This comes after a deal by the state and Manatee County to buy the island fell apart.
Original Air Date: December 10, 2025
Host: One of the largest swathes of natural coastline in Manatee County has just changed hands. Rattlesnake Key, a 720-acre island abutting Tampa Bay has been the object of desire for conservationists for decades. Now that it’s been sold to a private company, its future is up in the air. Bryce Claypoole has this report.
Scott Moore: It’s a fish-producing area, it’s a massive bird area—rookery area. The shoreline there is some of the most beautiful agatized bottom coral, all along there is a beautiful bank. That’s probably one of the best shallow water tarpon fishing, all kinds of fish. Then on the bay side, of course, you have the grass flats.…