Trip to Clearwater Florida...

jjjtronics · #1 11-12-2008, 03:50 PM

Saludos,
I am going to FL next week, and already have plans to visit one of the Sites where Manatees can be watched and ( if possible ) swim with them.
Anyone from the area, any input or advise...
Anticipated thanks.
JT

Blue_Runner · #2 11-12-2008, 04:22 PM

I honeymooned there 12 years ago. I don't a lot though except that it was a nice place and I wouldn't mind going back.

I do remember that I wished I would have brought a fishing pole. I saw huge schools of bonefish right outside our motel and sheepshead were clearly visible next to the rocks. We did venture to the pier one day but I had no pole and my saltwater fishing knowlege was quite slim at the time. There was a kid out on the pier slaying the spanish with bare gold treble hooks. We thought he was foul hooking them in the schools but now I know that spanish will hit bare hooks thinking they are glass minnows.

Have fun and take pix.

Blue

phatdaddy · #3 11-12-2008, 04:41 PM

not sure about clearwater, but we used to go to crystal river(35 or so miles above clearwater) to see them, usually later in the winter when the gulf temp dropped. they would congragated at the springs where the water had a constant temp. watch out, florida has some crazy rules regarding human interaction with them. states budget is falling and the fwc is always looking for a way to fill the coffers.

THEFERMANATOR · #4 11-12-2008, 04:54 PM

Not many manatees in the CLEARWATER area, lots of sea cows though

. CRYSTAL RIVER is about 70-80 miles north of CLEARWATER, but you can also see MANATEES at WEEKI WACHE SPRINGS. You can head over to WEEKI WACHEE MARINA and do the canoe bit and go down the river and I'm pretty sure you'll see you a manatee or 2 that way(along with a few gators). HOMOSSASSA SPRINGS and CRYSTAL RIVER both have boats that go out on tours for manatees and wildlife viewing. CHASSOWITZKA RIVER also has manatees and canoe rental and such there as well as ome fine fishing. Not too mnay bonefish ever on record in this part of FLORIDA, but this time of year yields MANY species to be found and caught. And swimming with the manatees is a pretty big fine the last I checked. They don't want anybody molesting them you know. CLEARWATER is more of a big city enviroment, but if you have a rental car and a couple days to kill there is ALOT to be seen.

bradford · #5 11-12-2008, 11:06 PM

I lived in Clearwater for about 5 years. You can see manatees in St. Pete near the power plant off the gandy bridge. You can also see them near the Anclote River power plant just north of Tarpon Springs. As mentioned by others, I wouldn't try to swim with them. You can also see them on stage at a place called Fantasy Nude Cabaret on the access road off US 19 between Ulmerton Rd and East Bay Blvd.

Blue_Runner · #6 11-13-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Not too mnay bonefish ever on record in this part of FLORIDA, but this time of year yields MANY species to be found and caught.

Clearwater?

They looked like bonefish. I don't know what they were. I tried getting pics with the underwater cam but they didn't come out.

What do you think they were Ferm?

C YENSEN · #7 11-13-2008, 09:35 AM

have fun and have a safe trip

phatdaddy · #8 11-13-2008, 09:40 AM

I danced with a manatee at the Port Paradise Lounge in Crystal River around 1986. billy Idol was onstage singing "White Wedding". at least thats the way i remember it.

THEFERMANATOR · #9 11-13-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Clearwater?

They looked like bonefish. I don't know what they were. I tried getting pics with the underwater cam but they didn't come out.

What do you think they were Ferm?

Probably a ladyfish. We get a few bonefish, but they are rare enough that they make the paper when one is caught. NAPLES is about as far north as they are seen with much frequency. Heard earlier in the year(when the water was hot) that one was caught out of CRYSTAL RIVER, made the local papers and all.

Blue_Runner · #10 11-13-2008, 12:45 PM

These were large schools of maybe 15-30 fish per school about 18 - 27 in. long. They would come up into the shallows and if you got near them they might hang out for a minute before taking off. They looked to be all 5 to maybe 10 lbs each. Didn't look like drum to me. I assumed they were boners. Didn't look like ladyfish to me. Any other possiblities?