Pre Spring Egmont Key Gathering date Poll

[gran398]

Be thankful for no rain

In the morning....check the radar north and east of Tampa...for the next 1100 miles.

[Circle Hooked]

Could be a nasty morning.

[Skoot]

Nope, they were hanging out with the excuse fairy.

HAAahahaaah, you guys are/were nuts! There was no way I was going out solo with those winds.  It was blowing 20-25 with higher gust at my house. Anyway Im glad you all had a good time, and I do look forward to a nice day on the water with you boys.  Looks like you found a secluded spot to hang out.  Sorry to hear about GroupW! My mouth was watering when I heard about the blue crabs, Im sure they were delicious.

You will see this fairy at the next one  

[fmaster360]

That looks like a blast. I want in next time.

[Aswaff400]

bruce, yes i need to get some shade on my boat! once we where out of the wind it got HOT!

[Blue Agave]

At alternative kocation with a few dozen steamed blue crabs and nobody is here. No answer on 16 or 69. Anyone show? 727.452.0031

Group, what time where you there?  We where back on the trailer by four o'clock.  

It was certainly windy but all in all we had a great time.  Bob and I were able to put some trout in the boat which was a bonus.  Let the planning begin for the next gathering, with better weather of course.

[RickK]

We'll be holding one first week of May down south - there is no reason you can't have as many as you want up here.  It draws different people from different locales. We held 4 or 5 in a row, every 6 months, in Bunce pass / shell island area.

[Group W Bench]

Got there around 2 or 2:30. Wanted to get there earlier, but it's a long way from our slip in Clearwater. We saw the sailboats from Eckerd College racing over by the channel leading to Tierra Verde on the way to Fort Desoto. We must have overlooked the three of y'all rafted up, as we were going pretty fast from the North in the main channel. We took the inside there, and the Gulf back as it was blowing from the South and the stern seas made for an easy run. It was a little rough, but the Contender handles chop like yesterday pretty well. It was pretty much the same weather that plagues every single kingfish tournament in our area. It's a rule that anytime there is a kingfish tournament, it will be blowing 20+ and colder than a welldigger's arse.

At alternative kocation with a few dozen steamed blue crabs and nobody is here. No answer on 16 or 69. Anyone show? 727.452.0031

Group, what time where you there?  We where back on the trailer by four o'clock.  

It was certainly windy but all in all we had a great time.  Bob and I were able to put some trout in the boat which was a bonus.  Let the planning begin for the next gathering, with better weather of course.

[roadasprin]

Yes ,wife and I enjoyed the day out on Reel Crazy with Capt. Bruce and first mate June bug ,alias Amy . The boat rode and performed like a dream even beyond what I thought it would. Good choice and well worth the trip  to NC to get it. Of course the real reward in going to NC was meeting Scott and getting a tour of the local boat works and  places to eat ! Seabob and I  have worked at some of the same boat builders which was interesting . Although we were there in different decades ,only a few apart,lol. Nice meeting everyone yesterday and look forward to more trips.

[seabob4]

Gotta run to the store, fellas!  Will post pics of Fernando and I's efforts when I return.  Had a great time, yeah, a little breezy, but all in all a damn fun day!  Of course, Fernando and I ALMOST (7, him 4, me 3) got our limit of trout, just made it all the better!  If we had moved another 50 yards and stayed another 1/2 hour, we would have done it!

[seabob4]

Well, as said, we had a great day on the water despite things not going "according to plan"...like Mother Nature getting us prepped for a nasty front!  None the less, got to Fernando's around 5:45, greeted by Guiness (about the happiest dog I've ever met!), a little breakfast, off to O'Neill's, put Fernando in, along comes Aaron, dropped him in as well, and off we went.  Fernando motors over to this one little bridge, finds the baitfish schools next to the pilings, one throw of the net and probably 100 threadfin Herring are dropped in the livewell!  One throw!  So off we go to the windward side of this little key, drop anchor, and soon we are catching fish.  Quite a few smallies, but obviously...



...keepers as well, 7 in all, we could have gotten 8...

Then a raft up with Bruce and the gang and Aaron and his...um, two lovely companions!  Bruce's Explorer is beautiful, in EXCELLENT condition, much, much better shape than boats I have seen 1/2 and even 1/3 her age!  Just really kinda took a real good look at her, went over basically all her systems with him, really brought back some great memories, I most likely saw her roll down the line when she was built...actually, probably saw Aaron's way back then as well!



BTW, Bruce's Windlass!!



Just had to get a pic of that one!  As far as conditions on the windward side, really, not too bad...



And 1 happy dog!!



Fernando with his gator (around 24") and maybe one of mine, one of his, we didn't care...



Great meeting Ed (roadaspirin), damn, I think I'VE been around the business, naw, he's got me beat!  Even used to work for Stamas, but, as he said, a "few" years before my time!  Fernando has a REALLY sweet 19-6, and it would have been fun to run her in some calmer seas with that 200, but, conditions prevail...



Yes, a little boat cleaning.  He did all the rigging himself, a quality job through and through.

So we got home, drank many cervesas, went to the fish cleaning station by the Gandy launch, Fernando filleted all the trout (I held the flashlight!), and came home this morning with exactly 3 lbs. of beautiful fillets, so Maggie was thrilled, and my back wasn't too bad.  All in all, an excellent day!!

I want to thank Fernando for his wonderful hospitality and conversation, it was absolutely great meeting Bruce and Ed, and to get to pore over Bruce's Explorer, and, as usual, Aaron, with his laid back attitude and "need for speed" (LOVE THAT!), he was happy he caught dinner, yes, he had a bag of Cheetos, and yes, he did have 2 lovely companions!  Dog!!

Sorry for not hearing anything on the VHF, Eugene, we had it on as well as Bruce and his radio.  I had my cel on in my side pocket, even got a call from one of my customers, so we were available, but, maybe next time.  And Scott, no I'm not fat, and I HOPE I never get old!  Although, the back is feeling it a bit today!  But this big fella says it all!!

[gran398]

Great stuff guys  

Ed, great meeting you and Bruce too....hope it won't be too long that we can all meet.

And Bob...yo DO look young for your age. And that is a sincere compliment

[seabob4]

Another cool plus...I got to drive Aaron's F-150!  Sweet truck, motor just purrs!  But one suggestion, young man.  YOU may be able to just "hop up" into your cab, but us older guys would like a step...  

Scott, it's the hair, bud.  I'm in a "rebelling against authority" mood right now...

[Aswaff400]

Another cool plus...I got to drive Aaron's F-150!  Sweet truck, motor just purrs!  But one suggestion, young man.  YOU may be able to just "hop up" into your cab, but us older guys would like a step...  

Scott, it's the hair, bud.  I'm in a "rebelling against authority" mood right now...

hey the f150 is a cake walk compared to my forklift! i had my go pro camera and handlebar mount with me, should have gotten a video running up the channel from tarpon key. lets just say it was a little bumpy.

another bright side, we didnt burn much fuel!


even with the weather, it was still a great day. have alot of vacation time coming at the end of the month, will look forward to meeting up with yall again in the future!

[seabob4]

Another cool plus...I got to drive Aaron's F-150!  Sweet truck, motor just purrs!  But one suggestion, young man.  YOU may be able to just "hop up" into your cab, but us older guys would like a step...  

Scott, it's the hair, bud.  I'm in a "rebelling against authority" mood right now...

hey the f150 is a cake walk compared to my forklift! i had my go pro camera and handlebar mount with me, should have gotten a video running up the channel from tarpon key. lets just say it was a little bumpy.

another bright side, we didnt burn much fuel!


even with the weather, it was still a great day. have alot of vacation time coming at the end of the month, will look forward to meeting up with yall again in the future!

Give me a call, I'm game...or does that mean the 24th?  Seems we have a member here that preferred that date...

A little Weedon Island action?  Your home turf?