Jellyfish like creature floating on or just under surface of water?

I was in florida just off of sunshine skyway near st petersburg, kiteboarding. Noticed clear jellyfish like cfeatures floating on or near the surface of the water. They were clear with a shiny coating, I picked one up with a stick and it fell apart after being out of the water for a few seconds. It was a jelly sort of material and dried up to be stronger jelly. What is this thing? I found at least 30 floating near me but were not found within 15 feet of the shore, they were more around 30 feet out.