BTW here is a photo of my hub that failed

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8330/2...80103d28_b.jpg20160918_162831 by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

"Wheel bar'ins"
 

Tommy, Blue Heron would refer to that as being "Wallerd out" and not "Wallowed out". He's from up there east of you where the pigs run wild an' he works at the Gator Factory, like yur son's shirt had emblazoned on it. I was glad you persisted and showed up with the whole dang Paris family. Good lookin' group - takes after their Mom. Captain Doug is a bit of a mess, but he's a good guy and does know how to cook. You can see he ain't missed many meals!
We'er think'in about a St. Marks run. This CSC group would feel right art home at the Shell Island Fish Camp, wouldn't they?

Looks like y'all had another great gathering, love the pics..

Yes Terry, I am going to buy a new hub and get back to operational status asap.

I think you guys would love it up here, my in laws have a place on the St. Marks river with a dock that could hold several boats and has several bedrooms that if we plan it in advance could be used.

The Shell Island Fish Camp has a boat dock, gas and very affordable rooms as well.

Here is one more of Don eyeing the hotdogs!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8476/2...be29b057_b.jpg14390910_10154174951912670_5931438372790869518_n by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

Patiently waiting to pig out!!!! :) Not sure if it was the effort I had put out for the five scallops I gathered, the smell of the brats and dogs on the grill, the fun of being out on the water with the CSC crazies OR the cold beer waiting to compliment the food, but those hot dogs were extra good!!

Still recovering from the greatest weekend I've had in a while. Oh and waiting for my W/D. Garage (beer, bait, ice maker) has now finally shit the bed. But the highlight of the weekend was by far the freaking food. Words and pics cannot do justice. THANK YOU! And as I played Safety Officer while Sandra collected a ton of bivalves, we had no idea how badly we needed that Brat!!! What a Blast!!!

Vezo.

Another "mother of all gatherings" is in the books! A huge shout out to all the hard working CSC members who made this thing happen. Great to have Casey experience the event, as well as our other first timers! There isn't a bad one to date! Terry and Marsha may only want to take credit for leading the working group, but we all know how great the hospitality is at the GYC. photos to follow.........my son immediately mentioned the Etec presence from the photos. It was a 2 stroke gathering for sure!

Finally back home. Cindi and I had a great time and it was nice meeting people from other gatherings as well as new people with whom we had not met. A special thank you to Terry, Marsha and Doug for their hospitality and a place to camp at the GYC.

Few more.


oops, somebody fix last pic.

Photos
 

First few pictures....

Pics#2
 

Here you go...

Dang! I want to move to Florida!

He does kinda' look like one of them Egrets what hang around whilst I'm cleaning the fish at the dock. Beady eyes an everythang!!!! I'm not sure if he'll ever wear that 'ol Merc out - it's almost as old a gnarly as he is. In dog/engin' years their both like 465, er somethin'.

Prepare to spend some time learning how to shuck scallops.
Marsha smoked me 3 to 1.

Actually I was wondering how those dogs and brats could be so inviting after the feast we had the night before!! After I left ZigZags I figured I would not eat for at least two days, however after I worked my butt off getting at least five scallops my appetite was in full "kill mode" for real grilled food!!

I think I have a good start. Been shucking Crab Slough oysters for many a year!

Think you would feel at home there.
Not like over here at all.
No NYC hack license needed.

It looks like another successful outing...I really wanted to make this one. However we are still out wandering the country side, and most likely should be back sometime in Oct. :rolleyes:

Thanks for a great weekend!
 

Hello to my fellow scallopers!

I just wanted to express my thanks for all of your hospitality at this weekend's scalloping soirée. It was great getting to meet all of you and putting faces with names and handles I've seen on the CSC forum. We also have a new appreciation for scallops after seeing the work it takes to gather, clean, and cook them!

I also wanted to thank Mike (Vezo II) for inviting us to stay at his fish camp and say thanks to Terry and Marsha for a great grilled lunch and an outstanding impromptu dinner gathering at the GYC! We really appreciated everyone's work to make this a fantastic weekend, and I look forward to the next Seacraft adventure.

Take care,

Suzi aka "BushwackerToo"

You're very observant Mr. Commodore! I remembered your advice for "Navigatin the Nature Coast" from our Homosassa Gathering, so I was indeed a little nervous about leading DonV, Vezo and Snookerd over to your lunch raft-up in unfamiliar waist-deep water without the visibility I was used to in the Bahamas! Had Susie calling out depth readings while I watched for rocks and decided to drop off plane when depth dropped to 4'! Although DonV is certainly no whippersnapper, I decided that it would be a lot less stressful to just follow his deeper draft 23 out of there instead of "plowing new ground'!

Terry, you and Marsha have set a new standard for hospitality and coordinating & organizing this bunch, which has to be about like trying to herd a bunch of cats! Susie had a great time, and after she tasted some of Doug's scallops on the half shell, she definitely understood what all the fuss was about! Thanks again for all your effort in pulling this event together! Denny

Agreed.

Much like those yummy stone crabs at the last wild, wild, west gathering,
Doug`s scallops were the sweetest I`ve had since childhood from Bahhhnnstable
Hahhbah.

I burned the gahhlic in the Demi and Welly and was more than a tad upset about that.
Took a half pint of Brandy and another good half of Port to help mask the horrible, bitter taste.
The quality of the demi helped as well, but I wanted you feral cats to taste
the real deal.

Next gathering...

The scallops.

Hey, at least I didn't burn Denny`s rub rail with the Kevorkian contraption.
Cheers,
GFS

Hey Guys, replaced the pulling section of ramp to pier head by shortening 6" to solid wood and reattached the ramp hinges to solid wood as well. Then disconnected fixed hinges on floating dock, rotated 90*, and to my surprise the dock is not 8X10', but 8X12'! Ready for another three boat raft up!

Looks great Mike, I really like your little piece of paradise there.

Gag Grouper/Rod and Reel Boat Opening
 

Been searching locally for an experienced grouper partner and thought I may as well try here. Opens June 1, as well as 3 day Fed waters for American Red Snapper, supposedly out 35 miles to 50 or so feet. Weather right now iffy.

I can squeeze on a Parker 25 Pilot, but I'd rather run my new to me 20 Seafari. The fish camp has had a replacement ramp installed, final pour during full moon January low tide. Sans dogleg and widened to 12 feet. Due to wicked erosion, I will have a new seawall installed June 1 thru July 4, when I have to return to SC for a new script. Accomodation prices will reflect all improvements from last years guest pricing. Yep, still be free.

I'm slightly inexperienced, IT illiterate with new Garmin, and in need of one or two accomplices who would consider themselves an asset to the mission, and weekday Fisherman go to the front of the line. Own gear and ability to stick around long enough to assist in fish and vessel cleaning strong plus. Anyone?

Last guy showed up with a bottle of water and was gone when the lines were secured. "NEGATIVE Ghost Rider, the pattern is full!!!"

Mike, I wish it was in the cards for me to go but it's not looking good. Worst case I will help you out with some locations.

July 1st
 

Michael, when will you be back down? We we're looking for you at Brian's Place and Zig Zags. I ran to a 47' on Saturday to scout around. The bottom was "Pumped up" with all the wind last week, so best I found was 10 visibility - 35 miles out! Lots of Gags and Gos on the little spot I was on, and good reports of weeks of legal catch and release Gags here.
I'm shooting for Thursday but may not get back to Weeki until Friday. You are welcome to come with us in the B-25, but it is tough to both fish and dive out of the same boat if you are serious about either. The dang divers drop tanks on your toes, smack you with there flippers when they jump in, and eat your sandwich when you ain't lookin'.
Call me on 16 if you run offshore in the Seafari, we can Buddy Boat until you get everything worked out. Out of HB though, I would think about that hard bottom around the crane for some AR's because it ill be "crowded" on top of it and then work north. We are usually 10 miles or so north of the crane.

Thanks Terry. Have an invitation on my old buddies boat with his widow. Big 25 Parker Pilothouse, but they want to go to 50' for the three day ARS. I can follow solo but am more interested in Grouper at half the distance.

Have not been to Brian's yet but a regular at Zig-Zags. I'm going to be here more than SC until April Fools Day, my 25 year completion of firefighting (yeah, no shit). Then I will be retired, and no longer disabled. Well, I might still be crazy, I think that's why I'm always entertained by Sandy.?.

Give me a call when you're up this way. I'm still interested in a trip to observe diving.

Michael.

Looks like 75% chance of rain for first three days.!. Sheyit.