I did know that it was the same weekend but what I have been told the Hidden Coast Paddlers Weekend is a bust.
I have spoken to people all over the Gulf area that have told me this.
Paddlers and Kayak fisherman are different.
If any of you that are fishing would like to paddel with whoever shows up, ca;; Tom Leibert at 352 325 0298. He is going to have an organized trip on Saturday.
Don't anyone think that the Hidden Coast Paddelrs will in any way interfere with our fishing. If they get 5 people I will be surprised; with what I have heard.

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Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak

Yes, last year we tried to have both events..a Cedar Key Kayakfishing Tourney, AND a long paddle up around the Hidden Coast and it was called the "Hidden Coast Paddling Festival".

It actually went from Sept. 17th to Sept. 25th and included stops at Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, and Steinhatchee.
Great plan but the execution did not go very well.
(I am typing this info from a 2010 brochure that is on my desk...)

Finally, the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce (5 ladies none of whom kayaked or fished or ever ran a Tourney) decided not to have a Tournament, so SMA and I decided to just have a fun Outing and we had 22 people show up anyway!!
This year, we have 52 people who have registered and paid for the Cookout on Sat. night, so we are adding quite a bit of revenue (rooms, meals, gasoline, beverages, bait and tackle, etc) to their local economy during what is their slowest tourist month!!

Like SMA said above, long distance people paddle long and skinny "touring and expedition" kayaks and most of us prefer SOT yaks for fishing, but in reality, we all love paddling kayaks and the outdoors and nature, so we will co-exist easily on Friday, and we have the Tiki Bar Deck on Saturday for our cookout.
Looking forward to meeting some of them over there next weekend!!
JohnYaksJax

So guys is there any kind of agenda or plan of attack for the weekend or is eveyone on their own? Some of us will be arriving on Friday any thing happening that day/night? On Saturday low tide is at 5am something so is that the start of the non-fishing tournament and we are all going to the Dock Street park to launch? What time on Saturday is the Inquiring minds what to know.

I am trying to keep this as simple as possible so some can sleep in or some can sneek out. The Dinner on Saturday Night will start around 7:00. This should give everyone time to clean up and be ready to party and eat.
We have a Charity we will be giving to and the man in charge of it has grasously donated his time to give a tour of Cedar Key. Ken Young is a historian and those who are not fishing would learn much of Cedar Key and I know really enjoy it. He is not charging anything for our group although there usually is a charge.
If you are interested his phone number is 352 543 9602.
I have enough on my plate with the Dinner so please call Ken and get set up.
The Low key is having a get -to- gether at their Tiki Bar from 5:00 Pm to Sunset. This is for the Hiodeden Coast Paddlers but we are all welcome to join them. At this event, as also ours, the beer and wine will be sold by Low Key. Dufferent from ours is that Liquor can be brought to our dinner since it is a charity event and the Low Key Tiki Bar only has a beer and wine liscense.
If you have any questions you can contact me on my cell at a requested PM.
See you all there and drive safely.

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Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak

How late can you eat I am one of those guys who likes to fish until there is no light left to fish. So the time I get done and loaded up and cleaned up I'm looking at close to 9pm until I get to the dinner or do I need to cut it short? Just ask JohnYax and he will tell you that I am one of those 14+ hours a day fishing kind of guys.

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2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 135 (Mango)
Future Beach Angler 160 DLX (Sand)
14ft Coleman Scanoe.

When I was a youngster I can remember that when my Mother told me to be at dinner at 7:00 it meant two things...

1. 7:00 means 7:00. Being late meant getting your butt chewed out

2. Arriving at 8:00 meant that the table was cleared, dishes put away, and no food leaft

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Hobie Pro Angler 12

Thats why I don't live with my mother anymore!! Just didn't know if it was starting at 7 or that was when the dinner was only being served or the dinner started to be served at 7. I understand you older guys need to hit the early bird time and take your jeratol and get to bed by 8:30 lol just kidding with ya Islandspeed.

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2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 135 (Mango)
Future Beach Angler 160 DLX (Sand)
14ft Coleman Scanoe.

get to bed by 8:30 lol .......... who stays up that late?

Eating dinner at 9pm.... might as well just wait for breakfast...it starts at 5am.

It is totally up to each person what time thay get to Low Key. I plan to start cooking around 7:00 but that is what I plan.
If anyone wants to come late I am sure we will have enough for you to get your food.
Remember os gets dark by 7:30.
I am old so I get up at 5:00 AM and I fish until 6:00 PM. I usually am worn out by either cathing my limit or looking for the them.

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Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak

No worries will be there early.

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2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 135 (Mango)
Future Beach Angler 160 DLX (Sand)
14ft Coleman Scanoe.

OK I give up. I have been searching the maps and street views for hours and except for the beach downtown do not see a legal place to launch from south of Low Key Hideaway motel. Every time I think I see a place that would be good, in street view there is a fence/guardrail or a sign that says restricted area or no parking or something. Any hints on where to launch besides the beach?

Yes parking can be an issue here in Cedar Key, but there are a few good places that will get you out to anywhere you'd want to fish. I've attached a map that will help (P=launch/parking). The map is kinda zoomed out, but you can look on google maps (satellite) for close ups. First, right across from Low Key (next to the bridge) is a good place to launch that will get you around all the backwater areas, which will be good to do if the wind is up. There are plenty of drum back there and I've caught quite a few tarpon within a mile or so from there. Additional backwater areas are accessible from the FWC launch ramp, which is going to be on your immediate left after you cross the first bridge you come to as you enter Cedar Key (this is north of low key). Next, the beach launch that Al mentioned will be your best access point for heading out to Atsena Otie or areas to the east. Last, is a little parking area/beach right before you get to the airport (off airport rd). This will get you out to seahorse and north key or the airport area the quickest, but may be rough depending on wind. Also, there is always Shell Mound which will be back up CR347. Most of these launch areas besides the main beach are muddy and typically have oysters, so bring your booties or something for foot protection. There are a few other areas if you look around, but those are the main ones. I usually launch at my house, but it is very close to low key, so you're not saving much time by launching there.

Thanks sent you a PM. See ya at the party.

POSSIBLY MY FINAL POST on this thread for a few days.....
I am leaving for Cedar Key tomorrow....THURS.....hopefully by 10:00 AM and will try to fish a couple of hours.....

My cell phone coverage over there via T-Mobile is very spotty....last year I finally got a signal when I was about a mile out in the Gulf of Mexico, and I have NO access to the internet via my cell phone but I "might" be able to borrow the PC at "Pirate's Cove" for a short time when it is available...

So, that said....ask now, or I will see you over there!!
THANKS to everyone who signed up and paid in advance to make it a smooth event and so that ShellMoundAL and I did not have to collect $$ at the Tiki Bar!!
CYA....and PLEASE have a safe trip and watch your speed limits going the the "Worst Speed Traps in the USA" according to AAA!!
JohnYaksJax
PS: SMA and I still have a few surprises for the Cookout at Low-Key, so hopefully you will be happy with them!!

Can't wait... getting off a few hours early tomorrow, loading up and hitting the road.

See you guys on the water or at the cookout!

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