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St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet) Fishing Guide
Florida
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.
Part of the St. Johns River.
Photo: Out of this World Adventure via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet) for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. Crappie is good year-round here; for crappie and bluegill, Panfish Jig, Live Minnows and Crickets are a good place to start. Bluegill is in a good season in November.
There are 12 shops nearby, including Resellers Reef in Orange Park. Also nearby: Nassau Sound.
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 · FloridaSt. 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 · Florida · You're HereSt. 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 (Doctors Inlet) Species
Species per FWC.
Images: Duane Raver and Ryan Hagerty, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Crappie
Good year-round
Fly
8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 4 and 5 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 4 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from April, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for April · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reelCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/32 to 1/8 ozPanfish JigSee Options
- Bait for November · 1 to 3 inLive MinnowsUnder a slip float.Bait Shops
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 (Doctors Inlet):
- Resellers Reef, Orange ParkWebsite
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Orange ParkWebsite
- Black Creek Marina and Bait Shop, Green Cove SpringsWebsite
Map of St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet)
St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet) Fishing Videos
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about the St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet). We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Watch St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet) Fishing Videos on YouTube
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Good Year-Round: Crappie
Good in November: Bluegill
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
73°F high, 56°F low
About 2.0 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 6 mi away.
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: Mar to Nov
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Mar to Nov
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & 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 (Doctors Inlet)
Boat Ramp
Whitey's Fish Camp, Restaurant and RV Park
Stand Alone Ramp; Fee; normal business hours
DirectionsSource: Florida FWC Boat Ramp Inventory (FWC-FWRI). Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet)
Bait & Tackle
Strike-Zone Fishing
Jacksonville, Florida
Stocks fishing rigs, lures and terminal tackle at its Jacksonville storefront.
Guides and Charters Near St. Johns River (Doctors Inlet)
Charter
Jacksonville Fishing Trips
Jacksonville, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Flounder, Inshore
Charter
Rock N Reel Charters
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Tarpon, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips
Charter
Capt.Cook.Charters
Neptune Beach, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, Inshore, Offshore
