Moving to Florida

[Selassie I]

So, people will go swimming in bodies of water with those monsters?

Of course, I would so swimming in the ocean growing up on the west coast. Body surfing, surfing, swimming.....swimming at night etc.
I guess it is maybe what you grew up around?

People swim around them for sure. Just like sharks. Most people have no idea.

My local beach is the Shark Bite Capital Of The World. That doesn't stop people from going there every day.

More shark bites than anywhere else: Why is NSB the "Shark Bite Capital of the World?"

Why does Volusia County, Florida have so many shark bites? International Shark Attack File Director Gavin Naylor gives insight into the phenomenon.

www.news-journalonline.com

Just remember... neither one of these animals consider humans as their food source. When they bite us it's almost always a case of mistaken identity.

Female gators guard their nests. They can be seriously aggressive if you stumble upon a gator nest. One of my sons accidentally got too close to a nest and got chased across our old lake by a momma gator. She was just doing her job as a mother... she wasn't hunting for dinner.

Gators are almost always scared to death of people. They do their best to avoid us.

 

[JonRam99]

Man I used to live in JAX, until I was about 9, and had nightmares about gators.
You've put my inner child at ease, @Selassie I !

 

[snackdaddy]

I know a couple of people that have moved to Florida (from out west), both enjoy it.
I am afraid of gators.

Maybe skydiving in Florida isn't for you.

 

[fearsomefour]

People swim around them for sure. Just like sharks. Most people have no idea.

My local beach is the Shark Bite Capital Of The World. That doesn't stop people from going there every day.

More shark bites than anywhere else: Why is NSB the "Shark Bite Capital of the World?"

Why does Volusia County, Florida have so many shark bites? International Shark Attack File Director Gavin Naylor gives insight into the phenomenon.

www.news-journalonline.com

Just remember... neither one of these animals consider humans as their food source. When they bite us it's almost always a case of mistaken identity.

Female gators guard their nests. They can be seriously aggressive if you stumble upon a gator nest. One of my sons accidentally got too close to a nest and got chased across our old lake by a momma gator. She was just doing her job as a mother... she wasn't hunting for dinner.

Gators are almost always scared to death of people. They do their best to avoid us.

Well, you did it to me Selassie I....you did it....
Sent me down a rabbit hole of You Tube gator videos....

 

[RamsJunkie]

So what job did you have in Fort Smith?
Anyway Yah bless you and your family on your new adventure. Keep us posted on how He is blessing y'all.

~ArkyRamsFan~

My dad started an industrial supply company in Fort Smith about 40 years ago. I've been working there and running it for almost 20 years now. We are selling it and there following us down and going to live on a boat down there somewhere. But I will be working! Thought about going to school to get my commercial captains license. I wouldn't mind driving a fishing boat or any boat for that matter for a living!

 

[RamsJunkie]

Lots of retired peeps and snow birds live in and around St Pete. Makes for being surrounded by slow and shitty drivers. There are many transplants living over there so you won't be the only one.

The Gulf beaches are beautiful but there are no waves basically. The Gulf is more like a lake. For fishing, you'll want to do what's called In-Shore fishing on that side of the state. Fish like Snook, Redfish, and Trout are your best options there and they live close to the shore lines. The deep sea fishing over there consists basically of going WTF out in the Gulf and bottom fishing for grouper... you won't be targeting Pelagic fish in the Gulf. That kind of deep sea fishing has to be done on my side of the state out in the Atlantic.

Get ready for a steam bath... it's hotter than hell right now with 200% humidity.

I'm pretty used to the heat and humidity. Its not that much different here in Arkansas and we have spent a lot of time down there visiting her parents. I've done quite a bit of bottom fishing out of clearwater and tarpon springs mainly caught Grouper, Snapper and grunts. Did get on a school of amber jacks one time and that shit will wear you out! Went out on the Atlantic once but it was on a party fishing boat and I didn't catch shit. The Deckhands on the Atlantic boat says when they go fishing, they go to the gulf side(not sure why they would tell a paying customer that) so after that I didn't attempt to do anymore fishing on the Atlantic side. Could have just been the boat I was on not sure but the fishing sucked that day.

 

[RamsJunkie]

Still haven't sold the Damn house.... Wife starts her job Monday so now at this point I have to do all the packing and moving on my own because she won't have any vacation time to come back and help. I'm ready to come and start my Job hunt. Soon as this damn house gets under contract I'll be on my way.

 

[Selassie I]

I'm pretty used to the heat and humidity. Its not that much different here in Arkansas and we have spent a lot of time down there visiting her parents. I've done quite a bit of bottom fishing out of clearwater and tarpon springs mainly caught Grouper, Snapper and grunts. Did get on a school of amber jacks one time and that shit will wear you out! Went out on the Atlantic once but it was on a party fishing boat and I didn't catch shit. The Deckhands on the Atlantic boat says when they go fishing, they go to the gulf side(not sure why they would tell a paying customer that) so after that I didn't attempt to do anymore fishing on the Atlantic side. Could have just been the boat I was on not sure but the fishing sucked that day.

Amberjacks... we call those Reef Donkeys.

I usually don't do much bottom fishing unless I'm in the Keys or deep dropping with electric reels. I like to target Pelagic fish in the upper water column. Fish like dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. Those fish you won't be catching out in the Gulf. They are usually all out in the Atlantic riding along the Gulf Stream current that runs north along the east coast of Florida. You were out on a party boat in the Atlantic... those boats only do bottom fishing. I like trolling on the top of the water column. I have my own boat so that makes it much easier.

The Gulf of America is mainly bottom fishing. You can run across a few Pelagic fish out there, but it's not like out in the Atlantic.

 

[Merlin]

The tourists and snow birds are way more dangerous.

No doubt. New Yorkers incoming I am sure.

 

[RamsJunkie]

Amberjacks... we call those Reef Donkeys.

I usually don't do much bottom fishing unless I'm in the Keys or deep dropping with electric reels. I like to target Pelagic fish in the upper water column. Fish like dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. Those fish you won't be catching out in the Gulf. They are usually all out in the Atlantic riding along the Gulf Stream current that runs north along the east coast of Florida. You were out on a party boat in the Atlantic... those boats only do bottom fishing. I like trolling on the top of the water column. I have my own boat so that makes it much easier.

The Gulf of America is mainly bottom fishing. You can run across a few Pelagic fish out there, but it's not like out in the Atlantic.

So when are you taking me out and showing me the ropes on the Atlantic side???

I sold my boat here in Arkansas with plans to buy one more suited for saltwater fishing but I'm sure it will be a while before I get situated and get the boat hunt started.

 

[jrry32]

My wife got a Job recently at John Hopkins in St Petes. I know a few of you live in Florida and I have met some of you at tailgates. Any advice? Lived in Arkansas all my life. She starts June 30th and is already down there staying with her parents now. I am trying to sell the house and then I will be right behind her... But I don't have a Job waiting on me so I have no clue what I'm going to be doing. Kinda scary and exciting at the same time. I do know I love deep sea fishing so I'll get to do plenty of that from now on!

I don't know what insurance costs in Arkansas, but you should budget for it to be far, far higher in Florida. Automobile and property insurance are very expensive, relatively speaking.

So, people will go swimming in bodies of water with those monsters?

Of course, I would so swimming in the ocean growing up on the west coast. Body surfing, surfing, swimming.....swimming at night etc.
I guess it is maybe what you grew up around?

Selassie is bolder than I am. You don't really have to worry about the small ones. They won't try to hunt you. But you should be wary of the big ones, especially in the water. (And definitely don't go in if you're bleeding.) Gators aren't super aggressive (usually), but I keep my distance and leave them alone.

 

[Selassie I]

So when are you taking me out and showing me the ropes on the Atlantic side???

I sold my boat here in Arkansas with plans to buy one more suited for saltwater fishing but I'm sure it will be a while before I get situated and get the boat hunt started.

I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you on boats. I do know a thing or two when it comes to that. Your first decision needs to be finding out what you're going to be using it for most. Get specific. Boats are just big tools... and you need to match the tool with the job you want it to perform.

 

[RamsJunkie]

I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you on boats. I do know a thing or two when it comes to that. Your first decision needs to be finding out what you're going to be using it for most. Get specific. Boats are just big tools... and you need to match the tool with the job you want it to perform.

Definitely be picking your brain when in comes time.

 

[dieterbrock]

I love Clearwater

 

[RamFan503]

I love Clearwater

Tell that to the citizens of Flint, MI.

 

[RamsJunkie]

House in Arkansas has sold and we close on our house in Florida Wednesday. Making the drive next Tuesday. Wish me luck!

 

[Selassie I]

House in Arkansas has sold and we close on our house in Florida Wednesday. Making the drive next Tuesday. Wish me luck!

It's hotter than Hades down here right now. For the last month... hotter than normal for sure. The heat index has been well over 100°. Hell, my lawn guy called us last week and said he wasn't gonna be able to mow because the index was 114°. My wife was about to say to him "What, I thought you were a landscaper". LOL. I told her to let it go. He hasn't missed a week in over 4 years prior to last week. I know there's not much you can do... but I thought I should warn you because this really is the hottest patch of weather (without as much rain) that I can remember in a long time.

Congratulations on your closing!

Let me be one of the first to welcome you guys to The Great State Of Florida. I'm partial because I was born in Orlando (as were my parents), but FL kicks ass at everything. Most of the yahoos depicted as "Florida Man" are not Flogrown FL Natives btw... they are transplants. There aren't many real FL Locals, but we are here and proud... most are extremely proud. Our new things that many Locals are saying is the "We are the State of Freedom".

Keep your eyes peeled for blue hairs behind the wheel. Good luck with your move.

 

[Selassie I]

@RamsJunkie


I took this last Saturday... Ponce De Leon lighthouse.
The water was perfect, but a stingray tagged my wife's foot twice. She's on steroids, antibiotics, and painkillers still. Hell, they gave her morphine at the hospital yesterday.

 

[SWAdude]

@RamsJunkie


I took this last Saturday... Ponce De Leon lighthouse.
The water was perfect, but a stingray tagged my wife's foot twice. She's on steroids, antibiotics, and painkillers still. Hell, they gave her morphine at the hospital yesterday.

View attachment 71951

Good lord.

Hope she gets better soon.

Must be freaking painful.

Give Kammie our best.

 

[Tano]

@RamsJunkie


I took this last Saturday... Ponce De Leon lighthouse.
The water was perfect, but a stingray tagged my wife's foot twice. She's on steroids, antibiotics, and painkillers still. Hell, they gave her morphine at the hospital yesterday.

View attachment 71951

I have a story about a stingray.

My wife and I were at Puerto Vallarta and sitting on the beach. Someone mentioned that they saw stingrays in the water.

Well - a little girl came screaming out of the water and couldn't stop crying.

The parents started yelling at her to stop being a baby.

My wife had enough with that and mentioned that they should have her daughter checked out for a stingray sting since someone mentioned that they had seen stingrays in the water.

They summoned the staff at the hotel and sure enough the little girl had been stung by a stingray.

Boy were the parents embarrassed after that lol.