Stoney Bayou 2/17

[nolegolferpimp]

Got to the fort around noon, and the parking lot was packed. I knew there would be 3 donkeys on every corner up river so after putting in and tying up I cast netted for a little and caught some scaled sardines at the end of the boat ramp. It was a low low tide, so I took her down the river and headed out 4 miles to fish some deeper spots. Didnt see much on the bottom reader, and I didnt get any bites. I fished the bird rack for a few passes and got nothing. Did a drift pass with bottom reader and I didnt pick up anything. So from there I figured I would go check out stony bayou and map out the area. I ran her back in from federal waters until I hit the stake line and I ran until I passed the rock garden and then took a 30 degree angle in, walking her at 6mph. I stood on the bow of the boat as she cruised using a paddle and weight shifts to redirect her if neccessary and I also unlocked the trim so if I hit a rock it would pop the motor up. Took me about 20 minutes of walking from the stake line. I saw a 36" nurse shark cruising the flats, and some mullet but that was about it. I didnt think there would be anything out there with the water temp being 55 degrees, but after I saw the shark I decided to be productive and troll a spread while I was walking her into the rock garden. Got to the rock garden and there was about a foot of water. I cast around anyways even though I knew nothing would be there, searched around for some holes and then headed to the stoney bayou channel. I had to get out and push a few times because the water was so low. I considered heading back, but I decided on following the entire creek down to the dike and marking out the holes and channels. I didnt see anything but some mullet, and a small single sheepshead. This area looks like it will hold some fish on higher tides. Lots of deep holes, and the channel is relatively deep. Dusk came and I headed out. I walked her a mile towards the stake line and then cruised at a slow 10mph back towards the lighthouse. Got to the lighthouse, and I didnt have a spot light and my phone had died hours earlier so I had no Navionics. I couldnt find the channel , kept running into oyster bars, and I nearly hit a buoy doing 30mph. Ended up being lost for hours, and ended up in Live oak island. WTF does the channel not have one single solar powered beacon? It cant be more than $50 to put on a beacon on one of those things. Anyways I had a kind soul give me a ride back to the fort from Live Oak island at midnight. WORST TRIP EVER

[Gulf Coast]

I'm a little slow...what are three donkeys?

[EddieJoe]

Got to the fort around noon, and the parking lot was packed. I knew there would be 3 donkeys on every corner up river so after putting in and tying up I cast netted for a little and caught some scaled sardines at the end of the boat ramp. It was a low low tide, so I took her down the river and headed out 4 miles to fish some deeper spots. Didnt see much on the bottom reader, and I didnt get any bites. I fished the bird rack for a few passes and got nothing. Did a drift pass with bottom reader and I didnt pick up anything. So from there I figured I would go check out stony bayou and map out the area. I ran her back in from federal waters until I hit the stake line and I ran until I passed the rock garden and then took a 30 degree angle in, walking her at 6mph. I stood on the bow of the boat as she cruised using a paddle and weight shifts to redirect her if neccessary and I also unlocked the trim so if I hit a rock it would pop the motor up. Took me about 20 minutes of walking from the stake line. I saw a 36" nurse shark cruising the flats, and some mullet but that was about it. I didnt think there would be anything out there with the water temp being 55 degrees, but after I saw the shark I decided to be productive and troll a spread while I was walking her into the rock garden. Got to the rock garden and there was about a foot of water. I cast around anyways even though I knew nothing would be there, searched around for some holes and then headed to the stoney bayou channel. I had to get out and push a few times because the water was so low. I considered heading back, but I decided on following the entire creek down to the dike and marking out the holes and channels. I didnt see anything but some mullet, and a small single sheepshead. This area looks like it will hold some fish on higher tides. Lots of deep holes, and the channel is relatively deep. Dusk came and I headed out. I walked her a mile towards the stake line and then cruised at a slow 10mph back towards the lighthouse. Got to the lighthouse, and I didnt have a spot light and my phone had died hours earlier so I had no Navionics. I couldnt find the channel , kept running into oyster bars, and I nearly hit a buoy doing 30mph. Ended up being lost for hours, and ended up in Live oak island. WTF does the channel not have one single solar powered beacon? It cant be more than $50 to put on a beacon on one of those things. Anyways I had a kind soul give me a ride back to the fort from Live Oak island at midnight. WORST TRIP EVER

Sorry about your trip. Don't know why the channel has no lit markers, but the navigation chart will show which ones are (or should be) lit so you can know in advance. Unfortunately, the bad news is depending on a smart phone to handle your navigation has limits. I suggest either you buy an extra battery or invest in a mapping portable gps unit. A headlamp would also help if you don't have a spotlight, but if it was me I would spring for a spotlight if you are ever going to be out at dusk or night. I also had a real bad experience with nightfall and no navigation and lights. I made it home safe (barely) and after that I always brought the equipment, even on another person's boat.

Your life isn't worth the money you will spend on those electronics.

Better luck,
\
EJ

[roadtrip]

It normally take a chain of 3-4 mistakes to really get into trouble. You were on your way. I'm glad your motor didnt quit, and you made it back safe.
Get a light, a friend, back up navigation, head for the hill earlier.

[mjsigns]

nolegolferpimp - Sounds like you had an adventure. Been there and got grounded in a couple of places. The St. Marks channel has "white flashing markers" only where the channel makes a sudden turn. I agree they simply don't have enough "lighted" markers. There is also a white flashing marker at the bird rack. Once the sun goes down (and no moon light) it is extremely easy to end up in the wrong place. You were lucky the temperatures didn't drop below 30 degrees. My first fishing partner and I got stuck at the mouth of the river at 2:00am on a cold rainy night in February (twenty years ago). The constant 20mph out of the north made it feel like 20 degrees and it blew the water out from under the boat. We had a 1000 candle power spot light (before GPS was affordable) and we ended up dragging the john boat through the mud some 300 yards. One step at a time, at one point loosing both my good boots in knee deep mud. after 3 hours of intense labor we finally found the channel and got back home around 6:00am. Darn near passed out from pure exhaustion at the wheel on the way home. There was no Savannah's to stop at. Freezing cold, hungry totally drained and upset. Worst trip if my life, lesson learned the hard way.

If you are going down there at night, spotlight, GPS, VHS, and compass extra clothes, food & drink are essential. Make sure your batteries are topped off before you go.

Hang in there !

[nolegolferpimp]

Thanks for the advice guys, I just woke up again from my second nap today. My body was tired as hell. 99% of the time I usually have my water proof spot light with me and fully charged. I just misplaced it the other day and didnt intend to stay out past dusk. Stony Bayou was just very slow getting out and in. Cause what do we say about losing a lower unit? Not today! I would have been fine to sleep in the boat if thats what it came to. I was dressed for 30 degrees plus wind and water. I usually have two nav units, my phone and my tablet, but I dropped the tablet into lake talquin a week ago. I am very respectful of the sea. I know how fast she can kill you if you dont respect her. I definitely owe the man who helped me out in Live oak island. Next time I'm down I've got some, frozen dolphin, wahoo, and cobia for that good man. I should be out again on tuesday to fish the East river so I'll give you guys a report.

[MudDucker]

Glad you made it back in.

[G3Tales]

donkey.

[GaryDroze]

Stoney Bayou handed me 3 reds in 4 casts on 2/17, but my timing may have differed from yours. Where were you around noon? I was wading within sight of the levee, near a big three-way intersection. Slinging freelined mudminoows into a pretty lame current.

[GaryDroze]

PS No offense, but Stoney Bayou water temp was not 55 degrees on 2/17. You have me totally outgunned in terms of technology and boat goodies, but I literally walk waist-deep in that waterway, all year. When it gets below 60 degrees, I'm on the bank or in a kayak.

[SNATCHHOOK]

This guy is no fisherman. He thinks he knows the lingo. To bad his dad didn't take him.
He has a great imagination .

[TallyFish]

Is it April 1 already?