Scott Le Roy, Author at Riviera Dunes Marina

Where to Fish in Bradenton, FL

03/17/201703/24/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Where to Fish in Bradenton, FLWith the milder Florida winter we’ve had, we’re still welcoming the spring season with open arms ... especially for fishing! Wondering where to fish in Bradenton, FL?Here are a few of our favorite spots:Lake ManateeIn this beautiful, freshwater lake, you can choose to fish either from the dock or your personal boat. There you will find a boat ramp available for use, but your boat, kayak or other vessel must be less than 20 horsepower.What you’ll catch: sunshine bass, catfish, speckled perch and bluefillPiers on Anna Maria IslandThe 7 miles of Anna Maria Island are a perfect place for an afternoon of fishing. Several piers and bridges are dotted along the island as well as the bait shops stocked with all of the essentials to keep you busy all afternoon!What you’ll catch: grouper, bluefish and flounderFort Hamer ParkThe freshwater area of the Manatee River begins once arrive at the peaceful Fort Hamer Park. There are a couple...

5 Kid-Friendly Things to Do Near Palmetto, FL

03/10/201703/10/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

5 Kid-Friendly Things to Do Near Palmetto, FLWith Spring Break here, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly things to do near Palmetto, FL.From museums to miniature golf, families will never run out of fun things to do!Here are five kid-friendly things to do near Palmetto that are enjoyable for the whole family.South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium‪201 10th St W, BradentonAt the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, kids will enjoy exciting exhibits and presentations by the museum’s knowledgeable and lively staff members. There’s even a show recorded by Tom Hanks! You’ll want to make sure you leave plenty of time to visit the planetarium and view the various shows offered. Kids will also enjoy feeding the manatees and stopping by the gift shop to bring home a souvenir.Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf‪2000 Cortez Rd W, BradentonPlay a round of mini golf at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf! Experience a fun, though challenging, game at their scenic course complete with 18 holes and 25 live...

6 Tips for New Boat Owners in Bradenton

03/02/201703/10/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Tips for New Boat Owners in BradentonDid you just become a new boat owner in Bradenton? Welcome to the club! New boat owners often have a lot of questions when they make their first boat purchase.Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you enjoy your new boat!1. Put together a boat bag."What's a boat bag," you ask? Basically, a boat bag is what holds all of your boating essentials. Some items you might consider putting in your boat bag are bottles of water, sunglasses, bug spray, a flashlight, sunscreen and towels. Of course, there are other items that may be more or less important to you, and you can tweak this list as you see fit.2. Get a towing membership. While you can hope that you won't need a towing membership, the reality is that you'll need a Plan B if you find yourself in a rut. New boat owners often make the honest mistake of not getting a towing membership. Towing...

Siesta Beach Ranked No. 1 in the U.S.

02/24/201702/24/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Siesta Beach Ranked No. 1 in the U.S.TripAdvisor just released their 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards and ranked our local beach No. 1 in the U.S.! Our own Siesta Beach, located just 20 minutes from Sarasota is ranked as the No. 1 beach in the country. It's no surprise to us as Siesta Beach is a lovely destination year-round! Runners up in the top five spots include Ka'anapali Beach in Hawaii and Florida's Saint Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach and the beach at Panama City.In addition to ranking No. 1 in the U.S., Siesta Beach also ranks No. 5 best beach in the whole world!With its white sand and nature areas nearby, Siesta Beach is a fantastic place to visit. Perfect for large families or as an intimate getaway for couples, this acclaimed beach does not disappoint. If you haven't visited Siesta Beach yet, here are some perks you'll get to enjoy:Cool beaches: Because the sand is comprised of 99 percent pure quartz, you don't have to...

Family-Friendly Winter Festivals in Central Florida

02/16/201702/16/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Family-Friendly Winter Festivals in Central FloridaDon't miss all of the wonderful family-friendly winter festivals right here in Central Florida! See a circus performance, embrace Italian culture and food, and join thousands at our local fishing village for their annual extravaganza!Circus Sarasota Winter PerformanceWhen: Through Sunday, March 5Weeknights: 7 p.m.Wednesdays & Saturdays: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.Sundays: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.Where: The Ulla Searing Big Top, Nathan Benderson Park, SarasotaWhat: Join Circus Sarasota as they commemorate 20 years with their winter performance! This special show will feature circus legend Nik Wallenda as well as other international circus stars performing amazing acts that will surely dazzle you and the whole family! Make sure to purchase tickets ahead of time as they are known to sell out! More info here.Admission: $15–$55The 35th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing FestivalWhen: Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18–1910 a.m.–6 p.m. daily.Where: Cortez Fishing VillageParking: G. T. Bray Park, BradentonWhat: Don’t miss the 35th Annual Cortez Commericial Fishing Festival honoring this...

Top 3 Fishing Charters Near Bradenton, FL

02/10/201702/11/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Top 3 Fishing Charters Near Bradenton, FLWhether you’re a rookie fisherman or a well-versed angler, our local fishing charters are enjoyable for all skill levels! Here are our top three fishing charters near Bradenton.1. Tailing Tales Charters 941-812-6640 | 5800 Riverview Blvd, BradentonBook a fishing trip with Captain Kris Winkel of Tailing Tales Charters and you won’t be disappointed! Tailing Tales Charters offers fishing trips inshore and nearshore at the best fishing spots in the area. Climb aboard the custom 1972 222 Aquasport to begin the journey to your fresh catch. No need to worry about ice or cleaning your catches. Capt. Kris takes care of that for you. Since their charters are focused on the inshore and nearshore fishing areas, it’s an ideal setting for anglers ranging all levels of experience. However, offshore trips are offered in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Bradenton areas.RatesHalf-day (4 hours): Starting at $400Three-fourths day (6 hours): Starting at $550Full day (8 hours): Starting at $7002. Bass N' Bay Charters941-722-2033 | Tampa, Palmetto, Sarasota Also...

6 Secret Islands to Visit Near Palmetto, FL

02/03/201702/03/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Secret Islands to Visit Near Palmetto, FLLooking for a quick weekend getaway or a new destination for your family’s next vacation? Look no further than these six secret islands for your next adventure!All six of these secret islands are within three hours of Palmetto, FL, so you can choose to take a quick day trip or opt for a longer weekend or week-long stay.1. Gasparilla IslandEmbrace the slower Gasparilla Island lifestyle via golf cart, like a true local. Enjoy shelling, swimming and even snorkeling here. Take a visit to the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, and bring your picnic lunch for a bite in the scenic Gasparilla Island State Park.2. Jupiter IslandStretching less than 4 miles, Jupiter Island is a private barrier island home to celebrities including Tiger Woods and Celine Dion. Lounge on the island’s beautiful white beaches or go for a stroll through the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge where you just might meet a loggerhead sea turtle.3. Merritt IslandThough not...

6 Easy Tips to Better Outboard Performance

01/26/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Easy Tips to Better Outboard PerformanceWondering what's best for your boat's outboard performance? From taking an inventory of your boat's gear to simply keeping up with its maintenance, here are six easy tips that you can take today to better your outboard performance. Leave your engines alone. While it’s tempting to modify the speed, it’s best to leave the setting to how it was manufactured. Modifying the engine, even by just a couple miles per hour compromises its reliability and voids its warranty as well.Straighten your outboard’s posture. Situate your boat so that its outboard points straight ahead. This allows the thrust to be guided to point up as well, which will increase efficiency and use your fuel more conservatively.Find the prop that works for your performance. The prop will differ very much if you’re racing one day and going on a fishing trip the next day. Try out different props to meet your desired purpose.Jack plates are your friends....

Why You Should Vacation to Palmetto, FL this Winter

01/20/201701/26/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Why You Should Vacation to Palmetto, FL this WinterWhile Palmetto, FL and the surrounding areas are great places to vacation to during any season, the winter season is especially favorable for both you and your wallet.Though you probably don’t need to be reminded why you should vacation to Palmetto, FL, here are some of our six favorite reasons to further motivate you.1. The winter season goes easier on your wallet.Yes, it’s true. There are much lower rental rates for beach houses and condominiums in Palmetto, FL during winter. Come stay for a great deal, and you’ll have more allowance to enjoy all of the fun activities, delicious dining and more.2. There’s always an exciting event happening!Just because the temperatures are milder doesn’t mean the fun is compromised. Next month, the Bradenton Area River Regatta will amaze you with thrilling boat races. Then, make sure you don’t miss the Circus Sarasota Winter Performance beginning on Feb. 10 through March 5. Fisherman and water...

3rd Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta

01/13/201701/26/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

3rd Annual Bradenton Area River RegattaAttention, thrill-seekers: Prepare to be amazed at boats racing more than 120 mph! Witness daring events like this and so much more when you join in for the 3rd Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta just a few weeks away on Feb. 4.If you haven’t been to the Bradenton Area River Regatta previously, you’re in for a real treat! The schedule is still not concrete, but there are many exciting surprises in store for all of the Bradenton and Palmetto locals.Head to the Manatee River for thrilling events including the Powerboat Super League Formula 2 events and the XHydro Cross Jet Skis and Disc Connect K9 show. You’ll also get to hear from the Nashville Yacht Club, Tampa’s own Soul Circus Cowboys and the ZBTB, the No. 1 Zac Brown tribute band, as the headliner. One thing’s for certain, the Powerboat Super Leagues will return for another spectacular performance that you do not want to miss....