Fisheating Creek Outpost Florida. March 17-20

[LuvmyBonnet]

Fisheating Creek Outpost
What can I say, Came to look at the outpost, do some paddling/fishing and take a look at the campsites. Well, I ended up staying for 4 days. The place was beautiful. I ended up getting the best and most secluded site they had. The site was originally reserved by another camper but he chose to go to another area because the ground was a little squishy in the tent area. So Being a hammock guy I quickly jumped on it. It was called HC1 (Hammock Camper 1 maybe ?!?).
I was removed from everyone else so it was like having the woods to myself. The only negatives I could find about the place didn't really bother me. First there is a railroad bridge that runs next to the camp. It only came through like twice a day at responsible hours, never woke me. Then a bit further down the creek is a highway. You could hear some road noise in the distance, again really didn't bother me as at home I have a busy street in front of the house and live 100 yards down the road from the fire dept.
The people who worked there were real nice and accommodating. Ownership is changing in April so hopefully they don't change much. Try to bring your supplies as the outpost is in the middle of nowhere. The outpost store does sell convenience stuff like ice, candy, t-shirt, some fishing stuff, insect repellent etc.
The second day there I caught the biggest fish I have ever caught. It was a Florida Gar. Around 2 1/2 - 3 ft. I didn't get a picture because I wasn't even thinking about trying to get the camera out. I had my hands full with this beast. Right as I was about to grab him he flipped around and took off with my favorite Panther Martin lure. While I was at Fisheating Creek I also caught some Bass, Catfish and panfish. Great fishing.
They also offer a shuttle service for paddling. It's a little pricey but a women I talked to says it was worth it. Maybe next time.
Looks like the best time to go is during the weekday. As I was leaving at about 2pm on Friday they were lining up to get in.
I will be putting this on my re-visit list. It is my favorite Florida spot so far. I do still love the Myakka River but Fisheating Creek just took the #1 spot.
Here are some pictures of my stay(Couldn't get the video). Enjoy! I know I did.
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[richtorfla]

Thanks for the report and the great pictures! This place is definitely on my list of places to visit. Glad you had a good time and looks like the scenery was un real! Love those cypress trees! Glad you didn't get skunked fishing! Gonna show my wife the pictures to give another hint.

Looks like the front of your boat is a WS tsunami.

[LuvmyBonnet]

[MAD777]

Great pictures! They captured the real Florida.

[mbiraman]

Looks beautiful. Thanks

[frogpockets]

SPENT LOTS OF TIME .WEEKS AT A TIME. THE LYKES BROTHERS CREEK SWAMP CAMPING AREA OUTSIDE OF PALMDALE.IN THE 70S IT WAS A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN FOR A BUNCH OF RED NECK KIDS FROM FURRTHER SOUTH.HAD VW BUGGIES,3 WHEELERS 4X4S AND NEVER ENDING MUD HOLES.

[O-Boy]

I missed LuvmyBonnet by a day or so, but I told him in a earlier post we were only there for a day of kayaking and it is well worth the money to take the 6 mile shuttle to Burnt Bridge and float downstream back to the camp. We quit counting gators after the first 10-15 minutes, there are just that many. And we were only counting those that appeared to be over 5 foot long. I hope the new operators upgrade the kayaks and re-mark the route a bit better. If you going, take your fishing pole, (they're everywhere), camera and snacks. I'd also check the water level. Even in kayaks were were dragging bottom more then several times!

[LuvmyBonnet]

I'd also check the water level. Even in kayaks were were dragging bottom more then several times!

Yes, the water level does seem to change quiet a bit. Fisheating creek outpost web site does have a graph showing the water level. I watched it change 2 feet in 2 weeks.
Next time I go back I plan on doing the transport. Maybe even the longer one that requires a stop over along the way.

[76 highboy]

I suspect it was just a little warmer than the winter tune -up at Valens.
Never mind that the scenery is nothing like the canadian shield or adirondacks. Beautiful! How was the pesky bug situation?

[LuvmyBonnet]

I suspect it was just a little warmer than the winter tune -up at Valens.
Never mind that the scenery is nothing like the canadian shield or adirondacks. Beautiful! How was the pesky bug situation?

It was Amazing. It was truly different from our world. I'm going down in January next year. Your welcome to check it out or will you be living in your Smokehouse?!? Love mine!
Bugs weren't bad. None during the day. If I stayed up after dark I used my solo stove as a smokepot. Palm hearts are hard and put off a lot of smoke! That kept those little blood suckers at bay. I got away bite free after 4 day!