For further research, I am interested to know who else has visited the south west Florida region and what were you fishing for?

Anyone tried their hand at the Boca Grande tarpon, or perhaps fly fished for them in Charlotte Harbour? How about the back bay snook, trout and redfish?

Any tips for local guides or beach fishing locations?

Thanks,

Paul

 

I'm lucky enough to have parents who have a condo in Naples. I usually go for two weeks in April. Lots of fun beach fishing when the wind is down or offshore, the weather hot and muggy, and lots of baitfish around. When all three of these conditions align you can sightfish and blind cast for snook, sea trout, spanish mack, jacks, the list goes on. You'll sometimes see a tarpon go by too but usually out of casting range.
I also fish the ponds and canals in the area for snook, bass and baby tarpon.
I don't usually fish the famous Tamiami highway canals, I've heard of folks having success there ie Lefty Kreh, Chico Fernandez, Ted Williams, etc. but that was quite a few years back. I think to have luck there you need to be out before dawn. Not very pleasant fishing that close to the road, cars ripping by behind you and crocs, snakes, fire ants and mosquitoes close by...
A fun thing to do is renting a canoe in Everglades City or Chokoloskee and fishing the everglades for snook, baby tarpon and a very healthy population of redfish. I prefer getting out at low tide and fishing the incoming, that has always been the most productive time for me. When the water reaches the mangroves you start to hear snook crashing bait, if you're lucky enough to get one of them you are in for a vicious take. Heres a good tip: You hear a snook crash bait inside of the mangroves, you cant get him on a baitfish pattern, try a popper, this might get him to come out of hiding to investigate.
Bring a gps and lots of water for one of these missions.
If you're not that adventurous hire a guide, Jeff Legutki and Kevin Mihailoff are both pros at finding fish in these parts. Laid up tarpon start appearing in late March. This is some of the toughest and most nerve wracking fishing you will ever do. You must present the fly on a dinner plate size area right in front of the tarpons nose. Most times you get one shot and then the fish spooks. 60-80 casts probably with wind, a huge fly, and weak knees to a giant tarpon. If you're looking to challenge yourself then a giant laid up tarpon in the Glades might just be the ticket!
I've never made it up to Boca Grande, watching the PTTS has really turned me off from going there. Its not really fly fishing friendly either. I also like solitude and am willing to trade the thousands of tarpon for a handful of them and some peace!

All in all the Southwest Florida is a fisherman's paradise,
Kevin