Trip to Clearwater Florida...

[jjjtronics]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[jjjtronics]

I think I meant Crystal River. Thanks ALL for the info.
We will be taking a tour with a Dive shop at Crystal River, I hope we can see manatees. We have been trying to see them for a couple of years here in the island, but the closest we ever got was about 200 feet away and only saw the back of one.
We are very concerned and will not bother them ever if we see them. My son Jorge keeps saying he will be a Vet, and he is so concerned with ALL animals, ALL kinds, and now that he knows the Manatee is an endangered species, he is more concerned and wants to learn everything about them.
We have a manatee here in the island who became very famous, he was rescued when he was a lost calf, and saved because of the care and love of a bunch of good and very smart people who took care of him for a few years and finally managed to return him to the wild, they name him Moises ( Moses ) and still lives on the south-east coast around a fishermen pier area, but we have been there a few times but have had no luck.
Thanks again to all.
JT

[THEFERMANATOR]

You shouldn't have a hard time seeing a MANATEE in CRYSTAL RIVER. You may also want to get you a feeshin pole while your here, they say the mouth of the river has been LOADED with fish after the recent cold fronts. And bring LOTS of bug spray, prefferably the stuff that is almost pure deet. The mosquitos can be tolerated, but the no see-ums will make it unbearable at certain times of the day.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

You shouldn't have a hard time seeing a MANATEE in CRYSTAL RIVER. You may also want to get you a feeshin pole while your here, they say the mouth of the river has been LOADED with fish after the recent cold fronts. And bring LOTS of bug spray, prefferably the stuff that is almost pure deet. The mosquitos can be tolerated, but the no see-ums will make it unbearable at certain times of the day.

I went divin' the Crystal River several years ago day and night and ain't seen a Manatee yet...not disappointed though...the trip was great!! There's a HUGE HOLE we took the boat to for a day...can't recall it's name, but a great dive w/ some caves at bottom...

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not far to the south of CRYSTAL RIVER is HOMOSSASSA SPRIGS, they do daily tours there for manatee watching and what not. If your going to be up there, the CHASSOWITZKA RIVER is a REALLY nice place to go and see if you have time. And CEDAR KEY isn't far to the north along with FANNING SPRINGS on the SUWANEE RIVER. That is the part of the state that the developers haven't COMPLETELY F@CKED UP YET. Still alot of natural FLORIDA beauty left to be seen up there. And if nothing else you'll get to see one of the early NUCLEAR power plants up there as well.