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The Apalachicola River begins at Lake Seminole and flows about 112 miles to the west of Tallahassee draining into the Gulf of Mexico. This scenic and undeveloped river is a great fishing destination for bass, in particular, among numerous other fish species.
The best spots for fishing on the Apalachicola River are in the lower section near Apalachicola Bay and the upper section just outside of Lake Seminole. Some of the fish species you can find on this river include largemouth bass, sunshine bass, striped bass, white bass, spotted bass, bluegill, flathead catfish, blue catfish, and shellcracker.
If you want bluegill or shellcracker, consider targeting fallen or submerged treetops. The sloughs off the river are also abundant with these species. The most effective baits include crickets, oak worms, earthworms, and catalpa worms.
If you are looking for bass, consider fishing current breaks such as creeks and creeks mouths, whether in the lower or upper river. The best baits for bass fishing would be crankbaits and plastic worms. However, live shad, spoons, and jigs usually deliver the best results for white bass and sunshine bass.
For speckled perch fishing, you also stand the best chance of success fishing around fallen treetops. Live minnow would deliver the most catch for this species. If you are interested in shrimps, crabs, or oysters, the Apalachicola Bay would be your ideal fishing spot.
Generally, it is advisable to target the tidal reaches, when the fish are very predictable. In fact, the first and last hours of the tidal cycles are generally promising. You can even get a decent catch during slack tide or when strong winds minimize tidal flow.
There are at least ten boat ramps along Apalachicola River, including Abercrombie, Bristol, Clyde Hopkins Park, Estiffanulga, Gardeners Landing Boat Ramp, Gaskin Park, and Jackson County boat ramp.
To fish in Apalachicola River, all anglers of at least 16 years of age must have a valid Florida freshwater fishing license. You can purchase your license online at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FFWCC) website, over the phone, or from a local agent. You can find more information on fishing licensing and regulations on the FFWCC website.
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Apalachicola River is one of the least-pressured fishing destinations in Florida. There is no bad time to fish as fish numbers remain sufficient for a good catch throughout the year. However, the best fishing times on this river occur during spring and summer.
That’s the time when water temperatures are favorable for fish. You may not get impressive results during the winter. If you need some good quality bass on Apalachicola River, you would want to go fishing in the spring and summer.
You will find a great mix of aggressive pre-spawn and spawning bass in February through March. If you want to catch most speckled perch in the shortest time, January to March would be the best time to go fishing, especially if you focus around fallen tree tops. Shellcracker and bluegill are best fished in the spring, also near fallen or submerged tree tops.
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