Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
St. Johns River (DeLand) Fishing Guide
Florida
The St. Johns from Puzzle Lake and Lake Harney past Lake Monroe and DeLand to Lake George, FWC's Lower St. Johns River and Lakes reach, with numerous oxbows between Lake Monroe and Lake George.
Part of the St. Johns River.
Photo: Gabriel Vanslette via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the St. Johns River (DeLand) for largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, American shad and hybrid striped bass. In November, striped bass is prime, and Lipless Crankbait, Casting Spoon and Bucktail Jig are a good place to start.
There are 6 shops nearby (1 fly, 5 bait and tackle), including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Lake Mary. Also nearby: Ponce de Leon Inlet.
Season at a Glance
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Florida fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the St. Johns River
- Main PageSt. Johns RiverFlorida's longest river entirely within its borders, flowing north from its headwaters in Brevard County through Lake Monroe and Lake George, with saltwater fish near its mouth at Jacksonville.
- Rivers & Streams · FloridaUpper St. Johns River (Brevard County)The St. Johns' 60 mile headwaters in Brevard County, a tannin-stained river that flows out of marshes through Lakes Hell'n Blazes, Sawgrass, Washington, Winder and Poinsett.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · FloridaLake MonroeA 9,406 acre lake the St. Johns River flows through, with the city of Sanford on its southern shore.
- Rivers & Streams · Florida · You're HereSt. Johns River (DeLand)The St. Johns from Puzzle Lake and Lake Harney past Lake Monroe and DeLand to Lake George, FWC's Lower St. Johns River and Lakes reach, with numerous oxbows between Lake Monroe and Lake George.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · FloridaLake GeorgeA 46,000 acre lake on the St. Johns River in Putnam and Volusia counties, with jetties at its south end where the river enters.
- Rivers & Streams · FloridaSt. Johns River (Doctors Inlet)The St. Johns in Clay County south of I-295, where FWC names Doctors Inlet and the river's hard sand bottoms for largemouth bass and redear sunfish, and nearby Black Creek for black crappie and panfish.
- Saltwater & Coast · FloridaLower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)The St. Johns from downtown Jacksonville to the ocean at Mayport, an estuary where river and ocean water meet.
St. Johns River (DeLand) Species
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found.
View Species
Striped Bass
Prime NowPrime months for: the Croaker Hole in Little Lake George
Prime: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
View Species
Crappie
No agency season found.
View Species
Bluegill
No agency season found.
Spawning: Jun to Aug, per FWC
View Species
Channel Catfish
No agency season found.
View Species
American Shad
Upstream of Lake Jesup (Lake Harney and the Mullet Lake area)
No agency season found.
Spawning: Dec to Apr, per FWC
View Species
Hybrid Striped Bass
Called Sunshine Bass here
No agency season found.
View SpeciesSpecies per FWC: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, American Shad and Hybrid Striped Bass; Striped Bass; USFWS: Crappie. Hybrid Striped Bass are called Sunshine Bass here per FWC. American Shad: Upstream of Lake Jesup (Lake Harney and the Mullet Lake area), per FWC.
Images: Duane Raver and Ryan Hagerty, USFWS; Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Public domain, CC BY-SA 2.0.
What to Use
Striped Bass
Prime Now · Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Fly
9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 9 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 9 and 10 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line · 9 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
No flies listed for this fish here yet.
Spin / Cast
7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik Striper Spinning Rod · 7 ft medium heavy, 12 to 25 lb, moderate fast, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelPflueger Trion Spinning ReelCheck Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 30 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 1/2 ozLipless CrankbaitSee Options
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting SpoonSee Options
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 2 ozBucktail JigSee Options
Named by FWC: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near St. Johns River (DeLand):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lake MaryWebsite
- Bitters Bait and Tackle, LongwoodWebsite
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Daytona BeachWebsite
Map of St. Johns River (DeLand)
St. Johns River Fishing Videos
How-To
Fishing The St Johns River For Monster Bass Using Wild Shiners
Gear and Tackle
St John's River BASS Elite Tools, Tips, and Tackle 2024
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about the St. Johns River. We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Striped Bass
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
76°F high, 54°F low
About 2.3 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
3,944 cfs
Most years 1,578 cfs to 8,632 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 5 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 02236000, 1933 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Feb to Dec
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Feb to Dec
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on St. Johns River (DeLand)
Boat Ramp
Ed Stone Park and Boat Ramp (aka. Crow's Bluff)
Stand Alone Ramp; Sunrise to Sunset
DirectionsPaddle Launch
Hontoon Island State Park - Mainland Kayak Access
Hand Launch Only; 8 AM until one hour before sunset, 365 days a year
DirectionsBoat Ramp
Volusia Blue Spring State Park - French Landing Boat Ramp
Stand Alone Ramp; Fee; 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year
DirectionsPaddle Launch
Volusia Blue Spring State Park - Canoe/Kayak Launch
Hand Launch Only; Fee; 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year
DirectionsPaddle Launch
De Leon Springs State Park - Paddlecraft Launch
Hand Launch Only; Fee; 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year
DirectionsPaddle Launch
Lake George State Forest Bluffton Recreation Area Canoe Launch
Hand Launch Only
DirectionsSource: Florida FWC Boat Ramp Inventory (FWC-FWRI). Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near St. Johns River (DeLand)
Guides and Charters Near St. Johns River (DeLand)
Captain Smith's Black Bass Guide Service
Deland, Florida
2317 River Ridge Rd 386-738-1836
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Daytona - Deland Central Florida Fishing Charters
Deland, Florida
Per their website: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Redfish, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Farther Out
Sudden Strike Offshore Adventure
Port Orange, Florida
Per their website: Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Captain Daddys Fishing Charter
Port Orange, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Inshore, Offshore
Top Notch Adventures
Port Orange, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
