BB and Co. St Marks 5/18
Posted: May 19th, 2008, 11:52 pm
Left the cabin @ 6 am and headed to St Marks. Listened to Bow'd gripe about my choice of travel route like normal... 
. Got to the ramp and met a decent wind on the way out. Stopped at the ditch and started putting shorts in the boat right away. Bowd didnt seem to like my choice of marine real estate so in about 15 minutes he was off to the east. I told my crew he was headed to Ecky. Whatever works. I told my crew there was a storm brewing to the west of us from a little intel I recieved from CT. They asked if I wanted to follow Bow'd and I explained to them if we went we'd have to come back through the storm. Thirty minutes later lightning pops about three miles to the west. POwerpole up, hammer down. The storm was moving to the east at a quick clip so we holed up backside of the lighthouse. Called Bowd to give him a heads up. He met up with us a bit later and we headed back to a set of humps starting in 7'. Bowd asked if we were fishing for grouper and I told him he certainly didnt have to stay. Irony kicked in, one of my crew boated a 12 inch grouper. Bow'd headed straight in forward of my drift. Seas by this time were 2-3, three hours before high tide, Water temp 72.3. We eased our way slowly in and began picking up fish. Probably caught 50-60 trout all day. Wanted to work in slowly and hit the red waters at dead high tide. Not being as familiar with the area as other places, I figured this would give me the best opportunity to explore. Wind got up to 20 and I told the guys last drift. Started out on the other end of the ditch and worked top water, suspending, and jigs on the bottom. Jigs were the ticket. Jerk worms,too. Caught 13 keepers,lost several good 'uns at the boat. Solid day. Top five LEGAL limit was 11lbs 7 oz. Top five fish were 13.3, including a 22.5 and 21.5 back to back by yours truly. Brought home 22.5, 21.5,19.99999,19.5(2), 18.75(2),a couple of 18's, and some dink trouts. Found out the St Marks truth. Outside of the spoils, in a 25 knot wind, is a rough SOB!!! True 5-6 footers, even a bit too much for 'Ol BB 
!! Got in safe, watching some fool in a blue Skeeter run right through the middle of the rock garden . Thank God he didnt find a dragon. Think Ill carry him back at low tide and let him see for himself. Got home, and after some discussion and friendly conversations about a certain trout, pics were taken and beverages consumed. Good time and ready to head out again. Below is MY two biggest of the day. Oh by the way, thats a 150 qt Yeti, 20 inches wide the fish are on. The very bottom is Bow'ds creel, same area.
. Got to the ramp and met a decent wind on the way out. Stopped at the ditch and started putting shorts in the boat right away. Bowd didnt seem to like my choice of marine real estate so in about 15 minutes he was off to the east. I told my crew he was headed to Ecky. Whatever works. I told my crew there was a storm brewing to the west of us from a little intel I recieved from CT. They asked if I wanted to follow Bow'd and I explained to them if we went we'd have to come back through the storm. Thirty minutes later lightning pops about three miles to the west. POwerpole up, hammer down. The storm was moving to the east at a quick clip so we holed up backside of the lighthouse. Called Bowd to give him a heads up. He met up with us a bit later and we headed back to a set of humps starting in 7'. Bowd asked if we were fishing for grouper and I told him he certainly didnt have to stay. Irony kicked in, one of my crew boated a 12 inch grouper. Bow'd headed straight in forward of my drift. Seas by this time were 2-3, three hours before high tide, Water temp 72.3. We eased our way slowly in and began picking up fish. Probably caught 50-60 trout all day. Wanted to work in slowly and hit the red waters at dead high tide. Not being as familiar with the area as other places, I figured this would give me the best opportunity to explore. Wind got up to 20 and I told the guys last drift. Started out on the other end of the ditch and worked top water, suspending, and jigs on the bottom. Jigs were the ticket. Jerk worms,too. Caught 13 keepers,lost several good 'uns at the boat. Solid day. Top five LEGAL limit was 11lbs 7 oz. Top five fish were 13.3, including a 22.5 and 21.5 back to back by yours truly. Brought home 22.5, 21.5,19.99999,19.5(2), 18.75(2),a couple of 18's, and some dink trouts. Found out the St Marks truth. Outside of the spoils, in a 25 knot wind, is a rough SOB!!! True 5-6 footers, even a bit too much for 'Ol BB !! Got in safe, watching some fool in a blue Skeeter run right through the middle of the rock garden . Thank God he didnt find a dragon. Think Ill carry him back at low tide and let him see for himself. Got home, and after some discussion and friendly conversations about a certain trout, pics were taken and beverages consumed. Good time and ready to head out again. Below is MY two biggest of the day. Oh by the way, thats a 150 qt Yeti, 20 inches wide the fish are on. The very bottom is Bow'ds creel, same area.
Just kidding, I'm jealous 