Going St. Marks Inshore 10/17/10

[Harmsway]

Booyah!'s back, and I'm taking her out of St. Marks looking for some bull reds and last of the cobia. Will report any success.

[Juan]

I'd drive down and go if I weren't having a cook out tomorrow... Where's this "Fort"? I'm planning on trying the lighthouse ramp tuesday so leave a few fish for me.

[big bend gyrene]

Juan, the "Fort" refers to the San Marcos De Apalache Fort in Saint Marks, FL. It's just down the road from Shield's Marina. This is the place that Tin Can was speaking of in the lighthouse thread a day or so ago, telling you that it's the safest bet when the winter low tides start hitting us harder and he's right, though as he also shared it adds a little over 5 miles to your run out to the flats. I've cropped the pic below so you can see both the lighthouse road and lighthouse ramp as well as the fort (look at the very top of the photo for the fort).

Fort.jpg (172.47 KiB) Viewed 2323 times

If you want to google directions to the Fort, the address is:
148 Old Fort Road
St. Marks, Florida 32355

[Harmsway]

Where's this "Fort"? I'm planning on trying the lighthouse ramp tuesday so leave a few fish for me.

Yeah, like BBG said, the old spanish fort (San Marcos de Apalache) at the confluence of the St Marks and Wakulla rivers has a good public ramp ($5) that is good to go under any tide condition.

The ramp at the lighthouse ($5) is also good, except at very low tides. Tides less than +0.5 are iffy; anything in the negative range says "go to the Fort".

[Atticus]

I agree that the Fort is the best option in lower water situations. The channel is well marked, deep and accurate on your Bluechart.

Just writing to mention that a duck stamp will get you to the lighthouse ramp without paying the $5.00. I put my duck stamps on the back of an index card, sign them and get the card laminated at work each year. Show the stamp to the guy at the shack and/or leave it on your dash when you park the truck and you won't owe the $5.00.

Then I just pocket the card when I go duck hunting.

[Juan]

Thanks for the info and for posting that picture... I tried to find it after Tin Can had mentioned it on the other thread but I couldn't find it any where. Now I know where to look.

[Jumptrout51]

If you buy your duck stamp at the Lighthouse Ranger station you get the stamp and a Lighthouse card pass.
for the duck stamp price.

[fishinfool]

You can also purchase an annual pass at the visitor's center if you do not hunt ducks. The annual pass is $20, which is very inexpensive if you use the ramp as often as some of us. (10+ times/year)
FF

[Juan]

$20. for an annual pass ain't bad.... The ramp is around 120 miles from here, but I like the area and if I like the ramp I'll probably use it 5 or 6 times a year... Where's the visitor's center and what are their hours? I normally launch around 0700 and quit between 2 and 3.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

THE VISITORS CENTER IS RIGHT AFTER YOU GO THROUGH THE GUARD GATE, YOU MAKE A LEFT AND ABOUT 100 FT. THE CENTER WILL BE ON YOUR RIGHT, THEY HAVE A PARKING LOT OUT FRONT NEXT TOTHE ROAD DOWN TO THE LAUNCH AREA. IF YOU HAVE A U.S.A. GOLDEN SENIOR CARD THERE IS NO ENTRANCE OR LAUNCHING FEE. IF YOU ARE OVER 55 AND DO NOT HAVE A GOLDEN SENIOR PASS, YOU CAN GET ONE AT THE VISITORS CENTER. WITH THE GOLDEN SENIORS PASS YOU CAN GO INTO ANY NATIONAL PARK FREE OF CHARGE. WE HAVE BEEN TO MANY NATIONAL PARKS LIKE YELLOWSTONE, GRAND CANNON, GLACIER NATL. PARK AND MANY OTHERS USING THE SENIOR CARD.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA SEMPER FI

[Juan]

Thanks PA, I meet the over 55 requirement plus some.. How much is a Golden Seniors card and I'm guessing you don't have to be a Florida resident if they're good at all national parks?

Nevermind.... I googled it...seems the Golden Seniors card has been replaced with the American the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass and it costs $10 and you have to be at least 62 years of age.... I'm not quite there yet.