Sanibel Suggestions

[sagamoron]

Head to Sanibel last for week in Oct for week. Never fished the area, actually I've never even been there. I am looking for some info on beach fishing, flies to tie and light tackle rubber/plastics if the wind kicks up on me. also wondering if renting a kayak and crusing through the Ding Darling area is worth while. Thanks for any info.

[widdoes]

While you may get a couple replies at reel time, I suggest you ask your question on the Florida sportsman board (SW Florida) http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain?id=1 . They were helpful to me on a trip to Boca Grande.
In general, I'd say that you will have lots of opportunities for snook, trout, redfish, jacks, ladyfish and various others.
Good luck and let us know how you did (take pics if possible).
-Wild John

[flynny]

I've been to Captiva twice (it's just north of Sanibel). I would definitely recommend taking out a kayak...you can rent them at Ding darling. We rented from a small outfit in Captiva which unfortunately probably isn't in business anymore due to the hurricanes a few years ago, which destroyed much of Captiva.

We didn't fish on the kayaks, but the wildlife was amazing. Dolphins, manatees, birds, and plenty of big fish splashing about.

On the charter, we fished for red drums tight to the mangroves using shrimp, then we went out and fished the bay for sea trout, larger reds, lady fish, and mackeral. Not sure what the season is for bones, snook, and tarpon.

[aws]

I usually go during late march to visit my grandma. She lives right on the other side of the bridge from sanibel. I've found the beaches off the bridge b/t the mainland and the island are decent for jacks. Some of the flats to your left before you reach the bridge have produced jacks, cobia, snook and trout for me, with a solid snubbing by what I believe were reds. Most of my snook have been caught in the mangroves on gurglers and large muddlers. On the flats I typically use striper flies such as decievers, clousers, sandeel imitations, which usually work well for jacks and other stufff out there. There is also an Orvis in a little shoping center on the left as you are driving out to the bridge, maybe 2 miles before you reach it. Run by a nice guy and I usually buy a few of his local patterns to exeriment with. He turned me on to the muddler, which has worked very well for me in the mangroves. I didn't care for fishing in Ding Darling, as it was full of tourons making casting difficult and annoying, but i did see some nice snook in some pretty thin water. If you could fish that area at dusk aftere folksw leave, it might be really hot. You can also rent kayaks on the bay side of the island, where I've heard the fishing is pretty good. Anyway, I'm sure the local guys can help you out more. Things could be completely different in Oct for all I know. I know as the water warms, the snook move out of the mangroves and cruise the beaches, but I'm not sure if that is case in Oct. I know there are spanish mack and albie shots to be had on the beaches at times, though watch out for shellers w/ your backcast. Good luck.
-aws

[saltydancindave]

Check with Lee Island Outfitters on Summerlin Road, Ft Myers . The local flyshop on the road to Sanibel. :cool: :cool: