BigBendFishing.Net

Question if you don't mind. I've been studying the st. marks area. I don't want to invade anyone's fishing hole, but I'm wondering if someone can give me some general direction. I think I see three likely places to fish in the St. Marks area: 1) a couple creeks on the west side of the St. Marks just down from fort; 2) bars just west of lighthouse, or 3) bars in East River. Stoney Bayou looked like it might be good, but I don't like the distance of the run or the look of the rocks and shallow water for a newcomer. Does one of those areas seem better than another for December?

I was going to try to go try inshore with my son a couple times this month. And i hope to do some catch and release of trout, reds, or sharks. I don't promise him we'll catch anything but of course i'd love to get him into the sport that kept me out of trouble when I was young.

Thanks. Christine

Invade anyones fishing area you want as long if they are not there and if they are you keep 200 yards from their boat and if its Showboat he likes a 1 mile radius, and you will still hear him mumbling under his breath then. One thing people do is check out the areas at low tide to see where the bars are, and keep their distance from the shores in the winter at low tide.

Anyway, there are many places away from the shoreline that hold winter trout. You'll have to get on the water, take it slow, and learn the area if your not going out with folks with more experience. v Check out the area charts and look at the google earth maps for the area. Goodluck

jsuber wrote: Check out the area charts and look at the google earth maps for the area. Goodluck

Fo sho on Google Earth I use it alot when fishing new areas.

I toke a chunk outta my skeg the first trip down there but we caught some decent fish there sense. I like fishing east from the river (towards Aucilla) better than the other side. But I'm only fished there a couple of times.
Just be careful and take your time. Exploring is the fun part.

My "SINGLE" brother lives in St. Marks and works at Sheilds Marina he may could give ya some pointers on where ta fish "did I mention that he's SINGLE"

First off, love the name... ladyinreds

Secondly, you are on target with most of those spots. I agree, the run to Stoney Bayou could be tricky if you are not familiar with the area, and virtually impossible to get into on a low tide. The East River is an excellent spot this time of year also, however if you don't find the channel (which isn't marked) then you risk running aground.

If I were you, being new to the area and wanting to catch fish, then I would suggest going up the St. Marks. You can launch at the fort and head up river (north east). You will pass Shields Marina. This whole area is a no wake zone. You will pass the power plant on your left. Continue on until you reach the "resume normal speed" marker on the right (the river bends to the right also). Stop there, anchor up, and fish live shrimp on the bottom. You can fish them free lined on a slack tide, or with a jighead, split shot, or with a weight, swivel, leader line combo when the water is moving. This area usually (most likely) will hold tons of reds in the Winter months. Its the perfect type of fishing to get a young buck hooked!!! Good luck.

Also, you may want to check out myhometownfishing.com for additional info.

Gentlemen, Thank you very much. That is just what I need. With kids, they will either like or not. A lot of that depends on how they do at first. Hey and Wevans, thanks for the tip on your brother. I'm tempted, but i'm concerned he might be an "athlete" like your cartoon or maybe a one-eyed, one toothed oyster shucker. So tell him to "keep an eye out" for me when I'm in there this weekend (pun intended). And for those of you who have only one eye, no offense!

Not the best pic of him and his best friend at the lighthouse

Everything you mentioned are my fishing holes. However, you are welcome to use them.

Then some fish might get caught out of them if she goes.

ladyinreds wrote:Gentlemen.....

Methinks this lady has posted on the wrong forum!

RHTFISH wrote:

ladyinreds wrote:Gentlemen.....

Methinks this lady has posted on the wrong forum!

She just hasn't been around that long.

Y'all speak for yerselfs I'm a perfect gentleman just ask my daughters

ha ha you guys are making me laugh. Wevens, i'll be looking for your handsome brother at the marina. He's a dog lover so he's got something good going right off the bat.

I have 7 dogs.

Ladyinreds, if I were in your shoes and wanting to put a young one on fish during this, our coldest part of the year, I would likely put sheephead high on the list if the trout and reds in the rivers and creeks are slow to bite. Granted they can give kids fits (and adults too ) with their habit of nibbling, but this time of year action is usually pretty darn predictable. Doubt anyone will care much if I share a site so commonly known as to likely have been fished by all on this board... as you're heading out of the lighthouse landing creek there is some marked sunken metal debris just outside the creek that you have to steer clear of as you head out toward the channel. Stay about 30 feet away and cast towards it (inching closer until you get bites) and you'll very likely find 'em .

Don't know if you're comfortable going just a few miles, out, but if so look for structure off St. Mark or the Aucilla area in depths between 15 to 20 feet and you'll usually be able to find a slew of seabass. You shouldn't have to look too hard online to find some reef/wreck/rocky area numbers fairly close to shore (afraid a few folks may be more protective of the seabass spots or I would get more specific with them too ).

And by the way, happily married and two brothers are already taken so you can trust the friendly advice . Good luck to you and the young one.