Keaton 4.2 - 4.3 Rock Island to Grassy

[bigblister]

We were in the water by 930 and headed to Rock Island. Water temp. was around 64 degrees and once again NOAA missed the forecast by 5 knots. The wind was easily blowing 20 knots on the way up to Rock.

We got to the first spot as the tide was rising and picked up a few shorts. We moved to a deeper hole, around 3.5 feet, and picked up two nice trout and a nice spanish that was around 18". The action slowed down and we fished various holes on the way back south from Rock Island to Spring Warrior. We ended up with 6 nice trout and a long spanish.

Catch on Saturday

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Water temp at the end of the day was over 70 degrees.

On Sunday morning, we got an early start due to the low tide at 9. We headed south and tried something different. Picked up 100 live shrimp and the trout loved it. We fished from 1.5 - 4 feet of water and the fish liked almost everything we threw at them from live shrimp to topwater to suspended baits. I used to be a hugh GULP fan, but we only caught one fish on the gulp (new penny).

Probably the craziest thing of the day was while were in 3 feet of water a 10 foot bull shark cruised by. We were in a 19 foot boat and he was over half as long as our boat!!! No more scalloping for me....

JG with two nice fish

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Sunday morning catch

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[Atticus]

Great reports.

I like me some white cans of Modelo also!

[lordsfisher]

Thanks for the great read. 10 Ft. Bull Shark huh?! I saw a youtube video of two 6-7' tigers on the St. Marks flats (following chum). My kids love to scallop, but I've already been wondering if I ought to put them in that water. I'll have to think about that.

[MudDucker]

I've been scalloping down there for over 30 years and never had a close encounter with a shark. I've been fishing down there for over 40 years and watched many a shark swim by.

[lordsfisher]

I've been scalloping down there for over 30 years and never had a close encounter with a shark. I've been fishing down there for over 40 years and watched many a shark swim by.

Thanks MudDucker. I didn't want to be irresponsible. But I was hoping someone would tell me that. I think I'll not tell them about all these sharks so their scalloping will be more enjoyable. For instance, swimming in the ocean was much more enjoyable before I watched "Jaws". And the movie "Deliverance" did to camping what "Jaws" did for swimming in the ocean.

[Atticus]

I have a similar thoughts as MudDucker although I don't have as many years of experience.

There were a shitload of large sharks south of Keaton on Saturday. AJ and I saw at least 3 that were half as long as my boat (16')

One was dragging around a red and white popping cork. I thought it was a tracking tag when I first saw it.

Anyways I will be scalloping this year. No big deal.

[Breambuster]

Thanks for the report. As for scalloping, just stay in the middle of the pack of boats and you'll be fine...

[silverking]

Thanks for the great read. 10 Ft. Bull Shark huh?! I saw a youtube video of two 6-7' tigers on the St. Marks flats (following chum). My kids love to scallop, but I've already been wondering if I ought to put them in that water. I'll have to think about that.

That was my video. Sure makes me have second thoughts about getting in the water. But I probably will. They have as much right there as I do, probably more and they haven't taken any nips out of me yet.

[Jumptrout51]

"YET"

[Hit-n-Miss]

Thanks for the report. As for scalloping, just stay in the middle of the pack of boats and you'll be fine...

Yeah as long as you can swim faster than the guy next to you.

[MudDucker]

Thanks for the report. As for scalloping, just stay in the middle of the pack of boats and you'll be fine...

Yeah as long as you can swim faster than the guy next to you.

Kinda like bear avoidance.