Edgemont Key / Ft De Soto questions

[red20]

I am headed over to Clearwater for spring break with the family and am looking for advise on boating the area. I have boated in the Clearwater area a few times but not down near Edgemont. I have done some google earth looking but wanted some "local" ideas on where and what to do.

I see a ramp in Ft De Soto that looks like the best place to launch.

FYI - Very experienced boater, looking to explore the islands with the kids.

[WildBill]

We drag our camper from Ocala and stay next door at the park a couple of times a year. I think it's one of the nicest camp grounds in Central and North Florida. The beaches are some of the best in the world as they have won awards attesting to the fact. You can access the Skyway bridge, Egmont Key or go north through the bay from the Desoto ramp. The Ramp is Decent, with wide new ramps; it's ussually not crowded and has plenty of parking. One of my favorite haunts is Bunces Pass, a couple hundred yards west of the ramp. Everything that swims in Tampa bay swims there at some time each day. I'll wet a line where the pass meets the gulf, check with the guys at "The Bait Bucket" bait shop on Tierra Verde before you get to the ramp, they'll let you know what's going on. There are a ton of restaurants on Tierra Verde and St. Pete and tons of shopping for the ladies on St. Pete.

[NoBones]

The mother of all boat ramps.....


Ft. Desoto is the bomb!!!

[DonV]

Oh yeah, no doubt!!! I think it has the room to launch like 24+ boats at the same time. It's a great location, close to both open water and shallow water fishing. Second most visited St. Park in Florida, next to Pennekamp in the Keys.

[cdavisdb]

A good spot for "out of the wind and wave"beach access is going out Bunces Pass, last channel to the right before the open Gulf, careful of the sandbar, but there is plenty of water inside to anchor or pull up to the beach, short walk around the south end to Gulf front beach with no development. You can no longer access the north end of this area, but a shallow draft (20 Seacraft) can get far up inside from the south end.

If you are cold tolerant, snorkeling around the submerged forts outside of the south end of Egmont is very neat.



Have fun

[77SceptreOB]

I agree with all of the above. Great idea/location.

[red20]

Thanks.

I am going to take the paddle boards too. They are great for tooling around and exploring the shallow with stealth.

[ct9amr]

We go there at least 2 -3 times per year.
Like the others said, its a great ramp and there is plenty to do and see.
Be sure to take a tour of the island its a great place to get away.

[eggsuckindog]

Do not cut that sandbar going out of Bounces Pass, you will be amazed at how far out it extends but better safe than sorry. Also be careful along the edges, the current will suck you sideways on to the edge and pin you there - ask me how I know. Other than that its a great area and no other boating issues other than the flats can get very shallow at low tide. You can go behind Shell Key on the southeast end, just slide tight around the corner and the little channel has plenty of water - neat back there. High tide your good in a 20 about anywhere on the flats - low tide my 20 struggles in spots - remember it gets shallow very quickly but is usually marked by signs.

From Clearwater put in at Seminole Ramp - just north the memorial causeway - head north up the ICW to Dunedin and then Anclote Key - nice sheltered ride EXCEPT with a stiff N or S wind - not far. Don't get Ken started on Anclote Key, he kinda liked it