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Fish abundant in Sanibel/Captiva
waters
 The pristine waters
surrounding Sanibel and Captiva Islands provide excellent opportunities for
fishermen of all skill levels…from the novice to the World Record seeker.
OFFSHORE: The Gulf of
Mexico is a shallow body of water meaning anglers can be 20 to 30 miles
offshore and be in only 50 to 75 feet of water. No coral reefs here but
numerous artificial reefs and wrecks for good fishing and diving. Hard
bottom (coquina shelves) offers some of the finest grouper fishing in the
state – black grouper (gag) and red grouper. Other offshore species include
shark, tripletail, tarpon, cobia, spanish mackerel, king mackerel,
barracuda, jack crevalle, amberjack, permit and numerous kinds of snapper.
Fishing, snorkeling and
scuba dive charters and instruction are available with local professional
guides. Check out http://www.lee-county.com/naturalresources/artreef.htm for
reef and wreck locations.
INSHORE / BACK BAY FISHING: Sanibel and Captiva Islands area offers prime
fishing for many species including the much sought after snook, redfish, sea
trout and tarpon.
SNOOK: Because the habitat around our islands contains numerous inlet river
mouths, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines, there is an abundant snook
fishery here…12 months a year.
REDFISH: Our islands have one of the healthiest, largest redfish populations
in the State of Florida. Picture the excitement of sight casting to a
“tailing” redfish in crystal clear, shallow water or pulling a hefty redfish
out from the mangrove shoreline.
SEATROUT: Seatrout are becoming more plentiful as well as larger due to good
fishery management. With more fish and larger fish, the sea trout is gaining
a healthy respect as highly sought after saltwater gamester.
TARPON: Tarpon fishing is so spectacular around Captiva and Sanibel Islands,
it deserves its own write-up. This area is the cradle of tarpon fishing. The
first tarpon caught on rod and reel was in 1885 by W.H. Wood using bait and
thumb stall reel with linen line right here on Sanibel Island in Tarpon Bay.
The annual migration of tarpon starts around mid-April and goes well into
the month of July.
Tarpon fishing in famous Boca Grande Pass (known as the World Capital of
Tarpon Fishing) with professional captains is usually drift fishing in large
boats using at least 50# tackle.
The fleet of Sanibel professional fishing guides fish primarily off the east
end of Sanibel offshore, anchored up, chumming and use light to heavier
tackle.
For the light tackle and fly fisherman, professional tarpon guides use
skiffs from 16 feet to 23 feet cruise the beaches and back bay areas in hot
pursuit of the migrating fish.
This area offers the ultimate in tarpon fishing…so many casts, so many
opportunities.
FLY FISHING: Sanibel and Captiva Islands is a place where anglers enjoy
saltwater fly fishing at its finest. Experienced fly rodders fish this area
every month of the year because of the abundance of fish and the unsurpassed
sight casting opportunities. Fly fishermen making the transition from
freshwater to the salt may want to take advantage of the local Professional
Fishing Guides skilled in the art of teaching.
Picture casting to a redfish tailing up over the shallow water flats and
watch it charge and eat the fly. Or, seatrout often in the two to four pound
range as it straightens out a fly line. Or, a snook strike a fly so
violently that the hookup is almost instant and runs with incredible speed
interrupted only by its acrobatic jumps. Or, picture this: a 100 pound
tarpon following the fly with its huge bucket mouth open, see the fly
disappear into its mouth, and as it turns off with such force and speed it
starts going into uncontrollable jumps. This makes tarpon on fly the
ultimate challenge.
There are numerous other species that can be pursued on fly whether inshore
or offshore: ladyfish, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel, kingfish, barracuda,
cobia, permit, pompano, flounder, snappers, shark, etc.
FISHING WITHOUT A BOAT: Off the beaches: The causeway beaches, the beaches
near the Lighthouse end of the island, Bowman’s Beach and the beaches off
West Gulf Drive are areas to fish in shallow water with light tackle using
live bait, artificial lures or fly rods. Early morning or late afternoon,
anglers can walk the beaches and cast to snook, sea trout, whiting,
sheepshead, flounder, mackerel or pompano.
Fishing pier: Fishing from the pier, or just alongside it, offers catches of
redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper and other species. Fishing
on the pier usually requires heavier tackle.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: good fishing along Wildlife
Drive for mangrove snapper, seatrout, redfish, snook and sometimes baby
tarpon.
RENTALS: Marinas on the
islands rent boats, canoes and kayaks. Marina personnel give quick lessons
on boat handling and charts for the area for those who want to adventure on
their own.
Tour boats and some professional fishing guides offer charters for:
shelling, sightseeing, lunch, birding, eco / nature, or photography. Some
guides are Certified Master Naturalists. Snorkeling and SCUBA dive charters
and instructors are available in this area. Also, fishing charters for the
disabled are available.
FISHING LICENSE INFO: Fishing: Most residents and visitors must purchase
licenses for fishing in salt or fresh water. You can purchase a license at
The Bait Box on Periwinkle Way; at Bailey' Center at the corner of Tarpon
Bay Road and Periwinkle Way; at Tarpon Bay Recreation; at Jensen's Marina;
and at all the marinas. Rules and regulations on size and bag limits plus
open and closed seasons change. Most bait stores distribute free lists
published by the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission. You do not need a
license if you are: under 16; over age 65 and a Florida resident; a Florida
resident fishing in salt water from a dock, bridge, jetty, pier or other
structure connected to land; or fishing from a boat covered by a Vessel
Saltwater Fishing License. The Tax Collector's office and bait shops list
criteria for residency. |
