Enjoy the outdoors, go fishing
For many years, weekend anglers drove past their favorite fishing hole on their way to and from work and dreamed of a time when they could go fishing every day. Retiring to Southwest Florida, many have realized this dream and among the best locations for wetting a line is the waters that surround Pine Island.
Head to the south end of the island and try your luck for a grouper dinner from the waters of San Carlos Bay. Going to the north of the island, Charlotte Harbor is a haven to such species as snook, cobia and gigantic tarp. Or go east and drop a line into Matlacha Pass and you could be surprised with any number of fish species.
Whatever the anglers desire in the form of saltwater fishing, it can certainly be found here and the opportunities are seemingly limitless.
Fishing the shoreline from Pine Island however, can present its challenges but it’s not impossible. For those who prefer this kind of challenge, at the furthest point on the northern end of the island in Bokeelia, fishermen will find a dock that extends an ample distance from shore, putting the anglers closer to the fish. For a small fee, you can spend the day in search of a variety of fish worthy of the frying pan.
In St. James City, at the southern end of the island, one of the best opportunities for shoreline fishing is the small bridge that leads travelers into St. James proper. You can fish either side of the bridge for snappers, sheephead, trout and the occasional snook.
While Matlacha is home to the “world’s most fishingest bridge,” the span is currently under construction, so fishing has become somewhat restricted. However, there are several other places to cast a line in the small artists’ village. Just a short distance from the drawbridge is a smaller stationary bridge near the Olde Fish House Marina and further west, just before exiting Matlacha is yet another small bridge. Fishing from either side of these bridges has found anglers with a creel full in no time at all.
For those who like to get a little further out over the water, the Matlacha Community Park offers a fishing pier. Here parking and use of the pier is free of charge and it is not unusual to spot the occasional manatee or dolphin when fishing this picturesque location.
For those who would rather spend their time chasing the fish on the water, several of the bait shops can assist with suggested locations. Many of the shops will offer either boats or kayak day rentals, can offer information about what is biting and what they are biting on, where to concentrate your efforts or recommend a licensed professional fishing guide.
Among businesses that provide kayak rentals are Knoll’s Court 283-0616 and Gulf Coast Kayaks 283-1125 both in Matlacha.
One of the most certain ways to almost guarantee a good day on the water is to hire a professional guide. Here, too, Pine Island is home to several licensed professionals. Island charter captains, many of which have been fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico since childhood, include Capt. Dick May of Easy Rider Charters 283-3247, Capt. Frank Vollmar 283-3642 and Capt. Bill Russell 283-283-7960 to name a few.
One of the best resources for charter information are the area marinas and bait shops as they will have a complete listing of charter services and can hook you up with the person who specializes in the species you wish to pursue.