Apalachicola River and Seminole shore fishing

Question
I'm new to Florida and live in Ocala. I'm a member of the Carp Anglers Group , which is pretty much like B.A.S.S. , except its for Carp.

I've been told that there exists common carp in the  Apalachicola River  as well as some monster's in Lake Seminole. Before I drive 2.5 hours, I'd like to get some info on these two bodies of water.
My questions are

I fish from shore only, and know below the Woodruff dam is accesable from my sources. However, I'd like to know how fast the current is there? Basically, is it fishable?

Now onto Seminole. Is there a place I can fish there from shore where I can plant myself for 12-24 hours of straight fishing without needing a camping permit  or a permit in general ?

I'd appreciate any info you can tell me

-- Jeff

Answer
Jeff; Sorry about the delay.  I thought I had answered you but it was another question and I missed you.  

There are some very big common carp in both the rivers and the lake.  It has been a long time since I fished for carp but I do know that they are not easy to catch and that they put up a good fight as well as being much more edible than most people think.

I have never fished below the dam but I know that at certain times of the year there are lots of people who do.  I know that most of them fish for  stripers but I am sure there are carp there.  Since people do fish there there must be some sort of access.  Perhaps I can run over there one of these days soon and take a look.  When are you thinking of coming up?

About the only places on the lake where a person could bank fish is in the parks and at the public landings.  If you know someone who owns a dock carp are often caught off the docks.  My granddaughter caught a 16# from my dock a few years ago with just a cane pole and canned corn.

If you are an experienced carp fisherman you know what the best time of year to fish for them.  If you wish you may come and fish off my dock.  Just get in contact with me by e-mail and I will give you directions.

There are many public landings around the lake where one can bank fish.  I believe that even the private landings would allow one to fish if you asked.  A lake map will show where the public landings are located all around the lake from the riverine areas in the waterfront park in Bainbridge to the park at the upper end of the lake at the GA-Fl border on Fl.2/Ga91 bridge.

Most of the area in certain areas around the lake that is not park land is privately owned although much of the shoreline is undeveloped and owned by the Corps of engineers.  You might contact the Corps of engineers by mail at:

Post office box 96, Chattahoochee, Florida
32324-0096 or by phone 229-662-2903.  

You can contact me by phone at 229-861-2366 or e-mail [email protected].

Jack L. Gaither
Lake Seminole Georgia.

PS; I just remembered another place where one might fish for carp from the bank.  On the West side of the Lake on the Florida Side highway 271 runs from Sneeds up to Fl.2.  There are numereous bridges and several landings along there that would likely be fishable from the bank.