August 14 2009 Michael Haverty decided to finally have another “big deck” party.  Good time with a boat ride out from my house to haverty’s house.  Ride back was more fun at 1230AM.  Only hit one sandbar, and chompie turned out to be a good spotter for marker poles.

Fishing with geeks - took New Jersey DE Peter Laudati and G. "sugar" Andrew Duthie down to Pinellas Point for afternoon fishing. 400p departure, windy, slack tide at 600p. Not much luck, few trout, few sharks. fishing Gulp 3” pogies, pinfish, and powerbait clear w flecks 4” powermullet.  Peter and G.    got a nice boatride though with lots of osprey, dolphins, cormorants, and pelicans. Dinner at http://www.leeroyselmons.com .

Eugene Chuvyrov’s mom and dad were in country from Russia for his wedding.  Came over to Tampa from !Jax! for some fishing.  Too damn hot during day so we hit a nice late start (430p) out of backyard.  Cool temperature, storm clouds down around Manatee County.  Tide starting out at about 400p also.  Glass run down to Pinellas Point.  Hit outside marker bar, South drop. 3 doz live pinfish in cooler, caught one nice 16” inch trout on pinfish.  Using some of the new Gulp 3 inch / 8 cm pogy  stinky baits ( GSPG3-SMLT ).  Stinky cause I think they are packed in menhaden oil.  Tons of small white bait all over flats, so thought these would really match the hatch.  Could NOT keep the lures on the hook.  At $4 for eight its a fairly expensive bait, but effective. Caught several trout, toadfish, hotshot on gulps.  Rain chased us back in after about 2 hours of fishing with two 16” trout in cooler.  Normally I don’t keep fish but first was deep hooked, and might as well keep one more to make a meal.  Spotted leopard rays were in residence once again putting on a leaping show.  As usual saw 30-40 porpoise on run down.

Left house at 300p sharp.  Heat = BRUTAL.  Outbound just starting.  Ran to midchannel on PP flats.  Working power mullet, didn’t get anything.  Gent with me (RichardH) using fly rod with lime green clouser minnow.  Picked up several nice trout, got cut off by mackerel.  Spotted leopard rays were leaping.  Headed back about 600P, still was too damn hot.  Note to self for future, night fishing in August!

• day 1 - SEAWORLD - marriott rennaissance by seaworld = good - 1100a is too dam hot for seaworld in summer - shark tank grill is dam good refuge, bar has built in table top aquarium - night hours rock
• day 2 - HILTON YACHT IN FLL - $13 mojito was great - french bakery across street loved by all - - $23 parking wtf - Southport raw bar rocks DISCOVERY SUN IN THE AM - 430a is too dam early - its hot in the waiting line - get the big cabin, not the small one - meals didn’t suck - games in 5 forward - baggage gets off last, don’t rush -
• day 3,4,5,6,7,8 - VIVA FORTUNA in Grand Bahamas - outdoor chess set with ryan - ping pong with the girls - taking down mommy at ping pong 11 to 9 - ryan flew on the trapeze twice, toe hold and hung by her knees, thanks Emily - flowers in the kids play - edna braids their hair - ryan steered the hobie - never heard of beach towels? - buffet food gets old, restaurants aint great, but the price was right - snorkel gear, kayaks and hobie's - shows were good - $4.99 for a bag of pretzels and $10 for a big mug - mug was worth it as cups were too small - morgan = pool rat - - AC dining halls = good, things to remember - no gullywash - kalik gets old after a while – enjoyed but right now I’m not sure I’d do it again
• day 5 - TRIP TO FREEPORT MARKETPLACE - dam hot, kids whining, wife got sick, end of the fun - one gullywash and time to go, sigh….  no Billy Joe’s for me
• day 6,7 - RESORT ESCAPE - bored on day 3 - hike to margarita villas - beach dogs - Tim the harbor pilot - lisa the exhumas girl - Sands beer and cracked conch - - island dogs eat chicken wings, just not brownie at home! - didn't want to leave the dogs  - http://thebahamasguide.com/sandbar/default.htm – definitely recommended
• day 9 -DEPARTURE: dam its hot - boat ride has stuff to do in lounge - wife hides in cabin (again) -  – hit Marriott by MSFT office in FLL for the nite
• day 10 - ON THE WAY HOME - stop at 'Lion Country Safari' - it didn’t suck – the Chili’s in Sarasota did however – taking SR80 across the state is cool but adds some time to the drive

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