Doctors Inlet, St. Johns River, and Black Creek

Springtime fishing in Doctor’s Lake offers a some of the best opportunities for anglers targeting striped bass. Stripers seeking cover around bridge pilings will likely hit live bait or jigs in the deeper water as well as shallow running plugs near structure. Because this section of the St. Johns River is tidally influenced, sport fish are tied to the movements of the baitfish and shrimp up and down the river. Finding these food sources is going to be more important than finding any specific type of habitat. However, in the lower sections of the main river vegetation and good cover is scarce, so finding some submersed or emergent vegetation can pay off big. Doctor’s inlet and the tributaries including the Ortega River, Julington Creek, and Black Creek can offer more productive habitat and consistent fishing success. The middle and lower stretches of the tributaries are going to hold more fish than the upper stretches. Fallen trees or in areas of Spatterdock pads are the most likely places to hold bass and bream. When fishing in the creeks for bass try crayfish imitations or other soft plastics. In more open water try shad imitations like jerk baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons.