Nov SW gathering

[eggsuckindog]

There had been some interest in a SW gathering on the old PI thread - I found a new spot that may work - its called Dog Island. Its just north of BG Pass, there are facilities nearby and I hear its nice, there is a group from Scream/Fly going down 10/15 which we may attend - film at 11.

the link to thier thread which is pretty complete

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...er-Oct-15th-16

[cdavisdb]

Can't comment on the island, as I've never stopped there, but the area is fabulous. Eldred's Marina is just north, absolutely safe truck and trailer storage and plenty of it, ramp looks like heck but works great. the place even has a resident gutted seacraft 19 (and no, the owner won't part with it at any price) Spring and Fall, Boca Grande Pass and the adjacent Gulf are loaded with Spanish Mackerel, Kings offshore. If you are the aggressive type, summer brings Tarpon craziness to Boca Pass. The estuary has a vast extent of redfish and spec habitat. Pin shells are available outside Venice Pass. Weather permitting, I'll bring a load to any gathering, two loads if you will help clean(if you've never experienced, they are yummy, kind of like scallops) beaches are great and easily accessible from the inside if the weather gets rough. There are several bars and restaurants accessible from the water on Boca Grande.

[DonV]

Was wondering......does Eldreds still charge to park?? I remember my buddy thinking he was just so cool and not paying the daily parking fee.....yep, they towed his truck and trailer away.

[eggsuckindog]

Cabbage Key is within running distance - have a "Cheeseburger in Paridise", always thought that was a dumb song until I found out Jimmy was writing about the famous Cabbage Key cheeseburger. margaritia's are very good too

[eggsuckindog]

Originally Posted by DonV

Was wondering......does Eldreds still charge to park?? I remember my buddy thinking he was just so cool and not paying the daily parking fee.....yep, they towed his truck and trailer away.

I think they all charge down there, $15 toll just to get your boat on to Sanibel -
What I did when I went is put in at Venice Muni ramp - free and 10 min from 75 - the run in the ICW to that area is like 45min and a nice run past Island Traders house BUT when you go to Eldreds its 20 mi to the Englewood exit and 20 mi back from 75 thru englewood just to get to the water - I will take Venice again and bet I have camp set up before anybody continuing on 75 even gets there LOL

Like I said we may go down next weekend and camp, so can give a better report but I saw it as we went on by and it looked really nice. Its kinda the local hangout island so must be nice

[cdavisdb]

Eldred's is a LONG, slow way from I-75, just right next door to Dog Island. Venice ramp is really nice, but check the no wake zones going south, there are a lot of them. Eldred charges to launch and park, but it is before you get to the toll bridge. Parking isn't much, think it was $16 for three days last time I was there and it is one of the few places where I feel totally safe leaving my truck and trailer overnight. They are a bunch of old Florida crackers who live on the property and do things their way. They take a very dim view of those who don't pay or try to steal stuff from their customers. DonV's buddy is lucky all they did was tow his truck.

[DonV]

Yeah, he's a doof!! Cost him about $125 to get his truck and boat trailer back from the tow yard. He was not too happy. Looking back it was kinda funny, only because it was his money.

[eggsuckindog]

CD the only no wake is when you get to englewood right before Eldreds, I remember seeing it, it wasn't bad at all - thats why it was nice, very sheltered all the way and running. I've done the trip to Eldreds and placida, thats why I mentioned the difference

[cdavisdb]

That did not match my decrepit memory, at all, but its been a while since I did that route. Sure enough, assuming the internet is right, you're right. There is only one considerable stretch that would be a problem, the rest is open except for some very small spots.

Wake zones make me nuts, much as I like manatees. Makes'em seem much longer.

[eggsuckindog]

One little one at the ferry crossing to Don Pedro then on to Englewood which started before Eldreds but it was a nice break after that run. It was all narrow too so wind wouldn't be an issue anywhere along there. It was only last year we went down, I think we will go down so I can get better numbers but thay are also a fun bunch to hang with and all are invited. Some of the boats are really really fast and very perty.