Hello again.
I am so very pleased to announce our second annual FTYC Yak-In! It's a wonderful
opportunity for all of us, and our families, to get together for a great day of
yakkin, barbecue and just having plain fun in paradise. It is a great way to
finally meet and socialize with your fishing yakbrothers and sisters, see rigged
yaks, share ideas and catch a pile of fish.
First thought was to do Rattlesnake Key, a super location for bones, cuda, snook
and snapper. But lacking any facilities or setting onshore. So Sue Sea and I, and
Mike and I scoped out John Pennekamp and to be brutally honest, it beats RSK by
a mile. And it's within paddlin distance of Largo Sound. And this year we plan to
do a remote launch from Garden Cove (Rattlesnake) and return to the Sound.
The park is stunning. Rustic setting, campground, not overly large and with a
couple of smashing beaches. Playgrounds for the kids. Picnic shelters, barby
grills and pit, even a small outdoor amphitheatre! Plus yak rentals, a small
ecological museum, boat ramps, docks and plenty of nice parking. Campsites are
available for about $25.
Best of all it has that special rustic Keys flavor. You know what I'm talkin
about. Not like the madness of the Miami and Lauderdale parks. It is truly
beautiful.
It all overlooks Largo Sound, which is close to 4 miles long and maybe a mile
wide. The entire eastern shore is a no motor zone, and so full of coral and grass
flats, tens if not hundreds of mini islands of mangrove. You simply cannot believe
how fishy it is. Even though mapping it out for the event, Mike and I simply
lost count of the cuda strikes we had, at least 50 or more each. Landed close
to seven and had on some serious fish (3-4 ft.). Even had sharks chasing our
topwaters.
And all the good fishin maps show the entire eastern shore as prime bonefish
territory. Local information (from the Yellow Baitshop) confirms this.
Do take the time to check out some of the pics above. They in no way do justice
to the vistas, the unbelievably clear water (we were able to easily spot cruising
fish), the expected wildlife and the rustic beauty of the Pennekamp park itself.
Oh...there is also a small fleet of boats that can take your families and kids
out to the reefs for snorkeling, sightseeing and so on.
Bottom line: this will be a memorable event for the whole family. Fishing will
be superb. I've timed the tides so that we will have a decent chance at morning,
cool water bones. There is plenty for the shorebound families also, from playgrounds,
mangrove walking trails, yak rentals, roped off swimming/snorkeling area and
camping too.
We plan some good eats, which I am confident will include some very fresh snapper,
and whatever else Don and many of the other yakfishers will bring in. Chef Mike
is a for real top chef and will demonstrate his culinary talents.
Bottom Line: If at all possible, don't, don't miss this event. Even at this early
moment we have an estimated 16 people and there are many who have yet to answer.
Please take a moment right now and email if you have any intention of coming,
or send your regrets so that I can keep track...
