St. Marks 4-1-11

[lordsfisher]

I went out for a few hours today. Targeted spanish first, followed by trout and redfish. Nothing going on in the river (stained). The flats were perfectly calm with clear water. Spanish and blues were steady at the stakeline. Trolled until I caught them, then casted. Everything seemed to work. Gotchas, silver spoons, mirro-minno, white gulp jigs, and jerk baits. Spanish on topdog jr. was the most entertaining. In close for trout/reds was not productive and missed a couple average trout. Overall a relaxing day. But at noon when the wind howled, I was glad to get off the water.

[tallykenj]

Thanks for the post. I was hoping to get out tomorrow afternoon after my daughter's softball game but it looks like it will windy.

[lordsfisher]

Thanks for the post. I was hoping to get out tomorrow afternoon after my daughter's softball game but it looks like it will windy.

Yes, it's hard to know with the wind. But if you'll buy BB's $35K boat tonight, we can go tomorrow afternoon.

Any sea turtle experts? I'm trying to ID that one. Looks like it could be a Kemp's Ridley, one of the smallest sea turtles, and the most critically endangered of sea turtles in the world.

[FinAddict]

The turtle ID is a tough one, with the water distortion...see the link with a ID chart...http://www.seaturtlefoundation.org/wp-c ... tleorg.jpg

[lordsfisher]

Thanks! It's definitely a Kemp's Ridley. Interesting to learn about how close to extinction these came with an estimated 350 nesting females left in 1985 (now several thousand worldwide). We are blessed to have all these rare and interesting creatures at our refuge.