Lanark 4/17

[silverking]

An earlier check of the weekend forecast made me shift work and go fishing yesterday. Should have stayed at the computer instead.

Winds were supposed to be SE 10-15. More like 15-20. Slogged across to Dog in three-footers and reached protected water only to find nobody home. Shallows were clear and about 69 degrees, a major drop from the 77 temps I found last Friday in St. Marks. Checked out multiple spots along both Dog and SGI. Had shots at a couple finicky reds and one big sheepie. Tons of cow nose rays and common stingrays. Small pods of mullet but no other bait present.

Ended up with a slot red on gold Aqua Dream 3/8-ounce spoon and a spunky bluefish on DOA gold/glow shrimp.

Had slicked off to only two-footers when I finally headed in. Water temps were up to 72 by afternoon. Exedrin night, especially after the Braves' bullpen blew another game.

[Price3275]

Well I don't watch the Braves, but I'd much rather do that than sit at a keyboard! I don't know how true it is, but I heard the tripletail are sneaking in over that way already.

[Salty Gator]

Thanks for the report Capt Dave. Nothing wrong with a solid red on a spoon and those blues pull like crazy. Glad you got out

[silverking]

Should have known it would be blowing like stink. I had the fly rod on board.

[Juan]

Any day on the water is better than the best day at home. I went yesterday too for the first time since the knee replacement 3 months ago and found the same conditions in Panama City. Had to fish spots that were out of the wind and even those spots were rough since 99% of thee trees that used to provide a wind break aren't there any more. Got one heck of a wind burn but ended the day with 95 undersized trout and 5 keepers from 22" to 17" in the cooler.

[eightwt]

Did the same thing. Seemed to take forever from Carrabelle to Dog Island. Only difference was I got into the lady's at the west end. I think they would have hit granny's bra. Anyhow, various clousers and shrimp kept them in the air. A bite off seemed to indicate a Spanish was the only other action.

[eightwt]

Did the same thing. Seemed to take forever from Carrabelle to Dog Island. Only difference was I got into the lady's at the west end. I think they would have hit granny's bra. Anyhow, various clousers and shrimp kept them in the air. A bite off seemed to indicate a Spanish was the only other action.

Shrimp patterns were olive and pink. Both worked equally.

[silverking]

Glad you guys found some. eightwt, bet that was a fun ride across the sound in the Whaler.

Juan, congrats on getting back on the water. Know that was a long time coming.

[rockyg]

This talk of Lanark has me counting the days til May first. I'm ready to get the Pathy out of her long and unhappy winter hibernation.

Let's roll.

[CSMarine]

Had wind between yates and the Warrior also yesterday, it's a little better protected than where you were I guess. I'm lucky in that after I clear the mouth of yates I only had to run a quarter mile to where I start. My 17 foot Stumpnocker is one of the driest running small boats I've ever owned. That helps. Still no white caps or hard swells like y'all seemed to have had.

[eightwt]

[quote="silverking"]Glad you guys found some. eightwt, bet that was a fun ride across the sound in the Whaler.

Once I got to the mouth of the river I realized the weatherman had lied again, Lol. She's an old soul so I always keep it slow in a chop and did so crossing. At least once you got in the lee of the island your safe. I can't imagine the 6 to 8 seas the Skiff Challenge participants endured at night in that storm. Shows how good those boats and captains are.