BigBendFishing.Net

Friend went to Aucilla yesterday. Took a 200 horse Yamaha and put it in one of the most awful places in North Florida for this kind of rig.. Never been there before. Launched at/about low tide (1030am) The river is flooded with fresh water. Closer you get to the mouth of the river....the lower the water gets. Right at the island...north side....right side of river....hit a rock and busted the lower unit. Had a gapping hole in the cracked housing....you could see the gears. All the oil was lost. Much damage to a very new motor. Propeller whoppyjawed.
Why would someone go to this trecherous place with no guide....or why would someone put such a rig into the Aucilla River? Wonder never ceases.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I fish there but dont launch there.

ouch!

http://jerrysbait.com/aucilla.htm This site shows an allegedly safe way in and out of the Aucilla....I have never taken my boat through there but I have kayaked the Aucilla and was amazed at the amount of rock scattered about. Your story is what I have feared. I think Florida Sportsman had an article on the Aucilla recently.

STUPID

I put in there for the last time in Jan. I was glad to see I had a 250.00 deductable.I now take that nice ride from the light house if I am fishing over there. That was the second lower unit and numerous bent prop shfts,broken scags,cant tell you how many rebuilt props???

Biology refers to the collective set of events like this as natural selection.

I fish Aucilla a lot. Its not the place for large boats such as 20'+ bay boats and bass boats. They draw too much water. People with smaller lighter boats, Aluminum and john boats go and come with much less trouble. But theres still no gaurantee. Left part of a 30 hp mariner out there couple of years ago.
Tough luck for your friend, its heartbreaking to damage your boat.

I have gone out there a good bit in an aluminum john, always worried too.

Never hit. Then I had a go-devil for awhile, now that's the thang ta have at Aucilla!