Forth Annual Everglades Kayak Fishing Paddle-In
February 23rd, 2008
Please RSVP ... click here
In 2006 we had about 70 boats. In 2007, more like 170. (Below is Slade Key, as folks were showing up!)
2008 Schedule of Events
Feb 18th - 23rd Five day - Four Night Kayaking/Camping Trip the ends at the Paddle-In Event Feb 22nd 8:00 - 5:00; Capt. Dean Thomas' Kayak Fishing School;
Feb 22nd 7:00 - 3:00; Kayak Fishing Trip aboard the Yak Attack Feb 23rd 6:30 - ~ 2:30; Fourth Annual Everglades Kayaks Paddle-In; Launch @ Gulf Coast Ranger Station; ENP; Lunch served~ 11:00 -Noon
Feb 23rd 5:00 - 6:00; Happy Hour; Location to be advised - Cash Bar
Feb 23rd 6:00 - 8:00; Fish Fry; ; Location to be advised Feb 24th 7:00 - 4:00; Kayak Fishing Trip aboard the Yak Attack 2008 Event information This year, scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd, we are looking forward to another great day. This year's event will be the same informal format as the last three year's ... very casual. It is a social event to bring together paddling folks for a day of family-oriented fun. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends who enjoy the paddling the area, learn a bit of the colorful local history and experience a wonderful part of Florida. There is no cost for the event. However, we are looking to help out the Museum of the Everglades, so a donation ($10?) to the Museum would be appreciated ... we'll have a donation box on the island and at the event. We will be paddling with the current to a beach site on "Indian Key" in Indian Key Pass. Once on the beach, Everglades Kayak Fishing will be serving Vickie's famous conch chowder and pulled pork sandwiches. If Vickie has her way (and she usually does), you can count on some good deserts, as well. Saturday evening, at 6:00 pm, we will have a fish fry in Everglades City. Please budget about $10 for the fish fry. Happy hour is 5-6 pm with a cash bar. Friday, the 22nd, the day before the Paddle In, Capt. Dean "Slowride" Thomas will be in from Texas and hosting a one day Kayak Fishing Class. This is an abbreviated version of his normal three day class. This seminar will be invaluable for those who wish to learn more about the sport ... Hang on, however, Dean has a lot of energy and will pack a lot of information into a short time. The cost for the class is just $75 and is limited in size. Details to follow very soon... Email me if you wish to register ... CaptWright@EvergladesAreaTours.com Friday, the 22nd and again on Sunday the 24th, we will be using the Yak Attack to fish deep in the Park. There is limited availability so reservations are required for these trips. For the more adventurous, Tuesday 2/18, a five day; four night kayaking/camping tour leave in the morning. This trip culminates at the Paddle-In on Saturday. Reservations required.  We will be launching from the Park Launch at day-break. The tide will be falling that morning from Chokoloskee Bay out to the Gulf. The tides move fast here ... faster than most Florida paddlers are used to. Indian Key pass, especially, has strong currents. If you leave early, you will have the current at your back, so "drifting" to the lunch site is quite possible. However, you must leave early as the tide flow will reverse about 9-30 and begin flow against you. It is just shy of six miles to Indian Key, but until about 9:30 in the morning the current will be flowing 1-2 mph in your favor,. After that it will turn around and begin flow back towards Chokoloskee Bay. There are some considerations with this year's paddle.
- The paddle is about 50% longer than last years, but there is also more current. To take advantage of it, you do need to leave early. I suggest riding the tide out the pass and then fish the outside areas once you are there. You can then fish your way back with the tide as it rises.
- There are several nice shell beach areas to take a break along the way out to Indian Key. These are shown on the chart below.
- Once you leave Chokoloskee Bay you will be in deep water. EVERYONE needs to be wearing a PFD. The last stretch is in open water, please be sure that you have an appropriate kayak. . .i.e., no 9' SIT's please.
- Indian Key is much larger than Slade Key. This island has a very nice sand beach on one side that does not fully submerge at high tide. There is also lots of vegetation on the high elevations of the island and offers some good exploring.
- If you have fishing rod on your yak, please make sure that you have a fishing license.
- We are not doing a raffle this year.
- PLEASE RSVP with the number in your party so we will know how much food to prepare, Please RSVP ... click here
In about 1.5 - 2 hours of leisurely paddling, you should pull up on the island beach where we'll have lunch. Pulled BBQ pork sandwiches and cold soft drinks will be available as will Vickie's famous conch chowder. If you wish to have anything special for lunch or for your kayak ... please bring it. The tide should start moving in by 10 am and the beach will begin covering with water. The tidal flow now will be back towards our launch site and you should be able to ride it in. If you are fishing, I would suggest a very early launch ... It is winter, fish slow and thorough. Once the tide starts to flow in, the speckled trout should move in around all of the outside islands. For those interested in kayak fishing some of the remote areas of the Park, we have a kayak fishing trip aboard the "Yak Attack" scheduled for the Friday before and the Sunday after the Paddle-In. We will have rental kayaks available, but you need to let us know in advanced. Also, PLEASE RSVP with the number in your party so we will know how much food to prepare, Please RSVP ... click here We suggest that if you wish to have overnight accommodations that you make reservations early. There are a few places on Chokoloskee Island and more in Everglades City 3 miles away.
- Everglades Spa-fari & Lodge (Ester) 239-695-1006
- Rod-N-Gun Club (Barbara) 239-695-2101
- Chokoloskee Island Park 239-695-2414
- Bank of the Everglades B&B (Cheryl) 239-695-1006
- Everglades City Motel 239-695-4224
- Outdoor Resorts (Kenny) 239-695-2881
- Captain's Table 239-695-4211
- River Wilderness 239-695-4499
- Ivey House Inn 239-695-4299
For the campers, the choices are few
- Chokoloskee Island Park 239-695-2414
- Outdoor Resorts (Kenny) 239-695-2881
- Trail Lakes Campground 239-695-2275
Triad Seafood and the Rod and Gun Club open for breakfast at 6:00 and The Seafood Depot Restaurant opens at 7:00. For lunch in Chokoloskee, try the Havana Cafe'. The Triad Seafood is the place to get stone crabs. For lunch in Everglades City, enjoy the Rod-n-Gun Club, the Camilla Street Grill or the Seafood Depot. While you are here, be sure to visit the Museum of the Everglades, the beneficiary of this event For you fishing tackle needs, Win-Car Hardware is the place. At the Everglades Spa and Lodge, you can pamper yourself to a massage or browse their gift shop. Take a "Flight-Seeing" tour over the area in an Alaskan float plane with Wings, it will truly amaze you to see the Everglades from the air.
Last year's event caught by "yak angler"!
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