Not long ago I was talking to a customer in my tackle shop when the subject of Fort DeSoto and Egmont Key came up. He told me how much he used to enjoyed boating and fishing with his family in that part of the bay. But he was getting tired of the same old places and the time it took to get there.

ãThere are other areas in the bay you can go to boat and fish,ä I said. ãWhere?ä he asked, insisting the only things inside the Skyway Bridge were waterfront homes and restricted areas.

ãThatâs where you are wrong, my friend!ä

Taking into consideration the amount of shore line from Pinellas Point North to Safety Harbor, the kayaking and canoeing possibilities are endless. Hidden within Weedon Island alone are miles of winding trails to explore ö and that is just on the front side! Further back towards Riviera Bay is a boat ramp specially designed for kayaks and canoes. West of the ramp, the trails continue. This area sees little boat traffic due to the shallow water, leaving lucky visitors undisturbed for the most part.

After exploring Weedon Island, start working your way north. Snug Harbor at the west end of the Gandy Bridge offers a good location for kayak fishing. Itâs also a great area to spot manatees. Snug Harbor offers deep water access for power boaters, plus fuel, bait and even a restaurant.

As you continue north there are other areas of interest for shallow water paddling. The west end of the Howard Frankland Bridge near 4th Street has several miles of trail and even some small creeks you wonât find on any chart. There is public access, but the area is a little harder to reach.

Topside, as many old timers know it, is another part of Tampa Bay that remains largely unexplored. The area just north of Courtney Campbell hoards a wealth of ideal spots for fishing, kayaking and boating adventures. Double Branch and Rocky Creek are great winter fishing areas and the intricate maze of mangroves will challenge even the most seasoned paddlers. There are three public boat ramps north of the Courtney Campbell with deep water access and waterfront dining on the east side of the causeway.

The central and northern sections of Tampa Bay are lined with miles of grass flats. The shallow strips of sea grass are great places to observe birds and marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees.

The flats provide critical habitat for numerous game fish and are a vital component of the bay ecosystem. Use caution in these areas to avoid running aground or scarring grass beds.

One aspect of Tampa Bay often overlooked for boating are its rivers and creeks. One of my favorite river trips is up the Alafia. The Alafia is the embodiment of a sleepy Florida river. Its meandering waters flow slowly through some of central Floridaâs lushes landscapes. There are several miles of unspoiled river banks along with numerous deep water swimming holes. You can even find fresh water springs with great areas to pull ashore to picnic. The canoe outpost in Lithia has all the essential gear for a trip down the Alafia. Remember to bring snacks and drinks. Make sure to bring a light tackle rod as there are an abundant number of fishing holes, which receive little or no pressure.

Next Friday night before your head out for a weekend water adventure, pull out a chart of Tampa Bay. Study the map and realize just how large Tampa Bay really is. There are almost 400 square miles of water out there, and most of it is inside the Skyway Bridge. Except for a very few restricted areas - like the waters around MacDill Air Force Base, the ports and local power plants, most of the bay can be enjoyed and there are plenty of hidden gems to explore.

Now that you know there are other destinations, you can plot a different course for your next adventure. Donât get me wrong: Fort DeSoto Park and Egmont Key are both great. But when the wind is high and the fuel is low, take advantage of whatâs closer in. Explore some of the stunning interior of the estuary ö and youâll see there is so much more to Tampa Bay.

Captain Chuck Rogers operates Rattlesnake Point Outfitters at 5202 W. Tyson Avenue in Tampa. He can be reached at 813-835-1919.