Sunday on the Bay: Beer Can Island is Still the Place to Be for Memorial Day Weekend

Boaters display patriotism

LONGBOAT KEY -- Beer Can Island has been a great hangout for many years. Although the landscape of the beach has changed drastically, the social environment has not. Boats still line the shifting shoreline every weekend.

Despite the name, beer cans and bottles are not allowed. People put their drinks in plastic cups to satisfy the marine patrol, whose presence is typical on busy weekends.

The island, which is actually a peninsula officially named Greer Island, is somewhat difficult to get to. It is almost necessary to have a boat, unless you don't mind walking over a mile, or are a creative parker and a good swimmer.  

The challenge that faces non-boaters has become a bigger issue in the last few years. At first it was the parking that was the problem. Longboat Key residents have placed "no parking" signs all along the side streets after the bridge, making it almost impossible to find a place to park and then walk along the beach.

Now, there is no beach access to use. The access has been roped off with caution tape and fencing. There are only two options, walk a significant distance from the next public access or swim from the north end of Longboat Key. It is not a far expanse, maybe 50 yards. People should only swim from that side of the bridge. If you are really talented you can balance your belongings on your head while doing the breast stroke.

A swift current that sweeps under the Longboat Key Bridge causes swimming conditions to be somewhat of a risk. From Coquina Beach, it is too dangerous and is strongly discouraged.

Beached power boats, which are continually starting up engines to charge their radio-drained batteries create an even bigger menace.  However, there is a beautiful inner inlet that is calm, protected and offers a safe haven for swimming children.

Beer Can Island

Although congregating boats usually flock to the area around the bridge, the more scenic region is around the west point. Australian pines that have lost ground and are now nothing but giant driftwood logs line the water’s edge and make this a popular spot for photography. There is so much driftwood, you’ll often find a home-made beach shack to shelter you from the sun.

If you get there early, Beer Can Island is a great place to fish off of the beach. Pompano, beach snook, redfish, mackerel,  jack, tarpon, sheephead and whiting swim along the shoreline. The best time to catch them is in the morning, but certain species like mackerel can be caught all day. When you fish off the beach you can either use a pole holder or wade in the water.

”You don’t need a surf rod on the west coast as long as no waves are breaking off the shore,“ said Charter Captain Jon Cannon, with Highliner Charters. ”A longer rod may be needed if swell is present.“

Cannon even uses Greer Island as his source for bait. ”A lot of times I just use sand fleas I find on the beach," he said. ”You can use them to catch pompano and whiting.“

Fisherman castnets for shiners

He also uses what he calls "pass crabs" as bait for tarpon, which he hooks from shore, especially during this time of year.  

”If you want to fight a tarpon from shore, you need at least a 25 pound test with a 60-80 pound liter and 5-7/o circle hook,“ he said. ”Otherwise 10-15 pound test with a 25-30 pound liter is fine.“

Pass crabs can be caught with a dip net near the shoreline on outgoing tides, especially when a new moon or full moon is present.

The most common catches are snook and redfish. These species like the fast moving water and the bridge cover, but become scarce when the crowd arrives. They can be hooked with green back shiners, which must be caught with a bait fish cast net.

Residential  species and what to use as bait:

See you this weekend for Memorial Day at Bradenton’s favorite boating hangout.