camping out on johnson beach

coomz · 07-21-2008, 04:52 PM

hi guys me and a few of my friends were planning a camping trip to johnson beach.We plan to do some surf fishing and kayak fishing. Do you guys know if Johnson beach is open to camping again?

Telum Pisces · 07-21-2008, 05:03 PM

Not sure about the camping part. I think I remember some members talking about camping out there down a ways. But I do know that you would have to get a night owl pass to be inside the park past operating hours and have the gate combo.

Gonnamissher · 07-21-2008, 05:17 PM

I was out there 2 weekends ago and saw a couple of tents all the way up by the turn around. When I called the Parks Service they said camping on the beach was allowed in certain areas only. I have a couple of days off this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I plan on giving camping on the beach a try. I have an annual pass so I think I'll be allright to stay the night. Wish me luck, this converted Yuppy is going to need it.

coomz · 07-21-2008, 07:21 PM

also what kind of fish should i expect? I'm going to fish from the kayak during the day and surf fish at night. I'm bringing with me 12' tsunami airwave and a stradic fi 8000 reel with 50 lb powerpro. should I bring bait just in case or will there be plenty of bait there i can catch with a sabiki rig?

mdrobe2 · 08-03-2008, 03:42 PM

I think they have a primitive camping area on the sound side- looks that way.I don't think the sabiki will produce much bait as opposed to a cast net, especially on the sound side, but that's just me. In the surf I'd go for pompano or sharks. On the sound side I'd try specks, reds, and flounder. Be ready to get skipjacks and bluefish though- they suck. Also catfish- yuck. And don't forget stingrays. Anyway,I think you'll have a good time. Let me know where you are going to fish and I'll provide feedbackaccordingly- I live in the area and am out there all the time on foot or in the boat.

SeminoleSpearer · 08-05-2008, 08:43 PM

I was out there two weeks ago. I canoed to the end of the island and camped right near the pass. The camping rules are posted in the park and best of all it's free. All you have to do is fill out a form and put it on your dash so the Rangers can keep track of who is out there.

We saw a shark on the bay side while we paddled out. We brought the castnet for bait and ended up with a nice red. We also caught the usual ladyfish, catfish and rays. I have caught sharks out there though not on my last trip.

If you intend on having a fire I would bring your own wood. The area is so heavily used that deadwood is scarce. Some people resort to cutting down live trees but it is technically not permitted plus, there there are only so many trees on the island so if everyone cuts them down there will be none left.

It is definitely worth going. I have fun every time I go and try to make it out there a couple times a summer. I hope this information was helpful. Good luck fishing.

Linda · 08-06-2008, 02:18 AM

Camping is allowed 1/2 mile past where the road ends. Like said above you just need to register. Tons of ladyfish for bait in the gulf, also you can bring a bait net to the sound side and catch finger mullet. Be careful wading on the sound side, I've seen plenty of BIG bull sharks swimming around, I use to wade out there now I only yak it.

Linda

coomz · 08-06-2008, 12:16 PM

is camping only permissable on the sound side only? we were planning to camp on the gulf side?

Linda · 08-06-2008, 12:27 PM

Either side you wish.

coomz · 08-06-2008, 12:32 PM

Great to hear. We got two tandems kayak and we are all excited for our first ride.

07-21-2008, 04:52 PM	#1
coomz Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 55	camping out on johnson beach hi guys me and a few of my friends were planning a camping trip to johnson beach.We plan to do some surf fishing and kayak fishing. Do you guys know if Johnson beach is open to camping again?

07-21-2008, 05:03 PM	#2
Telum Pisces Senior Member Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,608	RE: camping out on johnson beach Not sure about the camping part. I think I remember some members talking about camping out there down a ways. But I do know that you would have to get a night owl pass to be inside the park past operating hours and have the gate combo.

07-21-2008, 05:17 PM	#3
Gonnamissher Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 682	RE: camping out on johnson beach I was out there 2 weekends ago and saw a couple of tents all the way up by the turn around. When I called the Parks Service they said camping on the beach was allowed in certain areas only. I have a couple of days off this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I plan on giving camping on the beach a try. I have an annual pass so I think I'll be allright to stay the night. Wish me luck, this converted Yuppy is going to need it.

07-21-2008, 07:21 PM	#4
coomz Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 55	RE: camping out on johnson beach also what kind of fish should i expect? I'm going to fish from the kayak during the day and surf fish at night. I'm bringing with me 12' tsunami airwave and a stradic fi 8000 reel with 50 lb powerpro. should I bring bait just in case or will there be plenty of bait there i can catch with a sabiki rig?

08-03-2008, 03:42 PM	#5
mdrobe2 Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Innerarity Point Posts: 1,220	RE: camping out on johnson beach I think they have a primitive camping area on the sound side- looks that way.I don't think the sabiki will produce much bait as opposed to a cast net, especially on the sound side, but that's just me. In the surf I'd go for pompano or sharks. On the sound side I'd try specks, reds, and flounder. Be ready to get skipjacks and bluefish though- they suck. Also catfish- yuck. And don't forget stingrays. Anyway,I think you'll have a good time. Let me know where you are going to fish and I'll provide feedbackaccordingly- I live in the area and am out there all the time on foot or in the boat. __________________ Mike 2009 Key West 1520 Pro 2009 70 HP Yamaha 2 stroke Garmin 540S GPS/Bottom Machine Sound by Clarion and Bazooka Coastal Night Lights Transom LED's Minn Kota Riptide Co-Pilot/Auto Pilot GPS Enabled Remote Control Trolling Motor

08-05-2008, 08:43 PM	#6
SeminoleSpearer Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tallahassee/Navarre Fl Posts: 71	RE: camping out on johnson beach I was out there two weeks ago. I canoed to the end of the island and camped right near the pass. The camping rules are posted in the park and best of all it's free. All you have to do is fill out a form and put it on your dash so the Rangers can keep track of who is out there. We saw a shark on the bay side while we paddled out. We brought the castnet for bait and ended up with a nice red. We also caught the usual ladyfish, catfish and rays. I have caught sharks out there though not on my last trip. If you intend on having a fire I would bring your own wood. The area is so heavily used that deadwood is scarce. Some people resort to cutting down live trees but it is technically not permitted plus, there there are only so many trees on the island so if everyone cuts them down there will be none left. It is definitely worth going. I have fun every time I go and try to make it out there a couple times a summer. I hope this information was helpful. Good luck fishing.

08-06-2008, 02:18 AM	#7
Linda Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Panama City Beach Posts: 1,458	RE: camping out on johnson beach Camping is allowed 1/2 mile past where the road ends. Like said above you just need to register. Tons of ladyfish for bait in the gulf, also you can bring a bait net to the sound side and catch finger mullet. Be careful wading on the sound side, I've seen plenty of BIG bull sharks swimming around, I use to wade out there now I only yak it. Linda __________________ www.pckfa.com www.captlinda.com

08-06-2008, 12:16 PM	#8
coomz Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 55	RE: camping out on johnson beach is camping only permissable on the sound side only? we were planning to camp on the gulf side?

08-06-2008, 12:27 PM	#9
Linda Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Panama City Beach Posts: 1,458	RE: camping out on johnson beach Either side you wish. __________________ www.pckfa.com www.captlinda.com

08-06-2008, 12:32 PM	#10
coomz Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 55	RE: camping out on johnson beach Great to hear. We got two tandems kayak and we are all excited for our first ride.

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