St. Marks 11/10/2006

[mjsigns]

The day started slowly. Took my daughter for a boat ride Friday morning. We got a late start. Stopped at Rodbows' to say hi on the way out. I have mostly recovered from my shoulder surgery and I am two weeks post op. The sky was mostly clear except for some small wispy clouds way up high. It was a beautiful day for a ride on the river. Slipped the boat in at the Fort at 9:00am and headed toward the Gulf. First stop was the big oyster bar at the mouth of the river. The low tide and winds out of the north really exposed allot the oyster bar. My daughter had to get out of the boat and run around on the oyster bar and collect small crabs. After a few good pinches she decided it was time to move on.


The Exposed oyster bar at the mouth of the St. Marks River (facing west)


The boat with the new-er 70hp evinrude engine.

After playing out on the oyster bar, we headed over to the old steamer to hunt some sheepies. The tide was just starting to rise. All I had were some itsy bitsy live shrimps for bait, so I used some itsy bitsy hooks and some split-shots on my Shimano bait-caster and tried to do a little fishing.
WHAM I almost lost my shimano when this sheepie slammed my shrimp. Gut hooked he led me around the boat.... Of course I didn't have the landing net so I just crossed my fingers and heaved him over the gunwale into the boat. He came in at 17" at the fork. Needless to say he went into the cooler.

Not log after that he was joined by a 12"er and a 11" Rock Bass. It was a good day for fishing. With a little pain in my shoulder and sun on my face we headed back to the hill. Put the boat on the trailer at 2:00 and home by three, in time to clean the fish and cook dinner, before heading out for a might at the Fair. It was a long day, Me and My daughter had a good time together and the boat ran excellent. The fish were a bonus for the day.

[tin can]

Time well spent.

[mjsigns]

Thanks TC-

I am beginning to believe that there is something about that old boat that helps me catch them fishes....

You are right - time spent with my children is the best and counts the most.

[birddog]

Good job, MJ

[Jumptrout51]

Thanks TC-

I am beginning to believe that there is something about that old boat that helps me catch them fishes....

You are right - time spent with my children is the best and counts the most.

YEA! It smells.(like shrimp).

[noleflyfisher]

Very nice MJ. Looking at that third pic, I suspect the keel of your vessel ain't no stranger to the oyster bars.

[mjsigns]

Nole Fly-

Looking at that third pic, I suspect the keel of your vessel ain't no stranger to the oyster bars.

Oyster bars and rocks and anything else in my path....

JT-

YEA! It smells.(like shrimp).

Well...hmm it really don't smell like shrimps, but it definitely has an odor and a feeling about it that calls me to the water at all odd hours of the day and night...

I gotta get back out there soon....

[rocket]

Good day

[Sir reel]

I know from personal experience how good it feels to be able to make it back out after some shoulder maintenance (twice!) Glad it went well and the fish cooperated