Lake Manatee SP (Jan 24-Feb 6)

Tuesday - We took our sweet time getting here and didn't get on the road until afternoon. We got in, got set up, and went to a pot-luck dinner here in the park. It was excellent and we ran into people we have met here and at other parks. We have a nice site which, like others, is more open than Oscar Scherer. It is a nice change to be able to see the surroundings from the site.

Wednesday - We checked out a new park (Bennett Park) that we heard might offer a place to launch the kayaks into the Manatee River. The park has some ponds (Joan caught a small bass and a nice bream), a playground, paved walking trails, and the launch. The launch is unimproved and would be rather muddy. Hopefully they will put some sand or gravel there to make it easier. We stopped on the way back at O'Brien's Farm and picked up veggies and enjoyed strawberry shortcakes. It is great to be an age where you can have your dessert first. When we got back to the park, we went down to the boat ramp and dock and fished for awhile. Joan caught a nice bream on a mini-Clouser and lost another one.
Thursday - We returned to Robinson Preserve because we thought there we could escape the wind that came up today. Fishing, even with the anchors we have, proved quite tricky. The only action we saw was a snook that took a swipe at John's fly, but missed.
Friday - Rainy day today. Looks like a down day. John bought a new ebook on Florida saltwater fly fishing. Joan is catching up with friends on the laptop.
Saturday - We went to a nice coffee at the host's campsite on the other loop, then did some motorhome cleanup. In the evening we attended a ranger talk on owls and then went on an owl walk. She played screech owl calls, which caused one to respond, then come check us out.
Sunday - We attended an absolutely wonderful worship service at Bayside Community Church. The service was full, with a good mix of enthusiastic people, and we all appreciated gread music and a meaningful message on anger.
Monday - We launched on the Bradon River about 10 miles west of the campground. It was windy again, but we managed with our anchors to cast near many oyster beds. We saw some action, but never got anything to bite. Fishing new areas each time we go out is not working well for us in catching, but we are seeing some beautiful places. Afterwards, we headed to Cracker Barrel and had trout for dinner.
Tuesday - We returned to Robinson Preserve on the far side of Bradenton and launched the kayaks in this beautiful park. It was windy again, but less so than yesterday. John started things off with a small snook and followed with three flounder. The first two were barley keeper sized, but the last one was 15", so we invited him home for dinner. He accepted, and was extremely good. This is by far one of our favorite spots to kayak in Florida.
Thursday - We launched kayaks on the lake here and fished for bass along the shoreline. We put on foam hoppers and made them gurgle on the retrieve. John had a good strike, and missed him, but managed to hook another. He measured 13" long, which is an inch short of keeper size. He was released unharmed.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed our second potluck here. We brought Charlie Bread that John makes in the cast-iron Dutch Oven. It was yummy.
Friday - We put in again on the lake here early to try to beat the wind that is coming today. We used our lighter rods and small Clouser flies in hope s of catching some bream or small bass. Instead, Joan started things off with a small crappie, then caught another that was 14" long, and year another that measured 13". That is the one in the picture on Picassa. John finally caught one that was 13". We didn't have our fish bag to put them in to bring them back to camp because we had taken them out of the kayaks after our last trip.
Saturday - Another great service at Bayside Community. Afterwards we had a great steak dinner at Applebee's.
Sunday - We returned to the lake here and for the first hour were getting skunked. John had the first action in a small bay, but lost it. He quickly landed one, however, then Joan caught one in the same area. We caught a couple more, released one, and Joan caught a couple big catfish. We had plenty of crappie, so we released the catfish. We came back to camp and John filleted and cooked them. Delicious! Super Bowl this evening.
Monday - We met Joan's brother Skip and launched of Hwy 64 west of Bradenton, before the Causeway. There was good incoming tide action and we saw fish rolling, but catching was not to be. John had a nice redfish on, but it came unhooked. We got heavy rain on the way back to camp.

View More Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/LakeManateeSPJan24Feb6
View Video of Joan fly fishing for crappie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeAyrGs-mb8
View Video of Joan catching a catfish on the fly rod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHQU__7TGuY&feature=related