Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County) Fishing Guide
Florida
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.
Part of the St. Johns River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County) for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 5 shops nearby, including Handler Fishing Supply in Merritt Island. Also nearby: the Banana River.
Season at a Glance
Legend
This Month 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 · Florida · You're HereUpper 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 · 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.
Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County) Species
Species per FWC.
Images: Duane Raver and Ryan Hagerty, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Avid Bass Fly Line · WF7F or WF8FCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2-10Bass Popper · Bass Popper AssortmentCheck Price
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelLew's Mach Baitcasting Combo · 7 ft 2 in medium heavy, fast, right handCheck Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 50 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 4 to 5 inSoft Stick Bait · Yamamoto Senko 5 inCheck Price
- Lure for November · 6 to 10 inTexas-Rigged Worm · Zoom Trick WormCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 3/4 ozBass JigSee Options
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 Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County):
- Handler Fishing Supply, Merritt IslandWebsite
- Cocoa Beach Fishing Center, Cape CanaveralWebsite
- Waters Edge Bait & Tackle Llc, Cape CanaveralWebsite
Map of Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County)
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.
Watch Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County) Fishing Videos on YouTube
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
76°F high, 61°F low
About 2.5 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,378 cfs
Most years 199 cfs to 3,508 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 18 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 02232400, 1953 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 Apr
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 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: May to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County)
Paddle Launch
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area - Jim Creek Canoe/Kayak Access
Hand Launch Only; Fee; Daytime Use Only
DirectionsSource: Florida FWC Boat Ramp Inventory (FWC-FWRI). Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County)
Guides and Charters Near Upper St. Johns River (Brevard County)
Local Lines Guide Service
Merritt Island, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Dirty Dolly Fish Company
Merritt Island, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Snook, Mahi-Mahi, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Captain Ed's Family Fishing & Nature Charter Company
Merritt Island, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook
Orlando Fishing Trips
Titusville, Florida
4420 Browning Ave 321-794-3949
Per their website: Redfish
Canaveral Kings Sport Fishing Charters
Port Canaveral, Florida
800 Scallop Dr #4595, 505 Glen Cheek Dr 321-543-5109
Per their website: Offshore
Checkmate Fishing Port Canaveral Charter
Port Canaveral, Florida
Per their website: Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Patriot Port Canaveral Fishing Charters
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
