Econfina Tide / Loading Question

[big bend gyrene]

Pretty rare that I launch with less than 1.5' due to putting in a 22' panga. Despite the 10" draft, I like the cushion of the 1.5' to give me some breathing room at the ramp and to stay rock safe on the way out (always go to the side of the big rock past the wake zone and don't get on plane until past it). Using the 1.5' has kept me free of any significant damage for more than six years.

Reason for posting today is that tomorrow looks like it might be the only gag groupa' friendly day for the rest of the limited season. Really wanting to scout some unexplored grounds but won't have the 1.5' until after 10am and hate to start that late.

Question for the Econ lovers and longtimers, if willing to absolutely putt-putt out, what's the shallowest water you've found you need to 1) launch, and 2) get out of the shallow mouth area.

I know I've come back in with a bit less than 1.5' (best guess about 1'), but didn't check to see what estimates were those times. Just looking for expert advise, and that said due to the risks of the area I ain't going to hold anyone liable for info they share, even if it proves to be painful.

BBG

[Steve Stinson]

When I had a boat with a prop on it and of similar size to yours, I wouldn't run the Econfina or Aucilla without a tide at least 1.0' above sea level. At Econfina, headed down stream, I would hook around the right side of the tripod in a left-hand curve, then put the compass on 180 (due South) and run until the water got deeper.

The boat was a 21' Sea Pro bay / 150 Yamaha which I later tore the prop and skeg off of near Cobb's Rock. I now run a 17' aluminum with a jet-foot motor and have even torn that one up once coming out of West Pass into Sulphur Bayou, so take all of my advice with a bit of caution.

It's a damn $hame those big fish like to hang around rocky areas so much!

Good Luck - Steve Stinson

[wevans]

I don't know anything about that area! But with an East wind, the low should be delayed and not fall as far as predicted "IMO" Good Luck

[captkeyser]

I wouldn't risk it BBG. You could probably launch safely at the St. Marks Ft. and make it to your spots in about the same amount of time it would take you to putt all the way out of the Econfina. I was planning on launching at the Light House tomorrow but don't want to risk it.

Whatever you decide to to, good luck! I'll be chasin Grouper also. Can't friggin wait!!!

[Dubble Trubble]

I have been out at .8 ft, but my general rule is also 1.5 ft. If you do go out lower, just be on plane at that last curve before the tripod, there is a shallow sandy spot right after the little red arrow pole. Then, just before the tripod, turn 180 degrees due south and go just to the left of that little PVC pole east of the tripod and stay on plane till you get in 3 feet or so water...

As always with Econfina, NO Guarantees!!!

Good luck with the groupa's..... sadly, I got a wedding this weekend (daughter). Well, not sadly, but you know what I mean

Dubble

PS, I know I am lucky, but I been fishing Anky for about 8 years, and do not have a scratch on my hull, and just a little chip on the skeg. (yes, the rock at end of no wake zone , came off plane a little late coming in one evening.)

[reelbad]

I will be putting in at the fort in the morning also. Would like to go to Aucilla or Ek. but the water is to low for me to risk it. (2072) G3 with 115 Yamaha and it floats pretty shallow. Look out grouper, here we come.!

[DEMON]

Like Dubble, I've been out when it was .6 but that of course is just an indicator. And like you, I draft about 10". I use the water height at the ramp for the final deciding factor. If there is enough water to launch without any issues (enough water to tie the boat at the dock) then I go. I also use the same route as Dubble (to the left of the tripod and the PVC pole). Just be planed out, WOT, trimmed up and let 'er suck! Oh yeah, just before you make the turn near the tripod, move over to left & out from behind your console. That way if you run aground you will be thrown clear out of the boat and not go thru the console first.

Really, what I would do if you have not done this on low water before is to get off plane right at the last bend before the tripod and just idle through this route taking note of the water depth for next time. With the shallow draft that you have, you should be able to idle out of there on a pretty low tide. That way you can also see how far to stay off the point that sticks out on your left and how close you can get to the PVC pipe.

[FHC]

i put in the aucilla this morning at 9 oclock there was plenty of water

[big bend gyrene]

I wouldn't risk it BBG. You could probably launch safely at the St. Marks Ft. and make it to your spots in about the same amount of time it would take you to putt all the way out of the Econfina.

Challenge for me Captkeyser is I live over near the Wacissa and it's a quicker drive to Ecky, not to mention I just plain ol' like the solitude it often offers a bit more than the slightly busier St. Mark's scene.

Per Dubble's post (and several others) I already take the 180 turn just past the tripod and actually took a lot of time years ago (using shallow water canoe trips, online depth charts, and sonar readings) to select a path not only out but also along the east shores of the Ecky over to Rock Island. All that said, EXACTLY like Dubble I've avoided damage with the exception being one trophy paint scar from the rock past the no wake zone. Didn't tear me up too bad but put the fear of God in me enough that I can go out in a 4' positive tide and STILL purposely putt-putt around it while watching the sonar, waiting to plane until I get to the deeper water just past it!

Got a coworker's spouse I'm taking out for his first area trip tomorrow and since the water stays good until the late afternoon, we're just going to head down around 9:00am and take our time at the mouth area and then race out once past it.

Funny thing about this year versus prior years is that in years past I could swear I remember the oyster bar at the east point of the bar of the mouth showing itself at the predicted 1.5' times, but this year almost every time I've been out it's been submerged, even a few times when I've come in a bit late on a falling tide. Know the wind could be the cause on some days, but not sure why it would be true for a long stretch of time. Maybe all that hot gas from Al Gore causing enough warming to have indeed caused a few inch rise in water level.

BBG

[Seachaser]

The problem with Econfina, especially in the winter, are the tide charts can be misleading. Last week we put in at 1.0 and the water was near the top of the landing. I have been down there on a north wind and never got to put in for 3 days.

[big bend gyrene]

Absolutely, Seachaser. Never did provide an update but did make it out safe and sound last trip out, though the grouper showed absolutely no love (couldn't get to them for the seabass bite ). Best estimate was that I hit the mouth with about a 1.1 positive tide. Didn't touch bottom but could clearly see it so the pucker factor was pretty high.

Oyster bar at the end of the mouth was showing, but not as exposed as I've seen it a time or two while waiting to come back in on really low tides.

And to your point, again, Seachaser, I still plan on using 1.5 as my standard (it's served me well for going on 7 years with the strict paths I follow), and for any newbies who might read this if it's windy and / or winter tide cycle I should add that I then make rare trips over to the St. Marks/East River side of town as I don't like sitting / nor getting trapped from coming back in if the weather turns. Seen too many newbies at the Econ landing take on more than they can chew, only to either hit the rocks RIGHT at the back of the landing or limping back in from hitting the BIG ONE at the no-wake zone.