Presnell's

[SHOWBOAT]

Just heard that it is bull-dozed flat. Website says under new management.

Anyone know the story? Condos? Is my realtor back from the swamp yet?

[MudDucker]

Presnell's was sold years ago at the height of the real estate boom. They even set up a sales office for pre-sales. When the market busted, they backed off and it has been limping along being rented to at least two different operators. Hadn't heard it was bulldozed, but not surprised. The market seems to be picking back up in that area again and I'll bet the interest charges are killing the owners. Hate that, because that was my favorite place to launch.

[Jumptrout51]

My informant says they are building a new RV park and a new Bait and Tackle Shop.

[silverking]

Went by there yesterday. The bait shop building is still there but there's work going on with the rest of the property. Looks like the development has started.

Unfortunately, the bay is in sad shape due to red tide. The park ranger I talked to said redfish have been floating up on shore. A marine mammal stranding team was trying to rescue four dolphins in distress.

The water was reddish tint, smelled bad and I didn't see a single fish or bait. Water temps in the upper 50s, so that should kill the bloom, although it will take awhile for it to recover. Long drive for nothing.

Oh, and another landmark is down. The demolition is almost complete with the old Oaks Restaurant at Mashes Sands. The motel is still standing for now.

[MudDucker]

Went by there yesterday. The bait shop building is still there but there's work going on with the rest of the property. Looks like the development has started.

Unfortunately, the bay is in sad shape due to red tide. The park ranger I talked to said redfish have been floating up on shore. A marine mammal stranding team was trying to rescue four dolphins in distress.

The water was reddish tint, smelled bad and I didn't see a single fish or bait. Water temps in the upper 50s, so that should kill the bloom, although it will take awhile for it to recover. Long drive for nothing.

Oh, and another landmark is down. The demolition is almost complete with the old Oaks Restaurant at Mashes Sands. The motel is still standing for now.

I hadn't heard the red tide hit the bay. That has to be nasty with the low water movement in and out. What a shame.

Had to shed a tear when I saw the Oaks being torn down. Ate many a meal there as a kid. Never forget the cracker boat with the garlic butter or the motel with the tiny showers. Times they are a changing.

[milto]

Went by there yesterday. The bait shop building is still there but there's work going on with the rest of the property. Looks like the development has started.

Unfortunately, the bay is in sad shape due to red tide. The park ranger I talked to said redfish have been floating up on shore. A marine mammal stranding team was trying to rescue four dolphins in distress.

The water was reddish tint, smelled bad and I didn't see a single fish or bait. Water temps in the upper 50s, so that should kill the bloom, although it will take awhile for it to recover. Long drive for nothing..

Any idea on how long the red tide sticks around? I guessing it can differ just based on tidal movement kinda like MD said. Just curious because we have our club tournament in May scheduled there and wasn't sure if we should plan an alternate site.

[silverking]

I wrote a piece on red tide for TIDE magazine a year or so ago. Biologists are still trying to get a handle on what exactly triggers a bloom. It usually dies off when the water cools but the recovery time varies, especially somewhere like St. Joe Bay with the weaker Panhandle tides and limited flushing action. Karenia brevis can be found throughout the Gulf and when conditions are just right the blooms explode with damaging results. SJB experienced a bad one several years ago and I personally saw several dead porpoise and bull reds. Within a few months things were back to normal, however.

It could happen again or it might be several years before another bloom occurs. So my advice, for what it's worth, would be to carry on with the planned May tournament and adjust in April if there's another problem.

I was so looking forward to sight-casting to some reds in that Keys-like water yesterday too. Learned my lesson though. Before trailering such a distance, next time I'll call a local source like Bluewater Outriggers or Scallop Cove Bait and Tackle to get a first-hand report of conditions.

[SHOWBOAT]

sad news...

Don't be scared Jimmy. I'll show you how to catch fish over there