Need Help with public reefs?

[rayray254]

I'm new to this area and I've been trying some of the publicly published reefs out of St. Marks.
Some of them are hard to find strucutre on the bottom, some of them are hit or miss. Sometimes they're biting sometimes they're not, sometimes the garbage fish won't let the bait get past them.
Are there any publicly published spots that are better than others within 10 miles from St. Marks?
I would appreciate any help.

Thank you,
rayray

[Double Naught]

Welcome rayray'

There are artifical and natural reefs close to St Marks and a few more close to mashes sands and all around the Ochlochnee Shoals. Most public reefs are published on the OAR website, the FWC website, and some are on this website.

Sounds like you may have a bay boat. Are you ready for the begining of the fall grouper scrimmage?

[Tom Keels]

All the FWC and OAR has, plus a few more. You can even download GPS files for them.

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/reefs.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rayray254]

Thanks for the list.

I have a 21' Proline Walkaround so I can go farther than 10 miles but she gets awful THIRSTY if you know what I mean.

What is the fall grouper scrimmage?

[captkeyser]

It can never hurt to just get out there an troll. You will find plenty of bottom by just watching the bottom machine. If it looks different, mark it. You will soon build up an arsenal of inshore rocks, reefs, etc. The public numbers tend to get hit pretty hard, you may just want to find your own holes. Just a thought.

[Double Naught]

What is the fall grouper scrimmage?

In the fall, starting about now, quite a few grouper will start migrating toward the shore about the time the bait fish start heading for deeper water. It gets better and better as the nights and the waters get cooler. Mid October to mid November are prime time.

On a good day, it is possible to catch some very LARGE grouper within sight of land. They will hit a strech 25 or a Rapala CD 18 like a defensive lineman.

If you want to know more, Captain Randy Peart presents a shallow water grouper seminar from time to time. It is well worth it. You could wear out a new outboard trying to learn the techniques Mr. Peart will share in one evening.

[Dabbler]

You guys are getting me fired up. I have a 20 ft. Aquasport CC ('78) with a new rebuild 'O1 SW Yammi. New tank and guages on the way. How do I contact Capt Randy? You know I am a newbie by my post but this near shore trolling sounds like what I should begin with on my retirement this year. I am a regular to in-shore fishing. I will be a little further south between Keaton and Cedar Key and have limited visits but will share reports. I know I will be using more gas to get to live bottom. Thanks for any encouragement.

[Double Naught]

Howdy Dabbler,

I'm getting a bit fired up myself. That cool breeze we had this morning in Wakulla County got my gills flared out.

Captain Randy spoke last month at the North Florida Gulf Fishing Club. He focused on inshore trout and reds. Here is a link to a related article. I believe that is his phone number at the end. I'm sure he would be glad to let you know if he has anything lined up. You could also do an inshore charter.

http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... /809120327" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dabbler]

Thanks OO. Enjoyed the article and am sending you the $250 I saved on gas. I will talk with the Capt. when I check out my schedule a little more.

[rayray254]

Thanks for the help guys.