Casting for Bait Apalachicola Bay (Photos Aplenty)

[Fighting Conch]

I prefer live bait and love to cast net. Pin fish are the ideal but on Apalachicola Bay I've had more success scoring finger mullet which are good. Sometimes though I've had to get by with quick-to-die mud minnows and the like although luckily shut-outs have been rare.

Continuing my trip down memory lane here are my favorite cast netting spots. There are plenty of good locations but these two I consider to be "five star", always reliable, always prolific.

St. Vincent Island is my very favorite area of the bay, the wilderness feel is what draws me.

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At the northeast corner of the island is Sheepshead Bay and the sandy point at the mouth is excellent for its easy landing, scenic beauty, proximity to good fishing and abundant bait. Its a haul to get there (more on that at a future date) and can be touch-and-go at low tide but to me its #1.

Here is where you want to be:

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Running along the St. Vincent shore toward West Pass a great outdoor experience. The more northerly portion of shore is solid cabbage palms, a buddy calls it Waikiki Beach.

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As you approach West Pass there is an interesting creek that at high flow / high tide connects to the bay.

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When I first discovered the creek I figured I should throw the cast net.

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And here is an all-to-real story.

When I cast I usually wrap the cord around my wrist a few times so I do not accidentally toss the whole thing. So I am walking along the creek miles from another person see some movement in the water and prepare to cast. Just as I am ready to fling a huge alligator emerges right in the target zone! Needless to say it scared the heck out of me, I left immediately and I no longer wrap the cord around my wrist.

Here is a gator I spotted along that very creek on a separate trip.

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My #2 bait spot is near the boat ramp at St. George Island State Park. It is definitely quicker to get to.

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To the south of the Youth Camp is a channel and then Goose Island and just beyond a decent sized sand bar / oyster bar with its own sheltered mini-bay. I approach very slowly from the east, there is a slot of slightly deeper water that small boats can shimmy through. Once there you are in bait-heaven.

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Let me finish with some favorite family photos - my daughter landing a net full of bait. For reasons that will become obvious I will not divulge her name or location (ha ha) but will say the photos were taken on the backside of St. George Island part way down toward East Pass.

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[Offshore7]

I love throwing a cast net! Nice pics!!

[Gulf Coast]

that's got to be a county girl !!

[wevans]

Y'all need a bucket of water ta put them baits in Skag and ifin I was single and 20 years younger "more or less", I would be pressuring you for a name and PH#

PS: After one more look I may would need ta be 30 years younger

[bbb]

WHEW.........all my bait places are still safe...........for now.

I don't understand the "quick-to-die mud minnow" statement though. Finger mullet are the first to die on me, when in a bucket or livewell with mud minnows.

[tin can]

PS: After one more look I may would need ta be 30 years younger

Prolly 40 years younger, Wevans.

[Hula Popper]

Great report and photos!

I've always been interested in St. Vincent Island — now I'm really interested.

I've got a throw net, but haven't gotten the hang of it. Need to learn the trick, because I like bait that wiggles.