Close your eyes and picture a tropical fishing paradise. Do you see crystal clear blue-green water and endless white-sand beaches? Smell the salt on the sea breeze and feel the sun warming your tender skin? A fish splashes—is it a snook, redfish, speckled trout or tarpon? Now open your eyes. This picture postcard destination is closer than you think. Sanibel Island, Florida, is just across the bridge from the mainland making it easy to access for anglers and beach lovers.
Sanibel Island, Florida: The Perfect Mix of Peace and Fishing Adventure
Game Plan
The best fishing for redfish and speckled trout is around shallow mangroves and sandy shorelines near grass flats, particularly in the fall and winter. Snook haunt the dock pilings and mangroves year-round, but some of the best action comes in spring and summer along the beach within casting distance of shore. To tackle tarpon, head to the passes and inlets during the annual migration.
Season
Winter is the slowest fishing season but the cold months can be the best for speckled trout. Starting in March, snook stack up in the passes and along the beaches. In April, the tarpon migration kicks off with giant silver kings piling into every pass between Cayo Costa and Sanibel. Through summer and fall, the redfish and snook bite continues to improve in the mangroves and on the flats.
Rigged Up
A seven-foot medium spinning rod and a 3000 reel covers snook and redfish. To finesse speckled trout, size down to a medium-light spinning rod and 2500 size reel. In the warmer months, topwater fishing with walking plugs is one of the most exciting ways to chase trout, redfish and snook. To target snook, a ⅛- to ¼-ounce white bucktail jig is a tried and true classic. For wary fish in the shallows, I use a slower presentation like a D.O.A. Shrimp. To tackle tarpon, bump up to an eight-foot, medium-heavy to heavy rod and 5000 size reel. Swimbaits and jigs catch their fair share of tarpon, but nothing beats a live pass crab on a 5/0 hook under a float.
Kayak Gear
To fish the sheltered shallows behind the islands, choose a stable and comfortable kayak. Stability helps with sight fishing and comfort extends fishing time through a long day in the hot sun. Likewise, a pedal powered boat increases range to cover miles of flats and mangroves. Don’t forget about space for a cooler to store fish for dinner.
Outfitters
Anderson’s Bait and Tackle is a modest outfitter but well known by the locals as a one-stop shop. Despite its simple appearance, Anderson’s has the best selection of gear at the best price and they are one of the few shops that repairs rods and reels in-house. What really sets Anderson’s apart is the dedicated and knowledgeable staff who are always willing to share local tips.
Where to Stay
Sanibel is a tourist destination so there are options for high-end luxury accommodations or down-and-dirty island camping. South Seas on Captiva is famous for its upscale setting and quality stay. In addition to the bougie setting, South Seas offers excellent access to exceptional fishing on the northern end of Captiva Island.
Camping at Cayo Costa State Park provides the perfect jumping-off point for the best kayak fishing in the area. Just roll out of the tent and hop into the kayak for direct access to the most productive waters. Don’t forget the bug spray.
Where to Eat
The Bubble Room Restaurant on Captiva Island has been featured in dining and travel shows as well as movies like Problem Child. The restaurant is famous for its exceptional cakes; the massive red velvet cake, orange crunch and Jamaican rum cake bring dessert lovers from far and wide…