3rd Annual Yak-In
Sat., July 16th, 2005
Hello again.
I am so very pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Yak-In. The First Annual Yak-In
was great (with 23 in attendence) and the 2nd Annual Yak-In was even better (with 32 yakkers)!
It was 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. I expect 40 to 50 great people this year.
It is always wonderful to
finally meet and socialize with your fishing yakbrothers and sisters, see rigged
yaks, share ideas and catch a pile of fish.
And get to meet some of the wackos you've come
to know and love, if not occasionally fear, lol.
Some preliminary thanks to a few friends who went beyond the call of duty to help make
these things happen. Thanks this year to Sue Sea, Don, Chef Mike, Scupper Frank and Superfly
Ken for planning. Thanks in advance to the others who will appear and help as needed. A special thanks
to Waterplay for donating prizes for our first real fishin contest and for agreeing
to honor our new FLYC Discount Cards.
Here's a brief rundown of the happenins:
Basics:
Date: Saturday, July 16th
Place: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Cost: $6 a head, kids free. Defrays only some of the costs, the rest is
my gift to our yakkin community
Eats: By Chef Mike and Don, top quality burgers and gourmet dogs, plus
some absolutely scrumptious potlucks people bring. Also featuring Chef Mike's
special marinades and grilling of our catch (last year the baby cuda was delicious)
Location:
As before the location is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This idyllic location is
easily accessible to S. Floridians and retains that special Keys feeling. The park
is rustic and relatively unspoiled with lots to do for the whole family, with several
safe beaches, kayak rentals, dive and gift shops and special play areas for the kids.
Glass bottom boat tours are available.
There are super, roped off snorkeling areas.
Not to mention the interesting local retail shops in Largo.
Our spot is especially nice. I have rented the entire (remote) south area, which
is separate from the rest of the park, accessible by a dirt road. Anticipating
a big turnout I have reserve all three picnic shelters (the "Snook", the "Starfish"
and the "Manta Ray"). Grills are available. Parking is immediately adjacent to the shelters for easy
unloading and we have our own rustic launch into the basin.
From the park we have access to Largo Sound and some great bays and fishing flats which
abound with barracuda, snook, snapper and an occasional tarpon. Birding is exceptional with herons, egrets, ibis,
pelicans, cormorants, anhingua, hawks, ospreys and even some sightings of the
beautiful pink roseate spoonbills. There are backcountry flats known to hold
bonefish. This is an easy place to kayak with kids and is relatively wind protected.
In the case of weather there are always nearby mangroves.
Directions:
It's easy. Fastest way is to grab the turnpike and head south to the bitter
end. Turn south on US1. Just past Jack's Bait (and the Last Chance Saloon) hang
a left and take Card Sound road ($1.00 toll), spectacular view over the towering
Card Sound bridge. At the east end stop sign, hang a right (south) and it's
a straight shot to Largo. Trust me, there are always lengthy traffic standstills on US1,
which the Card Sound detour nicely avoids.
Schedule of Events:
8:00am - Park opens. Not a bad time to arrive if you can; but you have until
about 9:30. Ask the ranger for directions to "the Snook". We have our very own
convenient parking area. We have all three shelters, the Snook - Starfish - Manta Ray, so
the entire private south end is ours. Foodstuffs and coolers go to the Snook (far right).
10:00am - I
ntended launch, though nothing ever really starts on time. There will be
printed maps noting our float plan in detail. Be sure to take one with you as this will
detail our route, prime fishing locations and "breaks" for liquid refreshment.
4:00pm
- all yakkers back at the Snook. Grills will be fired up, food and setups
at the Snook. Chef Mike and Don will coordinate the fileting and grilling of
your catch using Chef Mike's special marinades (this was a huge hit at Yak-In's 1 & 2).
Newcomers: please note that Chef Mike is, in fact, a successful chef (formerly of
the Doral, currently of the Palms). Don B. is a talented artist and knows his
way round a kitchen as well. Feel free to bring some shrimp or fish for Chef and Don's
expert preparation.
Last year the potlucks were super: including Key Lime Pie, fresh fruits, special
potato salad, Frank's doctored watermelon (adults only), macaroni salad, marinated lime sausage and Jamaican jumbalaya just to
name a few - trust me the eats were great!
Special Note:
Alcohol is prohibited in State Parks. The general rule
appears to be - don't ask, don't tell - keep your "special" beverages in your
car cooler and transfer them to plastic cups.
7:15pm - Time to start yakkin up as the park closes near Sunset, about 8:00pm.
Fishin gear:
Any decent medium or medium light rig is fine. You may want to bring a flyrod.
For cuda be sure to bring some 3/8 oz white and also chartreause slider jigs with white
clear sparkly and also chartreuse sparkly curly tail rubber grubs. Bring a chartreuse and slo
an orange tube lure (with two single hooks - not a single treble).
For bonefish be
sure to bring some brown, pink and white 1/4 or 3/8 oz flats jigs, weedless if you
can find some. A 1/4 oz. Hank Brown pink jig is nice for a bit of shrimp. For flies
a nice crab pattern should be fine.
For snook (and
also cuda) a red/white and also a mullet colored (black or green back, silver sides)
topwater - Top Dogs or Top Dog
Jrs. are nice, can be skipcast under the mangroves.
Yak Gear:
You must have a PFD and whistle, sunscreen, and plenty of liquid, maybe some
fruit or snacks (we'll be out there for awhile).
Make a flats stake: 5 ft. of
1/2 in. PVC, cut to 45 degrees one end, T-fitting on the other. Loop some 1/4 in.
line through the "T", about 4 feet of line, to a clip (to attach to your eyelets).
You might also have another 4 or 5 ft of line with clips on each end to clip up
to mangrove clumps here and there, or to attach to your bow handle and belt while
wading (there are plenty of wadeable flats - nice way to stay in an area of wind).
Special Stuff:
Each yakfisher will receive a Capn Jimbo FLYC Yak Sticker and an FLYC Discount
Card (good for a minimum of 10% off at Waterplay, others to follow). We will
have a real fishing contest this year: prizes from Waterplay plus signed copies of Ken
Daubert's new video "Kayakfishing for Tarpon" and the yakfisher's bible "Kayakfishing
the Revolution".
Special Treat: The famous Kayak Willie (mentioned in Ken's book) and
kayakfishing author Ken Daubert and their wives both hope to attend, to be
confirmed. Note: Ken Daubert HAS confirmed and will attend, he'll be bringing copies
of his book and new CD: "Kayak Tarponfishing".
Note: Details are subject to change, these will be forwarded as they occur.
How to Participate:
1. Cost is $6/head, kids free. This goes to defray most but not all
of our costs, for shelter rental, gourmet burgers and top quality franks, buns,
condiments, marinades, prizes, etc. Any shortfall is paid by me, with pleasure,
I am happy to bring us together.
2. Please respond by email (below) to confirm how many
3. You will be asked to provide a cool potluck (I'm doing my famous
secret recipe Key Lime Pie (with real Key limes)
Questions, Reservations or Regrets...
Email Chief Yakker
Special Note: As always this event is dedicated to my dear daughter Phoebe, a wonderful,
creative and special young lady, the love of my life, who left us far too soon. Phoebe,
as always, is in charge of the weather.
I miss you terribly... I love you Phoebs!
Hope ya enjoyed this page! For more incredibly satisfying info...
Ft Lauderdale Yakfishing Club
Capn Jimbo's Forum in Paradise
Contact Capn Jimbo, Chief Yakker
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