sanibel/captiva early may

[ihatework]

I also posted this in the florida forum but I figured to give it a shot here too. My freind and I are headed down to captiva/sanibel next week to do some fishing and hopefully some catching. We are staying on the bay side of captiva and will have kayaks. we have a guide for the day. Any tips/advice would be much appreciated. Did some searches and really appreciate some of the info I have found here. Thank, Sam, alias Ihatework

[captmike84]

there are a lot of options down there. I used to go down in March a lot so I don't know a ton about what's going on now. I believe there should be some good tarpon fishing pretty soon. In the inlet I believe although I'm not sure you would want to be in there in a kayak. If you wanna catch some food fish there are tons of sheepshead and mangrove snappers around docks and other structure. Live shrimp or shrimp flies will work. A kayak would be great for exploring the mangroves for snook.

[McMinn]

Sam

I think that you and your friend will have a big time in Florida. I hope that you'll send us all a report when you get back. You mention that you'll have a guide and that you'll have access to kayaks. Will this be a skiff guided trip or a kayak guided trip. Both are offered in the region and although both can be great you'll have some different experiences.

Hopefully you are out with the guide early during your stay in FL as the guide will be able to show you lots of places that you can do well on your own. Here are a couple of suggestions for you to consider.

The back side of Captiva has access to Pine Is. Sd with more wonderful mangrove backcountry than you could explore in many weeks. I've found nice redfish around Buck Key which is an easy paddle (south) from where you will be. Farther south you'll find deeper back country available in the Ding Darling NWR and Hardworking Bayou. I've had good fly fishing in both places. If you can transport (drive) the kayaks there are launch sites in the NWR that will save you some paddling.

The pass by the Sanibel Causeway is very wide and pulls a lot of water. I've only fished it a couple of times, but had good luck both times. There is access to LOTS of firm wadeable flats or if you head inshore you have great backcountry fishing. I particularly enjoy the snook and redfishing there, but the trout fishing on the grass flats can be great. Though small, they are aggressive and if you are so inclined, tasty.

A non-kayak option is to fish the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. Get up early and beat the swimmers. You'll see snook and jacks primarily.

Good luck,
John