here’s abundant evidence a pass existed in this area for hundreds of years… perhaps for as long as the barrier islands! Native American Indians made their home in the Spanish Point area as evidenced by the shell mounds, burial grounds and even a fish holding pond! They would surely have settled by an active inlet for easy access to and from the Gulf of Mexico. Same for the commercial fishing industry which was originally based in the Vamo area of Sarasota County. Then there’s the Bird Islands which were likely formed from the flood tidal delta of an active inlet… following hundreds of years of sand accumulation. ---- National Marine Engineers Beneficial