Location
Dunedin is located in west central Florida.
We are approximately 20 minutes ride from
St.Petersburg/Clearwater Intl. Airport and
30 from Tampa Intl.
Area Attractions
Dunedin is a delightful small town just north
of Clearwater and across the bay from Tampa.
Downtown Dunedin is full of nice shops and
restaurants, perfect for an evening stroll.
If you need to convince the non-fishers in
the family, we are minutes from famous
Clearwater Beach, and 45 minutes from Busch
Gardens in Tampa. Disney is just a 2 hour ride.
Honeymoon Island, and
Caladesi Island, are 5 minutes away.
Fishing
Most of the fishing will be in either Tampa Bay
or the inshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Honeymoon Island State Park contains approximately
15 miles of undeveloped shoreline, almost all of
it accessible to wading. There is sandy surf
fishing, rocky surf fishing, pass fishing,
mud/sand flats, and grass flats.
Freshwater and brackish water fishing is also
nearby for the non-pirates!
As for tackle, fly rods need to be at least a 7 wt
with as much backing as possible. You never know
what is going to be at the other end of that fly
rod. Hook a 35 lb cobia and I promise you will
have a fight to remember. The Tarpon will not be
around during February, (sorry). Snook can take
a good portion of your line if they are of the
larger kind. The colder the water the less they
will fight. Redfish are just stubborn and love
to bow their heads and pull. Black Drum are
terrific fighters and I have destroyed bass
equipment catching them. Jack Crevalle will
tire you out. Catch 3 or 4 of those monsters
at about 5 lb each and you find a place to sit
down. Fly rods and Jack Crevalle are a fun time,
they pull like a freight train. Hook one over 10
lbs and look out, bragging rights and a big head
will be yours that night at the Tie and Lie. Please
remember you will be fishing in less that 5 feet
of water most of the time. Heavy weighted flies
are not necessary.
As for flies, Clousers, Deceivers, Shrimp imitations,
Crab imitations, top water flies (aka bass flies),
Al's Shrimpf fly, spoon imitations, and the Palmet
Special (tie it on 1/0 or smaller hook) are the
best flies. I personally have the best luck with
clousers, the color varies with the water
conditions. There are a couple good tackle shops
nearby with materials so if you find you don't
have what is working we can always tie more.
My home will be open to all throughout the Fish-In
and on Sunday we will do a cookout/fish fry for
everyone. I am working on someone to maybe do
some casting lessons as well. Volunteers are
appreciated!
Fish-in Schedule of Events
Friday February 18:
Meet and greet
Covered Bridge Restaurant
2070 Bayshore Blvd (also known as Alternate 19)
Dunedin, Fl 34698
Directions from Sailwinds: turn left out of
the parking lot, couple miles down the road
on the left! Call if you need any other directions!
Meet, get some breakfast etc., then fishing!
I will be there from 7:30 - 9:00 with some maps
of the area and suggested spots to fish.
Lunch and dinner will be on your own, I'll have
some suggestions. If folks want to tie and lie
we can gather at my home in the evening. I will
have some tables set up. Possibly some night
fishing if any are interested.
Saturday
Breakfast, same place, see how it went yesterday
and try some more spots!
Sunday
Breakfast, same place, fishing, then party!
1:00 - ? cookout, fish fry at my home. I believe
we will have Mike Franz in attendance and those
that want to can go down the street to a local
park for some casting help. I know I will!
2394 Jones Dr
Dunedin, Fl. 34698
Monday
Breakfast...you know where by now, then fishing!
The schedule is very loose, we will all hook up
one way or another. Tie and Lie each evening if
there is interest! Feel free to give me a call
when you get to town! Can't wait to meet all of you!
Bill (727) 365-2503
Fishing licenses for non residents:
Freshwater: 7 -day permit, $16.50
Children under 16 are exempt, also Georgia residents
65 or older who have in their possession an honorary
combination hunting fishing certificate do not need
a Florida license.
Saltwater: 3-day permit, $6.50, 7 -Day $16.50, Snook
permit is an additional $2.00
Children under 16 are exempt
To obtain a license, follow this
link to information on buying your license directly
over the internet. *(A $2.25 + 2.5% surcharge of total
sale per person will be added to your purchase.)
Dial toll-free, either 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356)
or 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356) from anywhere in the
United States or Canada. (A $3.25 + 2.5% surcharge of
total sale per person will be added to your purchase)
You can also buy your license at most bait shops for
an additional fee of $.50.
Accommodations
There are many hotels/motels very close by as well
as several RV parks and one tent camping are that
I have found so far. I am still working on a list
with rates and will try to find a place that will
offer a group rate for us. I should have this
within a couple of days. So check back often!
Hotels
Sail Winds
1414 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, Fl 34698
1-(800) 331-2548
This is our recommendation, If 5 or more rooms are
booked they will give us a discount price of
$39.00 + tax (44.44 total). Note:
We had a limited number of rooms available at
the 39.99 rate and all have been reserved. The
rooms that are left will be 59.99. This is still
the best deal around!
This hotel is right on the water in Dunedin, and
is close to where we will be doing most of the
fishing.(1 mile or less, and ½ a mile from downtown
Dunedin) The rooms are being remodeled right now
with hardwood laminate and tile floors, new
cabinets and have stoves, refrigerator,
and microwave. French Doors open
onto private patio overlooking St Joseph Sound.
Laundry facilities are on site as well. They also
have a 300 foot dock and anyone bringing a boat
can dock there free! Just mention Fly Anglers Online
to get the discount rate. This is truly a bargain!
Inn ON the Bay
1420 Bayshore Blvd
Dunedin, Fl 34698
1-(800) 759-5045
This is right across the parking lot from Sail winds.
I thought the rooms were just ok. The rooms are older
but very clean. It does have a restaurant that has
a good breakfast for a good price, and a nice tiki
bar on the deck downstairs right on the water. Rooms
are waterfront - 85.00 + tax and regular for 70.00 + tax.
If staying at Sail winds, you can make use of Inn on
the Bays tiki bar and restaurant, and still pay half
the price for your room what a bargain!
Knights Inn - Palm Harbor
34106 Us Hwy 19 North
Palm Harbor, Fl 34684
1-(800) 843-5644
This is about 4 miles away from my house and fishing.
The rooms are nice and clean though a bit older style.
FAOL will get a discount rate of 64.99 + tax.
Holiday Inn Express
975 Broadway
Dunedin, Fl 34698
1-(800) Holiday
1(800) 465-4329
www.hiexpress.com/dunedin
This is a newer hotel (2 yrs or so) Very nice!
Walking distance from downtown Dunedin. Free
continental breakfast, free in room high speed
internet access, fitness center etc. FAOL discount
rate 109.00 + tax
Camping/RV
Caution: February is peak RV season and
sites are already scarce, book early!
Also, you can look online for other RV
sites in Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater.
Sherwood Forest RV Park
175 alt. 19 south
Palm Harbor, Fl 34683
www.meetrobinhood.com
RV - 38.00+ 2.50 for additional persons + tax
per day, includes water and electric.
Tents - 25.00 per site for 2 people additional
1.00 for each extra, 20.00 for cash or check + tax.
Clearwater/Ttarpon Springs KOA
37061 US 19
Palm Harbor, Fl 34684
1-(800)-562-8743
koa.com
RV- 32.95 per day + 5.00 day for a/c + tax
Tents- 26.95 for 2 people
As with all FAOL events, there are no charges or
fees for attending and everyone is welcome.
You are responsible for your own reservations,
transportation and food. FAOL does not make any
arrangements for you.
We'd love to meet you, fish with you, and share
our wonderful Florida region with you!
For some photos from Florida Fish-In '04,
click
HERE. (See what you missed?)
If you do plan on making it to the Florida FISH-IN
2005, drop an email to:
publisher@flyanglersonline.com and she will
put your name on the I'm Going List! Please say
Florida Fish-In in your email.
Please contact me by e-mail with any questions,
ideas, you may have. ~ Bill Sorbie (purebs@aol.com)
I'M GOING LIST!
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