6th SE Aquasport gathering

[RickK]

It's that time again.  The gathering will be at Apollo Beach's Pine Key (Beer can island) one more time.  It's very close to I-75 so it's easy to get to, for people like me who tow in.  More info to come.
I have a committment on May 2nd otherwise I would have listed that date.  I added Apr 25 as a possibility - not sure how warm the water will be by then though.

[RickK]

Pulled this from our 5th gathering topic -
If you want to tow in (like me) you will probably want to use the EG Simmons park ramp. Safe during the day/closed after dark. The park rangers told me they don't allow leaving a vehicle overnight at the ramp so I'll use the Apollo Beach Marina lot - $10/24hrs and there are live-aboards at the docks so it should be safe.
Here is the relation between the ramps and Pine Key (Beer Can) island where we'll hold the gathering.


As JJ posted before:
E. G. Simmons Park
2401 19th Avenue, N.W.
Ruskin FL 33570
Location: 19th St., N.W. (Off U.S. 41 in South Hillsborough County)
Telephone: (813) 671-7655

Located near Ruskin on Tampa Bay, the 469-acre park and preserve has been a popular area for outdoor enthusiasts since the mid-60’s. The park has picnic areas and a campground with a beautiful waterfront view. A public beach provides visitors with a perfect setting for sunning or swimming, while a boat launch provides access to saltwater fishing and boating. The park also has fishing piers and areas for bank fishing. Bird watching is also a popular pastime among the shallow waters of the surrounding mangrove swamps.
Park Manager - Chuck Hunt

Spring 6 am - 7 pm
Summer 6 am - 8 pm
Fall/Winter 6 am - 6 pm
______________________________________________

I was looking around the Apollo Beach area with my BlueCharts scoping out the depths, channels, etc and started looking around EG Simmons boat ramp. Looks like if you are going to launch there you need a heads up on how to get out of and back into the ramp area.
This Google Earth image shows how shoaled up the area is. Looks like you come out of the park, hug the shoreline southwest and go southwest for a ways. Then you turn north and then northeast to get to Beer Can Island. (Follow the boats (white lines) in the image)

 
This is a MapSource BlueChart screen that shows the depths.


Local knowledge around there is a good thing it looks like.

The cruise to Beer Can looks deep all the way from EG Simmons once you get out. The water appears to be a little skinny to the east of the island. You can see some shoals going east to west to the island from the mainland.

[RickK]

Hmmm, almost tied up for the date.

[Mike Answeeney]

It's looking like I'm going to have to miss this gathering! :cry:   I'll be down in the Keys fishing that weekend.  :pirat:

[RickK]

It's looking like I'm going to have to miss this gathering! :cry:   I'll be down in the Keys fishing that weekend.  :pirat:

It's looking like it'll be on the 9th. How can a Keys trip compare to this.....
Have a safe trip.

[flkeysaqua]

Bigger fish down here Rickk  lol answeeney if you need some numbers let me know born and raised down here  

[RickK]

The poll has ended and the 9th won out.  For the out of towners like me, start warming up your GPS.  Looks like I'll be bringing up the 230 this time along with member Dave in his 250 and we'll stay out the 8th and 9th.  If any one else wants to make a weekend of it come on out.

[DBRYAN]

I'll try and show up too. People in Pinellas county can probably launch at Ft. Desoto and run across the bay.

[Aswaff400]

its just a straight B-line from our canal to beer can, with a good set of binoc's you can almost see it

unfortunately, i started a new job and i have to work weekends so i cant make it...      

[RickK]

The last gathering there were a few posts about ramps other than Ft Desoto for the Pinellas people - maybe those memebrs that posted them will pipe in.
We also had a few members that said they'd be there that didn't make it for one reason or another.   Let's try to commit early and set a plan in place - it's only one afternoon every 6 months. Any members from the south thinking about it?  It's close to I-75 so it's an easy tow.  How about the North and East?  I think of it as a new adventure each time - it's a fun couple days for me (if I have the 230) otherwise it's a good day.

Let's try to make a good showing - show your Aquasport pride - we'll even help show some pride for a proline or two .  If anyone has a center console and wants to camp but doesn't have cover, you're welcome on my 230 - full bimini and sides so you don't have to worry about anything.  PM me.

If I bring the 230 I'll have a BBQ so we can cook lunch or whatever.  The water is getting warm now and around the power plant it'll be a couple degrees warmer.  Lots of manatee there if your kids want to see them up close and I mean real close - they'd climb in your boat if they could.

2 more weeks

[RickK]

5 more days

[RickK]

3 more days  :afro:
I'll be up there on Friday in the 230.  Look for 2 Explorers on the East side of the island backed in. 8)

[LilRichard]

Still planning on being there - although I really would like to go offshore for some Kings!

 :afro:

[RickK]

Still planning on being there - although I really would like to go offshore for some Kings!

 :afro:

Do that in the AM - winds are supposed to be decent.  Then bring one to the gathering and we can Q it up.  

[RickK]

Well, I'm heading out for Apollo Beach around noon today.  Weather forecast shows no rain but a little breezy - at least we won't bake with no breeze.
We'll start looking for everyone around noonish.  We'll try to grab some space on the beach on the east side of the island.

Seeya all out there