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I usually fish Acuilla or Econfina but a friend just got a new boat and has decided that he wants to try the Lanark area this coming saturday 5/1/04. Neither of us has fished the area before and would like to hear from anyone who can tell me a little about it. Places to try, places to avoid, etc.

The flats around Lanark are awesome. Caught my biggest trout there. When you come out of the landing hang a left, anywhere between land and the barrier islands should produce. If you want to ride a while the flats in front of the marine lab are sure to produce also, but its a long ride. What kind of boat/power do you have?

Thanks Reel, just a few more questions. What landing are you putting in at? I will be in a 19' Action Craft w/115hp, is there any spots I should avoid (rocks, oyster bars, etc.)?

You put in at the Lanark Village Fina Station. They just improved the ramp to a double one but there is very little parking so you will want to get there early.

Only rocks to worry about are the ones at the entrance to the boat basin. Everything else is sand and grass.

You will want to plan with the tides because lows can leave very little water to fish in inside Lanark reef.

Tom, thank you for the info. I'm looking forward to the trip.

Not a problem. If you need some numbers let me know 'cause I'm a number pimp.

I would be very greatful for any numbers that you can provide. We will be targeting trout, reds, and anything else in skinny water that wants to bite a hook. I assume that the same baits that have been working for me around Aucilla will also work at Lanark.

That was a tasteless inside joke. I really have no numbers for the area other than the ramp and both ends of the reef. The water is so clear, I just run and look until I find fish. I tend to use more natural looking colors and topawater baits over there. Spoons work extremely well.

I'd be remiss if I didn't chime in and say you have got to go to Dog Island shoal and toss topwater to spanish & blues. You can throw other stuff too (but why?). The shoal is close & a chart or locals will cue you on where it is, SE of Lanark. It really is a most entertaining place to fish. I'd have a cobia rig in the water or ready at all times during your trip. I hooked a big big Tarpon nearshore Lanark on Saturday, in my kayak.

Creech, if you want to go to Dog Island, hang a right out of the landing and go about a mile(??) til you see a red can. Hang a left at the can and go between the two poles. The poles mark the pass in between the barrier islands. Mark this on your GPS (marking the can is a good idea too). The flats around the island (bayside) are good as well. Another option is Dog Island Reef. Dog Island Reef is good for blues, spanish, sharks, and trout. Last week on the reef, when catching some bait we had a NICE cobia snatch a pinfish off the bait rig right at the boat. He took it and was gone. I sure wish he would've stuck around. Well good luck and let us know how you did

Try finger channels in the shoal huge tarpon in there.
Keels is right the flats in front of the FSU lab just SE of the
last red marker to channel to the lab work for me.
Be warned though theirs alot of tarpon guides fishing there
and they get upset if you fish near them.

Good Luck

Try finger channels in the shoal huge tarpon in there.
Keels is right the flats in front of the FSU lab just SE of the
last red marker to channel to the lab work for me.
Be warned though theirs alot of tarpon guides fishing there
and they get upset if you fish near them.

Good Luck