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If you are targeting hardhead catfish, can't beat dead low tide. And if the wind is also slack, you can complete the experience when no-see-ums are present.

Enjoy your retirement and new digs, Dave. Safe Travels.

You may want to check salinity, too. I wasted two hours yesterday on a fishless coastline paddle to a SMNWR creek that tasted like tap water, even though clarity was fine. That East River Pool/Tram Road rainfall discharge goes a long way.

Perhaps the easiest launch in the Refuge. Check the tide charts and wind. A north wind coupled with negative lows will nix it for you, but if the forecast low is above 1ft and wind is light or from the south, you'll be fine through the whole tide cycle. Lots of oyster bars, so if you are targeting r...

Thanks for the report, Brian, and also big thanks to you Steve Hobbs, Steve Stinson, and the handful of others whose unsung volunteer efforts resurrected the NFGFC Tournament. I learned a lot yesterday, with the biggest lesson being that the East River is a LOT longer paddle from the Fort than I ant...

I think this Thursday at 6PM there's season kickoff meeting at Bumpas, with opportunity to join the club and register for Saturday.

LOL! Feel your pain, PhishingNole. More than once, I thought I had a few inches of draft on one of those negative tides, but forgot to factor in heavy north wind, and ended up dragging the kayak many furlongs. On the bright side, when that happens, you get in a great workout, and so can drink beer g...

PhishingNole, I've seen airboats way up many Refuge creeks. Never even considered they might be prohibited, but that does make sense. I'll ask a SMNWR staffer this weekend. The one I shared a creek with last Sunday simply feathered the motor to finesse boat position. While their arrival was deafenin...

I was kayaking at St Marks Refuge same time you were on Saturday. Perfect conditions, with blown out low tide, and too cold & windy for most. Nonstop action on trout & reds in the (REDACTED NAME) creek holes. The trick is to handcart or bike trailer your kayak along the Deep Creek levee east...

Eightwt,
I actually use 17lb Trilene XL almost exclusively on my spinning rigs, with few break-offs. I love Trilene. Cheap, thin, clear, and casts well. Had to go down to 14lb for the fly outfit, due to tournament restrictions. Guess I should move up to 17. Congrats on your success!

I've yet to keep from breaking off on any flyrod red over 22". Would love to blame my gear, but I think it's operator error. Hats off to you skilled folks.

What test leader are you using, and do you have a line brand preference? I'm assuming you are not messing with tippets, if you are landing 28" reds. Most impressive.

Took me way too long to figure out that the tide charts are just a starting point, and that the wind is a huge factor, especially for paddlers and waders. Hope you at least had a memorable day.

Or you could wade the area on a blown out low tide...but that trip starts with a 45 minute mountain bike ride (one-way) on levees/FL Hiking Trail.

Ruby Tuesday: free burger/fries tomorrow only