, especially during incoming tide Lily pad fields and grass mats in creek mouths and protected areas Laydowns and flooded bushes along shade lines	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around dock pilings and vegetation Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads and surface vegetation Hard Topwater (Walking) for schooling fish in open water Wacky Rigs worked slowly around structure during high sun periods	Shad schooling in mid-basin areas and around structure Bluegill holding tight to cover and vegetation Shrimp during seasonal runs	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	72-86	Striped bass are seeking thermal refuge in deeper, cooler water during summer when surface temperatures exceed 75°F, typically feeding actively during early morning and late evening Fish are schooling around concentrated baitfish, particularly near channel edges and current breaks where tidal influence creates feeding opportunities	Deep river channels and channel edges where cool water refuge exists Current breaks and tidal influence zones, especially near main channel areas Edges of vegetation fields where baitfish concentrate, particularly during low light periods	Trolling Deep (20'+) along channel edges during midday hours Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) when fish are spotted on electronics Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) during low light periods near baitfish schools	Shad schools in main lake areas Baitfish concentrations near vegetation edges	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for St. Johns River

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	68-80	Bass are actively feeding on shad and shrimp, frequently schooling and chasing bait in open water Fish are transitioning to feeding heavily in preparation for winter, with reports showing fat, aggressive fish	Areas where baitfish are schooling, particularly in main river or lake sections Stump fields and hard cover areas along vegetation edges Docks and man-made structure providing ambush points	Hard Jerkbaits worked around schooling bait Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured fish Lipless Crankbaits for covering water and targeting active fish	Shad schools - primary forage base Shrimp - seasonal abundance affecting feeding patterns	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	62-75	Actively feeding on schooling shad in preparation for winter, often creating surface feeding frenzies during morning and evening hours Following bait migrations along channel edges and current breaks, with increased activity during tidal movements	Main river channel edges where current meets structure Deep water access points near vegetation edges where shad congregate Current breaks and eddies in primary channels	Umbrella Rigs mimicking schooling shad Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light surface feeding Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges	Schooling Shad Stunned or dying baitfish in current breaks	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	60-65	Transitioning between winter and pre-spawn patterns with fish relating heavily to hard cover in 60-65°F water Fish showing reduced activity levels, requiring slower presentations and methodical approaches Schooling behavior around bait concentrations, particularly near structure interfaces	Rip rap banks with adjacent ledges, especially where shad are present Docks providing shade and ambush points Isolated lily pad fields, particularly in protected areas Creek mouths and canal entrances	Neko Rigs worked slowly around hard cover Shallow diving crankbaits near rip rap when shad are present Texas-rigged soft plastics flipped to isolated pad clumps Wacky rigs worked methodically around structure	Shad concentrated against hard structure Smaller baitfish in canal areas	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	45-60	Winter striped bass are schooling tightly around bait pods in deep water, particularly in river channels and deep structures Fish are less active but will feed opportunistically during warmer periods of the day, especially during tidal movements	Deep river channels with current breaks, especially where depth exceeds 20 feet Secondary channel edges where baitfish schools are holding Deep water adjacent to primary points where current creates feeding opportunities	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Blade Baits Umbrella Rigs Live Bait Rigs	Schooling shad in deeper water Winter-stressed baitfish concentrated in deep channels	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in St. Johns River

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields and their outer edges, especially where adjacent to deeper water	Submerged vegetation in protected canal areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	River channels with current breaks and deeper holes	Channel edges adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields in protected areas, especially near canals and seawalls	Areas between docks in canals where spawning activity is concentrated
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main channel edges and current breaks where pre-spawn staging occurs	Tributary mouths and river channel intersections with strong current flow
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields and vegetation mats, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Docks with nearby vegetation, particularly those along channel swings
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main channel edges where current creates feeding opportunities	Deep water access points near vegetation edges where baitfish concentrate
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Boat docks with walkways in 6 inches to 2 feet of water, especially during incoming tide	Lily pad fields and grass mats in creek mouths and protected areas
Summer	Striped Bass	Deep river channels and channel edges where cool water refuge exists	Current breaks and tidal influence zones, especially near main channel areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Areas where baitfish are schooling, particularly in main river or lake sections	Stump fields and hard cover areas along vegetation edges
Fall	Striped Bass	Main river channel edges where current meets structure	Deep water access points near vegetation edges where shad congregate
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap banks with adjacent ledges, especially where shad are present	Docks providing shade and ambush points
Winter	Striped Bass	Deep river channels with current breaks, especially where depth exceeds 20 feet	Secondary channel edges where baitfish schools are holding

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating near vegetation edges	Early season baitfish schools in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad - primary forage base confirmed by lake profile	Shiners - proven effective as live bait in recent reports
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill establishing in shallow spawning areas	Perch present around laydown areas
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas	Shiners moving into spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill spawning in shallow areas around vegetation	Shad schools starting to group up along channel edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools congregating along channel edges	Live shiners gathering near vegetation edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in mid-basin areas and around structure	Bluegill holding tight to cover and vegetation
Summer	Striped Bass	Shad schools in main lake areas	Baitfish concentrations near vegetation edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools - primary forage base	Shrimp - seasonal abundance affecting feeding patterns
Fall	Striped Bass	Schooling Shad	Stunned or dying baitfish in current breaks
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrated against hard structure	Smaller baitfish in canal areas
Winter	Striped Bass	Schooling shad in deeper water	Winter-stressed baitfish concentrated in deep channels

Bait Colors by Season for St. Johns River

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

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