Boating and the mistakes we see

It amazes me the number of mistakes you see while out on the water. Most of the time it is due to the "NEED for SPEED". Some people get near the water their adrenaline starts to flow and they get excited and they just can't slow down. Which in turn slips their brain into overdrive and they don't think straight. Take any given weekend at the Anclote River Boat Ramp and just sit on the benches and watch the ensuing chaos comence. I like to refer to it as the "Anclote Circus" I didn't coin the term but I think I've heard it spread around while there multiple times. On any given weekend day you can watch accidents, Family Arguments, people in the water, boats bashing into the ramps and just a slew of entertaining, SAD and just plain stupid events take place. Keep in mind when driving your boat to the dock or onto your trailer or at anytime your not in open water, as a good friend of mine has taught me, "SLOWER IS BETTER". SLOW DOWN THINK and things will be a lot nicer for you.

Boating on the weekends

Some of the best boating and island fun is right here in our own back yard. On any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon you can find hundreds of boats parked at the small offshore islands both North and South of Anclote Key. The turquoise water and the beautiful sand is just what the doctor orders to get rid of anything that is stressing you out. So whether your tired from the work week and just want to get away or you make it a habit of visiting these small Boat Only islands. Don't look too far because our back yard and the tropical water is not as far as you think.

North Anclote Sandbar

 If you haven't been to this beach it is by far one of the greatest secluded (BOAT ACCESSIBLE ONLY) Beaches in the Tampa, St. Petersburg area.

  If you get there after 10am your going to be looking for parking since there are so many boats it can get quite crowded, however everyone's a boater there so everyone is willing to lend a hand to get you anchored in.

 The East side, or inner coastal side is the best parking since the water is deep enough in most places to get your boat right up to shore. Make sure you have an AFT anchor. so you can back in and line up with the other boats

 . Once your there though the water is excellent, the inner coastal water has a small beach area and then turns to shallow sea grass. The Northern and Southern tips are typically pretty crowded since it they are by some of the nicer shallow water wading areas.

 The Sandbar is only about 20 yards wide at it's widest and the white Florida Sand and turquoise water on the Gulf side reminds me of the Caribbean. The shallow water on the South tip is shallow for a long long ways out and you could literally almost walk to Anclote Key from here.

 Another unique feature of this beach is the fact that Red Sea Urchins are regularly found on the East side of the island and when they die their shells get crushed up and literally make the sand look pink. It is

 If you get a chance to make it to this beach or plan to rent a boat for the weekend I recommend going out of Anclote River and turning North and once your past Anclote Key you will see the small island.

boat supplies at Wholesale Marine

If your in need of boating supplies these guys are the best I just started my spring boating buying. 

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/

Reseller Ratings Review for Wholesale Marine

trevorsok's Review: 5/5

"I ordered two Navigation marker lights and a water pump and both items arrived in about 2 days. I was actually surprised to get a very fast notification of shipment email and then to receive them that quickly was excellent. I also ordered another part from them the following day primarily due to the fast service and the ease of use their website offered. "

via Reseller Ratings

Watch your boat and where it is anchored

Tampa Bay has quite a few abandoned boats that are sinking or moored around the Tampa Bay Waters. The FWC is looking to fix the problem here are some of the proposed regulations that may go into affect.

• No vessel shall anchor within 200 feet of any publicly or privately owned marina
• No vessel shall anchor within 200 feet of a publicly owned boat ramp
• No vessel shall anchor in Bayboro Harbor for more than 72 hours within a 30-day period. 
• No vessel shall anchor in any area that would be a navigational hazard to other boaters
• No vessel shall anchor in the Port of St. Petersburg
• No vessel shall anchor in the Central Yacht Basin
• No vessel shall anchor in the South Yacht Basin

For more information visit this article. http://oldnortheast.patch.com/articles/fwc-seeks-input-on-proposed-st-pete-abandoned-boat-law#c

Tampa bay Boat Show at Tropicana Field

March 9th-12th  

• Tropicana Field
  1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg FL 33705
• This three-day sales event features the area's top boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies, and great accessories. Plus, some of the area's top fish guides and local experts share tips, secrets and fun stories on how to "catch the big one."
• Price: Free. $5 parking.
• Categories: Kid-friendly, Other, Outdoors
• Phone: (727) 893-8523

Friday, March 9, 2012
1 p.m.	Bill Hardman	Fish Behavior on Ledges, Reefs and Wrecks
2 p.m.	Gary Burch	Inshore Equipment and Techniques
3 p.m.	Neil Taylor	Learning New Areas
4 p.m.	Pat Damico	Transition from Fresh to Saltwater Fly Fishing
Saturday, March 10, 2012
12 p.m.	Bill Hardman	Where We Find the Big Fish
1 p.m.	Pat Damico	Fly Fishing Florida's West Coast
2 p.m.	Gary Burch	Inshore Equipment and Techniques
3 p.m.	Lee Araujo	You've Got Your Trophy: How to Prepare it for Taxidermy
4 p.m.	Jim Huddleston	Springtime Redfish Tactics
Sunday, March 11, 2012
1 p.m.	Bill Hardman	Diving Opportunities on the Gulf Coast of Florida
2 p.m.	Neil Taylor	Kayak Fishing for Beginners
3 p.m.	Gary Burch	Cast Net
4 p.m.	Neil Taylor	Using Artificial Lures

View Larger Map

Tampa Tribune Outdoor Expo this weekend

This is going to be a great show with many of the guides showing up and presenting seminars and other useful tips and tricks. If you get a Chance to go I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Oh and there is a Boat Show too..

Friday is Free otherwise it is $8

Here is the Map.

View Larger Map

St. Petersburg Boat Show - This Weekend

The Tampa bay Boat Show is happening this weekend at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Fl.

Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

ADMISSION: FREE! - $5.00 for Parking
Friday, March 9, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 11, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Find more information here. 

http://tampabayboatshows.com/

Boating Safety - Keep control of your boat

Sometimes even the simplest of events can turn into a bad situation. Read this story about grabbing a cup of coffee. http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/indian_rocks_beach_boat_crash012812

BOAT For Sale - 2004 Trophy Pro 21' Center Console Fishing Boat

After a long debate with the wife I have decided to sell our boat. We have had it for 7 years this June and it has been an excellent machine. However with changes in how we are spending our weekends and how I have been fishing I have decided to focus more on inshore fishing, Kayak Fishing and Jet Skiing. So here is what I am selling.

BOAT: 2004, Trophy Pro (2103)
LENGTH: 21'
ENGINE: Mercury 200 E.F.I. Saltwater w/Smartcraft (approximately 90hrs)
TRAILER: Tandem Axel Performance Alluminum, LED Taillights, Trailer Guides, 2yr old AXELS, 4 NEW tires.

The boat has the following items, Custom colored T-Tops, Lenco trim tabs, Hydraulic Steering (All Hydraulics redone last Spring), New Fuel lines (Ethanol Protection lines installed last Spring), 30 Gallon baitwell, Freshwater Sink with pressurized water and shower nozzle), Raw Water Washdown, Swim ladder, Tackle Storage in pilot pylon, VHF Radio with High Mount Antenna, Garmin GPS Color Chartplotter Fish Finder, Sony Xplod Marine Stereo with four Marine speakers. Enclosed Head with removable Porta Poti. Also the boat has a FULL Custom Cover that covers the entire boat including the T-Tops and the Motor.
If your interested feel free to contact me at my e-mail Tampabayfish@gmail.com and I will get back to you. The boat is near Tarpon Springs and is ready to go in the water. I Just had all of the major Service Completed Spring of 2011, which included the fuel lines and Hydraulic Steering service. It will be going in for the Annual Service again in March. If the boat it purchased I will cover the cost of the Annual Service. If you would like to see the boat in person let me know and I can meet you and show you the boat or we can meet at TARPON Springs, Anclote River Boat ramp and try it out. Asking $22,900 As is, includes First annual service and Mechanic Inspection.

Gasparilla Pirate Invasion - Tampa Florida 2012 (NO PWC's)

Here is some information about Gasparilla here in Tampa Florida, Some of the Gasparilla Boating Rules.
1. Don't Drink and Drive your BOAT. Have a Designated Driver. The cops will be everywhere and they are there to stop you and check you.

2. If you are pulled over. LET THE CAPTAIN SPEAK and TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR VESSEL. Know EXACTLY how many people are on your boat. Exactly How many life vests you have and exactly where they are. Have your license Registration and all of your safety equipment available if needed.

3. Be careful everyone out there is there to have fun but sometimes they can be distracted and it can be dangerous. Make sure everyone remains in the boat so no one falls overboard and they are not smashed between to converging boats.

4. Stay away from the Pirate Floatilla when it is moving they do not stop and many people crowd the pirate barge it it can get tight between boats.