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Dixie’s
Alafia River Info.
The Alafia River:
The Alafia River (pronounced AL-uh-FYE) extends for about 45 miles from meager beginnings near the town of Mulberry until it widens into a substantial waterway and empties into Hillsborough Bay near Riverview. The north prong flows east to west through the gently rolling hills of the Polk uplands and the flatwood forests of the Gulf coastal lowlands. During periods of unusually heavy rainfall the Alafia River basin sustains very high water flow rates, although its average discharge rate is not high enough to rank it as a major Florida coastal river. In its upper reaches, the river passes through cattle land and near phosphate mines; though these contribute to high nutrient concentrations and low dissolved oxygen levels, the Alafia retains a fair water quality.
Boating:
Boating
Water Skiing
Pontoon Boats
Tow - Tubing
Jet Skis
Boat Ramps To Put In:
Dixie’s Dockside 9808 Vaughn St. Gibsonton, Fl. 33534 (Click Here For Directions)
Fishing:
Florida anglers take note, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission added one inch to the minimum size for snook starting September 1, 2006. The FWC approved a rule increasing the snook minimum size from the previous 26 inches to the new minimum of 27 inches total length. The Commission did not change the 34-inch maximum size limit for snook.
Snook
Depending on tides and lunar phases, snook usually spawn from May through early September and based on climate and temperature release gametes during late afternoon and early evening hours. Individual females may spawn every two days releasing over a million eggs per occurrence. For that reason, handle with care; revive quickly returning them gently to the water. Coastal rivers and major inlets identified as spawning locations will see hundreds of fish returning each year to the same location.
Snook fishing is going gangbusters with nice fish caught on both live bait and artificial lures. This should continue through the summer. Early mornings, moving quietly along grass flats, should produce excellent action on top water lures. Bait and lure presentation is critical so remember… out in front… not behind or on top. You will find them almost everywhere along the southeast shore from and including the Alafia River to Joe Island. Weedon Island, Picnic Islands, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Miguel Bay, Tierra Verde, Pass a Grille and Boca Ciega offer good snook fishing. Live bait favorites include green backs, thread fins, pin fish and grunts.
Redfish
Redfish are not particular and found almost everywhere in the bay area. Many times right along with snook. Fishing the southeast shore from Palm River, Alafia River, Kitchen, Apollo Beach Simmons Park, Cockroach Bay, Bishops Harbor, and Joe’s Island all the way into Sarasota Bay should produce plenty of action. In North Tampa, Redfish cruise the northern shores of Double Branch and Rocky Creek to Palm Harbor. Expect good early morning top water action along grass flats and mangrove shores. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.
Spotted Sea Trout
Trout is fair, not as strong as in cooler water temperatures but plenty of fish. Look for fair size Trout anywhere on Tampa Bay grass flats especially deeper edges. Pinellas Point Flats, Veterans Flats, and Joes Island offer some good trout fishing. Live shrimp and greenbacks under a popping cork are good rigs. But free-lined shrimp in sandy potholes might produce some larger gators and the occasional flounder. Trout are easily damaged and should be handled at a minimum if you’re releasing them. Expect some good action on the same top water baits used for Redfish. Once the sun starts heating the flats it’s a good bet you’ll need to move toward deeper grass like those along Tarpon Key, Ft. Desoto, Point Pinellas or anywhere with grass in the 4 to 6 foot range.
Cobia
Cobia will be traveling the flats and open water, sometime as singles or groups and normally always behind large Rays. Keep your eyes peeled, toss your bait close and the battle begins.
Tarpon
Diehard Tarpon anglers should check the beaches and bridges. Threadfins, crabs and larger scaled sardines should do nicely. Toss them directly into the path of rolling poon’s and hang on. Beach fishing for Tarpon means you will be out with other boats so consideration is important. Do not chase them if they get by you. Quietly pull out and away, travel further down in front of them, turn back and wait, they will come to you. If you chase them, it ruins it for every one… in all probability, someone will yell at you.
Bridge Tarpon are always fun. Be ready with your anchor line and buoy to cast off and give chase. Common Courtesy - Tarpon Fishing the Bridge: If you see someone anchored, fishing an incoming or outgoing tide, at the bridge, chances are they have been chumming in hopes of getting the fish close enough to cast too. Be courteous and not pull in behind them just because you see fish. At times, the anchored angler worked for hours getting those fish in place. Now you pull up, hookup and scare the others.
Mackerel & Bluefish
If you are looking for some great light-tackle action look, no further Tampa Bay is full of threadfins and that means Mackerel and Bluefish. Drift the bait schools or anchor around a marker tossing out a white bait or threadfin, and hang on. Shinny artificial lures like silver spoons also work. You must use some type of wire leader or coffee colored single strand with a swivel and short shank hook.
BuckHorn Springs
Buckhorn Main Spring pool is roughly circular and has a diameter of approximately 45 ft (13.7 m). It is 8.3 ft (2.5 m) deep. The vent consists of a cave entrance in limestone on the northwest side of the spring depression. Limestone and sand form the pool bottom.The water is clear and bluish. A prominent boil was present in April 2002. There is arich aquatic plant community within the spring. The spring pool perimeter is entirely lined with concrete bags for erosion control, and there is a chain link fence around the pool and across the 15 ft (4.6 m) spring run. The spring is on the northwest side of Buck horn Creek. Upstream from Buck horn Main Spring, Buck horn Creek was slightly tannic during the sampling visit. Downstream of the spring, Buck horn Creek takes on a clear water spring run appearance, with a swift current and a sand bottom with exposed limestone. From Buckhorn Main Spring, Buck horn Creek travels approximately 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to Alafia River. There are two other springs in the vicinity of Buck horn Springs called Buckhorn Tributary Spring and Buck horn Tributary Spring 3. All three springs are Northwest Buck horn Creek and north of the Alafia River (Rosenau et al., 1977). Land rises steeply north of the spring to approximately 12 ft (3.7m) above spring water level, and a residence’s visible a few hundred feet away. Land to the south is forested lowland associated with Buck horn Creek
Alafia River Canoe Trails:
Click Here For Canoe Map
d The Alafia River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Green ways and Trails. This river, located an hour from downtown Tampa, is a narrow, twisting trail that begins at Alderman's Ford County Park. Large oak, cypress and cedar trees line the banks and form a canopy overhead. Paddlers share the peace and quiet with wading birds and turtles. The Alafia is a fairly swift river, especially for central Florida, and some small shoals are exposed in low water. The shoals are not dangerous, but do require some paddling skill.
Access
- Alderman's Ford County Park – On Thompson Road, a half block west of CR 39, one mile north of Lithia.
- CR 640 Bridge – Six miles southeast of Brandon. (9 miles) No Parking
- Lithia Springs County Park – One mile east on Lithia Springs Road, off CR 640. (1 mile)
- Bell Shoals Road Bridge – Off Bell Shoals Rd. one block south of Fish Hawk Blvd. (3 miles) No Parking.
Manatee:
Manatee can be seen all year around, but mostly in the cooler months.
Certain speed restrictions are in force during the cold months of the year.
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