A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Use this area to post inshore fishing reports from the area. Please try to include relevant information such as:
Location, date, time, water conditions, weather conditions, baits, techniques, species caught, etc.
A quick fishing report as we weren't on the water fishing for long...
We had a casual start to the day since it was below freezing in the morning. We started off by meeting at George's place so we could swap out his trailers since he purchased a new one for his boat! I've got to say it was worth the purchase! Well, you can't just trailer a boat and not hit the water! After swapping them out, we figured with the cold temps to put in at Mandalay to test the waters. We had a falling tide and steady 10-15 N wind, but the tide was only supposed to be around 1' at low. We end up dropping in around 2pm and heading over to a nearby creek. We get towards the back of the creek and get ready to start fishing, when George loses his balance and knock into his key bending it in half. So, he tries to bend it back when they key snaps in half .
Needless to say we were up a creek without a paddle. George was playing it casual at first trying to figure out options, but it was starting to get late, and if someone was going to come help us we were going to need them to start heading that way. So I made the call to Joel at Sea Tow and they made their way to us from Panacea. We ended up just using the trolling motor all the way out of the creek and back toward the Cilla (fishing on the way of course) We ended up with around 15 trout and 2 reds on the drift out. Biggest red was 24" and the biggest trout was 22", most of which caught on suspending plugs. Just as the sun was setting, we could see the Sea Tow boat. We knew it was going to be a treck for them as most of you know, the Aucilla in the winter can be almost impossible with the tides. He made it to us obviously, and had us off the water around 8. Joel was there at the ramp and as he was helping to pull the boat to the trailer, he actually slipped into the water. I'm sure he was cussing us wondering why we were out in that cold arse weather. I can't say enough good things about Joel and Sea Tow. If you don't have a membership, I highly recommend it! You just never know the dumbest things that can leave you stranded on the water.
Glad it all turned out OK and you were able to catch some fish in the process. Joel and the Sea Tow team are great folks.
I ran into a guy this time of year many moons ago at the Lighthouse Ramp. He and his little dog were waiting for someone to pick him up. He was up a creek too when his engine wouldn't crank, the battery died and the two spent the night in the refuge. Someone had pulled him in by the time I arrived. He was a cold and unhappy camper, to say the least.
"Sun rise and sun sets. Since the beginning, it hasn't changed yet." Little Feat
Capt Joel and his big hound dog are great. I got stuck on a floating island this weekend duck hunting on lake Kissimmee. Called sea tow and a boat w twin pro drives showed up and pulled us right off. First time I’ve seen twin mud engines. Worth every penny
Catholic girl pray for me, you’re my only hope for heaven
Glad you guys.. and Sea Tow made it back in one piece. Nothing is more frightening than the realization that you are stuck on the water with no immediate way back.
Glad you all made it back. Totally agree on Joel and sea tow.
What options do you have without a key? Ignition has to be on to pull start? I don’t know how to hot-wire but guessing some on here do. Is it as simple as cutting and touching the ignition wires together? Bridging gap with a screw-driver?
In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught.
Glad you guys are OK, that had to be scary. I had the starter drive act up on my motor once when me and the wife were in Oyster Creek, thank good ness it finally cranked and we went straight to the landing. I had to get the Bendix replaced when we got back. Good job on the fish too, they must still be in the creeks.
I only have one key to my ignition and have wondered where I can get another key? Where can I get a duplicate key made?? A professional locksmith or somewhere else?
Yamaha? I believe George went to Parkway Marine for a dupe. Bring your original. I'm going next week as a contingency.
Also. Jimmy called for help after 4pm.it would have been almost dusk by the time I got there. Hard pass. That and they were catching fish while on the phone with me. Pshhh. Launching at cilla on a ride falling past .5? Nope. I'll potato-gun launch you a rope and hope you find it lol
Sent from the KetchupPacket
Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. ~Chuck Clark
TOWM wrote:I only have one key to my ignition and have wondered where I can get another key? Where can I get a duplicate key made?? A professional locksmith or somewhere else?
There is a number on your key and you can order from that number. Also like Chris said, George was able to pick up 2 from Parkway Marine.
milto wrote:Capt. Joel and Sea Tow back at it again yesterday. One of those dang rocks on the east side around Cobb moved again... Once again not my boat tho
Lower unit or hole in the hull?
Catholic girl pray for me, you’re my only hope for heaven
SHOWBOAT wrote:This wasn’t a boat running Florida Marine Tracks was it?
so many jokes
I had gone beyond an FMT track that I continued on, and a track that I've run dozens of times (marked myself); NE wind still had a bit more water pushed out than I thought. Only rock in that little pocket and was poking out just enough to give me a thump. I was prob in 8" of water.
Jimmy; go ahead and tell the story.
Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. ~Chuck Clark
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