I already posted this as a Reply, but figured I’d throw it out there under its own topic.
I checked the tides, and the last two weeks of February look fantastic. Extremely good evening tides for snook under the lights, and the daytime fishing should also be excellent.
I have a special rate at the Venice Holiday Inn. It’s a very nice place, convenient to boat ramps, restaurants, etc. $98 per night (regularly $150). You also can pitch a tent or camper at Oscar Sherer State Park but I’d get on that one real quick or they’ll get booked.
Depending upon how y’all want to do this, we could start with an orienteering session (Kevin and I will provide charts of the entire area for those who wish to wade or 'yak) and/or instruction in how to cast and fish in salt water.
If several of you book rooms at HI. they’ll also give us the use of a meeting room. When I bring groups down from Chicago, etc., I provide vises and materials for tying, plus a cooler you can fill with soda or beer from the food and liquor store across the street. The HI also brings in a TV/VCR to play tapes. It’s a nice way to covey-up without one person’s room getting trashed.
As we did last year, my back yard is available for a BBQ or two.
Check AirTran for flights into Sarasota. Today I got a notification from them (I fly AirTran a lot so I’m on their e-list) with sale fares for this winter. Round trip from Pittsburgh or Rochester is $178, LaGuardia is $198. Indy is like $135!
Let me know what y’all think. If there’s enough interest we can move along.
I’m very interested. I might just be able to pull it off. You mentioned using a yak. Would it be worth driving down from MO with one, or should I just rent one for a few days?
I hope this works out, because I’d love to get into some snook.
One of the places here rents 'yaks for $35 per day, or 7 days for the price of 5 ($175). Thast would be great for redfish and sea trout, but I really don’t think it’s a good idea for night snook. Too much risk of getting run over by inattentive or alchohol-hazed powerboaters in the dark.
You could also use a 'yak to boogie up some of the creeks, though. Maybe a better place for night snooking than in the ICW.
I have been thinking about a trip . . this might be a perfect excuse to do it. Fishing with some others would be great fun. I am also interested in a yak . . Maybe I could team up with someone for a drive down . ? . ?
Yippee! We were just talking about if there would be one this year and where. Hmmm…trying to figure out whether we should drive down and bring the yaks or just rent them. Capt. Tony, are those rentals sit-in or sit-on? Or can we have the name of the rental place so we can check?
Is February better than March? I remember it being pretty cold last year in early March.
Call Mary Gordon or Hal White at Silent Sports Outfitters. They specialize in sit-on-top kyaks. 941-966-5477.
I don’t know what else they have, or their rates. The other prices came from Economy Tackle in Sarasota.
The weather down here is the same as everywhere else–unpredictable. Just gotta pay your dime and take your chances. The night snook fishing should be superb, though, based upon the tides.
I have a feature article coming out next month in Fly Fisherman magazine that will get you pumped up.
ok i’m in i missed last years by not checking the site i guess i’ll nedd to take some leasons so i don’t look like a idiot :shock: i’ll keep watching so i don’t miss it
ok i’m in i missed last years by not checking the site i guess i’ll nedd to take some leasons so i don’t look like a idiot :shock: i’ll keep watching so i don’t miss it
Call the shop, reload, and we’ll work out a time to give you some free casting lessons. I do free fly tying classes from 6-8pm Tues. and Thursdays, and will come in about 5 if you can get there then to do some casting. 483-1115.
Pick the dates before Dec 31st and I’ll guarantee I’ll be there. Since I’m fairly high up on the seniority roster I’m all but assured of getting what I apply for.
After Dec 31st and it’s on a first come first served basis.
It sounds like you’re putting together a great time. Since I’m just down the road in Cape Coral, I’ve already got those weeks circled on my calendar. If there is anything I can do to help from here, just let me know.
Let’s get a show of hands. Let me know what dates are best for YOU. You can post here, or e-me directly at tightloops@peoplepc.com Then I’ll cross-match the data (I guided an accountant today–can you tell???) and see if we can make a compromise date work.
I suggested sometime in the last two weeks of Feb. ONLY because the tides are excellent for night fishing. But if the majority is going to wade or kyak, then those dates are irrevelant since you can’t night snook fish by those means.
If the bulk of you are NOT interested in night snooking, then perhaps early March would be good–or we can still keep the late Feb. time-frame.
All I’m saying is, what will work best for the majority of you???
I’m pretty sure any time in the last half of Feb., first part of March will work for me. I’d love to get into some snook, but I’m not too picky, I just want to fish! And, of course, meet some fellow FOAL’ers.
That makes about 7 of us so far. Anybody else interested?
If so, please advise camping or motel; night snook or daytime fishing; weekdays, or is it important to wrap it around a weeked, how many days of gathering/fishing?
i guess i’ll nedd to take some leasons so i don’t look like a idiot :shock: i’ll keep watching so i don’t miss it
Since I’m just down the road in Cape Coral, I’ve already got those weeks circled on my calendar. If there is anything I can do to help from here, just let me know.