BigBendFishing.Net

Little Late, but I have not been out in a while.
My 21yo son is home from college, so he, one of his buddys and my eldest daughter tried the creeks and east river on Wednesday. Not may folks out there, very light chop, ESE wind, 68 degrees.

We tried Stoney, Big Cove, and an unnamed creek further east. Lots of pins in the creeks, saw one school of reds, but my sons buddy does not know the meaning of 'inside voice'. No joy, no comment.

We went to the east river, long bar on the falling tide. My son hooked up with a 24" trout, must have hit him on the top of the head with a penny gulp. I took pity and released it thinking we would not catch another. Caught one more about 18" on a drift. It was in one of the holes `12 feet deep. Off the water at 1500. Very pretty day.

Friday, strong N wind, choppy, 65 degrees. Fished the river south of the fort. Holes, bars, etc. No joy. Headed to Long Bar in the east river. lots of water moving, very cold and windy. No luck. Headed back up river and stopped in creek. FWC came to visit in a skiff that was well disguised, Got written up for not having flares in a waterproof container. I know better now (a chance to get some tupperware out of the kitchen). The officer was nice enough, no complaints.

Headed up the St. Marks to around Tara. anchored, and then slow trolled the holes. Sheephead and mangroves in the holes, and small reds were near the bank. Managed to bring some sheephead home.
Saw one fellow bring in a very large red, several folks catching largemouth. Very pretty on the river despite the cold.

Sounds like you covered the ground and found some fish. Tough conditions for sure Friday

good to see you out again db.

dbplug wrote: Got written up for not having flares in a waterproof container. I know better now (a chance to get some tupperware out of the kitchen). The officer was nice enough, no complaints.

From the USCG rules:

Pyrotechnic Devices

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals must be Coast Guard Approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.

They are marked with an expiration date. Expired signals may be carried as extra equipment, but can not be counted toward meeting the visual distress signal requirement, since they may be unreliable.
Launchers manufactured before January 1, 1981, intended for use with approved signals, are not required to be Coast Guard Approved.
If pyrotechnic devices are selected a minimum of three are required. That is, three signals for day use and three signals for night. Some pyrotechnic signals meet both day and night use requirements.
Pyrotechnic devices should be stored in a cool, dry location, if possible.
A watertight container painted red or orange and prominently marked "DISTRESS SIGNALS" or "FLARES" is recommended.

Apparently "recommended" now means required? When you say "written up" I assume a warning, not a ticket. If it was a ticket, I would see him in court.

Dubble

dubble, thanks for the information. I recieved a citation, no ticket or fine. The office said that if I was offshore or on the flats he would have given me a ticket(fine). I will do what FWC 'recommends', sounds like a good idea. I am however cheap when it comes to shelling out $$ on a 'required vs. recommended'. thanks

dbplug wrote: Got written up for not having flares in a waterproof container. I know better now (a chance to get some tupperware out of the kitchen). The officer was nice enough, no complaints.

I know I need to supply life vests in my boat, But should I also be carrying flares as a legal requirement? or if I have them they need to be in a container? please help me out here, sorry to be dim!

Wadey wrote:
I know I need to supply life vests in my boat, But should I also be carrying flares as a legal requirement? or if I have them they need to be in a container? please help me out here, sorry to be dim!

Yes, 3 visual daytime signals and 3 nightime, or 3 that meet both. I think you also have to have a horn, whistle, or some other audible signal that meets Coast Guard standards, you need a fire extinguisher...I'm probably leaving something out.

Wow - that's lame - I've never heard of any waterproofing requirement. Most coast guard approved pyrotechnic devices are waterproof anyway...super-lame. I've ben checked many many times, including a voluntary coast guard safety check around the start of scallop season this year; never once had flares in any container, and it's never once even been suggested by FWC officers or Coasties.


Wadey - other than what Eerman noted, you also need a coast guard approved throw ring, seat cushion approved as a flotation device, or extra throwable approved life jacket for I believe vessels 16 feet or larger. The fire extinguisher requirement has stipulations about fuel tank type, but they are like $10-15 and come in reeeeeal handy if or when you need them, so just carry one.

Glad to see you got in to at least a couple fish db - the bite has been really slow for us the past few weeks.

Thanks for that, I have everything else you mention, just have to sort the flares first thing in the morning