Question about water levels near Apalach

[Traveler1]

I'll be traveling near Apalachicola, and I'd like to kayak some of the bayous of the bay. Are the water levels deep enough for good kayaking there now (1/20/12)? Also, are there fish in bayous at this time of the year? I've never fished there before. Thanks!

[hammy]

Doyle Creek has been good for winter trout in the past. I have also had some past luck in the middle of Cash Bayou for trout and on mud banks for reds.

[Shorewalker]

Water levels in the bay should be mostly tidal and not very rain dependent. It is hard to answer the rest without more info about where you are going to launch. I am sure there are some areas that would suck at low tide. Look at the Kayak Launch topic http://www.fcka.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1444 and pick a launch from there , read the note and if that seems OK, you should be OK. Keep in mind that the wind can be very important this time of year too.

As for fishing, the fishing should be great , or OK , or horrible. The fish are likely going to be bunched up and moving slow if they decide to move at all.

Please make sure that you leave a float plan - let someone (not in your party) know where you launched whcih way you were headed, and when you will get back. Then contact them after you are save back at your car.

[Traveler1]

Thanks. And thanks for the tip on the float plan. I'll do that. How about something like leaving phone messages for my wife, telling her where I'll be if I change my mind during the day. Then calling her after I'm out of the water?

I haven't had a chance to study the launch site link you posted, but after just looking at the map, I'd like to try a couple of launches just off highway 65 north of Eastpoint. There appear to be two of them fairly close together nearest Eastpoint. If that's a bust, I may try the Apalachicola River at the launches closest to Apalachicola.

Do you happen to know if the bayou bottoms are mud? I'll probably just do some sight seeing in St. Joe bay if the Apalach conditions are too hazardous. I've never used a kayak before, so I probably will just sight see on this trip until I get comfortable with it.

[marlindoc]

I fish in Apalach almost weekly. This time of the year can be tough finding the fish. A few weeks ago, nice reds were all over apalch along the marshes and behind St. George. Let me know when you are down,and maybe we can hook up.


Wally

[redsinthehead]

Doyle Creek? My first name is Doyle... where the hay did someone come up with a name like that?