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Author Topic:   Destinations Near Boca Grande, Sanibel

mtwilling posted 05-30-2010 08:06 AM ET (US)
I am heading to southwest Florida in a few days with the Whaler in tow and staying in the Sanibel, South Captiva, and North Captiva Island area. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on good areas for snorkeling and shelling for the kids, inshore or nearshore fishing advice, and ideas for good or unique waterfront restaurants that we could boat to. Thanks!
jimh posted 05-30-2010 09:27 AM ET (US)
A very popular spot is Cabbage Key:
http://www.cabbagekey.com/home/
Jamber posted 05-30-2010 12:39 PM ET (US)
I will second Cabbage Key!
It has been about 6 years since we have been up there, but we found the best snorkeling and shelling is on the Gulf side of North Captiva as only accessible by boat (lees people). This time of the year is best for water clarity (just the for rainy season). So if you can get a few calm days, snorkeling right off the beach is pretty good.
Also restaurants we have been to and have enjoyed...
http://www.waterfrontrestaurant.com/
(avoid at low tides as it can be tricky to get in/out the channel)
Check tides here: [urlhttp://www.rodnreeltides.com/LocationSelect.asp[/url]
http://www.sanibelmarina.com/gramma.html
http://www.tween-waters.com
At Tween Waters you can dock for the day, use their pool and eat poolside or one of their other upscale restaurants. We stayed here for part of our honeymoon.

Have fun! It is beautiful this time of year down here now!

Jamber posted 05-30-2010 12:40 PM ET (US)
Fix tide table link:
http://www.rodnreeltides.com/LocationSelect.asp
jimh posted 05-30-2010 01:47 PM ET (US)
If my memory is correct, on the south end of Punta Blanca Island there is a well protected natural harbor. During World War Two, I believe there was a military base there which was used for PT-boat training. Many years ago we tried to go into that area, but we ran aground with our six-foot draft sailboat.
Now, with GOOGLE EARTH photography, it is easy to see where the channel is located. When were there we did not have the benefit of aerial photography or any channel markers. We were lucky to free our boat from the grasp of the bottom, and we abandoned our exploration on the falling tide and approaching rain front. Also from GOOGLE EARTH it looks like little remains of anything from c.1944, so there may be nothing to see or any point to going there, other than a nice spot to anchor out of the traffic of the Atlantic Intracoastal Water Way.
jimh posted 05-30-2010 02:11 PM ET (US)
Here is good account of a trip through the Pine Island Sound area in a small boat:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/outings/florida/index.htm
fishgutz posted 05-30-2010 02:42 PM ET (US)
Fishing Sanibel:
Go to the Sanibel bridge section closest to the island on the gulf side, from the center of that bridge section about 50 to 100 feet out from the first or second piling west of the center to the causeway island, fish with squid, pilchards or live shrimp for good eating fish like grouper, cobia, or gaff topsails. Occasional shark or tarpon, too. I like grouper and gaff topsails best.
GPS coords are "about"
26degrees 27.561 N and 82degrees 2.018 W.
to about
26 27.701 N and 82 1.946 W
Got that off Google Earth so it won't be accurate as I couldn't see where the middle of the bridge really was.
I haven't fished there in several years but it has always been real good in the past. You could easily fill the livewell.
Oh, for the kids: a small shrimp on a hook with some weight, fish right under the boat maybe 5-10 feet down for yellow tails. (I think that's what we called them). They'll have plenty to keep them busy. They school and lots of times you'll get a couple on at the same time.
I'm sure there are lots of other good spots. That is the one I'm most familiar with and it has always produced well. Lots to look at and some boat traffic to cut any boredom.
mtwilling posted 05-30-2010 09:44 PM ET (US)
Fishgutz, I read that a new Sanibel bridge recently opened. Does your fishing advice relate to the new bridge or the old one? Nonetheless, this sounds very helpful. Thanks.
fishgutz posted 05-30-2010 10:47 PM ET (US)
There are three bridges in a row going out to Sanibel. They redid the first one and repaved the rest. Where I'm talking about is the last bridge going out to the island. Nothing has really changed there.

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Author	Topic: Destinations Near Boca Grande, Sanibel
mtwilling	posted 05-30-2010 08:06 AM ET (US) I am heading to southwest Florida in a few days with the Whaler in tow and staying in the Sanibel, South Captiva, and North Captiva Island area. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on good areas for snorkeling and shelling for the kids, inshore or nearshore fishing advice, and ideas for good or unique waterfront restaurants that we could boat to. Thanks!
jimh	posted 05-30-2010 09:27 AM ET (US) A very popular spot is Cabbage Key: http://www.cabbagekey.com/home/
Jamber	posted 05-30-2010 12:39 PM ET (US) I will second Cabbage Key! It has been about 6 years since we have been up there, but we found the best snorkeling and shelling is on the Gulf side of North Captiva as only accessible by boat (lees people). This time of the year is best for water clarity (just the for rainy season). So if you can get a few calm days, snorkeling right off the beach is pretty good. Also restaurants we have been to and have enjoyed... http://www.waterfrontrestaurant.com/ (avoid at low tides as it can be tricky to get in/out the channel) Check tides here: [urlhttp://www.rodnreeltides.com/LocationSelect.asp[/url] http://www.sanibelmarina.com/gramma.html http://www.tween-waters.com At Tween Waters you can dock for the day, use their pool and eat poolside or one of their other upscale restaurants. We stayed here for part of our honeymoon. Have fun! It is beautiful this time of year down here now!
Jamber	posted 05-30-2010 12:40 PM ET (US) Fix tide table link: http://www.rodnreeltides.com/LocationSelect.asp
jimh	posted 05-30-2010 01:47 PM ET (US) If my memory is correct, on the south end of Punta Blanca Island there is a well protected natural harbor. During World War Two, I believe there was a military base there which was used for PT-boat training. Many years ago we tried to go into that area, but we ran aground with our six-foot draft sailboat. Now, with GOOGLE EARTH photography, it is easy to see where the channel is located. When were there we did not have the benefit of aerial photography or any channel markers. We were lucky to free our boat from the grasp of the bottom, and we abandoned our exploration on the falling tide and approaching rain front. Also from GOOGLE EARTH it looks like little remains of anything from c.1944, so there may be nothing to see or any point to going there, other than a nice spot to anchor out of the traffic of the Atlantic Intracoastal Water Way.
jimh	posted 05-30-2010 02:11 PM ET (US) Here is good account of a trip through the Pine Island Sound area in a small boat: http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/outings/florida/index.htm
fishgutz	posted 05-30-2010 02:42 PM ET (US) Fishing Sanibel: Go to the Sanibel bridge section closest to the island on the gulf side, from the center of that bridge section about 50 to 100 feet out from the first or second piling west of the center to the causeway island, fish with squid, pilchards or live shrimp for good eating fish like grouper, cobia, or gaff topsails. Occasional shark or tarpon, too. I like grouper and gaff topsails best. GPS coords are "about" 26degrees 27.561 N and 82degrees 2.018 W. to about 26 27.701 N and 82 1.946 W Got that off Google Earth so it won't be accurate as I couldn't see where the middle of the bridge really was. I haven't fished there in several years but it has always been real good in the past. You could easily fill the livewell. Oh, for the kids: a small shrimp on a hook with some weight, fish right under the boat maybe 5-10 feet down for yellow tails. (I think that's what we called them). They'll have plenty to keep them busy. They school and lots of times you'll get a couple on at the same time. I'm sure there are lots of other good spots. That is the one I'm most familiar with and it has always produced well. Lots to look at and some boat traffic to cut any boredom.
mtwilling	posted 05-30-2010 09:44 PM ET (US) Fishgutz, I read that a new Sanibel bridge recently opened. Does your fishing advice relate to the new bridge or the old one? Nonetheless, this sounds very helpful. Thanks.
fishgutz	posted 05-30-2010 10:47 PM ET (US) There are three bridges in a row going out to Sanibel. They redid the first one and repaved the rest. Where I'm talking about is the last bridge going out to the island. Nothing has really changed there.