Put in at the Lighthouse and take a left. . .

[ropeman]

This weekend was my first time heading towards Grey Mare rock. I have heard horror stories of evil rocks over there that like to eat gel coat and never thought of taking my 32' over that way. Now that I am borrowing a 17' SeaHunt. I figured I could brave the shallows.

My question is, is it easier to run out past the Bird Tower and come back in to Grey Mare or just as easy to cut across in front of the lighthouse? On my way out it was high tide and I went to the Bird Tower and ran across slowly. I took a lot longer to get over there than I wanted. I noticed many boats running across closer so on my way back I ran in closer, but started to chew up some grass and slowed to idle. Is there any one spot that is deeper and safer on any tide.

[Reel Cowboy]

Although I've never fished that area, if your "borrowing" the boat don't worry about it. The only things I've ever broke on a boat was things that were mine. Borrowed seems to fare better.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

WHEN YA COME OUT OF THE CANAL GO STRAIGHT OUT TO THE CHANNEL MARKER, TURN LEFT IN THE RIVER CHANNEL AND GO TO THE FIRST RED TIN CAN, JUST PAST THE RED CAN TURN MORE TO THE EAST AND STAY OUT ABOUT 300 YARDS . YOU WILL BE INSIDE OF THE BIRDSROOST ABOUT 100 YARDS, KEEP EAST AND YOU WILL SEE THE FIRST POST MARKER ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES, ON HIGH TIDE YOU WILL HAVE 5-6 FEET OF WATER, ON LOW TIDE IT WILL BE ABOUT 3-4 FEET OF WATER. MOST OF THE TIME WE FISH FROM THE #1 POST MARKER BACK TO THE BIRDROOST IN ABOUT 3-4 FEET OF WATER. YOU CAN EASE ON IN TO THE SHORE WITHOUT MUCH WORRY, FISH THE CREEK MOUTHS AND IN THE WINTER TIME WE GO UP IN THE CREEKS AND GENERALLY FIND GOOD FISHING OR YOU CAN JUST ANCHOR IN THE MOUTHS OF THE CREEKS AND GENERALLY CATCH TROUT AND REDS. HOPE THIS WILL EASE YOUR MIND ABOUT ROCKS. FROM THE FIRST POST MARKER IN TOWARD STONEY BYOU IS WHERE THE ROCKS START SHOWING UP, MANY ARE MARKED WITH PVC PIPES BUT YOU CAN SEE THEM WHEN THE WATER IS CLEAR LIKE IT HAS BEEN THIS SEASON.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

[ropeman]

if your "borrowing" the boat don't worry about it. The only things I've ever broke on a boat was things that were mine. Borrowed seems to fare better.

I think that's what makes me more worried The first time I took this boat out some old guy backed into the trailer in the Winn Dixie parking lot! Then the Bimini cover blew out going down the road

Thanks for the info Futch! I'll feel better next time out there.

[Mook!]

I pretty much second futchcairo's post - but if I'm going as far east as gray mare, I prefer to loop around the bird rack to the ~15 foot water if it's not too choppy and run due east/west and then head due north/south to and from gray mare, somewhat slowly once the depth starts to come up.

The inside run from the red bouy is safe up to about the second post like he mentioned, but in the area of that second post and points further, there are some random unmarked large boulders here and there quite a bit further from shore than you would think. At low tide, there are smaller rocks out there you could hit as well.

Plus this time of year, you will run smack dab into the middle of a large scalloping gaggle if you try to go that far east on the inside route, and you'll be zigzagging back and forth at idle speed for a good mile or two.

Even without the scallopers, you'll save as much time as you waste by looping around to the deep water south of bird rack if your boat can go more than about 25 because you'll be able to make your whole east/west run WOT. In a slower boat I'd take the inside but think about seriously slowing down past that second post, and especially in the area around black rock. The odds of hitting something not on a good chart on the inside are low, but there's a lot of smaller stuff out there that you will hit if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[RD]

Don't forget about the remains of the old wood bird rack that are still inside the new one,those pilings stick up 2 feet. I have all the rock named in $ amounts the have cost me over the years.

[RHTFISH]

Don't forget about the remains of the old wood bird rack that are still inside the new one,those pilings stick up 2 feet. I have all the rock named in $ amounts the have cost me over the years.

I resemble that! Props come and props go but lower units will
leave a lasting memory!

[juan sapatos]

There is an interesting post with GPS data and satellite images of the rocks. I'll post a link in a minute.

[juan sapatos]

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

[RD]

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

Got 237 rocks marked as way points on my GPS,always seem to look at the chart just in time to say O ---- too late,he is wrong though,there are 2 fine rock piles west of Stoney. The one he calles death rock I stopped on last winter to look for a wheel i knocked of at darkone day last year and found parts,pieces and gears off of a lot of different makes of outboards and one I/O.