My wife and I and 2 other couples(no kids) are interested in taking a weeks vacation on the west coast of Florida in Jan/Feb. We want to combine several days of fishing with some in general beach vacationing for everyone. Thinking about dragging a boat so we can fish some on our own. We are interested in targeting trout, redfish, snook, and small tarpon(< 30#'s). Looking for any suggestions based on your past experience. I know Florida is an awful big place but thought there might be some experience on this forum to help with our search. Any help will be greatly appreciated…
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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We go down to Sanibel/Captiva area every year and I fish on my own with no problems. Sanibel has a ramp that has good access. Parking boats can be an issue but you can usually rent a spot at the Bait Box. On the Sanibel side, there are ample flats and fishing spots in the mangroves. I like the Ding Darling area. Trout and red fishing are great and we catch an occasional snook. If you want a bit more out of the way, you might consider Pine Island. It is more old Florida, still great fishing, a marinas with access on both sides, less dining and beach options. This year we are renting a small cabin at Cayo Costa State Park, no facilities, but you can take a boat over there from Pine Island and do a beach/fishing day. Be glad to help if you want to reach me. Been going every year for more than 20 years.
x2 on Sanibel. It’s a beautiful place. You can walk miles on the beach and finding seashells is the big thing there. Can’t add a lot to reeltherapy’s post b/c he covers almost everything I know.
There is a small T dock near the lighthouse on Sanibel that’s a great fishing spot. The folks at the bait box will set you up. They also sell live shrimp.
We paddled the yaks around Ding Darling and it’s all awesome!
Boca Grande would also be a good place for fishing and beaching and relaxing, as long as it’s not peak tarpon season.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Thanks for the responses…
Wife and I were talking about the Sanibel area just last night. Turns out she used to go there when she was a kid…I’m gonna start getting serious about making plans now.
First thing is get familiar with the area so I know what you guys are talking about…thanks again…
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
<’}}}><
We go to Venice Fl every year for a family reunion. Very quiet town just south of Sarasota. There is a launch literally 5 minutes to open water and the fishing there is great. Check out Quarterdeck Apartments and Yacht Club Apartments. The boat launch is accross the street from the condos. Both are on the beach(they dont face the beach but have private beach access)and are priced very reasonably. You also can’t beat the sunsets on the jetties.
Oh yea and its the shark tooth capital of the world…I think.
X3 on sanibel
We go every summer and the fishing is amazing right of the beach. We mainly target snook because the summer months are there spawning months and they are right on the beaches. You can literally buy 10 dozen shrimp and have a bite on every cast. When targeting big snook we use the shrimp to catch whiting, lady fish, or yellow tail jacks and use them live to catch the big snook. We always stay at Oceans Reach and you are no joke 20 steps to the sand!!! Defiantly worth a trip down there but I have never been down during January or February. X2 on ding darling. You can rent kayaks or a trolling motor powered fishing canoe. Great fishing in those estuaries. Here is a little snook I caught last year.
Reeltherapy, PM sent…
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
<’}}}><