Monday afternoon, I fished at the lighthouse. I didn't know what to expect with all the recent freshwater, but I was convinced that the only way to find out is to get the line in the water. As soon as I got out east of the lighthouse (just west of Stoney Bayou) I put on the mask and snorkel to check for scallops. I haven't seen any good reports of scallops coming from St. Marks, but I wanted to see for myself. Well, as it turns out there is a reason there aren't any good reports. Water was decently clear, but very tannic. Swam around for about 45 minutes and didn't see a single scallop. Hardly even saw any bait fish or any signs of life in the water. When I popped my head out of the water, I heard booming thunder and a massive dark cloud approaching from the east. Ran back to the boat ramp channel and threw out the anchor and weathered the storm and the pavilion there. Met a nice couple who was fishing from shore, but didn't catch their names. After the storm passed, I headed back out to Sand Cove. Tide was coming in, and there was bait everywhere. Schools of bait all over, and fish hitting the bait pretty regularly. Didn't have a cast net (of course; I had sold it a few days prior and was too lazy to get a new one), and I had a few strikes on topwater and on redfish magic but wasn't able to land anything. Very frustrating. On the way out I saw three deer inside the refuge, and one was a decent looking buck.
Tuesday afternoon, I went back to the lighthouse with my new 7 ft cast net. Same gameplan for my attack. Wind was howling, and a storm blew onshore just north/east of the lighthouse, but really kicked up the wind. Waited that storm out and then got into Sand Cove. Same story, bait everywhere, but not as many attacks. I was able to net some ladyfish, which was odd, but I cut them up and threw out some cut bait. I saw some redfish, but again wasn't able to connect. I caught plenty of ladyfish. Redfishing is very frustrating for me when I see them but can't catch them. Saw a beautiful sunset, picture at the end. Saw a couple more deer that night on the way out as well.
Wednesday, I took my roommate to Lanark to go scalloping. It was my first time to Lanark, and I was impressed. Ran east through the PVC poles and just got in the water once we got near some other boats. We came across a long prop scar, maybe a couple hundred yards long. It proved to be the honey hole just working the edges of it. We easily pulled almost a two man limit out of that single prop scar. It was almost too easy. I've been to Steinhatchee twice this year and done well both times, but the scallops at Lanark were on average, noticeably larger. Finished with our 4 gallons and made it back in before sunset. Got home and fried up the scallops for us and the other roommates.
I know this was a long post, but if you made it here thanks for reading!
