The weather report, for the first time in recent history, had a 10 in it (10-15 knots). They said W but it was SE. These things matter a little more in a kayak. Any way it was real nice out there and I had plenty of company with 6-7 boats evidently taking some cover in Goose Creek Bay.
The fish? Not much. I thought things looked pretty quiet when I got there and based on not catching fish it was. I worked the eastern bars with topwater & pinfish but only had luck on the CT. Caught 5 trout drifting the flats but only one legal. Off the water by 10:30.
I guess I got my fix, except for the fact that I'm ready to go again, right now.
Wakulla Beach 10/12
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Litt: How do you think the wade-fishing is down there now? All in the side creeks?
Six or seven boats on a weekday? Yeah, they were most likely taking advantage of the first wind-ow like me. They were not kayaks. As to shore fishing. I’m sure that the fish could be had from shore. Fishing from shore is great but I’d take the time instead to try to make a few extra bucks to buy a kayak. I certainly don't mean to say you can't afford one but if you need money put on some ugly clothes and go to a restaurant and tell them you’ll clean the dumpster area for $100 and a meal. Try something else but the point is to get a kayak.
Why should somebody get a kayak?
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH!!!!!!
Fishing out of one is pure pleasure. They are EXTREMELEY stable and easy to fish out of. When I’m in mine the whole process is so easy I feel like I’m cheating. Getting to lots of great fishing places is also practically free, once you have one.
For example, I’m planning on leaving for St Marks today at 4:30 and fishing east of the light house till dusk.
Quick, easy, fun, safe, healthy, quality fishing and almost free. (A yearly pass into St Marks is $12)
Ok, off the soap box . By the way, I really don’t sell kayaks.
Why should somebody get a kayak?
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH!!!!!!
Fishing out of one is pure pleasure. They are EXTREMELEY stable and easy to fish out of. When I’m in mine the whole process is so easy I feel like I’m cheating. Getting to lots of great fishing places is also practically free, once you have one.
For example, I’m planning on leaving for St Marks today at 4:30 and fishing east of the light house till dusk.
Quick, easy, fun, safe, healthy, quality fishing and almost free. (A yearly pass into St Marks is $12)
Ok, off the soap box . By the way, I really don’t sell kayaks.
A little soapbox every now and then is a good thing!
I am ponderin'. I fish by myself a bit, maybe too much maybe not. I don't have a pickup, but a 4-runner. My olympic sport would be he marathon, not weight lifting.
Is a kayak doable? I guess I should visit a shop..... Any suggestions??? If you don't feel comfortable this 'o way, a PM would be OK. I am in no hurry, 'cept to commune with nature!
I am ponderin'. I fish by myself a bit, maybe too much maybe not. I don't have a pickup, but a 4-runner. My olympic sport would be he marathon, not weight lifting.
Is a kayak doable? I guess I should visit a shop..... Any suggestions??? If you don't feel comfortable this 'o way, a PM would be OK. I am in no hurry, 'cept to commune with nature!
Okay guys, I've been, what some would call, a lurker, since signing up as a site member back in July. I mostly sined on to learn more about the area and how to fish it. I have really come to enjoy reading the mostly informative post', on a daily basis , and appreciate the comradarie of the group of regular participates. A couple of times I have felt, I could add something of interest to the subject matter, but chose not to- Generally because someone else beats me to it.
Having grown up in Thomasville, Ga, I have been coming to the coast to fish, since my Dad brought me here in the '50s, and only became a resident of Carrabelle a couple of years ago.
Now with that said, I would like to add a note on Kayak fishing.
My wife and I own 5 kayaks- 2 touring singles (13 footers), 1 two place(13 footer), 1 sit on top(11 footer), and a real cheapo WalMart closeout special(8 footer), all bought 'used' except the cheapo and two place. I think we have 15-1600 bucks in the whole shooting match. Why so many? Heck, I don't know- Just a good deal here and there, and it's been a learning process in finding what worked best for us. And,the grandkids love them, when they come down to visit, too.
We started fishing kayaks in the streams of the north Ga mountains for trout, bream, and bass. You just seem so in touch with the surroundings, when you are that close to the water. To me, it's just another way to enjoy the outdoors.
The first boat we brought to Florida was the cheapo. Then she decided she wanted a 'sit on top', since she wanted something to watch birds from in the bayous and at the scout camp in SG State Park. Her reasoning was, it was easier to get back in/on?, should she tip over. Me, I never tip over-- yet..
We have used them to fish on the Gulf side of the islands and at St Joe State Park. Once you get past the surf the paddling gets easy. Watching the weather, you can safely venture as much as mile off the beach into 12-15' water, where you can get a mixed bag, fish wise. In the bay, there is no limit to where all you can fish- The same applies as to watching the weather there, too. The wind and the tide can make for a trying experience, so I would advise anyone new to kayaking to not venture far from shore 'til you get the feel for the effects of the elements.
A good example of a easy paddle is to put in at Lanark and fish the shoals, particularly near either end, and if on the south side and you get tire sitting, just get out and wade, tying the kayak line to your belt. It will follow you around with little resistance. A 5 lb bar of lead with an eye and 20-25 feet of 3/8 braded line makes a good anchor rig, unless its really windy.
I prefer the two place for solitude fishing, because you can get a medium size cooler, your tackle and a small bait bucket, and a couple of different rods in the thing without feeling too crowded. Actually there is enough room for your wading shoes and few other things beside all that stuff, if your not too big a guy. (Just how bigga guy are you??)
We have used our boats crabbing at St Joe, which is lots of fun. Just put a 5 gal bucket in the cockpit with a small cooler of refreshments or whatever and walk the shallows. If the crabs are in, you can fill your bucket in no time. Oh yeah, don't for get to take a long handled net.
I expect this would work in the same manner for flondering on a calm moonlite night.
A kayak is a great way to go, particularly when you only have a few hours, or you don't feel like hooking up the boat and messing with launching and recovery.
I hear some of you talkin' about wade fishing near the lab. I think a kayak would be the ideal way to fish that area, in it, or wading and towing it behind you. I haven't tried it there yet, but 'think I will, soon.
Anyway, if you're thinking about buying a boat, I would suggest getting a two place cockpit, or as with my cheapo, one with as large a cockpit to have as much room as possible. To me the sit on top doesn't seem practical, but then, I haven't tried it.
It's a good time of year to buy a used one. From time to time I see a few advertised in TD classifieds. Most times buying used, you get the guys accessories with the deal. Otherwise, the essenials are a life vest and a paddle. I have a $150 paddle and several from Walmart (about $30), and they all work about the same. I can't tell much difference in any of them and sometimes just use a canoe paddle.
Either way, if you looking to add a little adventure to your fishing, give it a try.
Like Lit sez, it's just another fun way to be on the water- good exercise, too.
Having grown up in Thomasville, Ga, I have been coming to the coast to fish, since my Dad brought me here in the '50s, and only became a resident of Carrabelle a couple of years ago.
Now with that said, I would like to add a note on Kayak fishing.
My wife and I own 5 kayaks- 2 touring singles (13 footers), 1 two place(13 footer), 1 sit on top(11 footer), and a real cheapo WalMart closeout special(8 footer), all bought 'used' except the cheapo and two place. I think we have 15-1600 bucks in the whole shooting match. Why so many? Heck, I don't know- Just a good deal here and there, and it's been a learning process in finding what worked best for us. And,the grandkids love them, when they come down to visit, too.
We started fishing kayaks in the streams of the north Ga mountains for trout, bream, and bass. You just seem so in touch with the surroundings, when you are that close to the water. To me, it's just another way to enjoy the outdoors.
The first boat we brought to Florida was the cheapo. Then she decided she wanted a 'sit on top', since she wanted something to watch birds from in the bayous and at the scout camp in SG State Park. Her reasoning was, it was easier to get back in/on?, should she tip over. Me, I never tip over-- yet..
We have used them to fish on the Gulf side of the islands and at St Joe State Park. Once you get past the surf the paddling gets easy. Watching the weather, you can safely venture as much as mile off the beach into 12-15' water, where you can get a mixed bag, fish wise. In the bay, there is no limit to where all you can fish- The same applies as to watching the weather there, too. The wind and the tide can make for a trying experience, so I would advise anyone new to kayaking to not venture far from shore 'til you get the feel for the effects of the elements.
A good example of a easy paddle is to put in at Lanark and fish the shoals, particularly near either end, and if on the south side and you get tire sitting, just get out and wade, tying the kayak line to your belt. It will follow you around with little resistance. A 5 lb bar of lead with an eye and 20-25 feet of 3/8 braded line makes a good anchor rig, unless its really windy.
I prefer the two place for solitude fishing, because you can get a medium size cooler, your tackle and a small bait bucket, and a couple of different rods in the thing without feeling too crowded. Actually there is enough room for your wading shoes and few other things beside all that stuff, if your not too big a guy. (Just how bigga guy are you??)
We have used our boats crabbing at St Joe, which is lots of fun. Just put a 5 gal bucket in the cockpit with a small cooler of refreshments or whatever and walk the shallows. If the crabs are in, you can fill your bucket in no time. Oh yeah, don't for get to take a long handled net.
I expect this would work in the same manner for flondering on a calm moonlite night.
A kayak is a great way to go, particularly when you only have a few hours, or you don't feel like hooking up the boat and messing with launching and recovery.
I hear some of you talkin' about wade fishing near the lab. I think a kayak would be the ideal way to fish that area, in it, or wading and towing it behind you. I haven't tried it there yet, but 'think I will, soon.
Anyway, if you're thinking about buying a boat, I would suggest getting a two place cockpit, or as with my cheapo, one with as large a cockpit to have as much room as possible. To me the sit on top doesn't seem practical, but then, I haven't tried it.
It's a good time of year to buy a used one. From time to time I see a few advertised in TD classifieds. Most times buying used, you get the guys accessories with the deal. Otherwise, the essenials are a life vest and a paddle. I have a $150 paddle and several from Walmart (about $30), and they all work about the same. I can't tell much difference in any of them and sometimes just use a canoe paddle.
Either way, if you looking to add a little adventure to your fishing, give it a try.
Like Lit sez, it's just another fun way to be on the water- good exercise, too.
qoutrage, welcome and as wevans said, don't be a stranger. The Marine Lab is a regular haunt of mine & I'd enjoy a trip there with you.
Aucilla, I think a new thread in fishing on kayaks would be a good way to discuss this.
Aucilla, I think a new thread in fishing on kayaks would be a good way to discuss this.
Last edited by Littoral on October 14th, 2004, 12:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Greetings qoutrage. My compliments on your post. I'm not personally a kayak user but I generally learn something from every post from the folks who do. Thanks for sharing your experiences and of course welcome to the forum 
"Good Judgement" comes from experience, ... and a lot of that..... results from "Bad Judgement".