Hello everyone. New to the board. I am coming down to Saint Marks (staying at shell island fish camp) this coming up weekend and wanted to get everyone's thoughts. From the other posts, it appears that visibility is not good. Can I expect to see a big difference this weekend? Assuming no, how has the stained water affected fishing on the flats? We always fish the west flats. Are the trout there, or should we try something different? Also, what color bait (gulp shrimp under a popping cork) should we use in stained water?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but this is a church group and we will have several children with us. Just trying to keep them from being disappointed b/c in the past we have also caught plenty of fish.
Thanks for any responses.
Saint Marks
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Re: Saint Marks
I have not been out since the storm.. I'll let others chime in on the conditions.
But I always like pearl or white in stained water. And pull out the topwater- they will find it!
But I always like pearl or white in stained water. And pull out the topwater- they will find it!
Barry Bevis, Realtor and Owner of BigBendFishing.net
I liked it so much, I bought the company
http://www.bevisrealty.com
TEAM "Duck Season!"
I liked it so much, I bought the company
http://www.bevisrealty.com
TEAM "Duck Season!"
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Gulf Coast
- Site Sponsor
- Posts: 1914
- Joined: February 9th, 2010, 3:25 pm
- Location: WOODVILLE/MEDART
Re: Saint Marks
Those folks at Shell Island will put you right where you need to be, ask them what is working now. There on the water everyday and won't steer you wrong. I bet they will tell you gulp/shrimp under a c/t !!
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Gulf Coast
- Site Sponsor
- Posts: 1914
- Joined: February 9th, 2010, 3:25 pm
- Location: WOODVILLE/MEDART
Re: Saint Marks
Those folks at Shell Island will put you right where you need to be, ask them what is working now. There on the water everyday and won't steer you wrong. I bet they will tell you gulp/shrimp under a c/t !!
Re: Saint Marks
Just watch out for floating debris, lots of trash and large trees, dock boards and other stuff floating everywhere. Not sure of the fishing. If I went I would try from 4 ft and out with jerkshad and gulp shrimp on straight jig. Lots of floating grass right now. Good luck.Montfisher wrote:Hello everyone. New to the board. I am coming down to Saint Marks (staying at shell island fish camp) this coming up weekend and wanted to get everyone's thoughts. From the other posts, it appears that visibility is not good. Can I expect to see a big difference this weekend? Assuming no, how has the stained water affected fishing on the flats? We always fish the west flats. Are the trout there, or should we try something different? Also, what color bait (gulp shrimp under a popping cork) should we use in stained water?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but this is a church group and we will have several children with us. Just trying to keep them from being disappointed b/c in the past we have also caught plenty of fish.
Thanks for any responses.
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sonofasailor
- Posts: 1
- Joined: July 1st, 2012, 10:22 pm
Re: Saint Marks
Hey Montfisher,
I have been fishing this area this time of year for man years with my dad. We don't fish often and I come down all the way from ATL every time so I always want to catch something good. In nearly 20 years of fishing the bug bend 3 to 4 times a year I have NEVER been skunked. You will catch something. Chances are you will catch a bunch of different things. If you have kids they will love catching a small shark. Try the west flats in 6-8' of water with a pin fish or any smallish to palm sized fish hooked through the tail or back and you will definitely have some fun. Just be sure to have a good wire leader and 20lb line is best. When ever we brings friends with kids we always head there for at least an hour just to let them experience a real shark. Never fails to please. If you look on an aerial map, you will see a roundish shallow area south of the lighthouse out a mile or so. If you head due west from that bar there is a deep cut (you can see on aerial) that area ALWAYS has sharks.
No matter where you fish try different baits. You can always catch a catfish if you just want a kid to catch his first fish. Just put on some dead smelly bait and put it on the bottom. To catch something exciting use large LIVE bait and fish in 8 feet of water. Live shrimp under a popping cork make great red fish bait in dark tanic stained water year round. If you can get in on an incoming tide try back in Big Pass just watch the oyster bars. You should only do this if you are confident navigating the bars and have a shallow draw.
Logic would tell me that with all that fresh water pumping out of the grass lands that a lot of fish will be deeper than usual where the salinity is closer to normal. So where you might have fished in 4-6 feet for the specs before...instead try 6-8 feet.
I have been fishing this area this time of year for man years with my dad. We don't fish often and I come down all the way from ATL every time so I always want to catch something good. In nearly 20 years of fishing the bug bend 3 to 4 times a year I have NEVER been skunked. You will catch something. Chances are you will catch a bunch of different things. If you have kids they will love catching a small shark. Try the west flats in 6-8' of water with a pin fish or any smallish to palm sized fish hooked through the tail or back and you will definitely have some fun. Just be sure to have a good wire leader and 20lb line is best. When ever we brings friends with kids we always head there for at least an hour just to let them experience a real shark. Never fails to please. If you look on an aerial map, you will see a roundish shallow area south of the lighthouse out a mile or so. If you head due west from that bar there is a deep cut (you can see on aerial) that area ALWAYS has sharks.
No matter where you fish try different baits. You can always catch a catfish if you just want a kid to catch his first fish. Just put on some dead smelly bait and put it on the bottom. To catch something exciting use large LIVE bait and fish in 8 feet of water. Live shrimp under a popping cork make great red fish bait in dark tanic stained water year round. If you can get in on an incoming tide try back in Big Pass just watch the oyster bars. You should only do this if you are confident navigating the bars and have a shallow draw.
Logic would tell me that with all that fresh water pumping out of the grass lands that a lot of fish will be deeper than usual where the salinity is closer to normal. So where you might have fished in 4-6 feet for the specs before...instead try 6-8 feet.