First Florida trip advice ?

[Clayton_Wetter]

We've been through Ft. McCoy a couple of times over the years but it's been a while. We like the out of the way places like Ft. McCoy where traffic headaches are pretty much nonexistent.

The specks are some of the best eating fish there is. We'll concentrate on specks 'till we get enough to fillet out for a meal then focus on shiners to go after large mouth bass and see if we can't boat a big one. There is nothing like a Florida large mouth for fishin' fun!

You're right about the Perch. My favorite common fish.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

You're right about the Perch. My favorite common fish.

Perch and Walleye. They are the same family. All used to fish for growing up.

FYI, ocean perch are not the same. Vomit

[Clayton_Wetter]

Perch and Walleye. They are the same family. All used to fish for growing up.

FYI, ocean perch are not the same. Vomit

I have never had an ocean Perch, didn't know that.

[CIRF]

Zero and I are talking about the same fish but we refer to them with different names. What are generally known in Florida as specks are crappie to us northerners, which are also sometimes known as speckled perch, among other names. Same species and they are IMHO the best fresh water eatin' fish there is.

I would agree with CnBF in reference to salt water, or ocean, perch. They aren't all that great to eat. Grouper on the other hand IMHO is the one species of salt water fish that ranks right up there with crappie/speckled perch for tastiness, and that's saying something.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Some of my Speedweeks memories...

Blowing an engine in my modified at New Smyrna then changing it out in the back of Rusty's Engine Service in Ocala. About two AM we were bolting in the new engine when the SWAT team climbed over the fence and arrested me and my pit guy for breaking and entering and grand theft after someone reported we were burglarizing the shop.

Got out of the cuffs about 5am and raced at Lake City that night.

We were visiting Porky's Place on Rt 92 in DeLand and we ran out of booze (byob joint). Just for the hell of it my boss at 141 Speedway whipped out his winkie to get stamped so he could get back in without paying another cover charge. Sounded like a good idea so we had the girl at the door stamp all of our winkies.

That same trip we found a hit and run victim laying in the median strip. A young girl had been hit on her bike and I just saw her hand come up as she tried to signal us. She had two fingers and a thumb ripped off one hand. I wrapped her up in a towel, stuck her hand in our ice chest and headed east to Halifax hospital. Two miles west of Daytona we got stopped by the Shefiff for doing 85... he took her to the hospital while we waited for another deputy to fill out a report.

Around 1979 we used to stay on A1A in a little mom and pop motel right next to modified legend Ritchie Evans.

One year my pitman mistakenly picked up a TV at one of the bars in town...

My Dad had a Ritchie Evans story from Florida also. He was pitted by Ritchie at New Smyrna. Obviously Ritchie ran modifieds, my Dad ran Semi-Lates. Be around 81? My Dad was going for the lead or second on the Griffin radiator guys kid. Obviously they didn’t want a Yankee showing them up, and while my Dads’ cars were nice, they weren’t chromed out. Dude stuffed him. Ritchie wanted to help my Dad and throw down. My Dad knew how bad they were outnumbered and he didn’t tow down there from NE Ohio to run a couple nights tops.

My Dad never paid attention, but as I find different things every now and then, he ran against a lot of good people in the semi lates and won.

Always been a Ritchie fan. Even if you don’t read Krooser, if you haven’t read Ritchie’s book, you should man, top notch.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Zero and I are talking about the same fish but we refer to them with different names. What are generally known in Florida as specks are crappie to us northerners, which are also sometimes known as speckled perch, among other names. Same species and they are IMHO the best fresh water eatin' fish there is.

I would agree with CnBF in reference to salt water, or ocean, perch. They aren't all that great to eat. Grouper on the other hand IMHO is the one species of salt water fish that ranks right up there with crappie/speckled perch for tastiness, and that's saying something.

Oh yeah, ocean perch suck. Guessing that’s why they sell so cheap. Crappie are good eating. Don’t think I’ve ever had Grouper. Be awesome to catch a Goliath I know that. Snapper are delicious.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

I have never had an ocean Perch, didn't know that.

Steer clear of ocean perch. Personally, walleye, perch, steelhead, snapper, catfish, salmon, and who knows what I’m missing. I will have to try Grouper as CIRF stated.

[CIRF]

chupp n bloomer fan Don’t think I’ve ever had Grouper. Be awesome to catch a Goliath I know that. Snapper are delicious.

You'll love grouper, I'd bet on it. Snapper is just a slight notch below grouper, but that's only my opinion.

Man, all this talk about seafood is causing me to long for Florida and February. We can't get fresh seafood in these parts and there isn't a lot of crappie fishin' going on in our neck of the woods these days!

[ZERO25]

You're right about the Perch. My favorite common fish.

Hey hey hey......they're royalty down here in the South, aint nothing common about them!

[ZERO25]

You'll love grouper, I'd bet on it. Snapper is just a slight notch below grouper, but that's only my opinion.

Man, all this talk about seafood is causing me to long for Florida and February. We can't get fresh seafood in these parts and there isn't a lot of crappie fishin' going on in our neck of the woods these days!

Agree with the grouper......my favorite as well!

But then again, I like most fish!

[MI Dirt Fan]

H3ll with the fish. It's strawberry shortcake season.

[highgroove]

1 star hotels need love too....

[ZERO25]

H3ll with the fish. It's strawberry shortcake season.

LOL.....the fish is before the races!.......The strawberry shortcake is for before, during, and after!

[GregA12]

I believe that I will be heading south for the February races at Volusia and Bubba..Can some of you give me advice on where to stay and where to stay away from. Trying to figure out hotel/motel accommodations that are very affordable don't need luxury just clean and functionally safe....Wouldn't mind being closer to daytona beach area...

You’ll be surpised how rural Volusia is. Pretty much out in the boonies considering it’s “Florida Speedweeks”. Where to stay depends on your interests and budget. Never done AirBNB but stayed at some cheap places in Ormond Beach before. They have camping all over the place there though. Looks like plenty of room.

[Bubstr]

I always wanted to try a fishing trip on the St Johns once, on a off day. Went Salt Water fishing in Key West, after speed weeks and got on some record class Cobia, wit Captain Tony. 91 lbs. Crab and Beer on newspaper in Melbourne was a good night out once. Ponce inlet, all you can eat shrimp in shell is good eating also. Most nights it's race rockets aND strawerries. Or ice cream. Have fun and see what you can see.