Hagen's Cove near Keaton Beach, FL

   

Hagan's Cove is owned by the state of Florida and located approximately 5 miles south of Keaton Beach on CR 400/361.  A friend who knew I'd been looking for places to fish saltwater and who knew the area took me here.

It's clean with picnic tables, an observation deck and a restroom (actually just an upscale outhouse - bring your own toilet paper!)  Except for the restroom it appears well kept.

Observation Deck

The "Bathroom" - TP not included

A bit of warning - this site tends to be isolated.  My daughter and I came recently and my truck was burglarized while we were out on the water.  If you must leave your vehicle pack your valuables with you.

The launch site is vehicle accessible and kayak friendly though shallow.  On my last trip my daughter and I had to walk over a hundred yards to get our kayaks in deep enough water to sit in.  Even at that paddling was more like poling.  The tide was down, of course.

In fact, it's shallow pretty much everywhere.  It will not be unusual for you to get out and pull your kayak behind you.

 Wade fishing at the mouth of a creek immediately south of the launch site

As expected trout, reds and flat fish seem to be the popular targets.  On my two trips I've come up skunked fishing the creek just south of the launch site but others have great success.  I'm still new at this salt stuff.

Anyway you can do what I did.  Enjoy the scenery!

I wish horseshoe crabs were good to eat.  They're everywhere.  Apparently, the only thing edible are the eggs.

After paddling for several hours time for an island break and redneck staples, Vienna sausage and crackers and an ice cold drink from my Polar Bear cooler.

This area is very beautiful and peaceful.  I found this video made by Motohika from Japan that really captures the area well.


If you can't see the full screen, double click the middle of the video after it starts.  Be sure to turn up the sound!





In addition to fishing, scalloping is very popular.  The season usually runs July through September.  For more info the link is HERE.  


For tides and and local information call the Keaton Beach Marina at 850-578-2897.  KBM's website is www.keatonbeachmarina.com and has a lot of additional info about the area.


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LINKS:

Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow

Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE

Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES

DP Poppers
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation

Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

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If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.

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Flat Creek State Park - Perry, GA

Location: Just south of Perry. Take I-75 Exit 134 (South Perry Parkway) the exit on the south end of the Georgia State Fairgrounds. Go west to the first red light and turn south (left) on US 41. Travel 2 miles south and the state park will be on your left. It lies between I-75 and US 41.


Fees: Free entrance

License: Anglers 16 years and older must possess a Georgia Fishing License and a Wildlife Management Area stamp (can be purchased on line). Exceptions: WMA stamp is not required for holders of a one day license, honorary license, lifetime license or sportsman's license.

Open Days and Times:  365 days a year sunrise to sunset.

Restrictions: Limited to two poles. Any outboard motor may be used at idle speed. NO LIVE MINNOWS ALLOWED! No swimming or wading. Dogs on a leash near water (alligators).

Fish Limits: Bream or Sunfish - 15; Channel Catfish - 5; Largemouth Bass - 5 with a length limit of 14"'.

Maps:  There is a very good map at the Info Kiosk.  It shows the bottom contours in 5' isobaths.  When developing the lake they constructed rock piles which are listed with their lats/longs making them easy to find with a GPS.  These maps are available as printouts at the kiosk.  Not sure how well it is kept stocked.  If there are no printouts available you can write down the info from the large map on the kiosk wall.

I was able to drive up to Flat Creek on an absolutely beautiful day.  Temp in the mid 60's and a clear blue sky.  From Valdosta I was there at the gate in about an hour and 45 minutes even with all the construction on I-75.I decided to use my "go to" pond boat the Trident 11 especially since it has a sonar installed and I could check depths.

When completely full the water will cover approximately 108 acres and will eventually be part of a state park encompassing over 800 acres. There are also fields being developed for dove hunting.

The map I memtioned above shows a maximum water depth of 20 feet when the "full pool level" reaches 337' above mean sea level. The deepest I found was a bit over 15' so it may not be quite up as high as it will eventually.

When you first come in you will see an Info Koisk, clean bathrooms and a large parking area.

The boat ramp will be over to your right after you pass the kiosk.  There is a sign stating that "No Fishing on Boat Dock" beside ramp.  However, it's a great place to fish and people were fishing there when I arrived.

I was a bit disappointed that there were no covered eating areas.  I counted a total of four wooden picnic tables two of which were located close together in some trees.

Although there were no covered eating areas there was a covered area for cleaning fish!   Never seen one of these.

And an automated fish gut dispenser!  It will be interesting to try this out.  Click the image to enlarge and read the instructions.

Following are some miscellaneous pictures of Flat Creek and a video at the end viewing the lake from one end to the other.

This wide area might be a good area to launch kayaks.  You'll need to carry it a bit from the parking area to the water.  It'd be easier on the 'yaks bottom compared to the concrete boat ramp, for sure.

You'll notice one of the other picnic tables below the tree.

Time to get off the water.  They should make it 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

The video below will give you a panoramic view of the lake.





. . . and here's what Flat Creek looks like in the snow!

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LINKS:

Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow
Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE
Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation
Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

**********
If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.