Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound include 750,000 acres of estuary, making it a favorite destination. Fishermen favor the harbor’s pristine bays and mangrove islands, the Peace River and Myakka River, and the hundreds of creeks, canals, tributaries and lakes.
Bank fishing opportunities abound in Charlotte County’s man-made Webb Lake. Top water lures, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms are used to catch largemouth bass, while bluegill are hooked using crickets and red wigglers. Vegetation attracts redear sunfish and bluegill, which spawn until the end of summer. Tilapia and catfish are caught using pieces of hotdog. Occasionally, snook up to 15 pounds are found in Webb Lake, but be sure to follow general snook regulations.
The slow-moving, 100-mile Peace River is known for excellent canoeing, with plenty of deep holes perfect for fishing. Bass and catfish are found in these deep holes, as are snook, while they migrate from the Gulf waters through Charlotte Harbor. The lower Peace River yields high quantities
of tarpon.
Hendry County
Bordering Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee waterway, Hendry County is famous for great fishing and wildlife viewing.
Clewiston features plenty of private marinas and public launching ramps on Lake Okeechobee, known for its high quantity of bass, bluegill and crappie. LaBelle sits on the Caloosahatchee River, where bass are hooked near aquatic vegetation using crankbaits.
Sarasota & Manatee counties
The Myakka River’s wild and
scenic environment has good bass and panfish action. Myakka River is accessed from Myakka River State Park and several other ramps downstream. The state park’s covered pier is handicap accessible. Panfish, largemouth bass and catfish is caught in the river throughout the year, while the best time for snook, which can be found in the lower river, is fall and winter.
Bream, catfish, snook and largemouth bass are plentiful in Manatee River. Those species plus catfish, crappie and sunshine bass are found in the 2,500-acre Lake Manatee.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island offers some of the finest fishing in the state. Warm water and mangrove covering attract a high number of snook. Snapper and sea trout hide among the mangrove’s extensive root system, so drop a careful line near the tangled mangrove trees. Use live sardines, shrimp and pinfish to catch these game fish. Tailing redfish and tarpon are found in Sanibel’s many inlets.
Coquina shelves off the coast provide a great environment for black and red grouper. Tripletail, king mackerel, jack crevalle, shark, cobia and many more species of fish can be found in the relatively shallow offshore waters.
Naples
The large permit can reach a size of 25 pounds, and puts up a furious fight when hooked. Many fishing enthusiasts regard the permit as the hardest fighting fish in the sea. Naples’s warm waters are a great place to find this fun fish, which can take 150 yards of line to reel in. Fiddler crabs, pinfish, shrimp and artificial lures work well to catch permit.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish and king mackerel are found while trolling around Naples. Look for wahoo offshore, in waters more than 100 feet deep. During the winter months, wahoo travel south in search of warmer waters, and congregate near reefs, wrecks and other structures.
Naples’ hidden treasure, fly fishing, isn’t so much a secret anymore. Fly fishing is not limited to freshwater rivers, creeks and lakes. The local estuaries, creeks and bays are loaded with many varieties of game fish. These fly fishing opportunities exist year-round; whatever the season or month, there are several species ready to attack the fly and show their speed
and endurance.
Marco Island
Backwater fishing is a specialty among the mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands. Fishermen enjoy backwater fishing, offshore fishing, shelling and sightseeing.
Marco Island, the largest island in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, is one of Southwest Florida’s best fishing spots. The islands, bays and channels interconnect, providing a wonderfully intricate habitat. Crab and shrimp are great baits for the area’s numerous species of fish, including tarpon, snook, snapper, pompano, goliath grouper, mackerel, shark and sea trout.
Sarasota
Inshore fishing in Sarasota is very productive, yielding trophy snook, redfish and trout. As water temperatures begin to rise in spring, snook are found in waters near Sarasota. Look for them near the edges of creeks and rivers, using baits of minnows, sardines and shrimp. This same time of year is a good time to find sea trout, pompano, redfish, cobia and tarpon using small, live crabs, shrimp and the occasional artificial lure.
