June 27, 2009

Shoreline Anglers Need To Buy New License

Beginning on August 1st, saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a shoreline fishing license unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license.

The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida. Nonresidents will need to purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license.

The new license provides the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier. In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions: anglers drawing food stamps, cash assistance or Medicaid; and anglers fishing in their home counties using cane poles or gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.

For more information go to MyFWC.com.

June 26, 2009

4th Of July Celebrations and Fireworks

There are lots of area events scheduled to celebrate the 4th of July. Take in a parade, enjoy live music and then watch fireworks. All events are on Saturday July 4th unless noted.

Clearwater Celebrates America
Overlooking the beautiful intercoastal waterway at Coachman Park, this celebration features the Mostly Pops Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. A spectacular fireworks show will follow at 9:30 p.m. The event includes children's activities, food and beverages for purchase and exhibitor and sponsor booths. Gates open at 4 pm.
*Coachman Park 301 Drew. St., Clearwater.

4TH of July U.S. Constitution Boat Parade
Enjoy a patriotic, fun filled Rally that will kick off the First Annual Fourth of July U.S. Constitution boat parade. Festivities will start at noon at Gators Pass. There will be music and prize drawings throughout the afternoon. Decorate your boat - Show it off - Wave Flags! Or, just watch the boat parade sail by just after 3:00 P.M.
*Gators on the Pass 12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island


4th of July Extravaganza at The Pier
Starting at 1pm on the east courtyard, enjoy live music by the Cool Daddies or step inside to catch a one man circus. If you've never tried a drum circle, this is your chance, with free drums or bring your own. Live music continues until 8pm. Fireworks start at 9 pm.
*The Pier 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

Largo 4th of July Celebration
Music starts at 7pm with interactive kids activities near the stage. Fireworks begin at 9pm. Parking is available on site and free. No alcohol, pets, or personal fireworks.
*Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo.

Madeira Beach Fireworks
The fireworks display will be fired from the city recreation park on Rex Place next to the City Hall complex.
*Madeira Beach 300 Municipal Dr., Madeira Beach


Redington Shores Fireworks
The fireworks display will take place shortly after dusk in the County beach park.
*Redington Shores,182nd Avenue and Gulf Boulevard


St. Pete Beach Fireworks
Launched along the Gulf of Mexico, enjoy the fireworks show starting at dusk.
*St. Pete Beach Access Park, 4700 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach

Treasure Island Fireworks
Enjoy fireworks on the beach. Bring your chair or blanket. Fireworks start at 9pm.
*Treasure Island Beach,10400 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island


July 3rd Concert and Fireworks
Fri, Jul, 3 6:00 pm
*Knology Park , 373 Douglas Ave. Dunedin


Fireworks Cruise
Take a high speed water sightseeing ride. Then, watch Clearwater's fireworks display from the deck of the Sea Screamer. $35 adults, $25 children. 8 pm.
*Clearwater Beach Marina at Sea Screamer 25 Causeway Blvd. Clearwater Beach 727-447-7200

4th Of July Parade
The North Redington Beach 4th of July Parade will be begin at Addie Graham Park 173rd Avenue and proceed via Second Street and First Street to Radcliffe Park starting at 9 am.
*North Redington Beach at Addie Graham Park

June 20, 2009

New State and Federal Rules For Gulf Grouper

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently proposed new rules for the recreational and commercial harvest of grouper in Gulf of Mexico state waters to improve the population of gag grouper.

The FWC’s proposed new rules would establish a Feb. 1 through March 31 closed spawning season for all recreational and commercial harvest of shallow-water groupers (gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind) in all Gulf state waters. This proposed two-month closure in Gulf state waters would extend a current one-month commercial closed season for gag, red and black grouper.In addition, the proposed rules would reduce the commercial minimum size limit for Gulf red grouper, and for all importation and sale of red grouper, from 20 inches to 18 inches total length.


New federal recreational regulations took effect in mid-May in federal Gulf of Mexico waters for shallow-water groupers:

• Grouper aggregate bag limit reduced to four grouper per person per day.
• Gag grouper bag limit reduced to two fish per day per person within the four grouper aggregate bag limit.
• Red grouper bag limit increased to two fish per person per day within the four grouper aggregate bag limit.
• The recreational harvest season is closed for all shallow water grouper from Feb. 1 through March 31. Shallow water groupers include gag, red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, rock hind, red hind and scamp groupers.

New federal commercial regulations also went into effect:
• Red grouper minimum-size limit reduceds to 18 inches total length.
• Red grouper quota increased to 5.75 million pounds (gutted weight).

State Approved Safe Boating Class

The Clearwater Sail and Power Squadron is offering a state approved Safe Boating Course. Course starts on August 3rd, and will be held on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7-9:30 pm. Call 727-441-8775 or visit clearwatersquadron.org

Proposed Snapper Season Changes

The proposed snapper season change is in response to data that suggests the Gulf red snapper fishing season needs to be shortened to compensate for overharvesting in 2008. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has proposed to shorten the recreational harvest season for red snapper in state waters to reduce the harvest and rebuild the population. A final public hearing on this proposed action is scheduled during the FWC's June meeting in Crystal River.

The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that recreational fishers in the Gulf exceeded last year's annual red snapper catch limit by over 1 million pounds. Federal law requires that harvest levels be reduced the year following a previous year's overharvest. The NMFS has indicated that it will shorten the harvest season in Gulf federal waters (9 nautical miles offshore) from June 1 through Sept. 30 to June 1 through Aug. 14. The FWC is proposing the same season change in state waters.

June 11, 2009

Extended Anchorage Periods Approved

Boaters cruising Florida waters can now anchor for extended periods of time in cities where local ordinances limited anchorage to as little as 48 hours.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a legislative package for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that prevents local Florida communities from forcing boaters to leave an anchorage unless the boat is a live-aboard vessel. The law defines a live-aboard vessel as one that is used solely as a residence and not for navigation; one represented as a place of business; and/or one that is declared to be a domicile. The law also prohibits local governments from regulating anchorage outside of established mooring fields unless the boat is a live-aboard vessel.
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Boat Slips and Marinas For Sale

There are currently boatslips for sale at the following marinas:
Turtle Cove - Tarpon Springs, Island Yacht Club at Island Estates, - Clearwater, Pasadena Yacht & Country Club - St Petersburg. Prices range from $35k to @250k. There are also marinas for sale from $1 Million. For more information on Pinellas County Real Estate visit PropCo Real Estate or call toll free 888-499-5454.


Boat Ramps, Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Storage

BOAT RAMPS

Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp 10 Ramps, 108 Parking Spaces
Park St. and Elbow Lane North, St. Petersburg

Jungle Prada Park 2 Ramps, 16 Parking Spaces
Park St. and Elbow Lane North, St. Petersburg

Madeira Beach Municipal Marina 1 Ramp, 0 Parking Spaces
503 150th Ave., Madeira Beach

Maximo Park 5 Ramps, 47 Parking Spaces
34th St. and Pinellas Point Dr. South, St. Petersburg

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Dunedin City Marina 1 Ramp, 0 Parking Spaces
51 Main St., Dunedin

Bay Vista Park 1 Ramp, 15 Parking Spaces
4th St. and Pinellas Point Dr. South, St. Petersburg

Coffee Pot Park 1 Ramp, 20 Parking Spaces
1st St. and 31st Ave. Northwest, St. Petersburg

Crisp Park 2 Ramps, 30 Parking Spaces
Popular St. and 35th Ave. Northeast, St. Petersburg

Demen's Landing Park 2 Ramps, 15 Parking Spaces
Bayshore Dr. and 2nd Ave. South, St. Petersburg

Grandview Park 2 Ramps, 40 Parking Spaces
6th St. and 39th Ave. South, St. Petersburg

Safety Harbor Marina (Municipal) 1 Ramp, 0 Parking Spaces
Tampa bay, 750 Main St, Safety Harbor

St. Petersburg Municipal Marina 2 Ramps, 0 Parking Spaces
300 Second Ave., SE, St. Petersburg

Sunlit Cove Park 1 Ramp, 5 Parking Spaces
Sunlit Cove Dr. and Bay St. Northeast, St. Petersburg

Park Boulevard Boat Ramp
18651 Gulf Boulevard Indian Shores

War Veterans' Memorial Park
9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg

Ft. De Soto Park - 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde

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MARINAS & YACHT CLUBS

Bay Pines Marina, St Petersburg 727-392-4922
Blind Pass Marina, St Pete Beach 727-360-4281
Boca Ciega Yacht Club 727-321-7295
Clearwater Harbor Marina 727-462-6954
Clearwater Municpal Marina 727-462-6954
Clearwater Yacht Club 727-447-6000
Carlouel Yacht Club 727-446-9162
Hubbards Marina, Johns Pass Madeira Bch 727-392-0167
Isla Del Sol Yacht Club, St Petersburg 727-906-4752
Island Yacht Club, Clearwater 727-461-2315
Island Harbor Marina, Palm Harbor 727-784-3014
Lighthouse Point Marina, St Petersburg 727-384-3625
Madeira Beach Municipal Marina 727-399-2631
Madeira Beach Yacht Club 727-393-0778
Maximo Marina, St Petersburg 727-867-8087
Pass a Grille Yacht Club 727-360-1646
Pirate's Cove Marina, Dunedin 727-733-1102
Pasadena Yacht Club 727-381-7922
Pass a Grille Marina, St Pete Beach 727-360-0100
Royal Yacht Club 727-736-4001
St Petersburg Municpal Marina 727-893-7329
St Petersburg Yacht Club 727-896-7212
Tierra Verde Marina 727-866-0255

Treasure Island Yacht Club 727-367-4511

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BOAT STORAGE

Lighthouse Yacht Services 727- 937-0327
527Anclote Rd Tarpon Springs, FL

Florida Trailer Storage 727- 533-8111
1700 Palm Way Largo, FL

Stanford Storage 727- 546-9646
7950118th Ave Largo, FL

Ozona Boat Storage & Repairs 727- 789-9497
211 Hedden Ct Palm Harbor, FL

Buccaneer Bay Storage 727- 549-8980
6675 114th Ave Largo, FL

Snug Harbor Marine Inc 727- 398-7470
13625 Gulf Blvd Madeira Beach, FL

Lightning Bay Performance 727- 578-0880
10900 Gandy Blvd N St Petersburg, FL

Gulf Marine Ways Inc 727- 937-4401
950 Dodecanese Blvd Tarpon Springs, FL

Viking Boat Works Co Inc 727- 576-1094
10121 Snug Harbor Rd NE St Petersburg, FL

Neptune Marine-Pinellas County 727- 934-2370
1046 Island Ave Tarpon Springs, FL

Progressive Marine Svc Inc 727- 822-2886
1351 Bay St SE St Petersburg, FL

Salt Creek Marine Ctr 727- 895-4481
107 15th Ave SE St Petersburg, FL

Sailor's Wharf 727- 823-1155
1421 Bay St SE St Petersburg, FL

Bay Area Rv & Boat Storage (813) 837-2132
7215 S Germer St Tampa, FL

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