Tampa Bay Gathering

[Wilson]

Anclote is usally a diaster.  

Ft. Desoto sounds good.

[captflatback]

Thats good for me it's just another day of towing the boat. Lets try to pick a date and see if wilson or the captain can write something up and put it on the front page of the fourm.

Capt. jim Lemke

[scott_gunn]

Let's do a poll for location.  We've narrowed it down to a) somewhere inside the Bay, b) Somewhere near Ft. Desoto, or c) somewhere in North Pinellas.

I prefer North Pinellas just for personal convenience, plus the islands (3 Rooker, Caladesi, Honeymoon, Anclote) are better for anchoring up and hanging out than anywhere near Ft. Desoto.

[Wilson]

good idea.  start 2, one for date one for location.

When we have it nailed down, I'll get Tom to post them on the front page.  I have no idea how that thing works.

[John Jones]

I do a lot of unscheduled travel in my job so I will stay out of the date selection.  If I am in town on the date picked, we will be there.

Just a suggestion for location, Ft Desoto is a good jump off point but a lot of folks hold their get-togethers just down the pass on Shell Island to get away from the Ft Desoto crowd and the thousands of landlubbers.  In the picture, I marked the Ft Desoto ramp on the right and the Shell Island beach on the left.  The only negative that I know of is alcohol rules are pretty strict.  If one drinks out of a cup, nothing is said.  Walk around with beer cans or tossing cans on the beach will attract an officers attention.

[Poon-Time]

Yeah if I'm available i'm in.  I don't have my Aquasport finished but will bring the flats boat to see everyone else's.  Could get some good ideas.

[RickK]

Just a suggestion for location, Ft Desoto is a good jump off point but a lot of folks hold their get-togethers just down the pass on Shell Island to get away from the Ft Desoto crowd and the thousands of landlubbers.  In the picture, I marked the Ft Desoto ramp on the right and the Shell Island beach on the left.  The only negative that I know of is alcohol rules are pretty strict.  If one drinks out of a cup, nothing is said.  Walk around with beer cans or tossing cans on the beach will attract an officers attention.

John, is the Ft Desoto ramp packed early?  When I've been to Egmont (farthest north I've been), I put in on the Manatee River and that was a pretty long haul to the island especially if the bay whips up (11 miles). Shell Island appears to be about 4 miles north of Egmont as the bird flies. I figure it's probably best to trailer up and put in at Ft Desoto.  Do I need to be there by like 7 to get a spot? Any fees to launch from there?
(I hope that my little truck can pull my boat up and over the Skyway bridge   )  If in town, are you going to boat up?  Maybe I can put in near where you live and travel along with you?

[John Jones]

Rick,

It's very busy but it is also large.  It's like 10 or 12 ramps wide, maybe more than that.  I don't think it fills up except holidays.  $5 parking fee.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/virtual_t ... atramp.htm

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

I live just north of the Manatee River on Terra Ceia bay so it's about an 18 mile run for me to the park.  I launch at our subdivision's private ramp.  I probably could sneak you in there and put your trailer back at my house but you would not gain anything by launching here.

[RickK]

Yup, that's a big boat ramp.  
If the weather is nice it would be a nice cruise from the 59th st ramp (fills up early) - about 16 miles.  If the bay is whipped up, trailer up there and put in right next to the rendevous point.  As the date nears we can coordinate and maybe meet somewhere and cross the bay together.

[John Jones]

Sounds good to me.  By the way, there is a back way from there if the bay gets up.  Only a mile or two farther but mostly protected.  Run east from Shell Island to I-275/Skyway Bridge.  Run the Skyway, then hug the shore (not too close) all the way back to Terra Ceia Bay.  There is a cut from Terra Ceia into the Manatee River.  

[captflatback]

So are we going to meet out at fort desoto in oct. If so lets start a list of whos showing up.

Capt. Jim Lemke

[fnichols]

I agree with meeting close to Anclote we could all hang out and anchor on the north, south, west sides of Anclote Island or go to the sandbar on the north end where most people anchor to grill out or wade.  There is also a Hooters on the water in Port Richey or there is a bar/grill at the mouth of the Anclote River where Duke's Fish Camp once was.  I just figured out that I am still looking at the first page, sorry.  I guess the location has already been chosen.  I would love to see everybodies Aquasports parked at the docks of Hooters someday.  Just think of the photos we could take.

[captflatback]

Will with the red tide down that way we may have to pick a new place.

Capt. Jim Lemke

[Captain]

I've been MIA for a while but spoke to Wilson yesterday about this. I guess it's time we actually put something official together. What's the final consensus on date and location?

If there are any graphic artists amongst the group, maybe someone could come up with a T-shirt design? Could also do some Koozies, etc. Be a nice first foray into finally putting some official classicaqausport.com merchandise together.

[RickK]

Nov and Ft Desoto area, from me. Hopefully the "tide" will have diminished by then.
I started a Survey for Nov dates.

I'd start a survey for place but don't know the area up there.
1. I know Egmont key but that place is a hang out for everybody.
2. Ft Desoto area has been spoken for and identified by map
3. For you Tampa guys, is there any place inside tampa bay that is easy to get to and has a ramp nearby?
4. Any other place nearby?