BigBendFishing.Net

I've been lurking around for a while and finally joined. I have been using Sheild at St. Marks for a long time. I've been thinking about trying a new place and I found this boat ramp on goog maps and was wondering if it is indeed functional, and if it's a public ramp, and in decent shape. I'm using a 22' Pro-line CC. If anyone has any input, I would appreciate it. Also if anyone knows of any other boat ramps near Ochlocknee Bay.

Here's the link to the boat ramp: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 76818&z=14

link doesn't work

That is the Mashes Sands Ramp. A no fee county ramp. Double wide concrete. On site park manager. Plenty of parking. Restrooms. Coke machine. Picnic table(covered).

Just make sure that you watch the tides. Haven't put in there in a while so they may have dredged it, but it used to be quite shallow on a low tide. Especially in a 22fter.

Thanks for the quick replies. Do you know if it's any worse than putting in at Sheid's at low time? That's usually deep enough at low tide in the summer... I've seen pine needles get beached in the winter though.

THE RAMP THAT I USE IS AT THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE MOUTH OF THE ST.MARKS RIVER. GOING FROM TALLAHASSEE TAKE RT. 363 DOWN TO WAKULA STATION, AT THE BLINKING LIGHT JUST PAST SAVANNAH'S RESTURANT, TURN LEFT TO US. RT. 98, TURN LEFT GO ACROSS ST. MARKS RIVER, TURN RIGHT FIRST PAVED ROAD AND THIS TAKES YOU INTO THE ST MARKS PRESERVE, FOLLOW IT TO THE END. CONCRETE RAMP LAUNCH 2 BOATS AT A TIME, BE ON THE RIGHT JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO THE LIGHTHOUSE. PLENTY OF PARKING AND DOCK TO LOAD BOAT AFTER LAUNCH. THIS SAVES YA 14 MILES OF RUNNIN YOUR BOAT IF YOU LAUNCH AT SHIELDS.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

P.S. IF YOU ARE OVER 55 YOU CAN GET THE GOLDEN SENIORS FED. PASS THAT YOU CAN USE ANYWHERE FOR ENTRANCE TO FED. PARKS AND SCEINIC ROUTES THAT REQUIRE PURCHASE OF A TICKET TO ENTER, LIKE YELLOW STONE NATL. PARK.

Like I mentioned, I haven't been in years but it used to be far worse than shields. I would still check the tides. Now there is another ramp off of Surf Rd. I can't remember the name of the landing. It is off of a dirt rd. but the launch is actally into the channel of the river. Go past the old Bayside Marina and continue towards 319... it is on the left about a mile or so up river.

My 20' bay boat would bump bottom on low tide at Mashes sands. I wont use the ramp there any more.

captkeyser wrote:Like I mentioned, I haven't been in years but it used to be far worse than shields. I would still check the tides. Now there is another ramp off of Surf Rd. I can't remember the name of the landing. It is off of a dirt rd. but the launch is actally into the channel of the river. Go past the old Bayside Marina and continue towards 319... it is on the left about a mile or so up river.

That would be roho rd, good ramp but not much parking. The ramp is plenty wide, but there is a 2 or 3 foot drop off on either side. Just walk down and take a look around your first time launching there.

Bottoms Road..just before you get into Panacea..end of the road..pretty good ramp but limited parking

There is also a ramp at Levy Bay at the end of Levy Bay road in Panacea, and one new Ramp beside that Pirate Bar in Panacea.