help through the maze

Tailin · Post by **Tailin** » March 13th, 2006, 10:52 am

Gentlemen, I have been monitoring this message board for over a year and I would like to thank you all for some good information and excellent entertainment.

I moved to Tallahassee from Pensacola last summer and was very much looking forward to this different style of inshore fishing. I couldn't wait to fish around the oyster bars and tidal creeks looking for reds. I've only managed to get out about a half dozen times, but before I ever launched the first time, y'all had me scared to death! My boat ain't exactly no cadillac, but it's all I got and I don't want to knock the lower unit off my motor or rip the bottom off my hull. The horror stories of rocks, oyster bars, and who knows what other hidden obstructions has got me gun shy. Heck, I won't even get her up on top unless I'm in a marked channel. I've bought a couple of charts which have been little help. I've been out there at low tide which was a lot more helpful, but who can remember all those oyster bars, rocks, and shallow places when the tide comes in?

The bottom line is this: I've got four places I can safely get to and catch trout, and I've sure enjoyed fishing those places, but I haven't caught a red since I've been here. I would really like to explore the creeks east and west of the light house. How can I get to them without tearing my rig up. I'm not asking for anybody's secret fishing hole, shoot culling the bad spots out is half the fun, I just want to be able to get around safely.

I sure would appreciate any help y'all can offer.

Dr. Jones · Post by **Dr. Jones** » March 13th, 2006, 11:12 am

Dear Tailin,

I have been fishing around the lighthouse for 4 years now, and I started with a small 12 ft jon boat, which probably was the best thing that I could have done. I since have moved up to a 14 ft flats boat - no cadillac either, but I can get out in 1 ft waves without feeling like I'm going to die. I also can be in 15 knot winds without being worried about breaking the sound barrier. The nice thing about that little boat was that it made me go slow and carefully, and as a result I learned the lay of the land pretty well. I still am hesitant to go to places I don't know very well, but have learned how to go there.

I think the best trick in the world is to go out at an extreme low tide and make a mental - or GPS - note where the bars are, where the rocks are, and which streams dry out. Of course, that changes every day, but it gives you a good idea of where you can run and where you need to slow down. The other thing I have found works well is to use my trolling motor if I am going into uncharted - by me at least - waters. The final thing I suggest is using a GPS that will record where you go. Once you have run an area several times, you get an idea of the main routes you can run at different tide levels. I use a system like this to get from the LH to the rock garden. But I have to know when and where to stop otherwise it would be ugly.

That's how I have done it and I have not yet - knock on wood - had a nasty experience. There's nothing like time and patience to learn an area.

-Bill

Post by **Chalk** » March 13th, 2006, 11:15 am

Welcome aboard Tailin

Sorry we scared ya, alot cheaper to be scared than naive and footless though

We have discussed where to run and where not to a few times on here....A good mapping GPS is probably going to be your best asset, second is time on the water slowly and methodically poking and prodding around....We have marked and posted alot of rocks, but I assure you there many more unmarked....Knowing where you are and whether your safe to run or to slow down is the single most important thing.

Bigbendfishing.net is not held liable for any damage or harm caused in information posted, but we take credit for all the fish you catch.

Here are a few links:
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

http://www.jerrysbait.com/localmap.htm

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... ock+garden

catchin1 · Post by **catchin1** » March 13th, 2006, 11:50 am

Like they said GPS and having patience. We would all like to just zoom from here to there but its just not possible (without causing harm). In the St. Marks, Aucilla, Econfina , areas come off plane at least a mile out and idle in to the creeks and explore. Its time consuming and aggrevating but its the best way to get to know the area and the safest. You'll do a lot less damage to your boat this way. It take a lot of trips but you'll learn "the least" hazardous way to some creeks.

Tailin · Post by **Tailin** » March 13th, 2006, 12:22 pm

Thank you all. No doubt, you fellas are right about the patience part. I did look at the links that Chalk provided, and will add these to some rock numbers I already had. East certainly looks to be the most dangerous because of the rocks, but I have seen many boats running from the east, less than a few hundred yards off shore. I would have thought that would put them in danger of running aground or "aoyster", but perhaps it gets them north of the rocks? If I wanted to go to Palmetto Island for example, would y'all suggest running way out and around, then approaching from due south (obviously trolling motoring through the rocky area), or would that put me at greater risk than approaching due east? How close to shore are the rocks? Perhaps if I took the advice in one of those links Chalk posted I would go anchor near the Rock Garden through an extreme low tide - then maybe I'd just forget about going east all together.

How about west? Any rocks to the west or is that just shallow water and oyster bars over that direction?

I certainly appreciate the pointers. Once I get these navigation questions off my mind, I won't bother y'all with this stuff again - it ain't near as interesting as reading about what everybody caught!

Post by **Chalk** » March 13th, 2006, 12:49 pm

We run outside the stake line and then motor (as in idle) in..usually we are in rock hunting mode , once you generate a track or two in there, keep following the same track and you you should be good to go....It's a matter of learning the lay of the land.

Post by **Sir reel** » March 13th, 2006, 1:28 pm

We run outside the stake line and then motor (as in idle) in

The WE obviously don't apply when your in 2 litter's boat...

That new handle applies to how much water he needs don't it??

Tailin · Post by **Tailin** » March 13th, 2006, 3:18 pm

[quote]
The WE obviously don't apply when your in 2 litter's boat... That new handle applies to how much water he needs don't it??

He must have one of those boats that'll run in a heavy dew. The pucker factor is a little high on that for my liking. Swapping ends of the boat at 50 mph ain't for the faint of heart.[/quote]

Post by **Redfish Jim** » March 13th, 2006, 10:01 pm

As far as getting to Palmetto Island, here's how I do it but only if there's plenty of water (as in high tide with a south wind): I'll run straight from a point about 200 yards offshore from the lighthouse to Black's Rock.

I pass Black's Rock just to the south (to my left), and take an immediate hard turn to the north (left) right after I pass the rock (go too far and there's another rock just to the east). From there, I'll aim just a bit to the right of Palmetto Island. Drift over too far to the left and you're into the Rock Garden, too far to the right and there's a couple of random rocks over there you could hit.

If there's a north wind, low tide, rocks showing in the Rock Garden or Black's Rock is sticking up out of the water more than I like, I either idle in or go somewhere else.

Post by **tin can** » March 13th, 2006, 10:14 pm

Ole 2 litre, here.

I havent hit anything hard enough to tear anything up.............YET

You've gotten some good advice. I've spent quite a bit of time finding my way around out of the lighthouse. My rule of thumb is if I KNOW where I am, I run. If I think I know where I am, I idle. If I know I'm in a wasp nest, trolling motor. If it's a low tide, I take Chalk with me to push the boat off of the bars.

I'll answer one question you asked. There is no clear path to Palmetto Island.

You could always follow Butch and Steve around. I watched them take a route I didn't think you could get through. I asked later if I could follow them through there and get a track stored. Butch said I was welcome to follow them anywhere. Then he told me they were on their 5th lower unit.

Post by **Eerman** » March 13th, 2006, 11:05 pm

Don't feel bad about being nervous. I was that same way and still am half of the time. I know it costs me alot of fish and alot of time; but, I still poke alot when I'm out there. I've been doing it a little over a year and still only have a few places I'm really comfortable in. I would rather miss out on a couple of fish and keep my motor intact. I love my trolling motor.

Tailin · Post by **Tailin** » March 14th, 2006, 12:36 pm

Folks I sure do appreciate it. You all have been very helpful with good, sound advice. Obviously I asked the questions because, just like y'all, I'm into fishing - not boating. But as I expected, I'm gonna have to put in my time doing some of the latter until I get a little more familiar.

The "Rock Garden" area itself does not interest me at this point as far as a fishing destination, but it seems like it has to be dealt with to some extent if one intends to go east.

Hopefully the next time y'all hear from me it will be a fishing report and not a lower unit report. Thanks again for all the help.

PS: Tin Can (2 liter), do you rent Mr. Chalk out? I can see where a partner like that might come in handy on them especially-low tide days!

Post by **birddog** » March 14th, 2006, 12:51 pm

Tailin wrote:
PS: Tin Can (2 liter), do you rent Mr. Chalk out? I can see where a partner like that might come in handy on them especially-low tide days!

He's more trouble than he's worth.

Post by **Chalk** » March 14th, 2006, 1:01 pm

birddog wrote:He's more trouble than he's worth.

Post by **tin can** » March 14th, 2006, 7:23 pm

Tailin wrote: PS: Tin Can (2 liter), do you rent Mr. Chalk out? I can see where a partner like that might come in handy on them especially-low tide days!

Talk to his wife and you can probably have him full time. She's been trying to push him off on me.

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