School is out and what a great time for families to take their children fishing. Your children of ­today are the anglers of tomorrow. Because of the high cost of gasoline, I suggest that you plan your outings in local parks and waterways. People travel thousands of miles to visit our own paradise by the bay.

Simmons Park, a County Park, is safe with rangers, has plenty of parking space, even a campground, or you may pitch a tent on the east side of the park. It has a multitude of picnic tables, shade trees, ­canals and piers located through­out the park.

If you aren’t into fishing, have a game of horseshoes or play cards with friends on one of the many ­tables. If an artist, set up your easel; you will find something to paint.

You can spend a lot of money on gas and search for a better place, but you won’t find it. Did you realize what you have in your own backyard? The park crew is the best -- with Chuck, Paul and Sam to name a few -- you will love the park and all of the rangers. If you have a motor home or trailer, you can park in their trailer park for a limited time.

South of S.R. 674 on Hwy. 301 on Lightfoot is a State Park, on the Little Manatee River, with horse trails, camping, fishing and the great outdoors. This is a gas saver also, and so close to the SouthShore area. A great place to fish and to take a child for their first fishing trip. While at this park, you could take a canoe trip while visiting the Canoe Outlet a few blocks north of the park on Hwy. 301.

Camp Bayou on 24th Street SE in Ruskin is a great learning center for people of all ages. It is well organized with field trips, history lessons and many outdoor events. Dolly Cummings, Fred Jacobsen, John Fischer, and Becky Stafford, are a few of the ­dedicated people that spend many hours there.

Apollo Beach has a community beach on the northwest side of the boulevard. It is a place for family gatherings, even weddings, a place to relax and watch the beautiful sunsets over Tampa Bay. It’s a great place to teach your children to fish. They also have a tennis and racquet club, offering a summer program for adults and children and a County Park and playground.

For those who prefer an outdoor spot more comfortable than a park or beach, try the drive-in ­theatre in Ruskin, which shows top-­rated movies. It is one of the few ­remaining drive-in movie theatres and what a treat for a child that has never been to one.

Downtown Ruskin on West 1st Street has a park named Common­good. The park has a fishing pier large enough to accommodate a whole family. It also has a picnic area, but no bathrooms.

Sun City has a park on Hwy. 41 called Heritage Park on the Little Manatee River and it is an ideal fishing spot. It also has ­picnic tables and plenty of parking. Sun City is just over the Hwy. 41 bridge, south of Ruskin.

The ever-popular Williams Park is an ideal spot to anchor your boat. Many are leaving their boats anchored in a safe harbor at the park. The park is located north of Gibsonton by the chemical plant, off Hwy. 41.

If you plan to travel out of this area, you can go a short distance north to Tampa to Hillsborough State Park, which has much to ­offer the outdoors family. It has trails to hike, swimming spots, good fishing, an ideal place to spend a few days.

The St. Petersburg area and its numerous beaches, across the bay is a gas saver vacation, boasting a multitude of activities for the ­angler, swimmer and sightseekers.

South of the SouthShore area are a multitude of vacation areas, with Long Boat Key my favorite. Bradenton Beach is just a stone’s throw away from us, and Sarasota has much to offer.

You could have a great ­summer, saving money, gas, but having a wonderful summer. This is the time for outdoor cooking, and I found a place in our area -- Fisherman’s One Stop in Gibsonton -- that ­carries ­oysters from Apalachacola and Key West shrimp. Larry Wilson says it is amazing how fast he sells out. Oysters come in $20 and $30 boxes and the shrimp sell for $10. You will find frozen products on the porch in glass door freezers at Fisherman’s One Stop.

Fishing has been great in our area. I heard from some that “It is too hot to go fishing.” I saw some good redfish catches, and those fishing the pier were landing trout and sheepshead.

Bass catches in the upper freshwater of the Little Manatee and Alafia Rivers have been great. The tarpon tournament across the bay was a great success.

Take your family fishing. The family that fishes together, stays together.

 -- Aleta Jonie Maschek is a ­member of Florida Outdoor Press­.

Dianna and her dad, Joe Jennings, who teaches at a college in Tampa, took time off to go fishing. They show their redfish catch of 7½ lbs. at Fisherman’s One Stop.

© Copyright 2008 by The Observer News Publications and M&M Printing Company, Inc.

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