St. Marks May 22-24
Posted: May 25th, 2009, 9:45 am
Bullet and I decided to ignore the weather forecast (once again) and head down to Shell Island Fish Camp and try our luck. The last time we ignored the weather forecast was 8 weeks ago when the EPIC Storm came through. We ended up fishing from the banks. My wife is convinced that we are idiots. How do you explain this to someone who does not fish?
Left Dothan at lunch on Friday and drove thru rain all the way. Not raining in St. Marks but wind was blowing pretty hard. Had the boat in the water by 4:00, picked up two dozen shrimp and made our way to East River. Fished two hours and caught 2 trout (15 & 17), one sheepshead, couple of ladyfish and several catfish. Too rough to go into the bay for bait.
Left the dock @ 7:20 Saturday morning. Winds 15-20 out of the ESE. Made our way south of the light house and caught some pretty good bait. Almost fell in a couple of time while casting, it was rough. Went to some oyster bars near west flats to fish the incoming tide. After about 30 minutes the fish arrived. I caught two reds (26 & 26.5) on consecutive casts. Bullet landed 3 trout (19, 21 & 22). Did all of this in about 45 minutes. About this time I noticed my boat moving past me. With two anchors it still would not hold with the wind and tide moving in the same direction. We figured with two trout over 20 and two reds we would take it in and take a break.
Photo of morning catch.
Cleaned fish, took a break and then headed out to East River to catch falling tide. Afternoon was slow, except catfish. Finished with one flounder and one 22" trout.
Sunday left dock at 7:10. Weather was overcast but wind had died down to around 10. Got bait and headed to West Bar. Turned on about 1 hour after tide change. I got another red (22) and Bullet continued to dominate the trout (22 & 23). Stayed on the west side for falling tide. I lost one red after about 4 minutes of fighting (came back with a hook) but did land one more red (24) and Bullet finally got in on the red fish action with a nice 26".
Not a bad weekend and it did not rain on us at all.
Left Dothan at lunch on Friday and drove thru rain all the way. Not raining in St. Marks but wind was blowing pretty hard. Had the boat in the water by 4:00, picked up two dozen shrimp and made our way to East River. Fished two hours and caught 2 trout (15 & 17), one sheepshead, couple of ladyfish and several catfish. Too rough to go into the bay for bait.
Left the dock @ 7:20 Saturday morning. Winds 15-20 out of the ESE. Made our way south of the light house and caught some pretty good bait. Almost fell in a couple of time while casting, it was rough. Went to some oyster bars near west flats to fish the incoming tide. After about 30 minutes the fish arrived. I caught two reds (26 & 26.5) on consecutive casts. Bullet landed 3 trout (19, 21 & 22). Did all of this in about 45 minutes. About this time I noticed my boat moving past me. With two anchors it still would not hold with the wind and tide moving in the same direction. We figured with two trout over 20 and two reds we would take it in and take a break.
Photo of morning catch.
Cleaned fish, took a break and then headed out to East River to catch falling tide. Afternoon was slow, except catfish. Finished with one flounder and one 22" trout.
Sunday left dock at 7:10. Weather was overcast but wind had died down to around 10. Got bait and headed to West Bar. Turned on about 1 hour after tide change. I got another red (22) and Bullet continued to dominate the trout (22 & 23). Stayed on the west side for falling tide. I lost one red after about 4 minutes of fighting (came back with a hook) but did land one more red (24) and Bullet finally got in on the red fish action with a nice 26".
Not a bad weekend and it did not rain on us at all.
Good trip.