New to area..suggestions wanted for St. Marks

[VCL]

We are new to this area. Just moved from the Southeast Georgia area. It was suggested to us to put in at the St. Marks area. We have a 23 ft. Blackjack (bay boat).

I googled St. Marks and found several places with boat ramps, but would like a local suggestion. Also, any suggestions on what and where to fish would be appreciated!

Planning on going out tomorrow (Sunday, 3/25).

Thanks Much!

[silverking]

Shields Marina, 925-6158

This forum for current fishing reports/areas to fish.

The Outdoor Section in the Tallahassee Democrat on Fridays is another good source.

Welcome, and good luck. Be careful on the East Flats until you learn the area.

[Harmsway]

Welcome, VCL.

St. Marks is pretty simple, really. Three ramps to choose from: 1) the "Fort" in St. Marks ($5; take right at stop-sign), Shield's in St. Marks ($5; take left at stop sign), or the lighthouse ramp (free with NWR entree fee, federal duck stamp. or $15 annual pass). The ramps in St. Marks are both good to launch at any tide level. The lighthouse ramp is a bit shallow at low-low tides.

The 7-mile run down the river from St. Marks to Apalachee Bay is well marked (but pay attention; you don't want to stray outside the marked channel). From the lighthouse ramp, just go straight out the canal to the red buoy marking the channel and make a left. Watch out for 1) wreck on left and 2) oyster bar on right. No problem finding safe passage if you have a decent GPS.

Fish are everywhere right now. Fish the east or west flats (most people fish the east flats). Best bet for first-timers . . .

Follow the channel markers south until you pass the "birdrack", aka tripod (but it is neither a birdrack or tripod); a tall wooden channel marker about 2 miles south of shoreline that also marks a substantial spoil pile that you will want to avoid. The spoil pile(s) are well-marked on GPS maps. Go east (or west) from there with no fear of hitting rocks. You may see the "stake line" which is just white buoys that mark the southern boundary of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Many people use the stake line as the safe-water line. Fish anywhere in 3- to 6-foot of water (north or south of the stake line) for trout and spanish mackerel (maybe a little deeper for the spanish).

Come back in by running the stakeline and then rounding the spoil pile (birdrack at its southwest corner) on its south side and following the channel markers north back to the ramp(s).

Please give us a report.

[VCL]

Thanks so much Harmsway! I will let you know how we do.

[VCL]

Also, any suggestions for bait? Out by St. Simons we just used live shrimp.

[bman]

Live shrimp are great but you will get harassed by a lot of pinfish and catfish...
If you catch a small pinfish throw him back out under a cork.

I prefer plastic grubs or Gulp... dark colors for clear water (like St Marks) Light colors for dark/stained water.