Thread: Ocala Springs Fishing?

Has anyone fished in the clear waters of Ocala (e.g. Alexander Springs)? I am thinking of going up there for a weekend to wade, snorkel or kayak. Do these springs have good fishing?

Just past the turnoff on 19 to 445 is where I lived for a time in the 70's. I was as consumed with fishing then as I am now. I fished some of the potholes out in the forest, one very close to Alexander named Blue Sink. And it's just that, a sinkhole out in the woods with no proper road unless you had a 4wd. After a rain you can get to it for a day or two but it's all sugar sand. What I did learn about fishing clear water in that area is that those fish were educated. If I walked up to where the water met the bank, you could watch all the fish go in the opposite direction. Being in a canoe didn't help at all. I walked out of sight for a while and walked around to where the fish had headed, and peeked around a tree. Now they didn't leave. Staying behind the tree and casting, as I remember, a Rapala or Rebel like it, I got a few fish, but then the jig was up and they headed out. This sinkhole is below the land surrounding it so it isn't easy to approach without getting busted. Alexander run was good from a canoe early but once the traffic got up on the weekend it was tough to fish. Used to be some good BBQ on 19 just south of the hiway 42 intersection, if it's still there. A little place called the Old Crow BBQ. Had a few good meals in there.

Your are right there Skeetbum, right down to the details about ole Blue Sink know it well, used to be our stomping grounds. There is also another BBQ place just south of the other one called the Damn Smoker BBQ, Best ribs in town and everything else is great. Ok can't help it, my families place.

Did you ever use Starhead minnows for bait? Years ago fished Ocala ponds with them. Had to have a minnow net to catch them. Used cane poles while wading in the grass edges. Bass loved them.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Just past the turnoff on 19 to 445 is where I lived for a time in the 70's. I was as consumed with fishing then as I am now. I fished some of the potholes out in the forest, one very close to Alexander named Blue Sink. And it's just that, a sinkhole out in the woods with no proper road unless you had a 4wd. After a rain you can get to it for a day or two but it's all sugar sand. What I did learn about fishing clear water in that area is that those fish were educated. If I walked up to where the water met the bank, you could watch all the fish go in the opposite direction. Being in a canoe didn't help at all. I walked out of sight for a while and walked around to where the fish had headed, and peeked around a tree. Now they didn't leave. Staying behind the tree and casting, as I remember, a Rapala or Rebel like it, I got a few fish, but then the jig was up and they headed out. This sinkhole is below the land surrounding it so it isn't easy to approach without getting busted. Alexander run was good from a canoe early but once the traffic got up on the weekend it was tough to fish. Used to be some good BBQ on 19 just south of the hiway 42 intersection, if it's still there. A little place called the Old Crow BBQ. Had a few good meals in there.

There is good bass and bluegill fishing in there closer to the st.johns river . In the summer the big catfish move up the spring to spawn

The best way and the fun way to get the big cats is to bowfish them ain't that right Tony. Back in the days I have shot some monsters.

Yeah the bowfishing is the best way mark still do it a few times a year but those long nights hurt more now as I get older The dam smokers has good ribs too think they was better when you ran the place tho

Thanks...I am to old that is the reason I don't have my bow no more, bedtime now is early. Thanks Tony on the ribs, think they got somebody else in there that is doing a pretty good job.��

I'll have to try the ribs fella's, they're one of my weak spots. It's just far enough from home to call it a road trip.

That's a new one on me Yelim. My first trip into the woods to a small pond got me my first, and worst to date, bout with chiggers. About 150 of em, everywhere I had shorts. I'll spare you the details. Live bait and I don't have a strong relationship. I've used it some but I've always loved the challenge of fooling them instead to feeding them. I do have to admit, my introduction to Specs was with minnows, drifting sideways with no TM, and beer. Lots of beer and fish. I'll share those stories with ya sometime. Good fun though. Took money to buy bait, didn't have much back then.