St. Mark's 7-21/22

Post by **Ron Wilson** » July 24th, 2006, 6:28 pm

Took the kids to St. Mark's for a Fri/Sat fishing trip. Stayed at Shell Island fish camp, and as usual, it was a good time. Other than the hot weather, we had a great time. Saw lots, though we didn't catch a lot. Started each morning (first light) in about 5 feet of water outside the lighthouse catching pins/grunts, and floated a pin or two while we were getting the bait. Managed a couple keeper trout each day in 5 foot, and several sharks. Headed out to 10-12 feet mid-morning and tried some deeper water; managed to pick up another keeper trout and several short black sea bass. Each day around 12:00, we trolled out to the St. Mark's reef. Saw sharks feeding on top, a sea turtle and many angel fish. A blue or spanish would cut through now and then. Did manage a short cobia and a large nurse shark. I thought it went 7-8 feet, but my son swore it went 9-10. After I got it to the surface, we passed the pole around to let the kids fight for a couple minutes before cutting it loose. We did pick up 5 spanish and one blue trolling. All-in-all a great time, and can't wait until we get back at it. Oh yeah, saw gators in the river on the way out, and manatees at the Shell Island boat dock.

Post by **Ron Wilson** » July 24th, 2006, 6:32 pm

Not sure what I did wrong, but it appears I widened the margins on this post. My apologies.

Post by **mjsigns** » July 24th, 2006, 7:15 pm

Looks and sounds like you all had a BIG time...

Next time use a lower resolution on your camera. The pictures will show up smaller... Nice shots

Post by **Chalk** » July 24th, 2006, 7:30 pm

Nice trip Major

.....Resize the images to 320x240....imageshack will do it for you....Keep them reports coming

Tell them MCLB folks I said hello

Post by **Ron Wilson** » July 24th, 2006, 7:36 pm

Hey Jim,
My thanking you for assistance/info is sounding like a broken record, but thanks.

Separate issue: I made a donation to the site, but noticed it was "fixed" at $10.00. Is there a max donation amount?

Ron

Post by **birddog** » July 24th, 2006, 7:43 pm

Good job, Ron. Sounds like the kids had a big time.

Post by **Ron Wilson** » July 24th, 2006, 7:44 pm

D$%! Meant that last post to be a PM. I give up.............for tonight.

Post by **Chalk** » July 24th, 2006, 7:44 pm

Tom only dances for $10, no more, no less

If you want to donate more write a check and send to the address on the donation page http://www.bigbendfishing.net/sponsorship.htm

Post by **qoutrage** » July 26th, 2006, 9:32 am

Nice report and pictures.

georgiasportsman · Post by **georgiasportsman** » July 26th, 2006, 1:15 pm

That's a big shark! Looks like you guys had a great time. My dad retired a few years ago from MCLB after 20 years there and 20 years in the Navy. Chalk, what are your ties to MCLB?

Post by **Chalk** » July 26th, 2006, 1:35 pm

georgiasportsman wrote:That's a big shark! Looks like you guys had a great time. My dad retired a few years ago from MCLB after 20 years there and 20 years in the Navy. Chalk, what are your ties to MCLB?

I worked there for 15 years prior to transferring to Panama City, alot of good memories...What is his name, I might know him

georgiasportsman · Post by **georgiasportsman** » July 26th, 2006, 3:12 pm

Vernon Wilbanks

CrispyFishin · Post by **CrispyFishin** » July 26th, 2006, 4:21 pm

more folks with ties to the military. I knew i was in good company

Post by **Chalk** » July 26th, 2006, 4:34 pm

Name sounds familiar, can't place him though....

Post by **Ron Wilson** » July 26th, 2006, 7:49 pm

O.K. I think I fixed the size, and even threw a pic of a small gator that went across our bow on the way out of the river (in the no wake zone). Thanks to all who helped with this.