Wakulla/St marks North of fort question

Post by **Dubble Trubble** » July 15th, 2007, 11:02 pm

Although I have been from the fort to the mouth of the St Marks river, and to Wakulla springs many times. I was thinking of taking a Non-fishing (scenic) ride north of the fort on the wakulla and the St marks rivers. I know a lot of you know these rivers well. How far north are they navigable, and what about no wake zones....etc. I would be on my 19' CC boat, so some shallow water would not be a problem.

It would just be a family outing type thing.

Dubble

Post by RD » July 16th, 2007, 7:37 am

You can go up the Wakulla all the way to the upper bridge,the channel is crooked and lots of eel grass so I would pick a time when the tide is up to go. The St. Marks is a lot deeper so the tide doesn't matter much. You can navigate for several miles above New Port safely. Two totally different rivers,both beautiful. Enjoy.

Post by **Reel Slow** » July 16th, 2007, 2:25 pm

Went up the Wakulla for the first time Friday. Lots of Manatees, some gators, otters, etc...Family really enjoyed it. Easy to navigate. Daughter did a little snorkeling along the boat on a drift back down and had a blast.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » July 16th, 2007, 6:40 pm

High tides are best. Just get in them and go. When you can go no further,turn around and come back.

Ty one on · Post by **Ty one on** » July 16th, 2007, 7:41 pm

Anyone who has not taken this trip is missing a lot.

About the wake, Go slow and enjoy things you may not have ever seen in real life. It is peacefulness at its best.

Post by **bman** » July 16th, 2007, 10:18 pm

Both are beautiful... But Be careful running up the St Marks- there are a few no wake areas near homes...

But the big deal is there are two limestone rock areas.
One is not that far north of Newport- it is just really shallow.

The 2nd is very rocky with a path / channel on the left side going up river.
It is narrow and I don't think I'd take a fiberglass boat up there.
If you get out of the channel you will be in a rock field.

In both of those areas I have hit bottom with a 15' jon boat with a 15hp outboard

Post by **Dubble Trubble** » July 16th, 2007, 10:41 pm

May just turn around at newport then....Thanks for the warnings....

Dubble

fishful_thinkin · Post by **fishful_thinkin** » July 16th, 2007, 10:59 pm

DT - I have been above new port a mile or so in my 19' Carolina Skiff and in a 17' Nitro bass boat. Never felt "unsafe". Just take it easy and you will be fine purty country up there.

Post by RD » July 17th, 2007, 9:15 am

You can go above Magnolia a few bends before you get to the rocks,to me thats some of the best part of the river,great swimming hole just above Magnolia Landing,hadn't been up there lately but we used to have a rope in the tree.

RiverRunner · Post by **RiverRunner** » July 18th, 2007, 8:08 am

bman wrote:
The 2nd is very rocky with a path / channel on the left side going up river.
It is narrow and I don't think I'd take a fiberglass boat up there.
If you get out of the channel you will be in a rock field.

Make sure you go up enough to see the cows. Here is the channel Bman is speaking of to the left.

This is the rock field he is speaking of. These pics were taking last summer. I was up there a couple of weekends ago and the cows have really did a good job at getting alot of the grass out of there. I can't find the pic though.

Post by **Redfin** » July 18th, 2007, 11:05 am

ha i saw the cows there last year

Post by **bman** » July 18th, 2007, 12:31 pm

The river cows are hilarious!!

Think those cows taste like manatee?

RiverRunner · Post by **RiverRunner** » July 18th, 2007, 4:09 pm

bman wrote:The river cows are hilarious!!

Think those cows taste like manatee?

They're a little leaner......HAHAHAHA