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Put in at the Fort around 7:30 yesterday morning. Had a couple friends with me so I was looking forward to a good day out on the water. Jumped up on plane leaving the no wake zone and quickly realized something wasn't right. Engine was revving way up and motor was jumping but I wasn't getting speed. Idled it back down and tried again with the same results. The culprit, a spun hub on my prop. Idled back to the launch and proceeded to change the prop in the shallows next to the ramp. Twenty minutes later we were back on the water giving it another go down river. Headed out and fished the west flats from 4-8' of water and landed a few short trout and a ton of small sharks. First time I've ever had to worry about catching small sharks on a paddle tail grub and flutter hook. They were everywhere over the grass. Had several larger sharks eat pinfish under popping corks also. Decided to try something else and made my way back over to the river channel to see if any fish were around the schools of bait moving around the shoals. No luck here either. Should have headed east and tried out around the rock garden, but my two passengers were ready to call it a day. Headed back in and pulled the boat about 12:30. Short day on the water without much to show for it. Does anyone have recommendations on a ramp to launch a 20' bayboat around Panacea. Thinking about trying further West next trip.

Thanks,
Nathan

Try the launch at Panacea Harbor.

Glad you got out.

Sorry you had motor trouble... Need to drag the yack back out!

The Panacea marina ramp is a good one-
I've seen a lot bigger boat put in there.
and you can get dinner at Hook Wrecks when you get back.

The ramp on Rock Landing Road by Hook Wreck Henry's is good, just a little tight at a real low tide THe channel is marked good, just stay in it.

Reel Slow wrote:The ramp on Rock Landing Road by Hook Wreck Henry's is good, just a little tight at a real low tide THe channel is marked good, just stay in it.

What they said. Good ramp, channel is marked well. I've seen more than one big boat parked on the sand bars though. Just don't try to cut the corners and you'll be fine. Parking can also get a little tight if you don't get there early on the weekends.

Just so you are not confused- We are all taking about the same place.

The guys are right- there are sandbars all along the channel.
And it takes some jogs left and right... follow the markers and don't cut corners.

Thanks, for the help on where to launch. I've put the yak in around Panacea many times. Usually used the bottoms ramp with it, but know I can't launch the big boat there. Always did good with the yak around Panacea, so thought I would try that area more by boat. It's not a bad run over from St.Marks, but with the price of gas a closer launch is nice.

Thanks,
Nathan

Goin is much better than not goin. Glad y'all got out there.