NC Transplant
Oct 31, 2020 14:56:33 #
slabcatcher
Loc: North Central Florida/Ocala
Slabcatcher here. New to the North Central Florida area. Use to do a lot of wild trout fishing in the GSMNP. If anyone ever wants info. about trout fishing in the Smokys just let me know. I'm going to try and turn myself from a trout fisherman into a crappie guy! My home waters will be Orange and Lochloosa lake. I'm blessed that I can go fishing durning the middle of the week. Looking forward to learning the ins and outs of crappie fishing. There's so much water within 50 miles of me (I live in Ocala) it's like where do you go first. I hope Orange and Lochloosa will be a good place to start. Looking forward to being a active member to help anyone who wants information on Orange and Lochloosa once I understand those lakes...Hope everyone is safe and healthy...Tight Lines, always
Oct 31, 2020 15:00:43 #
Slabcatcher: Well, sounds like you are an accomplished fisherman already. I'd take a map, number the different lakes around where you live and then systematically fish them until you decide which you prefer. Keep a chart. After you decide on your favorite, nothing left but find some Crappie hot spots, or create some. Just Sayin....RJS
Oct 31, 2020 15:13:31 #
slabcatcher
Loc: North Central Florida/Ocala
Thanks RJS...If I understand this crappie fishing half the battle sometimes might just be finding them..SC
Oct 31, 2020 15:36:36 #
You have that right. Crappie are schoolin fish, so finding them is most of the chore, after that they are rather easy to catch. Several posts in the past month or so about hot to create a Crappie hot spot. Also on U tube. Just Sayin....RJS
Oct 31, 2020 16:31:50 #
slabcatcher wrote:
Slabcatcher here. New to the North Central Florid... (show quote)
Welcome to the Forum, Slabcatcher, trust me, we need all the help we can get.
Oct 31, 2020 16:39:49 #
bobber22
Loc: Ocala, Florida
Was on Orange last week fishing for bass. Came across a number of schools of crappie swirling on the surface. They looked to be good size as the swirls were pretty big. If you fishfinder can record any type of structure thats where I'd be a tryin
Oct 31, 2020 16:48:04 #
Oct 31, 2020 17:35:17 #
Welcome to the forum. I live in your area. The fishing is tremendous all around here. I usually fish the Rainbow river, Withlacoochie, and lake Hernando. So far, I haven't seen a single crappie, in 14 years. I'm sure they are here, but they have remained hidden from me. Probably because I haven't looked for them. Again, welcome.
Oct 31, 2020 17:45:26 #
slabcatcher wrote:
Slabcatcher here. New to the North Central Florid... (show quote)
Welcome aboard slabcatcher. Minnow with a bobber will tear them up. Used to fish Lake Monroe right off I-4 for crappie and would catch a boat load just drifting with a minnow and bobber.
Oct 31, 2020 18:06:27 #
Oct 31, 2020 18:22:40 #
Oct 31, 2020 18:48:54 #
bobber22
Loc: Ocala, Florida
5 keepers and 6 returnables. I eat what I keep. Always do well at Orange and Hernando
Nov 1, 2020 05:58:01 #
Richey
Loc: The Villages, Fl
Hey Slab, this is Rich. I live in Leesburg, FL on Lake Griffin which is part of the Harris chain of lakes. Fish out of my 23 ft Hurricane Deck boat for Crappie and Bass. Leesburg is about 20 to 30 min. South of Ocala. If interested perhaps we can do some fishing.
Rich
Rich
Nov 1, 2020 08:24:43 #
slabcatcher wrote:
Slabcatcher here. New to the North Central Florid... (show quote)
Welcome Slabcatcher, to the stage. You'll find a lot of smart fisherpeople here, and lots of fun being had. Remember,we love pictures!
Nov 1, 2020 12:54:13 #
Shawnee
Loc: North Carolina
Welcome Slabcatcher. I will be in Ocklawaha the 1st of December, about 20 miles east of Ocala. Orange and Lochloosa are both good crappie lakes. I have fished them both. Orange lake is suppose to be one of the best crappie lakes in the state.
Largemouth are everywhere and shiners are the key. Only bass fished a couple times last winter but on one trip I caught a 5 pounder. That size is common down there.
Mostly I fish the gulf at Steinhatchee or the mouth of the Withlacoochee River at Inglis. Along the coast catch Specks, Reds and Spanish Mackerel all winter long. Just 1 to 1 1/2 hours away.
Largemouth are everywhere and shiners are the key. Only bass fished a couple times last winter but on one trip I caught a 5 pounder. That size is common down there.
Mostly I fish the gulf at Steinhatchee or the mouth of the Withlacoochee River at Inglis. Along the coast catch Specks, Reds and Spanish Mackerel all winter long. Just 1 to 1 1/2 hours away.
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