Captiva Island is fisherman’s paradise. The pristine water that surrounds the island offer excellent fishing opportunities to new and seasoned fishermen. Fishes ranging from light tackle delights to tackle busting pelagic perfect for grilling are found all around the year.
If you plan to visit then make sure to seek a suitable Captiva Island rentals. Even make sure to find out if they organize fishing boat tours or if you are new, do they provide lessons to fish like locals. You can enjoy fishing in different ways –
Offshore fishing
Gulf of Mexico is shallow allowing anglers be in 50 – 75 feet water from 20 – 30 miles offshore. No coral reefs are seen but many ship wrecks and artificial reefs offer great diving and fishing opportunities. Water within land sights from where fishing activities occur have species like snook, tarpon, snapper, redfish, tripletail, gruts, shark, pompano and grouper to catch.
Offshore fishermen can encounter large pelagic species like King Mackerel, Goliath Grouper and variety of sharks. The offshore fishing guide has to hold a license to access federal permit for fishing beyond 9 miles from the beach.
Inshore or back bay fishing
Due to suitable habitat the island contains many inlet river mouths, mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Therefore, there are abundance of redfish, sea trout and snook species found here. Captiva is also a great area for tarpon fishing.
Fly fishing
On the fly many fish species can be pursued including ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, Jack crevalle, pompano, shark, etc. anglers enjoy fly fishing on saltwater because fish are found in abundance. Imagine sea trout or snook strike to eat the fly and hookup. Tarpon goes in an uncontrollable jump as the fly disappears in its mouth. It is very challenging.
Fishing without boat
Vehicles can be parked easily at the parking lot close to beaches, so even if you are a handicap fishing from the beach is possible with surfcasting rods. Sometimes pompano, trout, or redfish swim close to shores. If you are fortunate than your rod can even hook a tarpon.
Boats can be rented on the island. There are experts that give rapid lessons to adventurous ones on how to handle the boat and chart the area. Make sure to buy fishing license even if you fish from the pier.
