Alafia.....

[JoeS]

Now that I am on the freshwater kick has anybody put in at the little ramp off of Kings Blvd and paddled north on the Alafia????? looks real fishy but I never hear anybody talking about it.....or for that matter put in at the Alafia State Park?????

[Pirogue]

If you put in at Alafia State park, only go upstream. A buddy and I did the down stream run and it took us 9 hours to get to Alderman's Ford park with at least 50 pull overs. We were chastised by the Ranger who told us they do not consider that section open.

I have never launched at Kings. Only at the park on Riverview road. I hear this time of year snook start to stack up. But, I wouldn't mind fishing that section one time.

[JoeS]

If you put in at Alafia State park, only go upstream. A buddy and I did the down stream run and it took us 9 hours to get to Alderman's Ford park with at least 50 pull overs. We were chastised by the Ranger who told us they do not consider that section open.

I have never launched at Kings. Only at the park on Riverview road. I hear this time of year snook start to stack up. But, I wouldn't mind fishing that section one time.

Thanks Tom....I too think the snook will be stacking up in the river but I never hear anybody talking about it......I am looking for a inexpensive 4wt for Brim and Spec Perch....
On another note I talked to the guys at Medard Park yesterday they told me the reservoir will be opened to fish Dec 31 catch and release only......It has been stocked heavily and all of the foreign trash fish removed.....Hybrid Stripe Bass are the key game fish as well as Black Bass and Crappie(Spec Perch).....It will be interesting to see how well the draw down and restock works out......
Tom let me know when you want to try the Alafia from Kings north.....

[gsellers1245]

There are snook up there, 2 miles north of bell shoals rd there is a deep hole and a tree swing.

[mrpj1972]

There are snook up there, 2 miles north of bell shoals rd there is a deep hole and a tree swing.

Do you do anything other than fish!?!?! Seems like anytime anyone asks about a spot, you got a honey hole for it! By the way.... Bell Shoals runs North & South

[Pirogue]

There was a long lost member of the board, Rich. Now, he had the Alafia dialed in. If I recall correctly, a Yozuri Silver Minnow was the weapon on the outside of the bends.

[gsellers1245]

There are snook up there, 2 miles north of bell shoals rd there is a deep hole and a tree swing.

Do you do anything other than fish!?!?! Seems like anytime anyone asks about a spot, you got a honey hole for it! By the way.... Bell Shoals runs North & South

I meant east. 2 miles east of bell shoals. My bearings were off.

[jbdba01]

There are snook up there, 2 miles north of bell shoals rd there is a deep hole and a tree swing.

Do you do anything other than fish!?!?! Seems like anytime anyone asks about a spot, you got a honey hole for it! By the way.... Bell Shoals runs North & South

I meant east. 2 miles east of bell shoals. My bearings were off.

I was just talking to a neighbor of mine about this same trip. It's so close it's a shame we haven't made the run.

Given 5 scenarios which would you prefer:

start at Lithia Springs go upstream
start at Lithia Springs go downstream
start at the Riverview Civic Center go upstream
start at the Riverview Civic Center go downstream
start at Beershed say you paddled upstream and brag about fish you never caught, call up wife drunk and have her pick you up, post photo-shopped pics on p-f.com

OK - throw out the last one...

[Pirogue]

Depends. Bell Shoals bridge is about half way between Lithia Springs and the Kings ramp. Paddling upstream from the Civic Center will get tiring and you will go though a lot of salt before you get up into the fresh.

The more upstream you get, the swifter the current. And you will probably have to get out and drag over the shoals

If you launch at Lithia, it is 11 miles to the civic center downstream. I reckon about 5-6 miles to Kings. And you are on the fishing right away.

I like the downhill run. So, it would be best to fish with a buddy and drop a vehicle.

[gsellers1245]

Agreed on that. The hole I was referring to is just a tad upstream from a rocky/ whitewater area as you call it. I say downhill. Since I'm in such a good mood pm me for gps coords to the hole. Hurry before the medicine wears off. Lol.

[John]

Fish the springs, if you want Snook, put it at Civic Center and head north, YoZuri is a great bait, so too is a DOA Shrimp skipped in under the docks. The TSunami swim shads are worth a try too.

You'll see the boils of the springs, before you get to Kings, you'll see some Limestone shallows, great Snook spot.

Fish the docks and structure on your way upstream and troll diving plugs on the way back. Merry Xmas

[jbdba01]

I'm breaking out the Festivus Pole as I type. We upgraded to Stainless Steel 303 this year.

All good advice. I'm still having a hard time thinking I'll make it past the Beer Shed.

[JoeS]

Being that I planned to put in at the Alafia Ramp in Riverview Tomorrow and it is just up the street from me I checked it out.....To my dismay there is a $5.00 parking/ramp fee .........$5.00 to put in a canoe is crazy........No Alafia river fishing for me .....

[Pirogue]

No Alafia river fishing for me

I may do a quick trip on the Hillsborough in the morning. But I need to be off the water before 10am.