Touring the Little Manatee River by Jet Ski is a wonderful weekend trip

RUSKIN, Fla. - A couple of weeks back, I had a chance to get out on a jet ski for a tour of the Little Manatee River...

"It's always something new," explained River Guide Jerry Clemens, who manages the water sports area at Little Harbor Resort in Ruskin

"I've done it hundreds of times and I know exactly where to go," he said.

I initially figured this would be a rather routine investigation one of the Bay Area's main tributaries... but I was in for a bit of a revelation.

"It's an hour-and-a-half long trip," Jerry told me, as he ticked off the highlights.  "You get to go with me, which is number one, that is gonna be the best part of the trip," he said, grinning.  
"Second -- as we entering the trip -- you'll see dolphins, manatees, gators.  It's all kinda hit-or-miss, nothing's guaranteed."

But Jerry did guarantee that we'd have fun floating down past some of the most authentic real Florida river live you can get a glimpse of around here.

"Once we get past (Interstate) 75, it kinda looks like you're going through the Everglades of Florida back there and we're real close to the shore line, we've got trees next to us, birds, gators, sometimes Manatees get really close."

It is a great tour... and the time (normally 3-4 hours) flies by.  For more information, you can call Jerry at (407) 405-4096 for more information, or click to Watersportsatlittleharbor.com .