August is no doubt one of the hottest months of the year, but that shouldn’t stop you from fishing. Change up your pattern to accommodate you and the fish. Start out early before daylight and be at your location by the time the sun comes up. Those first 3 to 4 hours are going to be your best fishing time, once it starts getting hot the bass usually retreat to deeper cooler water. Dark colored plastic worms, top water lures and wild river shiners are your best bet to landing a nice size large mouth bass.
     Lake Woodruff is a great place to start, only 2,200 acres, it is a very easy lake to fish; there is very little depth variation so target cover. White or chartreuse spinner baits and dark colored plastic worms will account for most of your catch. In the midday heat, try the main St. Johns River fishing drop offs where the bass retreat for cooler water temperatures. Crank baits a great method to use. Last month we started to see catches of Speckled Perch coming in from Lake Woodruff. It is unusual to see catches of Specks during the summer months, but fishermen have been productive in Lake Woodruff using the vertical jigging method.
     Bluegill will continue to go strong through out August. Pitching crickets along the edge of cover and tree tops early in the morning and late afternoon will be most productive. The Norris Dead River is a great 3 mile stretch with not a lot of boat traffic, perfect for bluegill fishing. Come into Highland Park Fish Camp and we will mark you an up to date free fishing map.