Turkey Point Report, Sunday 9/4
Posted: September 4th, 2016, 7:12 pm
Needed a break after the last few days, so I launched at Alligator Harbor at dead low this morning. Ran across and into the Gulf. Water was choppy due to gathering storms. Continue to be impressed by my Beavertail Micro. Tabbed the bow down and ran through 1- to 2- footers without hesitation and not a drop of spray. Amazing skiff.
Water is silty/stained but not bad, except for the floating grass. Couldn't throw a topwater much and even a weedless Capt. Mike's spoon was getting fouled. Caught some trout on a DOA glow shrimp. Bite was slow, but I did get a qualifier for the STAR big prize drawing. Fingers crossed. Saw one tarpon and a nice sand shark in shallow. Had a kingfisher try and eat my Skitter Walk. No reds, but I wasn't able to go where I wanted with the chop/approaching storm. Only spit rain a couple minutes. Water temp was 81.6 degrees.
There's a 30-foot sailboat parked on Summercamp beach. Only saw one busted dock plank floating and a few limbs. Did collect three pieces of styrofoam and a plastic dust pan for the dumpster.
Talked to Brett Shields when I got back to St. Marks to gas up (burned 2.5 gallons for the day
). Brett spent the night at the marina during the storm to keep an eye on everything. Saved one boat from sinking after dislodging it from the dock. He had a couple storm chaser teams staying there with him and one guy registered 90 mile an hour winds when the eye went over St. Marks. That's getting close to Cat. 2 territory. Highway 98 between Panacea and Mashes Sands was apparently underwater at one point. Crews bulldozed debris off the road, as it was piled high on either side.
Saw probably 15 caravans of power crews on the roads/right of way. Those guys are busting their humps trying to get everyone re-connected.
Hope life returns to normal soon and good luck to those of you with damage/claims. Sounds like we'll have to adjust fishing accordingly for awhile due to all the dock/ramp damage along the Big Bend coast.
Water is silty/stained but not bad, except for the floating grass. Couldn't throw a topwater much and even a weedless Capt. Mike's spoon was getting fouled. Caught some trout on a DOA glow shrimp. Bite was slow, but I did get a qualifier for the STAR big prize drawing. Fingers crossed. Saw one tarpon and a nice sand shark in shallow. Had a kingfisher try and eat my Skitter Walk. No reds, but I wasn't able to go where I wanted with the chop/approaching storm. Only spit rain a couple minutes. Water temp was 81.6 degrees.
There's a 30-foot sailboat parked on Summercamp beach. Only saw one busted dock plank floating and a few limbs. Did collect three pieces of styrofoam and a plastic dust pan for the dumpster.
Talked to Brett Shields when I got back to St. Marks to gas up (burned 2.5 gallons for the day
). Brett spent the night at the marina during the storm to keep an eye on everything. Saved one boat from sinking after dislodging it from the dock. He had a couple storm chaser teams staying there with him and one guy registered 90 mile an hour winds when the eye went over St. Marks. That's getting close to Cat. 2 territory. Highway 98 between Panacea and Mashes Sands was apparently underwater at one point. Crews bulldozed debris off the road, as it was piled high on either side. Saw probably 15 caravans of power crews on the roads/right of way. Those guys are busting their humps trying to get everyone re-connected.
Hope life returns to normal soon and good luck to those of you with damage/claims. Sounds like we'll have to adjust fishing accordingly for awhile due to all the dock/ramp damage along the Big Bend coast.