Question for Tampa area boaters - Page 2 - The Hull Truth

HullSlap · 12-24-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Reel Pursuit - 12/24/2005 10:58 AM

Hullslap-
I'm running a 2002 Pursuit 2470. One option I have is to sell the boat before I move and then buy another in Fla. The question is: CC or WA? I've always liked the WA to keep me dry in the slop and lots of storage room. I may change my mind about this when I live in Fla year-round.
Anyway, Happy Holidays to everyone who responded. Local knowledge is greatly appreciated.

I'd keep the Pursuit for now unless you plan on doing any flats (deeper flats) fishing. Give it a try first. You can always sell it if you decide a CC is more appropriate. I like CC boats because I'm pretty much a hardcore fisherman. I only cruise if my wife makes me.

She wanted a WA or DC but I prevailed.

Logan9581 · 12-24-2005, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Reel Pursuit - 12/23/2005 2:20 PM

Just curious but how far west of the Skyway do you have to run to get into billfish, tuna, dolphin, etc?

I have caught Dolphin as close as 20 miles but that is rare. Tuna you are going to be looking for shrimp boats in the 35-40 mile range and billfish well...80-100 miles (past the middle grounds). Most of the fishing on this coast is for Grouper, snapper, AJs. When the kings are running, you can get them from 100 YARDS off the beach up to 50 miles offshore.

Reel Pursuit · 12-25-2005, 11:34 AM

I will probably keep the Pursuit for now. Relocating is going to cost some $$$ so I should hold off on a boat purchase.
Sounds like billfishing will be a rarity but there are tons of other options. When targeting snapper, grouper and AJs do you guys generally anchor up on a reef or wreck and drop live baits down?

I'm also not opposed to towing the boat over to the east coast for a Bahamas run once in a while.

Logan9581 · 12-25-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Reel Pursuit - 12/25/2005 10:34 AM

When targeting snapper, grouper and AJs do you guys generally anchor up on a reef or wreck and drop live baits down?

or you can use frozen sardines and/or squid. Just gotta see what they are chewing on that day.

rappstr · 12-26-2005, 02:12 AM

The Middle grounds are about 75 miles off Tarpon and represent a pretty good variety of fishing from bottom to top waters.. There are some fresh water springs located about 50 miles offshore and you can get some interesting fishing there too. I use a bay/flats boat for inshore and a larger deep v for offshore and cruising. No boat does it all. Offshore you need two engines and inshore you need shallow draft and a stable platform.

Some guys try to force an offshore boat to do inshore and others try to force their inshore boats to do offshore. You end up frustrated.

Reel Pursuit · 12-26-2005, 08:45 AM

rappstr-
I read an article recently (SWS?) about those fresh water springs outside Tampa. Sounded very interesting. They were catching everything from blackfin tuna to grouper.

OspreyVic · 01-27-2006, 06:57 PM

HullSlap, just read your post of 12/22/2005. Sorry I did not read it sooner.

I use Venice most of the time. Ramp is not very busy during the week, and much less traffic than towing to Sarasota. Today was only the second time that I launched the boat by myself. It works, just takes me a little more time than others. But no problem's that more experience will not help cure.

I can't wait till the county gets the new ramp on Blackburn Point Road ready. Then that will be my spot. Boat is stored in my garage, so the closer the better when it comes to launch sites.

I am not a Florida native, moved here in 1973. Wife graduated from Venice High School, but was born in Jersey.

BUT, both my kids were born at Sarasota Memorial.

Waited till retirement to get our boat. Now I have a lot to learn about the boat, the electronics, and most important - fishing.

Our son goes off to college, probably at the end of June, then we will be "empty nesters". He would not even look at colleges out of Florida.

Again, I apologize for not responding sooner.

greyg8r · 01-29-2006, 10:50 PM

I live in Brandon but keep my boat on the Alafia River in Gibsonton behind my 2nd home. I have lived in Florida all but 1 of my 46 years and have lived in this county since 1982. Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. On housing. Anna Maria island is probably the best location for a house. Almost on the gulf. Easy access to the Bay. But, at a premium. A waterfront house will set you back 1/2 mil. I am much more familiar with the east bay area housing market. There, you can get yourself a waterfront for the mid 300s if you shop around and have a bit of luck. The drawback is that you have an 18 mile run to the Gulf. Or, you can trailer it to the gulf. I grin and bear it and drive all the way out.

2. On fishing. I am no expert on offshore fishing but here are my 2 cents. After our horrendous summer '05 red tide fish kill, there is not much happening in less than 100'. This translates to about 30 miles offshore.

3. On boats. You will find that CCs rule the market here, largely because CCs have better fishing platforms and are less expensive vs. WAs. And you will here tough guys say that you don't need an enclosure in Florida. I do! And, I like the storage compartment of a WA and for those occasional overnighters and trips to Bahamas. Your 24 would be able to easily take you out to 30+ miles. I would hang onto it for a while.

Reel Pursuit · 01-30-2006, 10:12 AM

greyg8tr-
thanks for the insight. Do you keep your boat on your property or is it at a marina on the Alafia River?
I'd love to be in Anna Maria but I think my wife would like to be closer to her cousin in Lithia. We are coming down to Clearwater in March and plan to check out some of the marinas and developments like Covington and Mira Bay. My only concern is that these locations won't allow me to keep my trailer in the yard. You mentioned waterfront in the mid 300s and that is definitely in my budget. Where should I be searching for these types of deals?
It sounds like I might have to get used to the 18 mile run to the gulf. That's pretty similar to what I do now when I go offshore anyway.
Thanks again and if there's anything I should look at just let me know.

signmansez · 01-31-2006, 10:28 PM

Reel, my wife and I bought a small house in Madeira Beach on a canal last May. This is where we settled after searching for "affordable" waterfront for over a year. We have owned a gulf front condo in St. Pete Beach for several years and have watched the prices of real estate skyrocket! The canal front homes are still on the rise so if you think you are going to wait for the prices to come down in the near future you may miss out on that "deal" today. While Madeira Beach is a bit "crustier" than it's neighbors, that is quickly changing. It's proximity to John's Pass (gulf access) makes it an ideal location for fishing. I have caught a dozen snook off of my dock and in our canal over 27". The tarpon run right off the beach as do the king's. We can go offshore and within 15 miles find a box full of keeper grouper. Good luck on your search. If I can offer any assistance please feel free to contact me. Capt. Rodger

http://www.vrbo.com/74633

MikeM8560 · 02-02-2006, 12:19 AM

If you dont find what you like have a look at Charlotte harbor also http://www.gulfcoast-homes.com/ http://www.pureflorida.com/

greyg8r · 03-04-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Reel Pursuit - 1/30/2006 9:12 AM

greyg8tr-
thanks for the insight. Do you keep your boat on your property or is it at a marina on the Alafia River?
I'd love to be in Anna Maria but I think my wife would like to be closer to her cousin in Lithia. We are coming down to Clearwater in March and plan to check out some of the marinas and developments like Covington and Mira Bay. My only concern is that these locations won't allow me to keep my trailer in the yard. You mentioned waterfront in the mid 300s and that is definitely in my budget. Where should I be searching for these types of deals?
It sounds like I might have to get used to the 18 mile run to the gulf. That's pretty similar to what I do now when I go offshore anyway.
Thanks again and if there's anything I should look at just let me know.

RP,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner - d@mn ADD acting up again

I keep my boat on a lift behind my second house in Gibsonton.

I routinely make runs offshore 40 - 50 miles, sometimes longer. It's 20 miles from my dock to the mouth of the bay. There is a marina not far from the mouth where I fill up if running offshore. Or, you can trailer to Ft. Desoto park - a huge boat ramp - or Terra Ceia and launch there. Although you have to put up with the hassle of trailering, it saves 20 miles off your trip.

Or, you can live or leave your boat at Anna Maria Island, but that is some of the highest real estate in West-central Florida.

By the way, I have another rental house, in Lithia, right across from Lithia Springs Elementary School that is currently vacant. The property is acres and you can park just about anything you want (previous tenants parked heavy equipment.) And, it has a pond with bream, gar and catfish - sorry no bass.

If interested, contact me directly.

Richard

Reel Pursuit · 03-04-2006, 10:59 PM

thanks Richard.
We're actually coming down to Clearwater next week. We'll spend some time during our visit checking out local real estate and a couple marinas. looking forward to the trip to get out of the snow and cold. Can you recommend any good golf courses in the Clearwater area? We're staying at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort.
If I can find a decent marina then I'll probably go that route. I know everybody sees it differently but trailering to me is a huge PIA.

2ndCurse · 03-06-2006, 10:50 AM

R.P. ,
I saw some signs for slips available in the Clearwater Marina. I'm on a trailer for now, so I didn't check them out. There are also alot of condos going up in the area w/ "preconstruction prices". Some are on the water w/ slips. Condos aren't my thing, but might be worth checking out. I haven't played any golf yet but there's no shortage of courses close by. Clearwater Country Club looks nice.
Tom

Reel Pursuit · 03-06-2006, 12:01 PM

thanks Tom. looking forward to the trip down on Saturday.
I'll look into that golf course. Also thinking about the TPC but I'm sure it's pricey.
I think based upon where we'd end up living that any marinas/slips on Clearwater will be too far of a drive.

signmansez · 03-06-2006, 11:42 PM

Reel, was talking with a real estate agent this weekend over on Treasure Island and he said sales have come to a screaching halt along the beach. Maybe a seasonal lull but hopefully this will slow the price increases down, property taxes are a killer! Take some time in searching for your final destination and maybe with the market slowing you will be able to find something a bit more "affordable". By the way the weather has been nothing short of awesome!!!

Reel Pursuit · 03-07-2006, 10:12 AM

I know, I've been watching the weather this week and it looks awesome down there.
The real estate market up here in the NE has really slowed down as well. I guess we all saw it coming. Hopefully I won't lose too much of the equity I've built up in this house.
My parents live over on the East coast and they tried to explain to me the way the property taxes work. They made it sound like your property tax is set at 2% of the purchase price. A $400k house would give you 8,000 in taxes. Very steep!!

signmansez · 03-08-2006, 12:02 AM

reel, our 1100 sq ft house in madeira beach carries a tax bill of $5,900. that is based on the previous owners assesed value of $380,000. we purchased the house in may 2005 for $529,000 and are expecting a re-assesment in the neighborhood of $8,000!! this is driving away many folks who have lived for years on the water. our neighbor has owned a "shack" directly on the beach for 30 years. her bill this year was $12,000, when she went to complain at the assessors office he told her that the property was not being used to it's potential and that she should sell it to a condo developer. she told him she did not buy it to sell it to a developer but to retire in it and now she is being penalized for it! fortunately for you if you live in the house you get to claim it as your homestead and the county can only raise your taxes a max of 3% per year. i guess this is the price we have to pay to live in paradise. the other thing we have to worry about now is homeowners insurance. the state is proposing to cap the state funded insurance company @$1,000,000 worth of liability per waterfront home. this could leave alot of folks without hurricane insurance. a $1,000,000 house on the water is not the mansion one would invision it to be. i've got to stop venting now, sorry to go and on. enjoy your visit and good luck on the house hunt.

Reel Pursuit · 03-08-2006, 09:45 AM

thanks signman.
Looking forward to the trip.
I'm pretty sure we'll be hunting slightly inland.

9ballwizzz · 03-12-2006, 12:59 AM

Right on signmansez- I could not have put it better myself. I live about 9 mins from Maderia Beach and I am getting slammed here- I couldn't imagine what my Uncle Buck was paying living right on the beach- He sold his house to (next to the greek village eatery) a condo builder and is now building himself in treasure Island. I do have to say that the 5min. ride to the Va boat ramp is awsome though.

Best of luck R.P. and i hope we get to meet sometime.

Don