Southeast Aquasport Gathering - Fall 2010

[RickK]

Hi All,
It's getting to be that time again and we're heading south this time - to Boca Grande, the land of a gazillian places to fish and arguably the best place in the states to fish for Tarpon.
My time is not quite as flexible as it used to be (I changed jobs) and for the rest of this year I will be traveling A LOT!!  I have been able to lock in a week that I won't be on the road and that is about the same time we do this every year - beginning of NOV.
What this means is I won't be able to give you a choice of dates - the date is 6NOV2010 and the place is just south of the train trestle in Placida.

Here is a map of the area:


There are 2 ramps on the right just after you turn onto the Boca Grande Causeway and before the toll bridge.  Both are decent - if I tow down I will use Eldreds because my vehicle will be safe for the couple days I'm there.  Dave and I are thinking of just running the boats down from Sarasota - it'll be about a 50 mile run down the ICW.
We cruised down there this past Sunday morning in my little boat and checked out the 2 islands at a low tide. Took about 1 hour at 30mph from Venice - nice little vacation.  We think that the best place for the gathering is at #1 - the water is a little deeper.  An Alternative is #2 and could be good if the wind kicks up.

Should give you guys plenty of time to plan.  I know at least 3 boats that will be there  <!-- s8) -->8)<!-- s8) -->

[GoneFission]

Or you can come over to the Carolinas for the Aquasport Octoberfest!  Be there if you can!

     :bounce:  :o    8)

[Circle Hooked]

Rick i took some pics of those islands the last time i was down i can post them if you like,i don't want to step on you toes here,but regardless if you didn't know and it sounds like you do I'm in,never got the work done on my trailer so driving the boat down might be the way i have to do it.

Going by Ricks drawings Island #1


Island #2

[gran398]

Or you can come over to the Carolinas for the Aquasport Octoberfest!  Be there if you can!

     :bounce:  :o  





Exactly.....We have a solid plan, we're on, and all are welcome!

[RickK]

Rick i took some pics of those islands the last time i was down i can post them if you like,i don't want to step on you toes here,but regardless if you didn't know and it sounds like you do I'm in,never got the work done on my trailer so driving the boat down might be the way i have to do it.

Hi Scott - post the pics.  I see that camping on the bigger island is by permit only - I guess someone owns the thing?
Didn't know you were having trailer issues.  You want to run down with us?  It'll be a nice run.

Well, I know of 4 boats that will be here then.    

I am putting together the list of give-aways now.  Will probably be the usual: fishing rod/reel combos, lures, t-shirts, hats, coolies and of course, the Hooter girls to deliver the free beer boat-to-boat.

Or you could go to the NC Octoberfest gathering....

 

[FLChris]

Nice going down this way. CANT Wait

[gran398]

Rick i took some pics of those islands the last time i was down i can post them if you like,i don't want to step on you toes here,but regardless if you didn't know and it sounds like you do I'm in,never got the work done on my trailer so driving the boat down might be the way i have to do it.

Hi Scott - post the pics.  I see that camping on the bigger island is by permit only - I guess someone owns the thing?
Didn't know you were having trailer issues.  You want to run down with us?  It'll be a nice run.

Well, I know of 4 boats that will be here then.    

I am putting together the list of give-aways now.  Will probably be the usual: fishing rod/reel combos, lures, t-shirts, hats, coolies and of course, the Hooter girls to deliver the free beer boat-to-boat.

Or you could go to the NC Octoberfest gathering....

 

You're killin' me....ROFLMAO!

     

Fellas, like we said in the spring, the "Hooter's Girls" are really female FMP officers....and they aren't dressed in orange. But we may be in orange after they finish up with us.

  ...

[John Jones]

Yeah, y'all are going to have to post pics of said "girls" so we can decide.

[Circle Hooked]

Hi Scott - post the pics.  I see that camping on the bigger island is by permit only - I guess someone owns the thing?

As far as i now thats a county owned island,they just get a fee for everything down there,you go to the outfiter that caddy corner to the public ramp to pay,and speaking of fee's Eldreds is up to 10 bucks to launch now per day.

As far as my trailer it would probably make it but I've been putting off replacing the brakes which no longer work,and the hubs aren't in the best shape but the bearings are good,just been going easy with it to tenth street and back,not to far and that's 80 miles round trip from my place,but my work has picked up so i might fix some things by gathering time.

[RickK]

Gran, got to stir it up, don't cha know  :bounce:  
Maybe I fibbed a little on the coolies....

Scott, 80 miles?  If we leave from the club it's not that far.  Give you a good chance to blow it out a bit - you probably do that far more regularly than I when you go diggin'.  We have to plan a bit.
Someone just told me that Eldreds went up -for me to store my vehicle and know it's safe for a few days - it's worth it.  Same fee I paid in Apollo beach those two trips.  Good for piece of mind.

[Circle Hooked]

I didn't think of the club,it's 80 miles for me by trailer,i mapped it out on Google and it's a lot less by water for sure,not in the past month but before i was running out 30-40 to dig about every other week,don't want to remember how much $$ i burned but it was fun,and the Eldreds ramp is a good safe place and the girl there always remembers me when i pull up and she's a sweetheart so in my boring world that's worth something.

[RickK]

I didn't read your post thoroughly - "80 miles round trip" - that sounds about right and it's really not a bad pull.  Done it a few times with the big boat.
We've still got a little time - how 'bout the members in the keys - close enough to ya now?  Time to start putting your list together and checking it twice for the tow up.

Doc / Scott, know of any motels in the area for those that want to pull in from afar and stay the night?  I realize we're talking about a little country road but I think I saw some on the way.

[gran398]

We're a team here...always, we'll  be a team....gonna be a hoot, all around.

Looking forward to the pics from both adventures....Ol' Miss Marco will be there, in all her glory....  

[GoneFission]

Miss Marco may be joined by some other surprises at the Carolinas Aquasport Octoberfest...  

 

Hey, anything is possible, right?  

[gran398]

Right!

We are currently in discussion with two well-known starlets, and both are anxious to attain the title  "Miss Aquasport 2010".

And who said money can't buy happiness?