A 'hole' that falls to 15- or 20-feet, from adjacent bottom 8- to 12-feet deep is ideal. The outside bends of creeks are good bets for cats, and a fathometer is invaluable in locating hot spots.

Much of the best creek catfishing is found in deep holes near flats or close to long, tapering points of land. No fancy tactics are needed, just set baits on bottom, and when cats start to show regularly you'll know the feeder creek spring run has started.įishing slows for cats on main-river flats by about April, because fish have moved into deeper creeks, and that's where anglers can really mop up. Johns, anglers enjoy good catfishing on flats near creek mouths by March. Some holes in Northeast Florida rivers and creeks are springs, which have constant 72-degree temperatures and so offer superb catfishing through summer. Marys and Nassau - cats can move out to main river ledges and drop-offs, or they stack in holes in deeper creeks. In the large rivers of Northeast Florida - like the St. Following spawning, most cats retreat to deep water. As water temperatures warm, cats enter creeks and consummate their spawning urges. Usually catfish schools prowl flats feeding, as they mill about waiting to enter creeks for spawning. On big rivers, small feeder rivers and creeks draw spawning fish.ĭepending on how warm the spring season, water temperature, etc., excellent spawning-run catfishing can be had in Northeast Florida from February through June.Įarly in the season fish 'stage' on broad flats at creek mouths. In spring, the fish often head 'up river' to stream mouths, and even into canals. Like many freshwater species, catfish have an inborn desire to migrate into current for spawning. Although catfish can be caught year-round, locating lots of fish is most predictable in spring and early summer during the spawn in Northeast Florida.

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