Thank you so much for all of the very helpful information! It is much appreciated.
You are correct, the water in January is a bit cold, even by Floridian standards. We usually don't enjoy it until Mid-April, after all the spring breakers go home. Usually my family rotates beach houses for the various breaks. Spring break is a fishing vacation with little beach time, summer beach vacation is on the beach, Thanksgiving is a combination of beach and fishing and Christmas vacation is a deep sea fishing expedition. Now that all the children are a bit older and have learned that the bait well is not where you catch the fish, that actually enjoy the deep sea fishing aspect of life. My dad really enjoys taking the older grandchildren out fishing on the boat because it means that he just has to make sure there is bait and gas and the kids are set for hours. He's only run aground once due to a very unexpected sandbar. Of course the stories the children told of my father's behavior were likely true, though he denies trying to rock the boat off the sand bar... alone... with 6 children were on board. But, I digress, this is what happens when you take a literal rocket scientist, put them in a boat for a day with a bunch of children with a million questions, in the sun, on the water with no alcohol and nothing but lunchables. Genius level work, lacks common sense at times.
You'll have to let me know when your next trip is planned, I can give some tips on where to stay if it is between Clearwater and Ft. Myers.