I am very new to the Folly area and managed to bottom out on a mud flat today (DNR did also so I didn’t feel quite as bad). I would like to fish the area back here but I am trying to figure out which creek I am safer running until I get the hang of the area. Obviously if I do something stupid (like run WOT at low tide based on a strangers advice) I won’t hold anybody responsible, just really looking for a starting point. I am in a 16’ Action Craft w/ a Merc 50 on the back. Folly road is the road on the left.
Should I run this creek (Creek 1 for clarification)?
The best way to really figure a river system out is to go at low tide yourself and look around. If you don’t have a great memory right notes, plot points and if there is something hazardous mark it or report it. In general look for signs in the water like certain style of grass, angle of the bank, bars or mounds. Follow the current it will flow to the deep spots naturally, irregular water means a change has occurred, depth, structure, current. You will discover and learn so much more on your own and if you go slow there is no danger. It takes about a inch or two difference between grounded and skimming through, when you get grounded jump out an push immediately before your boat settles in, your weight difference should allow it to float off. Reverse with your engine and it should lift you off what your grounded on. If your stuck and your motor is down and won’t trim naturally don’t force it, it will damage your tilt in trim. You can’t spot spots good going fast so take it slow, you will see and learn more. The best way for me is to learn a section at a time in good detail. In no time you will be able to read the water.
Your image shows 2 boats running at speed in Creek #2, so I would take Creek number 2 first and learn it well.
It also helps to start a new track on your fishfinder before entering the creek. Either save the track or delete it once your out of the suspect area.
Now you have a known good track and it’s saved, use it as a reference for future trips.
What 40 inch said^^^^^^ go in on dead low at slow to no ,chart/note
and i also take a good camera : my memory ain’t what it used to be;
Going in on low allows you to see structure/fishing spots and if you do
happen to ground the wait isn’t as long to float again:smiley:
Either one. I actually run Creek 1 a good amount without issue in a 19’ bay, even at/near low tide, but there are a couple of areas that get down to 2’-3’. You’ll be fine in your boat especially if you avoid hour or two around dead low. Once that depth drops, just slow it down, it forever changes
Send me a PM and I will meet you down there and show you the best way to get back there. I commercially Oyster on all of those flats and know every single Creek in the area. It is very easy to get lost or damaged your boat if you don’t know where you’re going back there. He’ll be trout fishing in Bristol Tennessee this weekend, but all of next week I am picking Oysters
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PROUD YANKEE
Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
