St. Marks 12-29-2002

Post by **Tom Keels** » December 30th, 2002, 10:41 am

Left the lighthouse slightly after daylight and ran to 30 feet in 1-2 footers.

We picked up 3 grouper trolling, 2 of which came on the same rig at the same time...the Storm Thunder Stick (FAMU Bait) with a fly in front of it. That was a hoot. Caught the other on a Blue Mylar Stretch 25. Picked up nearly all the grouper(shorts and all) trolling today. From the sounds of the radio, it was hit or miss for some folks.

Had some Georgia Boyz in a carolina skiff named "BayWatch" pull right up on me in 27 feet. Anchored 50 yards in front of me and when their 30 ft of anchor rope couldn't hold them they had to crank up to keep from hitting us.

The rest of the day was a bust for us except for sea bass. Pretty day on the water though. Deepest we went was 45 feet. Fished some great bottom everywhere we went but just couldn't get on the grouper. Ran back in at WOT.

Post by **tin can** » December 30th, 2002, 11:24 am

Cran, Tom works at the lighthouse. I just go down there to visit.

EddieJoe · Post by **EddieJoe** » December 30th, 2002, 11:34 am

Back in the old days, we used to call that practice of anchoring up next to a boat offshore "Georgia LORAN". Now we call it "Georgia GPS". The method is used, I think, by folks who don't have any numbers, and either don't know about good manners or who don't care enough in any case.

In the olden days, folks would lack LORAN, and just head offshore and look for an anchored boat. Had people so close at times I could have jumped in their boat, almost.

By the way, it also could be called "Florida GPS" sometimes, so bad Florida boys "listen up"!

EJ

Post by **Cranfield** » December 30th, 2002, 11:46 am

TC, You have to respect a man who doesn,t leave the Lighthouse Nightclub until, "slightly after daylight".

The annoying practise of other fishermen "stealing" your spots/numbers, is not restricted to the ocean.
It happens on every stretch of river and lake I fish, (from the bank).
If I have a good day at a spot and I am seen, or other anglers hear about it, I will not be able to get back in that spot again for weeks.

Thats what makes me "economical with the truth", about catches, baits, tackle etc.
I will have a wet landing net drying against a tree and still reply "Nothing", when asked, "Caught anything ?"
Let them go and do all the hard work I have had to do, to find my spots, baits, tactics etc.
Rant over.

Post by **tin can** » December 30th, 2002, 12:15 pm

Cran, I'm fairly generous with my saltwater information. Freshwater, however, is another story. Number stealing has become common among local tournament bass fishermen. I've reached the point that I look for fish during the week, and won't frequent my spots that are holding fish until tournament day. I've had areas "fished out" by people who can't find fish for themselves. It's very frustrating to invest the time necessary to do well in tournaments, only to be seen on a spot and have it fished out, or have someone sitting on it on tournament day.

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » December 30th, 2002, 12:57 pm

TC

Thought you gave up that professional freswater fishing.

Post by **Tom Keels** » December 30th, 2002, 1:05 pm

To be fair, I'm not picking on the Georgia Folks, just a detail about the situation nothing more. This practice is not isolated to the residents of any particular state.

Post by **Cranfield** » December 30th, 2002, 1:52 pm

Or any particular Country, Tom.

There be bastages everywhere and a few of them fish and hunt.

Most of them drive slowly in front of me, when I am in a hurry.

EddieJoe · Post by **EddieJoe** » December 30th, 2002, 5:31 pm

Agreed, and thats why I mentioned Florida boys, too. However, there seem to be more practitioners of the "Look for another boat offshore and park next to them" fishing method from the great state of Georgia. This is, I believe an accident of geography. More folks come down from farther away that live in Georgia, and they know less about our waters and customs. Another running joke among us Florida boys is look for the boat that: 1) is anchored by the stern; and/or, 2) has the cover off the motor. Chances are good it will have that "GA" on the bow

EJ

Post by **CSMarine** » December 30th, 2002, 6:53 pm

Agree with you Tom and Eddie about lack of water sense some "GA" fisherman have on the Gulf. Most need a good lesson in manners. However, I'd much rather deal with that type of Georgian as I had with the droves of "Locals" that go out on the Gulf in a overloaded 12 foot Jon boat with a 6hp outboard that is 30 years old. This same local catches and keeps everything that swims regardless of size or quanity. We've all seen them. I can about bet you that you'll never see a "GA" sticker on the bow of one of these boats. I guess the idiots in the "GA" boats are like the running joke we in "GA" have about the idiots from "FL" who come hunting to "GA" and brags about how good the truck load of BOAR hogs he just killed is going to taste.

EddieJoe · Post by **EddieJoe** » December 30th, 2002, 8:00 pm

CS:

Agreed.

EJ

Post by **seatrout99** » December 31st, 2002, 8:10 pm

Ya'll can all kiss my big fat GA A$$.

ST99

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » December 31st, 2002, 9:30 pm

Bashing GA,

I tell you, some of them Florida people are not any better. Sunday coming in from St. Marks, I saw what appeared to be about a 19 - 20 ft boat with 6 - 8 people on board. Talk about exceeding the limits, thats a good way to become a new reef.

And on another outing outa Spring Warrior, this Carolina skiff came just a little to close for comfort, and was givin some choice words. I don't disagree that some people need education, but it isn't only someone from GA.

EddieJoe · Post by **EddieJoe** » December 31st, 2002, 9:53 pm

True, but its fun to pretend.

EJ

Post by **Rogan** » December 31st, 2002, 10:16 pm

I personally would be somewhat PO'D if this happened to me regardless of where the folks were from. GA, FL, SC, or Egypt you should show some respect and sportsmanship. The way I see it if you have only one place to fish you ought to be moving around looking for two. I dont take offense to what you said Tom.