Shell Mound Campground

Shell Mound Campground

32 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Shell Mound Campground

The Better Off Wet Crew got the opportunity to head up to Shell Mound Campground, near Cedar Key this July. We arrived at the campground to see very little movement. Upon arrival we learned why there wasn’t much movement…the yellow flies were numerous and apparently extremely agitated with the B.O.W. Crew (they are only there for one month, in Summer, we were told). But, being armed with some of Veritas Soap Company’s “You Can’t Bug This” all natural bug repellant, we put up a great defense against the pesky flies. A good attitude and some good bug juice will go a long way though on any outdoor adventure, in our opinion. The Shell Mound Campground is extremely beautiful and relaxed. We, the B.O.W. Crew, often find ourselves in the “slow moving” locations and flies or no flies, if

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Shell Mound Campground

you are a water lover; we think you will enjoy Shell Mound Campground.

Shell Mound Campground has a concrete boat ramp and a wooden dock. The tide was out when we arrived and there was literally no water to launch a boat (be advised to check tides, when planning a trip with a boat). The tide would be heading in soon, so we set up our campsite, had a bite to eat, and got our fishing gear together to be ready to go fish, at the dock by the boat ramp, and enjoy a wonderful West coast sunset.

The boat ramp area at Shell Mound Campground is home to tons of bait. With just a couple cast net throws, we had plenty of mud minnows and were ready for some Redfish action! The boat ramp area provides many places to fish from the banks. If you walk the trail by the fish cleaning station, about 500 feet, there is a great point that we noticed have a lot of fish on both incoming and outgoing tides. The birds and other wildlife (including wild pigs) are abundant, everywhere you look. Since the campground was slow, while we were there, we took advantage of the beautiful dock and fished the grass line off the North side. We had good luck with the mud

34 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Shell Mound Campground

minnows and were able to catch some nice smaller Reds that first night.

Make sure everything is inside or put away at your campsite…This is good advice for any camping situation or location. But, we did not follow that rule, when it came to our bait, which we thought was fine, stored outside, in a sealed 5 gallon aerator bucket. The raccoons probably laughed as they ripped the lid from the bucket and feasted on our bait. So, day 2 started off with catching

more bait, after cleaning up the mess from the Raccoons. The bait was still thick, like the day before, down at the boat ramp. The cast net also produces the tiniest Flounder, we had ever seen. We made sure the mini Flounder all made it back in the water to grow into big door mats, then set out to catch a nice keeper Red for supper. Thankfully, we caught several nice fish including a beautiful slot redfish around 22 inches. Praise the Lord; we just knew those were going

to be some delicious filets! We were fishing using 2/0 circle hooks through the mouths of the mud minnows. The slot size for this area is 18-27 inches. A crazy start to the morning, with the bait was a distant memory after catching some beautiful Redfish. And, after a few laughs with some fellow campers about the Raccoon incident, we filleted the keeper Red at the cleaning station adjacent to the boat ramp and went back to camp, to eat some breakfast.

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Shell Mound Campground

After breakfast, we hitched up the official B.O.W. Crew mascots, Chomper and Carolina, and went to hike the trails, near the fishing pier, just down the road from the campground about a quarter mile. There are many areas to stop and read signs that inform you all about the surrounding area(s), the Shell Mounds, and the folks who inhabited the area in years past. The trails are not very difficult by most people’s standards, we think. And, the walk is definitely worth it to get the view from atop Shell Mound. The fishing pier is also elevated and provides a nice view, as well.

36 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Shell Mound Campground

After hiking, exploring, and having some good conversation with some other tourists to the area, we headed back to Shell Mound Campground, to get prepped up to fish the evening’s incoming tide. We had good results again, with the same tackle as previous mentioned and caught more Reds, including another nice keeper. Fresh Redfish fillets for dinner, “woo wee”, that’s what’s up and that is what we were hollering as we ate dinner that night. Just a little Cajun seasoning, some butter, and a flame had the filets tasting great.

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Shell Mound Campground

We truly enjoyed our stay at Shell Mound Campground and think any water lover will, as well. Bring a good attitude, boat, fishing gear, hiking shoes, and some “You Can’t Bug This” and have yourself a wonderful outdoor adventure there too!

38 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Shell Mound Campground

HOOKUPS: 30 Amp, 20 Amp, water, dry camping

RECREATION: boat ramp, fishing, picnic area, recreation trails, water access

FACILITIES: dump station, restrooms, showers, trash, water available

PETS: allowed

Shell Mound Campground - Open Year-Round

17650 SW 78th Place Cedar Key, FL 32625 Phone: (352) 221-4466

Campsite Rates Electric & Water: $25 Electric Only: $20 Primitive: $10