? for the Florida guys

[yellowdog]

I spend two weeks in Florida each June on Little Gasparilla Island. We love it down there. We used to go to the Keys and the kids really enjoyed the snorkeling. Haven't found too many places around LG island to snorkel. Especially with all the sharks down there that go tarpon fishing about that time. Saw a place at the mouth of Tampa bay called Egmont Island with some submerged parts of an old fort. The info looked pretty neat and relatively easy to find. If I trailered up there, where's the closest place to put in? Would it be possible to take the boat from LG Island up there? How long do you think it would take going via the Gulf(too many no wake zones to go ICW)? I figured if the weather went bad, we could duck into the ICW and wait it out. Do you know of any other places closer to LG Island that the kids could snorkel? Thanks for the local info!

[redfisherdave]

There is a good ramp at Fort Desoto Park in southern Pinellas county. Here's their web site.

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

The rest of the fort that you see on Eggmont Key is in this park. Very nice beaches & good fishing as well.

Have fun

[Dolphin Dave]

I would suggest trying the old phosphate docks. I personally have never snorkled them but have been told that the fish insane.

If nothing else go try your luck at nailing a Goliath Grouper. 018 017 014 021

http://www.floridasportfishing.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1775&Itemid=93

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

WOW, that's a big fish. :o :o :o :o :o

[Dolphin Dave]

WOW, that's a big fish. :o :o :o :o :o


I have pulled fish up that size out of 200' of water off the dry tortugas. I would never want to do it again. The beating you take after that is not worth it for a fish that you can not keep. However, If I could keep one and make a 200lb grouper sandwich I might reconsider. 010

Now slamming one 021 in 30' of water or less might be little more fun. 011

[FLboy3]

Yellowdog, put in at the fort desoto boat ramp and its a short ride across the channel to egmont. Theres plenty of places around fort desoto beaches for the kids to snorkel safely. If your into camping, fort desoto has a great campground. We are haveing a CS get together there in may. You will love it and probably plan your next vacation camping there. Especially if you can get a waterfront campsite on the west side of the island. The eavning sunsets are fantastic and the kids can play in the water while you sit back in your lounge chair and watch them. Man that brings back memories of about 20 years ago when my kids were young.......Darell

[DIVERHERB]

Dont snorkel around the phosphate docks, lots old fishing line with hooks hung up there. and the current can be pretty bad. There is an area called point of rocks off Siesta Key in Sarasota, also a barge just offshore of AnnaMaria Island. Both are great snorkel places for kids and fairly shallow and no current to worry about.