Actually the Lightning wore out the Panthers. :)

OK I'll go with that and Evan Williams wore me out

need to get your number - we were at Beer Can yesterday and thinking about you

What's the schedule/plan for this gathering? Cook out? What night? Getting together on one of the islands? Which day/night? Restuarant plans? which? Going fishing/diving, who and when?

I was thinking of running offshore to make a few dives and bag some gags but it really kills the day and limits the time you have to hang out, cruise and relax. If it was a week long gathering I would have worked towards making a couple of trips out but I'm kind of looking foward to seeing how my boat runs without 4 people, 8 tanks, 150 gallons of fuel and 500 pounds of ice.:D

I think the basic plan is to hang out on the north bar Sat. afternoon, some people may want to run up to the sponge docks, lots of different restaurants around. A grouper run will only be 10 to 15 miles from the bar out there so not bad for a quicky - depending weather of course. Lots of other islands to ride around to also, but lots to do and not much time.

The North Bar can be a bit exposed so we may find a nest on Anclote or 3 Rook that is better based on the wind but too early to tell.

I called the hotel today and will call tomorrow again but they seem to have the reservations I think - total of 4 ???

I get off this iron island wed and head home to get the trailer ready for the trip !!! Bought 2 new rigs and have to decide which one we are bringing .... My wifes is newer with less miles (which makes me want to leave it home) and mine is bigger with more miles and burns more fuel.. we will be staying at the Sister and brother in laws place in port richey and will be traveling down Thursday pm/friday am..

Our friends at the Ramada Inn may be a little confused. When I called last month, they couldn't find the group rate. Then my confirmation email got shunted to the spam folder. When I found it, they had set me up for October 1 instead of November 1. Got it straightened out, but I still don't know if they're holding a slip for me, there's no mention on the confirmation. Life's too short to worry about it. It'll all work out. Just sayin' they may not have all of us linked to the group.

Oh, I'm planning to go after grouper Saturday. Will need some numbers, please. I have diving plugs, but will probably want to drop some baits if we get hit. Do I need to get frozen bait or is there a good spot to load up on some pinfish close by?

You should not have a problem finding pinfish this time of year. As far as #s go that won't be a problem but most all I have are at least 20 nautical off the marker. If you're willing to make the hike there will be all good bottom you want. I know there is more stuff in closer but I spearfish and don't do much shallower than 40'.

I'm going to call again today as my wife did not get a confirmation email or # when the reservation was made. When we called there was a lot of confusion until we spoke to a woman named Jutta Shaikh. She seemed to be the only one who knew about the reservation.

I have sent out the cell phone list via email and PM to those who sent me their contact info for the gathering. If you would like to be on the list and receive a copy just send me your contact including your email address.

I am also going to Cedar Key for clams before I come down. I will bring a cooker for steaming if anyone is interested in a bag of clams. So far DonV and Island are the only ones signed up for clams. If you want a bag just let me know and I will pick them up for you to bring to the gathering. They are $20 for a 100 clam bag.