New to the Area.

[kovac030]

Hey new to the area Sophmore here at FSU. Looking to get out on Saint Marks next weekend for some reds hopefully if not then trout. Been reading to run up river from Shields. Any tips or tricks for the area (considering taking out the fly rod as well). Also if anyone knows some tarpon spots that would be GREAT! Thanks.

[woopty]

Welcome to paradise!
This area nurtures some great fishing.
Fish are up in the rivers, creeks, and the mouths of the creeks on the flats, depending on the tide.
If you go east from the lighthouse, be vary wary of rocks.
Tarpon masses start to show up here in May, although I have heard of resident tarpon around.
Off Alligator Point and the FSU Marine Lab are ate up with them in the summer.

[kovac030]

Its going to be hard to compete with south Florida.
You guys throw and Badonk a donks for reds? Or mainly use your gulp?

[Gulf Coast]

I can see where the refuge would be hard to compete with s.fla. No donks and Gulps at 2:30 on tournament day, if needed

[Mister Mullet]

Where in South Florida?

[silverking]

Let's see...snook and bonefish= plus

Traffic, crime, congestion, and damn Yankees= It doesn't even come close to being worth it.

I'll take our backwoods marsh and simple fisheries any day.

Oh, and by the way, I lived in Hell for a couple years so I'm speaking from experience.

[big bend gyrene]

Its going to be hard to compete with south Florida.
You guys throw and Badonk a donks for reds? Or mainly use your gulp?

Kovac030, grew up with father having a fishing shack on North Captiva and with us being able to easily boat to fish Redfish Pass, Captiva Pass, and Boca Grande Pass. Arguably more predictable tarpon fishing, but wouldn't trade them for our quite varied waters... awesome inshore fishing here and travel just west a bit and you get to good deep waters pretty easily too. If you don't find the tarpon, just hunt down birdracks, towers, and our area's artificial reefs and the cobia fishing is solid... 'nuff said, maybe too much said.

[kirt]

Let's see...snook and bonefish= plus

Traffic, crime, congestion, and damn Yankees= It doesn't even come close to being worth it.

I'll take our backwoods marsh and simple fisheries any day.

Oh, and by the way, I lived in Hell for a couple years so I'm speaking from experience.

Amen, Same here, lived in Tampa for 3 years and hated the rat race. Loved fishing the everglades though but would not live there again.

[kovac030]

Haha I am from Fort Lauderdale work at the Bass Pro Shops their in the fishing Department.
It's hard to compete with the tarpon fishing I meant and love bass fishing in the glades (My favorite)

But yes you all correctly stated what the rest of South Florida is. HELL. Wanted to shoot myself in high school. I'll take Alligator Point over South Beach any day. Shame to see them build those modern Condos by the marina though. I like the old school wood homes.

Saw the fly fishing board as well. Hoping to take some nice trout on fly. Anyway going to try and get out next weekend fish up river like you all suggested. You all use swimbaits up here for the reds?

[Gulf Coast]

But then, there are a pile of GAFF girls down ther also !!

[kovac030]

Gulf Coast: True, but I go to Florida State. Have you seen the girls on that campus? my neck hurts from looking around so much. LMAO

[DEMON]

Grew up in Clearwater. Fishing was good but rest of living there sucks once you grow up & get past "party age". This is the place to be for an outdoorsman.

Hey Gulf Coast, since you brought up Gaff Girls. One of them moved a couple of doors down from me not long ago. Call me & tell you which one so you can look her up.

[arichardh09]

Gulf Coast: True, but I go to Florida State. Have you seen the girls on that campus? my neck hurts from looking around so much. LMAO

i know what you mean man i have a sore neck everyday of the week lol