- November 23, 2024
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It’s the classic Florida pastime: floating through a marsh or estuary in a kayak or canoe, maybe casting a line for snapper or snook.
If you’re looking to get into paddling in Flagler County, here’s your handy quide.
What to bring
Too many people bring too much or too little on paddling trips, and either mistake can ruin what should be a fun day out on the water.
The most common mistake, judging by the droves of folks who seem to hit the water with canoes loaded far above the gunnels with assorted junk, seems to be overpacking.
If you’re in a kayak — a sit-on-top model or a traditional sit-in version — the vessel’s design will limit how much you can load in; the kitchen sink won’t fit through the boat’s hatches.
But canoeists have to be more careful about overloading, especially when the boat will be carrying two or more people. (Hint: check the canoe’s weight capacity, and stay well below it. It won’t ride well near capacity and will be more likely to swamp.)
Consider a small cooler rather than a big one, and think about ditching things like folding chairs in favor of a beach towel. And do you really need a bulky tackle box and several rods for fishing, or can you trim down to one lightweight case of tackle and a single rod and reel?
The other danger, of course, is not packing basic necessities.
The easiest way to avoid that mistake is to use a list. Here’s one you can peruse, print out and add to before your next trip. Or, even better, keep the basics stored together, ready to go for your next adventure:
• Life vests for everyone on board, plus a throwable personal flotation device (for canoeists)
• A whistle for each person, plus a spare (keep them on your person, but not around your neck, where they could get caught on branches or gear during a spill and hold you down)
• A small baseplate compass for each person, plus a spare
• A marine chart of the area you’ll be paddling in
• Extra water — pack more than you think you’ll need, especially in brackish or salt water
• Extra snack food
• A small headlamp, for that time you get stuck out after dark (a portable marine spotlight is a great addition for an evening or overnight trip, especially on a larger body of water)
• Rain and cold protection
• Sun protection — sunglasses, sun lotion and/or a loose, long-sleeved shirt and pants
• A small anchor, with line
• A bailing bucket
• A car-washing sponge for cleaning up drips
• A small knife — keep it on you for cutting line
• A line for a bow line or tow rope
• A small first aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Emergency flares
• Extras of any medications you take regularly
• A hat to keep sun and rain out of your eyes
• A spare paddle
Where to go:
Bing's Landing
Location: Intracoastal, Palm Coast
Address: 5880 N. Oceanshore Blvd.
Type of ramp: concrete, with a grass put-in area for paddlecraft
Hours: 24 hours
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
Location: Intracoastal/Ocean, Flagler Beach
Address: 3100 S. State Road A1A
Type of ramp: concrete, with sand put-in areas for paddlecraft
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park (boats under 16 feet only)
Location: Bulow Creek, Bunnell
Address: 3165 Old Kings Road
Type of ramp: a small concrete ramp used mostly for canoes and kayaks
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset
Russell Landing Public Boat Ramp at Haw Creek Preserve
Location: Haw Creek, Bunnell
Address: 2007 County Road 2007
Type of ramp: concrete
Hours: park closes at sunset; ramp is open 24 hours
Herschel King Park
Location: Intracoastal, Palm Coast
Address: 1000 S. Park Drive
Type of ramp: concrete
Hours: 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bull Creek Campround
Location: Bull Creek, Bunnell
Address: 3861 County Road 2006
Type of ramp: concrete
Hours: 24 hours
Lake Disston Primitive Boat Launch
Location: Lake Disston
Address: At the end of Boat Launch Road, off Lake Disston Drive
Type of ramp: concrete
Moody Public Boat Launch
Location: Intracoastal, Flagler Beach
Address: State Road 100 on the east side of the bridge over the Intracoastal
Type of ramp: concrete
Hours: 24 hours
Princess Place Reserve Public Primitive Ramp
Location: Pellicer Creek, Palm Coast
Address: North of Princess Place Road
Type of ramp: sand
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shell Bluff Public Boat Ramp
Location: Crescent Lake, Bunnell
Address: West end of Shell Bluff Road, off State Road 100
Type of ramp: concrete
Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
