June 1st 2024 was off to an early start with a 1am departure scheduled.
I pulled out of the drive 10 minutes behind schedule but everything went smoother than expected. I actually ended up pulling into the campground about 30 minutes prior to scheduled check-in, now problem I just acted like I belonged there and started setting up. There clearly had been plenty of recent rain as the park roads were flooded coming in requiring all slow ahead. It was overcast, windy and clear more rain was likely. Set up went nicely and quickly before the next rains came.
Rain continued on and off, here and there but never really impacted activities. After setup I made to the water a couple minutes drive from my site on the Santa Rosa sound, north side of the island, which was wind protected from the wind out of the south. I caught 1 catfish, but the real goal was to check it out for a wade adventure a little later after sunset. Made it back out as anticipated and caught a few more fish, all trash fish, but none the less fun.
The next morning (Sunday) at sunrise and with a few hours sleep behind me, I headed out with the kayak to launch from with in Ft. Pickens. Hauling the kayak across the sand on a car,t not designed for sand, was much harder than expected. I made it to the water dreading the return which was slightly up hill 😩. Wasn't on the water to long and the lack of sleep was taking it's toll. I saw a thunder cell not far out and decided time to head back. Good call! Made it back just in time to drag the kayak thru the sand, up hill, no shoes, both way. 😂 Ok getting carried away, I did have shoes.
It turns out the lightning storm never really materialized other than one big crack as I was dragging the kayak thru the sand, up hill... However, did get more rain. I was a good time to come back to the campsite for a nice long nap. I did a little more night wade fishing that second night with no luck.
Monday morning I headed out with the kayak and launched from Gulf Breeze. It was a beautiful morning with a light breeze. The fishing made up for the skunk the night before. I caught a few nice trout and had personal best when it comes to catching flounder, catching my biggest and mostest 😜.
Time to close for now, till the next post.