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
I would like to take my canoe down the east river this weekend or next. I've never been on the East River, so I hoping some of you can answer a couple questions for me.
I'm looking at launching somewhere around where the white box is. Is there anything in my way of getting my boat to the river there? I'd prefer to not have to go down a 20 ft embankment to get into the river.
I'm planning to fish and paddle my way down...figure it will take me 3-4 hours, and then bike back to my truck. I imagine there are a few redfish i might encounter.
If there is anything I should look out for or plan ahead for on the East River, please let me know!
Totally doable, kayakers do it all the time - you just have to pick your spot for the least amount of grade. It may be 20' to the water, but not terribly steep I think
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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
The only thing that might be tricky is getting your canoe past the gate. There is a narrow spot that can be a little tricky with a larger kayak. My 13' makes it through, but it could be a little dicey with a larger canoe.
Be prepared for nasty mud and rocks getting to the water, especially at low tide. Once in the water it's an easy paddle.
There is a concrete embankment 100 yards or less from the parking area, at the embankment is a small trail down to the river. I wheel my kayak there all the time, but as others have said, be prepared for serious mud and oysters if it is low tide; like not being able to get out of the water mud and rocks at low tide.
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 redfish, topwater plugs, swimbaits with upturned single hooks, and spoons are best way to not lose terminal gear. If you fish live baits, go under a cork or they will go right to the muddy, oystery bottom. This is one of the few places in the Refuge I fish exclusively with artificials, and I always use ones that don't snag the river floor.
I would look into buying/making a cart that you can transport the canoe over to the east river concrete spillway. During a high tide you can launch pretty easily, but like has been stated low tide can be tricky. I usually have better luck launching on lower tides on the far side of the concrete spillway.
