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I apologize for this post being way off topic for this forum.
Anyway, I’m heading to Sanibel Island next week with my wife and I’d like to do some fishing while I’m there. Also might head out to the Everglades for a day or so. Anyone done some fishing in those areas? Fresh or salt water? I’m not taking any gear so we’d need to rent. Options would be an outfitter for a half day either fresh or salt water or just rent a rod and do some surf casting.
I've fished a lot up near Tampa / St Pete / Sarasota... but not as far south as you are going. Should be plenty of snook, some reds, lady fish, Jacks and this time of year cobia as well... If it's in the budget, the idea of a local guide for half a day makes sense. All the gear, and no time spent looking for fish which is nice when on a small time schedule.
Yeah, I'm leaning towards a guide. I saw a couple places that were 4 hour trip for two for about $400. I used all my JetBlue miles from work to fly us down there so maybe I'll spring for that. $400 covers gear, a guide and licenses so that may be the way to go especially since I don't know the area.
Funny you say that! I will be in Sanibel in April and recently posted the same question on some fishing forums. No response. Please let me know what you find!
Les's Link
Awesome Ungie! I'm leaning heavily towards a guide. I found a lot of possibilities on this site. Just unsure of Internet reviews and such:
I've fished the Everglades with a couple if guides for years. William Faulkner, Gulf Coast Guide Services, is my favorite. Spin or fly. https://www.gulfcoastguideservices.com/
He's heavily booked, but if you end him email he may have an open day or two. He's also who I trust for recommendations if he isn't available.
It's one of my favorite places on earth to fish - the Everglades backcountry is amazing.
Thanks LR, I’ll check him out!
I usually fish the east coast. Sebastian Inlet. World class fishing.
I booked a peacock bass trip in April for my son. Looking forward to this trip.
Les,
I fished down by Naples in brackish water many years ago. I was fortunate to have a friend of a friend that took me out; kind of like the half day local guide suggestion above. That is definitely the way to go for the reasons stated above. We jigged and fly fished and caught reds, jacks, and I can't remember what else. It was a blast!
I hope you have a great trip!
Eric
35 pound Cobia
35 pound Cobia
King Mackeral
King Mackeral
I was in Hollywood Fla the first week of 2020. We fished outside of the Haulover. We caught Kings,Bonito,Spanish Mackerel,Cobia, barracuda and a few others . We caught two seagulls in the mix. The Cobia came out of 110 feet and fed the whole condo complex. Fished out of a small charter on a 27 foot Boston Whaler with a couple of 300 mercs hanging off the transom. If you want to go out with this guy its 600.00 for a half day all inclusive. https://backformorefishingcharters.com/
Les's Link
Just wanted to follow up on this, check out the link, my wife and I went out for four hours with Captain Anthony out of Captiva. Started off a little slow with some undersized sheepshead but picked up quite a bit at the second spot where we managed to pull in some decent snook, ladyfish and a ton of Jack. My wife complained her wrist was getting tired! It was our first time hiring a guide so we weren’t sure what to expect but the guide was great, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The boat was in great shape and very clean. He did a great job making sure we were having fun.
If anyone has the chance to hire this guide you’ll have a great time.
Where did you go out from? looks like you had a great day.
Les, I am playing phone tag w/ Captain Anthony... I'm gonna try to get a morning slot with him the week I'm there for whatever is biting!
Thanks
SloMo he picked us up in Captiva.
That’s cool Ungie, tell him I sent ya! Show him this pic he’ll remember us. My wife and I kept trying to land two fish at the same time for a pic and he had a good laugh when my wife pulled up a toad and I reeled in his little sister.