There lies an island right off of North Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is a part of Florida’s, “forgotten coast,” where unspoiled beaches and wildlife preservation create a beautifully pristine oasis. Vacant of any high rises or strip malls, this serene island feels like you were transported back in time. St. George Island or SGI for short, is 28 miles long and no wider than a mile at any point. This is where you are undoubtedly aware that you are a guest in nature’s home and you are humbly grateful for it.
Once a year we pack up our cars full of family, friends, and groceries and make our way to a much better place. A little piece of tranquility. While there we always make sure to include an adventurous fishing charter. The men usually take off at dawn and the ladies stay home prepping for the best fish dinner of the year. This multigenerational fishing excursion never disappoints. I am not exactly sure of what really goes on whilst out there and not sure if I want to, but the men always come back full of smiles, stories, inside jokes and a bonded spirit. The ladies have their own fun, sunbathing, chatting it up, and wondering what the guys are catching.
I knew that I would need to reach out to a few of these gentlemen to get the real account of their journey, so I chose both a younger fisherman and a seasoned one to give us their story.
Justin Sheppard is in his late 30’s, grew up with a rod in hand catching blue gill in Michigan as a child and mangrove snapper when he lived in Florida for 14 years recently. Whether it be a lake or ocean, there is no other place Justin would rather be. He shared… “When I look forward to St. George Island one thing stands out above the undeniable beauty that surrounds you in this near virgin old Florida paradise. It’s not majestic sand dunes, blue gulf waters, romantic sunsets, or the ocean of stars glittering down at night- though all unmatched in my travels. If there is one thing not to miss, it’s the offshore fishing, especially June 1 through August 2. What makes this small window of time so special? Three words. Red Snapper Season!”
“The five of us, ranging in age from our late 20s to late 60s, could not have ordered a more perfect sunrise as we pulled up to Captain Wes’ spacious and spotless boat. As per the culture, we were greeted with a no nonsense yet genuine smile that exuded quiet confidence- it was time to go to work; time to catch fish! We reached the first reef after about a 45 minute ride as the shoreline disappeared into the horizon. The conditions were perfect with calm seas, sunny blue skies, and light breeze.”
Justin continued… “When fishing for Red Snapper in this Gulf of Mexico oasis the only concern you have isn’t if you will catch fish, but which ones you choose to harvest for your 2 per person limit. Of the 50+ red snapper caught, only trophies made the ride back with us on ice. It was a mixed bag day full of memories! The younger gentlemen in the group spent a good chunk of time taking turns to pull up a 100+’ goliath grouper only to snap the line after the grueling work out.”
“Greeted at the dock by the more civilized of our group, we took pictures while the first mate cleaned the catch. The younger kids got a kick out of touching the fish and feeding the already fat pelicans, while the adult’s mouths watered thinking of the fresh seafood dinner to come, which did not disappoint!”
“Whether you are looking to fill the cooler with grouper and red snapper or are feeling more adventurous and want to battle with black fin tuna, amberjack, Mahi, sailfish, and wahoo, the offshore fishing at SGI is second to none,” Justin exclaimed.
We wouldn’t have grown to love St. George Island if it weren’t for the sweet couple, Mark and Carrie Vines, who we have known for 25 years. We were lucky to all be invited to visit their little piece of heaven 4 years ago. As they knew we grew up vacationing in Destin, Florida, they warned us that it was a lot more laid back, “off the beaten path” kind of feel and an old Florida fishing town. We were a little nervous as we enjoy dining out at nice seafood restaurants, meeting lots of fellow beach goers, and just overall appreciate being busier when we are at the beach.
With all of that said, however, we were ready to start a new tradition. What we soon realized is that the tranquility, abundant nature, and slowed down pace was exactly what our spirits were craving. Every hour there was a new excitement… from a school of porpoises swimming by so close you could touch, double rainbows after a light rain, turtle nests everywhere, reaching down in waist deep water to pull up huge starfish and completely whole sand dollars, to a night sky full of stars that put planetariums to shame. It was if we had been transported to another time far grander, more spectacular, and untouched than anything we had ever seen.
The husband of this amazing couple, Mark Vines, has fond memories of fishing dating back almost 50 years ago when he was out patrolling the panhandle with his father. “Fishing at St. George is amazing. 30 miles offshore is as far as you need to go to catch your limit on a variety of species. I knew it was going to be a great day of fishing when the Captain had us throwing back 24” red snapper so we could keep the “big ones,” Mark stated.
He continued, “After fishing the panhandle of Florida for most of my life, I have truly found sportsman’s paradise at St. George. We caught our limit of red snapper and we also caught grouper, amberjack, Mackerel, we even brought in a blackfin tuna that day. The best thing was we didn’t see another boat all day, unlike the panhandle. The forgotten coast is the only place for me from now on when it comes to fishing.”
As you can see, St. George Island holds a very special place in our collective hearts. It takes us all back in time when fish were a plenty and nature stood still. After speaking to these men, I realized that although these fishing trips always brought in a huge catch, it wasn’t only the fish they brought home, but one heck of an experience.
My best fishing-memory is about some fish that I never caught ~ George Orwell
How to Prepare
Wear Protective Gear
-Long sleeve sun protection shirt.
-Fishermen hat or ball cap to protect your face and neck bandana.
-Strong spf applied prior to boarding so that your hands will be clean for the bait.
Outdoor Coolers
-Pack your cooler with plenty of water, sandwiches, snacks, an adult beverage or two and some cold,
wet washcloths to keep you cool.
-Also bring one large cooler that can be filled with ice and your catch to take home.
Extras
-As the sea can be rough at times, prepare by taking a sea sick pill or wearing a wrist band/patch that
aids with nausea beforehand.
-Don’t forget to tip your Captain and First Mate 15-20% of the charter.
I never go fishing without my
Mark Vines Says:
“Banana, just kidding. Bananas are said to be very bad luck on any fishing trip.”
Kyle Anderson Says:
“Sunglasses, beer, and lots of luck.”
Danny Bowen Says:
“Well since they have all the bait and tackle, I guess just my Leatherman tool, really great friends…oh and a good hat.”