Holmes Creek Trip Report 06/26/09

The General · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:32 am Post subject: Holmes Creek Trip Report 06/26/09

It has been a while since I fished and even longer since I did a full day with a trip report, forgive me, and here goes:

Traveling along HWY 79 here in the panhandle, I have seen several signs lately showing a "Holmes Creek Canoe Livery" at my usual putin in the town of Vernon. Curious as to who has started a business there, I met Hal the owner/operator of the canoe service.

Hal has lived in the area all of his life and "knows the river better than anyone". He offered to give me a shuttle for my float.

The forecast called for another hot day. Temps here in the panhandle have been over, at, or near 100 degrees for weeks now. The morning fog felt like I was in the middle of a swamp. I believe I was sweating before 7am.

Here is the launch at Vernon.

My plan was for Hal to give me a shuttle and go from Hightower Springs landing (see pic below) down to Live Oak Landing. This would give me a 9.8 mile journey that I had not done before. I would be passing Strickland Landing at about the halfway point so I figured I would get two good stretches in on my long day.

For those who are simply canoeist, this is a fantastic float for the day. Numerous springs are found along the way and those who like Indian artifacts can really have a field day here on Holmes Creek.

Thanks to Hal, I made the shuttle and shoved off at about 7:30am, the morning fog was just lifting.

I figured that with the hot temps the day would be tough fishing wise. I was surprised to catch this tiny bass shortly after starting my journey. He came on a firetiger jerk bait (seen in photo) .

The action over the next several hours was slow but steady. I picked up a bass or had a hit just about every 20 minutes. All were under 2lbs and caught on an assortment of lures (buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, jerk baits, woodchoppers).

Here are a few:

Even the redbreasts were liking the old buzzer today. The redbreast might have hit the hardest of all my fish.

Scenery along the way was fantastic.

Around 1pm, everything seemed to turn off. The fish weren't hitting anything. I had a long paddle and didn't have time to slow down and fish plastics along the bottom in the deeper holes (at least that is my excuse).

You know it is a bad sign when you see a moth on the water struggling for over 5 minutes with nothing trying to eat it. This moth fluttered on top of the water for what seemed like an eternity before finally making it safely to the bank. It didn't give me a whole lot of confidence.

All told, I caught around 7 bass and had a great time. Hal is turning into a fantastic friend and I'm thankful to have a shuttle driver all the time only 10 minutes from my house. I'll be doing a write up later on what his business has to offer.

Tight Lines,
The General

Pip · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:37 am Post subject:

Nice report General! Those bass are fat...look like little butterballs! It's cool to have a livery so close.

Later...stay cool!

Phillip
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Too many rivers, not enough sick days!

BlackwaterBill · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:54 am Post subject:

Way to go general. Scout that new water for when I came by your house.
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I hope you get a good hook set on a big fish.

0119 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

Pretty water, your fortunate to have it so close to home.
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If a man talks in the woods and there's no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?

mack in n.c. · Creek Chub Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

nice!!!,........1 question..the sign says you have to have a permit to fish.....is this a daily permit???.................thnaks mack

BlackwaterBill · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject:

mack

I called the number on the sign and they are only open 8-5.EDT I am guessing that would be use the grounds. I don't think you need a permit to use the ramp. I know the permit would just be for that Hightower area. You can get Florida fishinglicense on line ofr various lengths of time. Mine is one year and it cost $51 for freshwater only. You can get a 7 day for about $20 I think.

If I remember I will call them when they are open and ask.

Blackwater
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I hope you get a good hook set on a big fish.

JakeL · Creek Chub Joined: 10 Mar 2011 Posts: 2

rossjj · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject:

cool Todd, nice report. wish I had more to report lately. the santa fe has been really fussy lately. even cheated on you guys and paddled a lake, no luck there I'll keep at it get get you guys a decent report. Aren't the bass supposed to be spawning by now???
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"If fishing was all about catching fish; i would have quit a long time ago"

cyncyn · Creek Chub Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 2