The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper



Vol. 17 No. 37 - June 28, 2017

BUSINESS

Keyes Marina – your key to good fishing

LaPensee Plumbing Pools Air

LOUISE BOLGER | SUN

Jim Keyes and his staff are always ready to
guide customers with their fishing needs.

How would you feel if you were an established boutique boat marina with 19 slips suddenly in the shadow of a brand-new marina with 50 slips? Well the Keyes family couldn't be happier and look forward to their next-door neighbor, Waterline Marina Resort, opening its doors, and becoming part of the Island community.

The Keyes family have been owners of Island Discount Tackle since 2009 and Keyes Marina since 2011. The location of the Keyes' property in the heart of Holmes Beach, which also includes a marine mechanic, watersports facility and gasoline fuel dock, has been used for boating related businesses since the early 1960s.

Paul and Sally Keyes relocated to Longboat Key, Fla. As part of their retirement plan, their love of fishing eventually brought them to Anna Maria Island and the purchase of Island Discount Tackle. When the marina became available two years later, they and their sons saw what a great match this would be for both businesses and seized the opportunity. Although Paul and Sally Keyes are still helping in the business, their sons, Jim, Jonny and Joe, are the primary face of the shop and marina.

Island Discount Tackle is a well-organized and well stocked tackle shop carrying everything from live and frozen bait to a large assortment of boating gear and fishing licenses. Some of the rods and reels available are Shimano, Peen Reels, St. Croix Rods, G. Loomis and Star Rods. They also have added fly fishing gear to their inventory, including all the extras that are needed or forgotten by vacationing fisherman.

Jim Keyes says his experienced staffers are not sales people, but fishing experts who understand the needs of recreational fishermen. They're always available to answer questions and guide customers with their fishing needs.

Per Keyes, "They are a talking store rather than a selling store."

They also offer ship's chandler services. If they don't have what you need in stock you can review their catalog, order the item and get it delivered in a day all without driving off the island.

Keyes Marina offers transient, overnight and weekly boat slips for vessels up to 30 feet. The Keyes recently upgraded their lighting and water systems and currently have plans to improve their grounds. They have a boat ramp, and if you want to trailer your boat for an Island stay, they offer valet service where they will move your trailer to a secured area off the Island and return it when you're ready to leave.

They can arrange fishing charters on one of the two boats they own and hire a captain with knowledge of the local waters for your fishing trip. In the future, Jim Keyes says that they are considering scheduling fishing seminars as a service to their customers and Island residents with captains and fishing tackle representatives.

The goal of the Keyes family is to help people catch fish – something they are well equipped to do. Their one stop shopping tackle shop and marina are geared to fill the needs of everyone who loves fishing, and they look forward to the Waterline facility introducing new sportsmen to Anna Maria's fishing community. A family, a marina and fish – another great Anna Maria story.

KEYES MARINA & ISLAND DISCOUNT TACKLE

5501 & 5503 Marina Drive

Holmes Beach

941-778-1977

www.keysmarina.com

Open every day except Christmas Day

Summer hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Winter hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

All major credit cards accepted


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