I’ve always called it the big flush. It’s also called the squeegee, the drain and other such names. They all refer to the same phenomenon that leads to fantastic light tackle fishing on the St Johns River.
We all know Florida gets a lot of rain in the summer. Those almost daily afternoon thunderstorms raise water levels on the St Johns River. In the stretch of river near Brevard County, rising waters breach the banks and flood into the surrounding pasture lands. Add in a tropical system or two, like hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, and the flooding spreads even more.
Thousands of acres of newly flooded shallows create a haven for minnows and grass shrimp where they can feed and breed with minimal interference from predators. Populations explode. Then comes winter and spring, the dry season in Florida. Water levels on the St Johns drop. Eventually all those flooded shallows drain into the main river channels, flushing in immense numbers of minnows and shrimp.
This sets up a buffet for just about every predatory fish in the St Johns. Feeding frenzies ensue. Time it right and you can enjoy insane light tackle fishing with gaudy numbers of fish. Crappie, bluegill and other panfish are the main players. Plenty of largemouth bass join it. Most are smaller specimens, averaging about a foot long, but bigger ones are occasionally caught. American and hickory shad will feast on the minnows along with channel catfish, bowfin and gar.
Fishing this phenomenon is not complicated. Just look for fish busting schools of minnows and shrimp on the surface. Diving terns and wading birds along the bank can also be a tipoff.
An ultralight spinning rod and a handful of panfish jigs will catch a ton of fish. Jig color usually isn’t important, but occasionally the fish can be picky. I like to throw tandem jigs, each one a different color to increase my chances of zeroing in on the hot color should the fish be selective that day.
This is also a great time to break out the lightest fly rod you own. Small streamers will produce the greatest numbers of bites, but a little popper, gurgler or other surface pattern can be more fun. I usually bring two fly rods, one with a floating line and a surface fly and another with a sink tip line and a Clouser Minnow or other weighted streamer to get down deep where the bigger fish often lurk.
Although there are days when fish will bust any lure you throw, most of the time this fishery is a classic case of match the hatch. The minnows and grass shrimp are about an inch long so jigs and flies should also be about an inch long. Inch and a half may also work but when you get up to two inches you are getting too big.
The trickiest part of this fishery is figuring out the timing which is different year to year. I’ll spare you the mystery. It is happening right now and could be good for another month or two. If ultralight fun and 50+ fish days sounds appealing to you, now is the time to give the St Johns River a try.
Awesome write up Paul, I have never caught Shad on the St. John’s but I am interested to give it a go, thanks for the great info!