Where to take my Pops

[bluesunshine86]

Hey guys I found the site a few days ago and just registered and was wondering if y'all could help me out. I need some good spots to take my disabled dad to fish from the bank or a dock. He isn't wheelchair bound but he can't do too much walking at a time and wading would be pretty much out of the question. Any good spots in the Wakulla area that we could try? We have lived here my whole life but haven't done a whole lot of fishing besides relatives ponds etc. We have gone to St. Marks refuge a few times but the few we have caught have been super small, way too small to keep. Still fun though I have done searches and read the threads that came up but most of the recommendations were to wade or rent a kayak. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to cover all the bases
Any help or suggestions are appreciated and TIA

[Steve Stinson]

How often do you want to do this? The reason I ask is because if you are only going out once in a while, I would rent a pontoon boat from Shield's Marina and take him out on the East flats from St. Marks. As the weather gets colder the fish will move into the river and you won't even have to go down to the Gulf.

If you are going to go fishing regularly, (once a month or more), you may consider buying a pontoon boat or deck boat.

There is a program here in Tallahassee called "Hands Helping Anglers" that takes handicapped anglers out once a year. Several years ago, I captained for a gentleman that was paralyzed from the waist down. We put his wheelchair in the boat and strapped it down. After fishing like this a couple years in a row, he bought his own deck boat and kept it at Shield's. They put it in the water for him and clean it up after a trip.

As far as I know, he still has it fishes occasionally.

- Steve Stinson

[bluesunshine86]

Thanks for the quick reply I would like to to go pretty much every chance we get. He has been wanting to get a boat for a while, before becoming disabled he was a tugboat captain, so that probably will happen at some point in the future. I am not a big fan of boats and I think that is what is stopping him, he wants it to be father/ daughter time I also worry about him getting in and out of boats because he has nerve damage in his back so his legs don't always do what they should lol. Am I worrying for nothing?

[DixieReb]

Whatever you do, go with him as much as you can. I did that with mine, but he's not here any more.

[bluesunshine86]

Whatever you do, go with him as much as you can. I did that with mine, but he's not here any more.

I am 100% with you on that thought. He isn't getting any younger or any healthier and it had been years since we went fishing together. So when I took my vacation time this year we went fishing out at the St Marks Refuge 4 out of the 7 days I was off, didn't catch a single keeper though. I wanna get him out of the house a little more though so we are just gonna try a new spot every time we go. We will find a spot eventually, but it will be fun searching in the meantime

[Can'tCatchAnything]

Did pretty well at Mashes Sands pier today. It's pretty accessible.

[bluesunshine86]

Did pretty well at Mashes Sands pier today. It's pretty accessible.

Ok thanks! That was one of the places Dad wanted to try. Looks like I know where we are going tomorrow

[bluesunshine86]

I forgot to ask... what were you catching out at Mashes Sands pier? Not that it matters too much just curious

[Can'tCatchAnything]

I'm writing up a report, stay tuned.

Posted under surf fishing reports. Good luck tmr!

[Can'tCatchAnything]

Also as far as pier spots go, I have had decent luck at this floating pier in Ochlocknee bay on the Franklin County side. right off 98 immediately after the bridge. I've heard of people catching fish at the Bald Point pier, but I never have. There's also a small pier in Wooley Park behind Crum's that is very quiet and really pretty. It looks like redfish and flounder could be caught out there, but I've only ever caught catfish and pinfish; I've only been once though.

[bluesunshine86]

Thank you so much! I had no clue that floating pier at ochlockonee bay was there. I also didn't know about wooley park. Can't wait to read your Mashes Sands report

[DixieReb]

BS86, if you use the pier in Wooley Park, you and your Dad need to cast out as far as you can straight out from the pier. The water is deeper there, and that's where most of the fish are. I have done really well there catching whiting, white trout, big sailcats, and an occ. shark. Use shrimp or cut bait. I've caught a few flounder there as well. Good luck.

[bluesunshine86]

BS86, if you use the pier in Wooley Park, you and your Dad need to cast out as far as you can straight out from the pier. The water is deeper there, and that's where most of the fish are. I have done really well there catching whiting, white trout, big sailcats, and an occ. shark. Use shrimp or cut bait. I've caught a few flounder there as well. Good luck.

Thanks! I was wondering what to try as far as bait

[DixieReb]

Oh, I forgot to mention using smaller hooks. Most of the fish have smaller mouths, so unless you are using a big shark-type rig, I'd stick with smaller hooks. And I always keep a shark rig out just for what's really big out there. Somebody stole the rod holders there, so watch your poles.

[bluesunshine86]

We went out to wooley park a little bit ago. Tide was going out, it was pretty windy and we just tried what little bit of artificials we had instead of stopping for bait... needless to say we didn't catch anything lol. A few bites though. Very nice quiet spot and easy enough for Dad to get out to. He wants to try out there again ASAP on a better day and better timing. Thanks everyone for the suggestions, gonna keep on exploring them