Was thinking of hitting Egmont and Passage Key and need a good ramp and Hotel (with a Marina would be a plus) in the area.

Any suggestions on the above or places to eat on the water?

Anyone gonna be out?

Thanks,

Jack

Fort Da Sota probably has the best ramps. Passage has almost disappeared, come in from the west, be careful as it is shallow. The currents are way too strong on the Bay side to swim & just hang out.
Holiday Inn Sun Spree has a Marina.

Also Terra Verde has a hotel with docks. If you'd like a nicer ride and top notch room the Marriott downtown Tampa Bay has awesome docks resturants and rooms.

Passage Key...isn't that Nekkid Island now?

Johno, how it been going? How's the Renegade doing? When are you going back to Rattlefish for some food?

Ft Desoto has the best ramps in the state. For lodging, I pick Tierra Verde Resort, or the Holiday Inn Sunspree at the foot of the Sunshine Skyway. The Sunspree was needing spruced up the last time I stayed there, but it probably has been redone since then.

I had a great time out there Mem wknd! I actually went down to Sarasota for the foodage! I put in at DeSoto ramp as well and had no issues. I did run out in the bay on the way to Egmont but almost made a big boo boo coming back. It was so rough, I couldn't read my GPS and I didn't plot ahead. I almost ran over Passage key, but noticed breaking waves and steered clear. Double check your charts/GPS and plan your route. Easy to get into trouble over there. Also, the water is very clear. You'll think it's shallower than it really is at the Key.

I was in Tierra Verde a couple of weeks ago. I think the hotel at the Tierra Verde Resort Marina is closed down. The marina part looked open but not the hotel. Tierra Verde High High and Dry is still booming, don't think they have a hotel though.

Without question, Ft DeSoto is the best place to put in.
As Johno said, Passage key is a mess to get to these days.

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn about 4 times in the last year or so. Nice place to stay. If you go, tell them you want to be by the tennis courts. There's plenty of room to park there and there's a hose at the little "tennis house" so you can flush and wash the boat when you pull out.

Maximo park is across the street (1/2 mile max. )for you to put in.

Rooms are generally around $100.00 a night.

I'd be leary about leaving my truck and trailer at Maximo. It's not the best of parks, if you know what I mean. You use to be able to leave a trailer at O'Neil's Skyway Basin for a small fee. O'Neils also has a boat launch, and fuel.

Thanks for the input guys. I will call around and see what available down there.

Any other spots to check out while we are down there?