Mary's Fish Camp Seawall, Bayport Fishing

Mary's Fish Camp Seawall is a long wall of bank on a quiet tidal river, run by an old-style fish camp that has been here since 1946. It is a relaxed, light-tackle place to fish with a river view and a short boat ride to the Gulf for the fish that come up on the tide.

• A 275-foot seawall on the Mud River, with a boardwalk and pier
• Mullet are the camp's best-known fish; snapper, snook and redfish are possible
• A camp store, a fish cleaning station and a free parking lot
• Brackish water that changes with rain and tide

The camp is at the end of Marys Fish Camp Road in Bayport, in western Hernando County, on the banks of the Mud River. It is a private fish camp, so you fish by its rules and rates.

• Hours: a tourism listing shows daily hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Parking: a free parking lot is listed
• Fee: the camp has a daily fishing rate for non-guests that we could not confirm; call the camp before you go
• Guests staying in the RV sites and cabins fish the shoreline as part of their stay
• The walk from the lot to the seawall is short and level

The Mud River is tidal and brackish, so the mix follows the season and the rain.

• Spring (Mar-May): spotted seatrout and redfish as the water warms, with mullet in the shallows
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper and snook along the wall, jacks and ladyfish on the tide
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and seatrout at their best, with mullet schooling
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum near structure, fewer snook on cold days
• After heavy rain the river runs fresher and the saltwater fish drop back toward the Gulf

Light spinning gear is plenty for a sheltered river.

• Live or fresh shrimp on a light hook, free-lined or under a small cork, for snapper, trout and redfish
• Small jigs or soft plastics on a 1/8 oz jighead worked along the wall
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped straight down for sheepshead in cooler months
• Cut bait on the bottom for redfish and black drum
• Small mullet or pilchards at first light for snook
• Bring a landing net; the wall has a drop from the top to the water

The coast here has two uneven highs and lows on most days, and the river follows the Gulf with a lag. Check the nearest NOAA tide station for the day.

• Moving water is best, especially the rising tide that pushes bait and fish up the river
• The hour either side of high tide is often the most productive
• Low light at dawn and dusk helps with snook and trout
• Heavy rain freshens the river and slows the saltwater bite for a day or two
• Strong winds after fronts can stir the water and blow tides out

This is a calm, easy spot, but it is a working camp on a river that boats use.

• Wet boards and wall caps are slippery; wear shoes with grip
• Keep lines clear of boats and the camp's docks
• Leave the wall at the first thunder of a summer storm
• Bring sun protection, water and insect repellent, since the river is lined with marsh
• Keep children back from the edge of the wall
• Access is short and level, though the camp has not listed accessibility details

The camp lists the following, and it is worth confirming current offerings by phone.

• A camp store with supplies; ask about bait
• A fish cleaning station with power for electric knives
• Restrooms and a free parking lot
• A boardwalk and pier beside the seawall
• Cabins and RV sites for overnight guests
• Food service is not confirmed, so bring your own

• Call the camp before your first visit to confirm the day rate and the hours
• Fish the rising tide when the river brings in bait from the Gulf
• Bring small live shrimp; the snapper and trout prefer them to cut bait
• Check the sky in the afternoon; summer storms build fast on the Nature Coast
• Visitors say the boardwalk is a pleasant place to watch the sunset between casts
• Cast along the base of the wall, not far out; fish hold close to it

Mary's Fish Camp is privately run and sets its own rules, hours and rates.

• The camp lists daily hours; day-use fishing for non-guests is by the camp's daily rate
• Follow the posted signs and the camp's instructions
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook and redfish have FWC rules and seasons for this region; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything