Re: Florida Get Together 2010 OFFICIAL NOTICE make your reservations!!!!!
Well, I must be the first one to make it home safely and get a chance to post...
First of all...our condolences if you missed this gathering. As we met up for our second annual Florida Get together (we need a better name!) the wife and I realized why we love our boat and this lifestyle so much...
We really love the time spent with folks who feel the same way as us over this enjoyable way to spend our weekends. Since I am retired, I don't do the daily grind anymore, but since Barb still works we are always looking ahead to kicking back and fishing, boating, camping a little, and enjoying our time spent with those who also dig this stuff!
Kudos to Iboats for helping us with the food and some cash to pull this event off. Their continued contribution is much appreciated...
My first day was Thursday. I decided to get there a little early, meet up with Tashasdaddy and get a site set up. It also gave us some time to plan things. Unfortunately, we really did not know, even at the last minute who was going to show....
The facility was super..our campsites had a dock on the canal leading out to Crystal River and a few miles west was the Gulf. The run out to the channel mouth was about a half-hour.
Friday morning was fishing day. The seas had laid down and Bob, his right hand man Brandon and his sister Monica as well as myself ran offshore about 35 - 40 miles to some spots I had fished before. We paused on the way out in 35' and the fish started flying over the gunnel. All of us hooked up and regularly. No keeper grouper so farther out we went till we hit 53'. Lots and lots more fish..we moved around a bit, but the elusive keepers had found another spot. It was calm, we had a good hookup, and fish continued to hit the deck, so we stayed where we were and had a ball. Near the end, we were pullin the hook when Monica thought she hooked bottom..only the drag was letting line out a a frisky pace. Having 20# gear we couldn't get too aggressive..I figured a big shark picked up her cut grunt and was heading to Mexico...a good fight ensued, followed by a cut-off from the wimpy 50# fluoro leader. It was no match for sharks teeth..
That night a few more people showed...Nolan Lain, his wife Louise and their grandkids Charlie and H.D. made a return visit, also being at Lk. Griffin. There was Pat and Cindy from Tampa as well as some of Cindy's family. Rentprop Mark and his wife were there. Pine Island Fred, wife Sandy and friend Jeff were there. Stubbsboogie and his son joined us as well.
Saturday morning broke with the crew showing up at the community center as your humble correspondent elected to whip up breakfast. Our chickens produced dozens of fresh eggs that we scrambled, as well as we had sausage biscuits, pancakes, OJ and some hot fresh coffee...
The cooking facilities were all part of our package and were superb..
Belly's full, we headed to the water. It was Charlies birthday (NLains grandson) so I figured I could provide another fishing trip. Unfortunately the seas did not co-operate and we could not get to the good stuff..we stayed inshore and still got beat up a little. God bless them, the boys had a good time and enjoyed the "boat ride"
That night was dinner..hot dogs, hamburgers, Pat's special Chili, all the fixins and another good meal.
Sunday morning saw some weather rolling in so we all hung out for a few hours and a few boats went out. The rest of us swapped a few tall tales about this outing as well as planning another gathering at Crystal Isle. In July over the 4th weekend scallop season opens. These tasty morsels can be scooped up by anyone, kids included in only 4' - 6'. Several of us are already planning to be there. Hopefully you can too!
Here's a few pics..sorry, too busy fishing ,cooking and having fun. Camera did not get used as much as I wanted..
http://s314.photobucket.com/albums/ll422/triumphrick/Iboats Crystal River/