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Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 9th, 2014, 11:48 am
by kenfly
Looking to take chase(my 6y old) camping and fishing. I have camped a lot at the state parks, just looking for something a lil different. Just gonna go for one night and have even thought about going to rock island there in the st marks river. I would be taking my 14ft alum boat wherever I go. So have to make sure I would safe in it. Just looking for anyone's suggestions for a lil adventure and somewhere to do a lil fishing. Can be fresh or salt. Thanks
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Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 9th, 2014, 12:43 pm
by Salty Gator
I'm not a big camper so I'm probably not the best to answer, but a few things come to mind. St. George island state park may be great this weekend. Ochlockonee river state park, bald point state park. There was a cool camping fishing report a while back about rock island that you mentioned. And I think the cabins at she'll island fish camp are super reasonable, so there's that option also. Good luck, have a blast, post pics
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 9th, 2014, 2:14 pm
by wevans
There is camping spots at the Sopchoppy city park also. You would have access to electric, water, bathrooms and showers, as well as the Sopchoppy River

I don't know about your youngun, but mine never cared for going poo in the woods

Not necessarily different, but probably a new location
PS: They have a pretty nice play area for the kids also

Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 9th, 2014, 3:31 pm
by milto
kenfly wrote: thought about going to rock island there in the st marks river.
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I was told that you had to have a permit to stay on that island. Not sure if that is true or not, but have thought about doing the same thing!!
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 9th, 2014, 6:10 pm
by kenfly
Have thought about st george and I can fish there inside the bay and have also looked into that city park in sopchoppy, don't think ya have to have a permit for that island(that I'm aware off) I do know you do at rock island at econfina that I have heard. As far as doing the island yes the bathroom thing is in my mind and the main question maybe can I leave my truck overnite at the lighthouse ramp. It's way closer than the fort to there and I'm in my lil 1436 Jon boat.
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Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 10th, 2014, 6:55 am
by mraquatics
A permit is technically required for the St Marks Island, which is called Apalachee Point. There is a recently resurrected sign on the south point stating such. That said, I've never gotten the permit and never had any issues. Beware of the low tides though. It's easy to get stuck dry on the east side.
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 10th, 2014, 9:40 am
by bman
How about Rock Island out of Econ
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wma ... ail/trips/
Longer drive but a lot more remote, less boat traffic and more ADVENTURE!
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 10th, 2014, 10:06 am
by Steve Stinson
Rock Island would be a long run in a 14' boat loaded with camping gear, even if you left from Hickory Mound. I would suggest that you just camp at Hickory Mound, launch at the ramp midway across the dikes and fish the creeks or flats just off the sawgrass.
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 10th, 2014, 10:26 am
by wevans
Hickory Mound would be a great spot during the week. I think that it has to much traffic during the weekends to be a decent camping place.
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 10th, 2014, 11:04 pm
by rocket
Ochlochnee State Park??
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 11th, 2014, 10:28 am
by kenfly
Thanks everyone, really interested in hickory mound I've heard so much about it and I do think I wanna try and go salt water. For what I read camping is only allowed at rock island and that is for paddlers only, looking for more info on it now or if anyone has more info I'm planning on going next Sunday-Monday 19-20 kids out of school Monday:) I have camped at the campground at econfina before and went out of econfina.
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Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 11th, 2014, 10:30 am
by kenfly
rocket wrote:Ochlochnee State Park??
Love that park, went there last time just a lil ride to get to the salt
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Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 11th, 2014, 11:51 am
by silverking
I was also told by good authority (Jumptrout) that Rock Island is a kayak-only campsite.
I've thought about camping at Hickory Mound as well, just haven't done it yet. The best spot seems to be the site on the west entry road coming from Econfina (on left, just before the road turns to run parallel to the coast). More secluded and more room to spread out than the other places. The concrete launch is about 5 minutes away and those creeks and the adjacent flats can all be very productive, especially this time of year. I've done well with DOA shrimp and the CAL jerk baits. Topwater Super Spooks and Rapalas are good as well.
Be careful and have fun. That will be some memories you and your boy will always cherish.
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 11th, 2014, 4:15 pm
by Salty Gator
There was a tent on the little island in the st marks river(apalachee point?) today that I noticed on our way in
Re: Camping/ boating suggestions
Posted: October 12th, 2014, 2:29 pm
by kenfly
Well I decided to due a lil recon today and loaded up my oldest and went for a ride to hickory mound. Silver king spot on with the camping site, really nice
Area down on LT before ya turn toward to dikes. Boat ramps, well they are not the best in the world, I was there at low tide and getting a boat in or out would be fun especially if you didn't have 4wd, I do have that but still would be a lil fun. Only other worry I have is being able to put put my boat threw the creeks ok to the main water. Boat don't draft a lot but do have a 25 on the back and I'll just me and chase and a loaded cooler. There is 2 ramps and really can't decide which would be better, but I do think if the weather is right and I can work the tides we will be ok, (I hope)
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