St. Marks 2011 Last Hurrah

[Bullet]

With some sadness, we embarked on our last trip of the season. Once again, the reds didn't disappoint us.

We had a bigger party (8 people, 2 boats) so we opted to split up & fish 2 different oyster bars, keeping in touch via marine radio. The novices chose our favorite bar in the East River while we headed west. They got to make the 1st choice of locations to fish but we had the premium spot. Upon arrival, the reds were ready for us. We contacted the other boat (the novices) but before they could get there, we had our limit on ice & had released another 7 or 8 reds. After their arrival, it stayed on for a little while but the guys in the other boat could not grasp our technique of "horsing" the reds into the shallows away from the gray suits. They also spent a lot of time hung up & broken off on oysters.
We ended up with a full 2 boat limit but my opinion is that you lose the advantage of stealth (that wading provides) when you have 8 people on an oyster bar & 2 of them are wearing bright red & orange shirts. Needless to say, it did turn off shortly after their arrival.

The 2nd morning (Saturday) was pretty much a repeat of Friday but was slower probably due to the shear number of people & lack of stealth (my opinion). Another limit of reds was managed, however. A few trout & Black Bass were added to the cooler as variety.

Anyway, it has been some stellar fall fishing for us. The folks @ Shell Isalnd Fish Camp have been great hosts & the fertile waters of the Apalachee Bay have been more than cooperative.

It's a long time until April but we'll have this year's memories to hold us over.

[SS-342]

Good fishing and some interesting writting!

Thanks for the report and story.

[Salty Gator]

Excellet report bullet, way to slay em. I'm sitting with my buddy from Dothan, Marcus C. He recognized your pics, are you Bart?

[Bullet]

No, I am not Bart but he is in the pics. He is the fit looking guy. I am the old guy with the worn out fishing hat (my Lucky fishing hat). Bart & I almost always fish together. He brought me on an inshore trip about 6 years ago & I caught my 1st redfish. I have not purchased a fresh water license since. Bart & I fish St. Marks together about 10 trips/year. He is the Man.

[Salty Gator]

Nice, I think Marcus goes to Sunday school with a few of the guys. Dothan is such a small town, i figured he might know y'all. We will see y'all in the spring.