Fishing Palatka, FL in the Spring
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 75° / 52° |
| April | 81° / 58° |
| May | 87° / 64° |
Spring in Palatka along the St. Johns River is prime time for trophy largemouth bass and schooling striped bass. The warming trend sparks aggressive feeding and spawning activity.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Largemouth Bass: Excellent during the spawn in backwater sloughs and along shoreline vegetation.
Striped Bass: Good near bridge pilings, channel edges, and deep holes.
Crappie: Very good in submerged timber and near creek mouths.
Bluegill & Shellcracker: Increasing activity near sandy shallows by late spring.
Fishing Palatka, FL in the Summer
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 90° / 71° |
| July | 91° / 72° |
| August | 91° / 72° |
Summer fishing means early mornings and late evenings are best, as midday heat pushes fish deeper or into shaded areas.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Largemouth Bass: Best at dawn on topwater baits, then slow presentations around deep structure.
Striped Bass: Slows down but still possible during current flow at bridges and main channels.
Bluegill & Shellcracker: Excellent during bedding periods along weed lines and docks.
Crappie: Slower but catchable in deeper submerged timber.
Fishing Palatka, FL in the Fall
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 88° / 71° |
| October | 82° / 63° |
| November | 75° / 56° |
Fall’s cooling water temperatures spark aggressive feeding before winter. Baitfish schools draw predator fish into tighter areas.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Largemouth Bass: Excellent with moving baits along weed edges, points, and drop-offs.
Striped Bass: Very good on crankbaits, swimbaits, and live shad in the main channel.
Crappie: Good around deeper brush piles.
Bluegill & Shellcracker: Steady bite along vegetated shorelines.
Fishing Palatka, FL in the Winter
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 69° / 49° |
| January | 66° / 45° |
| February | 70° / 48° |
Winter offers slower but rewarding fishing, with big bass staging for the early spawn and striped bass feeding during strong current flows.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Largemouth Bass: Best on jigs, worms, and live shiners in deeper channel bends and near warmwater discharges.
Striped Bass: Strong bite around bridge pilings and main river ledges.
Crappie: Excellent in deep brush and creek channels.
Bluegill & Shellcracker: Light bite, best on warm, sunny afternoons.
