BigBendFishing.Net

See if this link answers your question about SM reef (I'm new at this link business)

http://www.oar-reefs.org/allreefs/Stmar ... 0marks.bmp

I have a 16' er and I'm going to venture out there one of these select calm days.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the "Ark"

Sea Gurl

Whoa thanks SG...

It looks like it's gonna be a good bit further out from the Bird Rack to the Reef..

2.7 more miles....

That seems kinda far...even on a calm day.....

I take my 17 foot G3 "alum. bass boat" out 14 to 20 miles all the time ya just gotts pick yer days and watch the weather "real close"

heheh ....

Yeah...I'm sure one of these days it'll be a flat calm morning with not a big cloud in the sky...

And we'll just "Go for it and see..."

Somehow going out that far...it seems like you might want to follow somebody out there...just in case...

On days like that, there is always plenty of folks out and about just make sure your radio is in good working order

Nice pic! Dadgum - Is that there a groupa?

Who do you usually do a radio check w/ ? Does the BoatUS guy mind if you hail him for a check?

Yo Dave-
Take a close look how smooth the water is in the picture wevans posted....
Those days are somewhat rare.... Like wevans says, you gotta choose your days wisely...

Almost looks windless.

Not a good day for sailboats...

I have been to St. Marks Reef once. Even with a handheld GPS and a chart it is still a little tricky to find....at least it was for me...I never found any real dramatic change in the bottom. Did hook up with something big that slowly moved off and broke my line. Bit an oversized grouper jig so it may have been an oversized grouper. Also hooked up with something that wrapped my line around the bottom. Could still feel it moving but could not get any line in. Finally broke off. Caught some sea bass, mackeral, trout ..... the usual suspects.

I think it is more like 3 miles from the bird rack but I will rely on the gang to correct me if I am wrong. I was trying out my GPS for the 1st time the one day I went out and did not pay attention to the distance from the bird rack. You are going to want to make sure it is flat day and going to stay flat to venture out there...if I am right about the distance you would be about 7 or 8 miles from the lighthouse. I have seen some pretty small boats head out that way and the day I was out there a crabber was pulling traps from a good sized Carolina Skiff.

Might want to buddy up with another boat and make sure you have all your safety equipment with you. As we all know...a whole day of flat can be ruined by a few seconds of rough. Good luck.

Hey Dave great report!!... And question.. I've used CT alot in the past, but I have never used those "DNA" things It seems I herd you speak of success with em'
again Great Job

Hey Mako,
Here's what I've been using -



1/4 oz in a clear / red sparkle color

http://www.doalures.com/shrimp_standard.htm

I tend to adjust my leader as the water depth dictates. Keep in mind though, if there's one thing I've learned about using artificials: Keep trying different combinations until you find what works at that spot, at that time, that day! Some of the best advise I've seen so far: If you are in a spot that you KNOW has fish. Give a lure / rig combination five casts. If you haven't had a strike in five casts - try something different. The exception to the rule being Redfish. So far, they seem like they're site dependent.

Good luck [/img]

Dave, appreciate the ad-vise. I'm primarily a live-bait fella, but I keep tellin myself "I've got to get that techinque thing down"
My boats just been spendin too much time on the trailor! I need some-body to fish w/..... If you interested give me a call 567-5343, yea, thats here in Tallahassee