Oscar Scherer SP (Dec 16-25)

Monday - We got here in about an hour, got set up, had dinner, then went over to North Jetty to enjoy the sunset and full moon rise. They are doing a lot of construction in the park and we're not quite sure what it will look like when they are done. John fished from the jetty, but without any success.

Tuesday - We took a long hike this morning on the Green Trail and around the campground. It was quite cool, but nice. We then went to the coffee social and saw some old friends and met some new ones. Late morning we launched the kayaks in on South Creek here and fished going out and along the residential canals. Joan caught a nice jack crevalle and a ladyfish while John caught a ladyfish, several small snook, and a couple of small mangrove snapper. It was good action, but nothing for the table. The temperature was perfect while we were out there. For dinner we went to our favorite pizza place here in the area Fratelli's, but it was no longer by that name, but is now now El Panificio. However it was still quite good.

Wednesday - This morning we went on a hike with the ranger on the Green Trail. We hoped we would see scrub jays, but they didn't cooperate. Instead we did see a bald eagle on the nest and another in a dead tree. In the afternoon we launched the kayaks in the park again. John did all the catching today with a 20"+ snook to the boat, another that broke off, and still another that came unhooked. John caught a good fighting fish that we have not yet identified. It was a beautiful evening. Snook must be 27" to keep.

Friday - We hiked our normal 2 miles on the green trail, had breakfast, then drove south of here to the Englewood area and put in at Lemon Bay Park. When we got there we discovered that it was very windy. We decided to put in anyway and let the wind blow us south and fish along the way. John managed to catch a small Jack Crevalle and a very large ladyfish that gave him quite a fight. It turned out to be about 20 inches long, but unfortunately they are still not to eat. We talked to a man who kayak fished and did quite well. He paddled across the bay to an area that he says has harder bottom. We will remember that the next time we go there.
Saturday - We enjoyed the kayak trip we did last year about this time with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, so we decided to do it again this year. We launched very near the entrance to Neil preserve at the bridge that goes to Amelia Island. We headed north and paddled couple of miles very close to where it enters into Robinson Preserve. It was very windy, so we didn't miss not being able to fish, although the area look very promising for trout due to the nice seagrass. We met and talk to some very nice people on the trip. Brad who is a teacher at Sarasota Mote Marine Aquarium led the trip and was very informative. On the way back we stopped at the Seafood Shack for lunch. We both had the grouper sandwiches which were excellent.

Sunday - We attended a very nice contemporary service at Vamo United Methodist Church. The music was excellent and message very appropriate for the season. We were very impressed with the food distribution that they have for folks in the area that are in need. It was very windy today so we stayed close to the campground.

Christmas Eve - Is there room in your inn for Him? 

Christmas Day - Merry Christmas friends. We hope you are enjoying this blessed day. We drive over to Myakka State Park to enjoy dinner with our friends Tom and Jane, who are camping there and Skip and Shirley who drove down from Zephyrhills. We shared a wonderful meal with perfect weather outside at their campsite, then went down to the river and caught a whole bunch of tilapia. Four were quite large, so they went home with Skip. Tom says he has caught some there that are huge. Maybe next time. John was using a green weenie tipped with a small piece of Gulp worm. Joan quit fishing when some really big gators came around. 

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