One place we have launched recently is the area around Peekin’s Cove, just south of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier. Gasparilla Pass keeps the water here moving with substantial tidal flows, and the grasses in this area are a treat for sore eyes too long focused on brown algae. Waving green turtle grass growing from bright sand is a sure sign of good water.
Good water often means good fishing, so we figures this would be an ideal spot to try. We were there on a busy day due to the huge concert on the sandbar along the causeway leading to Boca Grande. Here’s where we paddled and fished.
Our first few casts along the mangroves south of the launch produced snook for each of us to start the day. That’s one of the reasons we like this spot: The fishing starts right at the launch, as your first few paddle strokes put you into fishy spots.
Launching at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier opens up a real smorgasbord of opportunity for kayak anglers. To the north, past the fishing pier, the deep channel through Gasparilla Pass leads out to the Gulf. To the northeast, the old railroad trestle has enough fish-holding structure to keep anyone busy all day.