Fishng around St Marks light house

[Midwest2South]

A few weeks ago my girl and I tried fishing off an oyster jetty at St Marks, just a little west of the light house (It didn't last long considering I brought the wrong shoes and it was my first time fishing off an oyster be (OUCH!)...

We also noticed that throughout the refuge leading up to the light house, there numerous vehicles over and fishing the "canals" that are all over that park as you approach the lighthouse... I was wondering what they are fishing for? Do those little strems/slews contain Reds and Trout, or were they just fishing for bass / etc?

Also, would I have better odds fishing off the oyster reef or fishing out of one of these canals, or slews, etc (or whatever the exact term is)?

Anyway info would be appreciated. Seems like that lighthouse area is a cool/popular spot to fish and was just wondering if there are reds and trout in those little canals that are all around.....Until I get myself a decent kayak I'm still looking for shore fishing opportunities.

I'll stop rambling now... Thanks everyone!

[SS-342]

I can't help you on your questions but I admire your love for fishing. You'll have a boat one day! I've been there. Just be careful! A good way to fish.

[fishinfool]

Those folks fishing the ponds and canals on the way towards the lighthouse are mostly catching shellcracker and bream. They might catch a bass or catfish now and again.
As far as the oyster bar, you might be better off fishing the flat outside of the lighthouse. The area between the the old pier pilings and the oyster bar you fished holds some fish now and again. You might see some kayaks out there. It can run shallow for a long way, just remember to walk with a shuffle. Don't pick your feet completely off the bottom. It is called the stingray shuffle and is meant to keep you from landing on top of a ray. That could be very painful.
If you are feeling adventuresome you could walk all the way down past the lighthouse to the end and start wading there. That is Sand Cove. Again shallow and sometimes holds fish.
Before I got a boat those were a couple of places I fished.
Good luck,
FF

[reelbad]

See if you can get with Gary Droze, he knows all the ends and outs about the wade fishing on this form and any place to do it from Keaton to Port St. Joe. Good luck and good fishing.

[Rainman]

What ever you do around the St. Marks refuge, please look out for rattle snakes!! I've had a couple close encounters and believe me they are everywhere!!

The canal on the left side of the road (east) on the stretch right before you turn to the boat launch holds some reds now and again. You could also walk about a half mile to the Stoney Bayou levee and catch reds and flounder there. Look for a high tide so there will be plenty of water back there. Just bring the bug spray and watch for....

[GaryDroze]

I concur with Rainman on both counts:

1. Deep Creek levee - starting with Stoney Bayou - holds tide-dependent fish. Took me years to kinda learn the personalities of each of the tidal creeks that branch from the levee. It's a lot of hiking/exploring work, but will pay off if you are willing to get AWAY from the (overpressured) Lighthouse Road canals. A bike & backpack will extend your range. Not as many trout back there, but many reds come all the way into the east/west canal. Fun!

2. Watch your step around the palmettos, grass, and dry underbrush near the water. Lotsa frogs and field mice in there. They draw rattlesnakes. My last encounter was two weeks ago, a full three miles from Lighthouse Road. You get bit that far from your car, you might as well release any redfish on your stringer. You will have already eaten your last meal. Also, the gators over 11 feet are not typically the ones to worry about. The 7-8 footers are more aggressive, and may follow you as you wade, especially if you are floating a mullet under a large bobber. You'll be fine if you don't turn your back on those pesky adolescents.

HAPPY WADING!

[Midwest2South]

Man, I was warned about the large and aggressive gators, but not the snakes. However, being from the Midwest, I look out for snakes everywhere in the wilderness down here. That's one thing I stay very wary of, as it's something we don't have to worry about in Wisconsin.

As for hiking to the oyster bed that is about a 1/4 - 1/2 mile west of the Lighthouse... we hiked in a pretty good distance. It was all hispanic families fishing off the oyster bed. They kept telling me, "Tienes zapatos!!!" (You need shoes!!!) They were absolutely right. Light I said, I couldn't stay there long because my feet were getting cut to shreds by those oysters. I had no idea, and thought I could tough it out. NEVER AGAIN.

In the short time I was at the oyster bed, though, I did see a guy catch what appeared to be a 20"+ trout, so it looked promising. I had the right gear, just couldn't stand having my feet tore up so badly. I'd like to go back to the refuge this summer and fish different spots.

I have yet to catch a Red and it's really on my bucket list. I have a kayak now so hopefully that will become a reality and I will no longer worry about the threat of snakes and gators...or maybe not.. we'll see

Thanks everyone, you guys are always the best at helping me out with local advice, and it certainly does not go unappreciated!

[Williamsdad]

Go discover Bald Point (Alligator Point, east end). It's a bit longer drive (1 hour +) but sometimes very worth it. There's submerged bars to fish if you like that, and more of a beach to fish from. Have to plan around high tide, as tidal changes are great, and the water in front of the beach gets very shallow, requiring you to walk way out, which you can do. We caught way more fish there than anywhere else we waded. At the end there's a state park (admission fee), but there's another stop off on the way that's free. We caught more reds in the park, off the beach a little to the west.

Lots of fish there, including reds and trout. Me and the Williams Boys learned to catch redfish there, before we discovered boats. Onlt seen 1 snake there.

See "Luc Williams".

p.s. - Deep Creek is way way further than the bar to the west of the L. House.