East of St. Marks Lighthouse Exploration

3.15.12

High Tide
Water: Low seventies

I heard there were some nice reds 6 miles east of the light house.  Not knowing that water that well except for some scallop trips, Nancy and I set out for some exploring.

We saw a manatee as we left the river and passed a huge sailboat.  So, as usual, it would be an interesting day.

We took the Nan to the rocks and started fishing the shallow waters that exist in that area.  The water was very clear, but all we could spot were rays, puffer fish and mullet.

We entered Deep Creek later in the morning and figured out that it is aptly named.  The creek had 6 and 8 foot hole at the mouth.

We started catching trout right away.

They were hitting grubs on the bottom and Nancy also caught one on a spoon.

We caught 4 18" trout, 4 pup reds and 4 flounder.

We also observed two gators as they watched us catch fish while they sunbathed.

While we never got into the big reds, we found another beautiful stretch of the Forgotten Coast.

Ochlockonee River Slug Fest

3.13.12

Willie wanted to go fishing to celebrate Patty's birthday, so we headed to the mouth of the OR.

We were greeted with perfect conditions, a light wind to our backs, an outgoing gentle tide, and overcast skies.

I knew it was going to be on when, on my second cast, I had a 19" trout whack my jerk bait.

We fished the middle bar for a couple of hours as the fish moved back and forth and we stayed on them.

The larger fish ate the minnow imitating lures, while the smaller ones fell for the popping cork and jig.

I decided to try one of the Zman Swimbaits.

I was nailed at the boat by  one of the largest Spanish I have caught.
What a drag sizzling fight!

As the tide was on it's last outgoing legs, we hit the outer bar and again a nice trout ate the SwimmerZ.

We got back to the house and the work began as I washed the boat and Willie took on the fish cleaning duties.

He took the fish that looked like this:

And for $2.50 Hutton's Seafood turned them into this:

A great day on the water by two fishing fools!!

Salt/Fresh Struggle

3.10.12

Ochlockonee River Salt
Crooked River Fresh

WINDY!!!!

Doug, Willie and I set out to try and get Doug's new rod and reel broken in.

But, the fish didn't cooperate today.  It was extremely windy, so we put in at Roho and fished the upper salty end of the river.

I don't think we got a bite.

We regrouped and went back to the house to do some freshwater fishing up in Crooked River
.
While it wasn't a whole lot better, Doug did manage to catch some bass on his Ol' Blue worm.  Willie caught a few stump knockers and bluegill.  Me, I just drove the boat and practice cast.