St. Johns River - Upper Basin
river in Florida
A slow-moving, blackwater river system with numerous lakes and tributaries, providing diverse freshwater fishing.
High water levels mean the river is spread out
- 01High water levels mean the river is spread out, offering expansive but challenging fishing opportunities.
- 02Warmer fall temperatures could still provide some exciting topwater action, particularly in calmer pockets.
- 03Focus on subsurface patterns that mimic common forage like leeches, crayfish, and grub/larvae, especially in the tannin-stained water.
- 04Opportunistic feeders like Bluegill and Crappie may be keying into smaller insect hatches, providing dry fly chances.
- 05Predatory Bass will be actively hunting larger baitfish, making streamers and crayfish patterns highly effective.
Past reports week by week
5 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Popping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days, topwater action can still occur in the St. Johns River. This popper creates an enticing surface disturbance, drawing aggressive strikes from sunfish and bass.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cooling fall waters, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic bass, crappie, and sunfish in the St. Johns River.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer that imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for all target species year-round, especially effective in the St. Johns River's varied conditions during fall.
Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
A universal baitfish imitation, effective year-round for predatory bass in varying water conditions, and a proven attractor for other opportunistic feeders in the St. Johns River.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky river bottoms year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass and other bottom-feeding species in the St. Johns River.
Mahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing dry fly opportunities for rising bluegill, bream, and crappie in the St. Johns River.
Buy at AmazonCrayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for bass in rocky areas, and also attract panfish and catfish. This subsurface pattern is highly effective in the St. Johns River's diverse habitat.
Mop Fly
This grub/larvae imitation is a general workhorse for various fish species, particularly effective for targeting bottom feeders in the tannin-stained waters of the St. Johns River.
October Caddis (Dry)
As fall progresses, October Caddis hatches can be active, providing a substantial food source for opportunistic feeders like crappie, bluegill, and bass in the St. Johns River.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Econlockhatchee River Confluence
Where the Econ joins the St. Johns, excellent for bass and sunfish.
Lake Monroe
Another significant lake on the river, offers good bass fishing, especially around structure.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Orlando Outfitters
Tailwater Outfitters
Get St. Johns River - Upper Basin reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Florida season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Fly Fishing the Florida Keys: Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish
Master the Grand Slam waters of the Florida Keys with expert tactics for sight-fishing tarpon, permit, and bonefish on pristine flats.
Fly Fishing the Everglades – Snook Tarpon & Redfish in the Backcountry
Master the Everglades' legendary backcountry fishing for snook, tarpon, and redfish with expert techniques and proven fly patterns.
Crappie Fly Fishing in Alabama: Complete Guide
Master Alabama's premier crappie waters with expert fly fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and proven flies for Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, and more.
Quick answers
Common questions about St. Johns River - Upper Basin.
What flies work best on St. Johns River - Upper Basin?
Our top scored fly patterns for St. Johns River - Upper Basin right now are Popping Bug (Bass) (80% confidence), Crappie Jig Fly (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in St. Johns River - Upper Basin?
St. Johns River - Upper Basin holds Bluegill, Bream, Bass, Crappie. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is St. Johns River - Upper Basin fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for St. Johns River - Upper Basin each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.