Question about st. marks area

[wevans]

Hey, I'm happily married too "for over 26 years, I might add" if ya go out to 15+ foot and fish structure, yer liable ta get broke off by a big ole Grouper this time off year also listen to all these folks on fishin over there I hardly ever go further East than Shell Point "I'm skerd of them rocks and catch plenty to the West"

[tin can]

There is good fishing this time of year from Mash's Sands to Steinhatchee. From the St. Marks river, most of us fish to the east. From Stony Bayou to the east is what is known as "The Rock Garden". The fishing in this area is excellent. However, you'll need to go slow and keep your eyes open. I have over 300 rocks marked in my GPS, and don't have nearly all of them marked. You'll find the trout and reds in and around the creek mouths this time of year. West of the river holds some good fishing, also. Not too much problem with rocks to the west. But there are lots of shallow spots. If you get back into the Wakulla Beach area watch out for shallow water and oyster bars.
Capt. Keiser offered some real good information for someone not familiar with the area. There are fish to be caught up the river. There are lots of oyster bars in the mouth, and just up stream, in the St. Marks River. If you launch at the fort, or the lighthouse pool, once you get in the lower part of the river, stay in the marked channel to run. I would suggest you put in at the fort and run down on a falling or low tide. If you start out with low water, you'll see every oyster bar in the river. East river is good this time of year. But the mouth of East River is full of oyster bars, and , as mentioned before, the channel is not marked. Most of us have put i some time exploring the area on low tides. It's quite an education.

All that said, I would suggest you and your son start out either up the river, or in the lower river, around the bars. I'm sure live shrimp will work, but, if the fish are feeding, any jig and grub combination will work. Chunk it out there, let it sink, and hop it along the bottom, slowly.

As Jumptrout mentioned, you might want to drop in on an NFGFC club meeting. You and your son are more than welcome to come. You'll meet a lot of folks , with a lot of knowledge of the area, willing to help. We meet the first Thursday of the month, in the back room of Beef O'Bradys, the one closest to town, on Thomasville Road.

Finally, Wevans is , indeed, an athlete. But he's also a heck of a nice guy. (Don't ever tell him I said that) You'll find most everyone on this forum to be helpful. I'll also add that it's hard to give specific information without running the risk of putting you in danger, or at least getting you into trouble. Most of our fishing areas take some learning to get to and from them.

Good luck. I hope you and your son catch a bunch.

[ladyinreds]

You guys are very sweet. It's very helpful as you each give me specific spots and I'll have some choices. I can't thank each of you enough. I hope to see you at a future meeting.

[Littoral]

There is good fishing this time of year from Mash's Sands to Steinhatchee.

Yeah, what he said...

[Eerman]

You guys are very sweet.

We're gentlemen and sweet... Where am I? Is this some sort of alternate universe where JT51 remembers to zip his fly (when he actually wears pants).

[tin can]

You guys are very sweet.

We're gentlemen and sweet... Where am I? Is this some sort of alternate universe where JT51 remembers to zip his fly (when he actually wears pants).

It's OK, Eerman. There's a new lady in our presence. After she's been around a few days things will get back to normal.

[Flint River Pirate]

Why has no one ever given me all of these specifics? Especially about the rocks! Good luck to you and your son, I am sure he will love it!

[RHTFISH]

Why has no one ever given me all of these specifics?

It's very simple....Flint River Pirate vs Ladyinreds...not even a choice!

[Flint River Pirate]

Why has no one ever given me all of these specifics?

It's very simple....Flint River Pirate vs Ladyinreds...not even a choice!

[SHOWBOAT]

Invade anyones fishing area you want as long if they are not there and if they are you keep 200 yards from their boat and if its Showboat he likes a 1 mile radius, and you will still hear him mumbling under his breath then.

Hey now....I just like my space Suber. The closer your boat is to me....the more space I prefer

How has the fishing been LadyinReds?

TinCan is on the money, the more scary the obstacles become, the closer you are to fish. Simply the cost of operation.
Find the black, jagged rocks on a cold day when the sun is high, and you'll find fish.

Good luck

[Reel Cowboy]

TinCan is on the money, the more scary the obstacles become, the closer you are to fish. Simply the cost of operation. Find the black, jagged rocks on a cold day when the sun is high, and you'll find fish.

Good luck

Good advice there, especially with these cooler water temps and on into spring. If it looks like you shouldn't run a boat through there you should probably fish there.

[tin can]

One more suggestion, LadyinReds. Buy good boat insurance.