BigBendFishing.Net

Good morning,
I am a new member of the forum.
I live In Atlanta and have a 16' jon boat with a
25 hp merc.I normally fish tailwaters here in
Atlanta but also go to Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.
I am coming down soon and would like to know if going into the bay
(deadmans) would be safe and any general info would be greatly appreciated.
Maybe when yall are up my way I could take you out on the Chattahoochee for rainbow and brown trout.
thanks again,
driftboat

There are plenty of rickpiles and creek mouths that would be perfect for that boat. If you can get a roto molded cooler you can stand on and a push pole. You could be where the reds and big trout are now. Good luck

Thanks Salty
I do have a 55 qt igloo sportsman that we use as a seat so
I am covered in that respect. As far as fishing around other boats
what is the fishing courtesy as I do not want to lowhole anyone
and I just really want to try and learn as much as possible.
Thanks again

driftboat wrote:Thanks Salty
I do have a 55 qt igloo sportsman that we use as a seat so
I am covered in that respect. As far as fishing around other boats
what is the fishing courtesy as I do not want to lowhole anyone
and I just really want to try and learn as much as possible.
Thanks again

Give everyone as much room a reasonably possibly. Lots of people drift fish so be aware of wind direction and go by people on the upwind side so you don't run through their drift.

Important to have the sun to your back when sight-fishing so always come in behind someone working a shoreline. Or better yet, move to another spot. It's a big Gulf.

Give a wide berth to boats drifting or on anchor, as noted.

Use the trolling motor, drift or pole in the shallows. Buzzing shorelines will disrupt the fish patterns.

Practice the Golden Rule and you're always covered.

Good luck and post up your results.

As far as boating/fishing courtesy just be prepared for the occasional airboat cutting between you and the grass line or creek mouth or running close enough to mist you... I've not found that flats/drift fishing has much in the way of interference/proximity issues although we did have someone setup right behind our drift recently and their boat got a little close a time or two. Lots of shoreline to spread out in the area.

zload wrote:As far as boating/fishing courtesy just be prepared for the occasional airboat cutting between you and the grass line or creek mouth or running close enough to mist you... I've not found that flats/drift fishing has much in the way of interference/proximity issues although we did have someone setup right behind our drift recently and their boat got a little close a time or two. Lots of shoreline to spread out in the area.

Nothing drives me more batty while fishing than an airboat running a grassline that I’m working.

You should be okay staying close to shore in a jonboat. The river channel once it opens up into the gulf can get rough if its windy, so be careful if you decide to venture out a bit from shore. Not sure how long you are planning to fish but it will be hot as all get out come June. Wear appropriate clothing and take plenty of water. Also just a side note, the best restaurant in Steinhatchee in my opinion is at the Good times marina. Enjoy !

thanks for all the info, as a freshwater river fisherman
I understand about giving ample room during
the drift. I even slow down to a
crawl when going by
other boaters. Most of my friends with boats just blow by
I will post up our trip when I get back
Thanks agian