Panhandle Bass Club

St. John's River

Our FISHOFF tournament was held on the Saint Johns River at Lake George.  There were several members who went down Tuesday evening after our meeting so they could get there and wait on daylight.  Most were disappointed in the fishing on Wednesday.  The remaining members convoyed early Wednesday morning and took the scenic route to Georgetown thanks to Mack’s GPS routing us to the west side of the river to catch the ferry (Porkys Marina is on the east side).  It was uneventful trip and everyone arrived safely in plenty of time to do what we came for, to fish.

Porky’s is a unique operation.  A small motel (15 rooms), a country restaurant with good food, a juke joint bar, and a marina.  Parking was crowded and could be improved, but once we were launched we were ok.  The service was good, the food was great and the people were friendly and helpful.

A few of us went out Wednesday afternoon to get orientated with the water.  Artie and I found some fish on boat docks but most others had a tough time. Captain Adam Delaney from Reel Florida Guide Service came to share some information on the fishing and navigation aids.  Thanks Adam you were a great help.  Dora opened her bar and the grills came out that evening to cook out and mentally prepare for our tournament.

Thursday we prefished.  I located some fish but did not boat a keeper, a few others caught shorts, and a few caught a few keepers but all in all it was not a promising start.  Rich and his guide Stump disappeared early and stayed out late, but did not come in with a lot of hope for their chances. Doug Webb dropped his key in the water at the dock and John Lightsee tried to fish it out with a dip net.  He did not get the key but he did come up with a $10.00 bill (that covered the key deposit).  Most everyone cooked steaks Thursday and a good evening of fellowship, poker, and visits to Dora’s bar followed.  John L volunteered to eat the remaining potatoes.

Some concern arose that we might not have enough fish to fill the 10 place payout so that was batted around for a while but no firm decision was made.

We blasted off Friday morning (some a little early) and reports went from south Lake George to Palatka.  Several went to Rodman and Okalatnee.  I think most of us were surprised to see as many fish come in at 4:00 pm as were caught.  There were only 5 who did not have a fish on Friday.  I had the lead with 7.75 lbs, Mitch was second with 6.93 and Lee was third with 5.96.  Buzzbaits, chugbugs, and worms were the baits reported. 

Most dined at Porkys Friday, some information was exchanged but unfortunately there was not much to talk about.  There were some visits to the bar to get acquainted with some of the ‘locals’.  But most of us turned in early to save that energy for a big day Saturday.

We had a cold front coming in Friday night and that changed everything for the last day of our tournament.  Lee came in with 2 fish on a chugbugs to take the lead, Mack had a pig 5.97 to take over the Boo ray pot, Rich had 2 and moved into second, I only had 1 keeper and fell to 3^rd.

Return travel was split with 6 leaving Saturday night and the rest coming home Sunday morning.  Both groups made the trip without incident and now we are ready for next season.

All in all it was a good trip, fishing could have been better, but we all had the same conditions.  All reports were that this was a good time to be on Lake George, but the shrimp stayed in the river longer than normal and that hurt the fishing.

Keep your line wet!

Fred