Charlotte Harbor "Hoppers"
 

Don't nobody be headin' down to those parts talking about Key West Pinks. The local native species of shrimp are know as "Hoppers". They are usually a little smaller than the KW Pinks, but are very good. They are very proud of 'em in Charlotte Harbor and if you mention Key West Pinks, it's a dead give away you ain't from those parts.
They have a special extraction tool at the Ft. Myers General ER, just to remove rectally incerted white boots from tourists that "axe" about Key West Pinks at the local Fish Houses. Really.

Oyster gathering:

Leaving from Marshtackie's dock at 9 am Saturday. Bring a 5 gallon bucket and a hammer(to knock some sense into the non participants). Size limit is 3 inches and the area was open last time I checked. Oysters are about 10 minutes away; water is anywhere from a couple of feet to zero. At least 4 ft of water in the approaches.

Should be back to the dock by well before noon. I'll have ice and a big cooler. We can shuck'em later, so bring your oyster knives.


Umm, umm, steamed oysters and clams together. ,more on the half shell, barbecued, stewed, nude, etc.

Connor

I will make sure not to offend the local bait shrimpers with talk of the big eaters we send send our Tarpon Springs fleet down to steal out from under the Fantasy Festers.

Yum Oysters.

Pernod?
Yup.

Pancetta?
Yup.

Weather is looking to be in the 60's...I am thinking of taking the Sceptre from here to CC via the icw on Friday AM.

Go for it...it is an easy ride, and the weather will be good!

Ok, what am I bringing for food?
How many are we?

Well it's been a year and i still have not forgotten how good the Beef Wellington was at the NPR gathering. Just a suggestion..........

Cayo Costa Head Count (?)
 

Sandy, My best guess is 18.5 +/- 6. It's like herding cats to get these knuckleheads to fess up about what they'er think'in. Here is what I know to be locked and loaded -
Kenny and Mel
Donny and Deb
Terry and Ms. Kent
Conner and Karen
Denny
Danny
77SeptreOB / South Carolina Jim
Seavette Florida Dave
Terrible teas'in Ter and Ms. Marsha
and GFS of course!
And a couple more have either asked me about a pick up at Pineland or mentioned to others they are coming. There are some other people booked with Cabbage Key but they failed to tell them that they were with CSC, so who knows. In any case, if the deadbeats on this site miss the fresh oysters, smoked mullet, fried snapper and a seafood boil topped off with s'mores and Donny's Elixer, they will have missed another epic adventure.

Terry, I've been thinking about GFS's "How many are we?", soooo I'm thinking he should make enough Beef Wellington for like 50 people. One of those just in case I bring a "doggie bag"!! :)

Yur always coniv'in, Donny. Let's just tell him 60, and we'll bring a wheel barrow - I'm down with that Bro'.

That was our plan except we were going to leave at noonish until things went south. Still hoping I can get the drive together by Friday but otherwise I will be making a phone call from Pine Island.

ICW is probably a good call, looks like it is going to be sporty in the Gulf on Friday.

You got the right idea Danny! Just gettin' there ought to be at least half the fun! Denny

I wanted to make the run myself from Cedar Key but the amount of fuel $$$ and my limited time off wouldn't allow for a weather contingency if needed. I did ask the wife to just drive the truck and trailer down there to cover for that but it was vetoed . :)
No worrys though, retirements coming and my goal this weekend is to live like Island Trader and travel like Bushwacker!

So is it better for me to park my car at Eldred ' s marina or Pineland Marina to catch a ride to Cabbage Key?

Jim it depends which way your coming from. From the north Eldreds, or as Terry likes to call them Elrods, from the south or east Pineland would be closer. Your call, we can find you as long as you wait at the dock with your Mickey Mouse ears on.

I'll be coming through Elrods around 1 pm on Friday. You're welcome to a ride.

Jim, Been around them parts for a while -
Cabbage key to Eldred's - 12.5 miles across Charlotte Harbor
Cabbage Key to Pineland - 4.60 miles across somewhat protected,
Pine Island Sound.
It kinda depends on when you'er going to get there. If you can catch a ride with Conner, his boat smoothes out evetything even when it's blow'in 15. Pineland is about 45 minutes south of Eldred's by car but ya' get to go down Burn Store Road and then through Matlacha' and that is a treat. If the wind comes up like it's supposed to we'll need a 23 to get you at Eldred's. We can git you in a Scampi at Pineland in a Hurricane.
It's all good Brother - you'er com'in from South Carolina we'll pick you up in Tarpon Springs! Just turn them wheels and we'll see you at the dock!

Terry,I made reservations for Cabbage Key so there will be 2 more added to the mix if you don't mind,should be at Pineland marina about 1 ish

On Friday,forgot to mention

Outstanding!!! Welcome to the fun and I'll point out the ones you gotta keep an eye on!!! Especially the little guy with bad feet that can cook like crazy!! :)

Don, when you getting in? I'll make sure we kick out all the floozies from downstairs before you get there.

How do want your wheel barrow cooked?

I have some Bombers. Who wants to fish?

If you want Welly....well ok. Easier then what I had thought about.

Floozies?? Really? Can ya leave just one of the good looking ones? I'm not sure more than one is a good idea at my age!!! My cardiologist might not be too happy with me if I try to do too much or too many at one time! :eek:

Is Deb a good shot?

lt looks like its growing to be a great gathering! Although 60 deg probably means y'all ordered some field coats, long johns and mukluks from yer northern brethren in Maine, I'm sure y'all 'll find fish in that illustrious water.
I don't expect y'all 'll be seein' much of CaymanBoy's harem - prolly still 90 deg in the southland. Have a blast y'all!:cool:

Sounds good Rick, Call me if you need a pick up or local knowledge - we'll gather you and your gang up. If you call us when you cross the Peace River on I-75 we know we have 45 minutes before you get to Pineland Marina and there would be no wait on your part. We aim to please. You might get picked up in a 20' Safari. a 23 Sceptre' , a 20' MA, a 25 Safari, a 23' CC, a 19 bowrider or an antique 21' - It just depends on who pulls the short straw - but we'll git ya'

You're damn right.....we'll come git ya'!!! :)

Ken...you did a nice job on phone numbers...so we could just click and call...there are new folks on this trip so lets do an update ok? we can all pm our numbers to Ken...

Danny what time are you coming down...? We are leaving our dock around 12.30 and its approx. 45 minute ride to Cabbage Key....

Maybe it timing is right we can hook up at my dock?

Let me know...

if I wasn't on the road down I could do something. Maybe when I get settled in I can text out a pick of last year's list for somebody to update. I apologize for slacken.

if everybody wants to pm me numbers I can put together a list. I don't know if it will be as good as last years but I'll give it a shot.

text me and I'll send u last year's 352-303-9309

Kenny

Unloaded and relaxing......

Thanks to Ken at this point I have contact info for DonV, Denny, Conner, Island Trader, GFS, Danny, and Ken. I also have Terry England's phone but not email and I do not have any info for 77SceptreOB or rickg. If I am missing anybody let me know and I will add you and get the list emailed out as soon as I have everybody or tomorrow at the latest.

I'll be Parking my car at Eldred's Marina on Friday at around 4pm.

If anybody is going to be in that area during that time period, I sure would appreciate a ride to Cabbage Key.

Thanks,

Jim

My cell 772-341-5030 and email rk1greene@yahoo.com

Gosh Ken....just rub it in!!!! You're killing me!!! :)

man that looks nice...I can't wait

Moonrise from my deck....