Piney Island/Big pass little pass

[grasscarp]

Has anybody fished piney island area or the two passes. Headed down on Wednesday and dont want to disappoint my parter.

[Steve Stinson]

I haven't fished over in that area, but I have hit the Aucilla and Econfina areas recently. The water is still pretty stirred up from all the rain we've been having around Tallahassee, and the water temp is lower than normal for this time of year. Myself and evidently most of the rest of the crew on this board and half of Georgia fished Keaton Beach this past weekend and did much better. If I were bringing a guest all the way down from Valdosta, I would hit Keaton Beach.

Good Luck - Steve Stinson

[grasscarp]

Thanks Steve. I have never been down there is it easy to get around?

[Steve Stinson]

There is a marked channel leaving the marina. Once you make the jog around the dock where the channel bends and enters open water, follow that marked channel at least half way out before you break to the north or south. Most of the folks where fishing North about 3.5 - 4 miles from the channel in about 5 foot of water when I was there. The water was dark and stained, but not muddy. We caught most of our fish there, then got frustrated with the crowd when a passing boat ran over my cajun thunder.
At that point, we ran south beyond the channel to Keaton and down toward Dark Island. In that area, there are definitely some rocks. Most of them seem to be marked with PVC poles. As we ran South, the water became more clear, but the bites became less frequent.

If Ya want more help than that, you will have to call me at (850) 509-3116. We have a NFGFC Tournament coming up there in a couple of weeks and I'm not willing to publish all I know on this forum.

Thanks - Steve

[onefishtwofish]

Thanks Steve. I have never been down there is it easy to get around?

Look at the overheads on Google Earth to get a good idea of the boat channels. If you turn north, ya better stay in the channel. I have put in at Bottoms Road, but you have to time that to the tide, as it will be dry at times.

[ddb]

You've got a fairly low tide in the morning (high at 11) on Wednsday, so you will want to stay in the channel a good ways before turning out, probably channel marker #3 or so depending on when you get out. Just head toward either bird rack (north or south) from there and you should be fine. You can move in from there. You'll find the water clear to the south and getting progressivley more stained as you move north. Water is starting to warm and the fish are responding. There are some oyster bars to the north (from Yates to Spring Warrior), so just be careful till you find them.

Steve - sounds like you encountered the same bunch of boats we did with the same results.