BigBendFishing.Net

I have a 180 Bay Scout with a 10 inch draft which should be decent enough for that area. My only real question is are there just a bunch of little rocks on the bottom everywhere or are there huge boat killing machines around that you can hit even if you have the motor all the way up and are using a trolling motor to get around?

Some of em are BIGGER than your boat, some are easily seen and others are submerged, this is why I fish WEST of St. Marks

mojokoko wrote:I have a 180 Bay Scout with a 10 inch draft which should be decent enough for that area. My only real question is are there just a bunch of little rocks on the bottom everywhere or are there huge boat killing machines around that you can hit even if you have the motor all the way up and are using a trolling motor to get around?

There are both types. Some of the biggest are marked with pvc. Use the black rock number as a guide and stay outside of it when running. When you want to get in and out of the rock garden go north and south not east and west.

Not sure about how many "boat killer's" there are but there be plenty that will eat a lower unit if your not using reasonable caution. Lot's of the 2,3,4 foot in dia variety and just below the surface. Once you enter the general rock garden area you'd best be served to use your trolling motor for the first few trips. (see the rectangle shown on map C on this link from Jerry's Bait N Tackle site http://www.jerrysbait.com/localmap.asp). The first time your able to view the area on an extreme low tide, it'l scare ya to death. The fishing is good and you can certainly take your boat in and out with no problem if you use patience and caution. Good luck

You don't need a "boat killer" to hurt your feelings. Even the little ones are harder than your prop, skeg, etc. At least you can see the big ones.

The Rock Garden has acres of rocks of all different sizes. There are some fish there, but there are fish in other places too. When you approach the garden take your time. It doesn't matter if it is your 100th time you should still take your time. There is really no way to learn it. It is "hit and miss"

It is also a great place to snorkel during the summer.

Here are some previous posts, take caution!

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

Ty one on wrote:It doesn't matter if it is your 100th time you should still take your time. There is really no way to learn it. It is "hit and miss"

Yep. 1 skeg, 1 prop, and 1 bent shaft...each time I got in a hurry Seen many folks hit rocks, just take your time and it is fine.

A Collision with a rock in the "rock garden" is inevitable. It's not a matter of "IF", it is "When". Do like Tom and Ty said, take your time, keep the lower unit trimmed up high as possible and just put-put-put along. I generally run over more crab traps than rocks, both can cause serious some damage if you are running WOT.