Fishing, Herpetology, kayaking, springs, etc.

[mikecat adjuster]

Being new to this area, I've been eating it up. I moved here in January which lent itself to an all out assault of the trail system, which I'm still enjoying today. The weather is still mild enough to spend some serious time on the trails in the woods. The state forest trails systems are extensive and I have gotten into better shape because of them. I also have seen quite a few snakes, some of which can be seen in my pictures on this site. Cottonmouth and Pygmy rattlers are extremely abundant, but I have yet to see an Eastern Diamondback as of late April. If there is an Herpetologist in the area who would like to go hiking and finding with me, let me know.

On to kayaking and fishing. I would like to explore the saltwater scene but have always enjoyed stillwater bass fishing. I have had success in a particular dune lake with small bass, and wonder what else is available. I love to use my kayak, but have a Skeeter bass boat as well. Also, I saw a boat pulling tubes with kids on it in the Grayton Beach dune lake and would like to do that with my kids when the come. Is that the launch to use by the Red bar? If so, parking is limited. Any advice on finding big largemouth bass or just some more cool little hidden or intimate freshwater spots would be appreciated.

I love snorkling the clear springs here too. I want to try surfing a bit this summer, though I realize its not exactly surfer paradise. Any feedback on these or other adventurous topics will be examined and appreciated. And if there are certain trails more salient than others, let me know. I may even travel out and hike some at Caverns state park and thought of visiting St. Vincent's island to the east. Anyway, I'm rambling, but this is the good stuff. Thank God for the creation of this exceptional resource. Let's keep care of it with kindness.

 

[Kurt]

You have some good plans. The caverns and local springs are great in the heat of the summer. Keep the power boat out of Western Lake - lots of stumps and sandbars. Only a few oldtimers can safely navigate and most are smart enough to rip it up in the bay instead. Kayak fishing is fun in the lakes or the bay and bayous. Ask a few locals about trout and redfish tips.

 

[30A Skunkape]

If you want to see a rattlesnake you might consider getting out of the woods and poke around any of the dormant subdivisions here. They love to sun themselves on the asphault. If you really want to get after it start flipping over fallen logs in the woods...you will find your snakes soon enough!

 

[Goddessgal]

Yes, let's talk about your snake photos. I'm not really a big scaredy cat when it comes to snakes, but your photos flipped me out!!!! Please tell me that you went looking for them, and did not just have surprise encounters with all of those venomous snakes - especially not in one hiking session! Eeek! :shock:

 

[Smiling JOe]

The Diamond Backs are here, big time, but they are more rarely found in the developed areas. I had a huge fat grand daddy of a Diamond Back across the street from me a couple of years ago. Scared the ba-geezers out of me as my dogs started to go after it. I was able to get them back and we let it stay on its path to wherever it was going.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

As far as the springs I've visited them all over this wondrous state. Near here, Cypress Springs in Vernon, now closed but still accessible by water, was a stand-out. Several above Panama City on Econfina were also great. And thanks for the warning about the obstructions in the Western lake.

But yes, regarding the snakes, I go looking for them. Although I'm finding the pygmy in my yard and driveway too. A couple days ago I got lost inside this one empty swamp in the forest. The entrance was small, and once inside, it was nearly impossible to see the exit unless you were at the perfect angle-I wasn't. I walked around and around, coming across huge open fanged moccasin all around me, making every limb on the ground that much scarier and every leaping lizard or flying cricket a close encounter with a heart attack. "Elizabeth, I'm comin' to join ya." The mosquito population had its fill of me in that swamp too. I see why early explorers thought people they encountered had leprocy with the big welts.

But the Eastern Diamondback has eluded me. One thing though is that I'm noticing that on return trips to certain areas I'm seeing some of the same snakes, meaning that to this point they still aren't traveling a lot. With the Diamondbacks, I'm just not willing to trek into the real thick stuff. I like to see where my feet are I know most people kill these snakes on site and that the Diamondback is not as prevelent as these others, but I may try out some abandoned type areas. Right now though, I'm beat. It took over four hours of trudging through the swamp and woods to find my way home two days ago and yesterday I went on another expedition-glutton for punishment. No really, I love it.

And as far as Caverns state park, I've been there a few times, but never really went deep into and away from the trail that encircles the caves. The rock formations and fauna just look so appealing there. I've wanted to visit it in this cooler time period and hike in deep, and even though its relatively close, gas prices suck!

Thanks for all your input.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

I came into some bigger bass today but can't say where. I have to protect my sources Regarding the dune lakes though, close to home, I was told by a local that a 12 pound bass came out of one of them. Can anybody validate that there are in fact bass even remotely approaching that size in some of the dune lakes, and if so, which are the best for size?

No snakes today. A few ants in my kayak, but no snakes.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I came into some bigger bass today but can't say where. I have to protect my sources Regarding the dune lakes though, close to home, I was told by a local that a 12 pound bass came out of one of them. Can anybody validate that there are in fact bass even remotely approaching that size in some of the dune lakes, and if so, which are the best for size?

No snakes today. A few ants in my kayak, but no snakes.

I could post some pics of some 4-5#ers, but I'd get in trouble, as you could probably get enough hints to tell where they were caught.

All good things in time. When it is time for you to find a Diamond Back, you won't have to go searching for it. It will simply appear before you. I believe that Aussie Croc Hunter shot some footage of the World's Most Deadly Snakes from Eglin AFB, featuring the Diamond Back. They aren't just hiding in the thick woods. You will likely find them along the edge of a small rabbit or deer trail, as they wait for prey to walk down the trail.

 

[barefootguy]

I found my first (and only so far) Diamond Back in a nice patch of berries. We were picking berries, and it was waiting for some berry pickers. I think it was hoping for something smaller than us though.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

I actually have some pics of a hognose snake spreading its neck out looking exactly like a cobra. It was hissing at me like a cobra, or like my ex-wife, but that's another thread. Out of curiosity, are there any access points to Draper lake? I'd like to eventually kayak in all the dune lakes here just to paddle and 'feel' them from the inside. Smilin Joe, I had on a bass four plus yesterday, but those little trebles didn't hold it. It's different in a kayak when the fish is meandering all over and the angles and leverage points are more challenging. I love it!