you to the Tarpon Lodge, which trans- ports guests back to the Florida of the 1950s and 60s with its remote location and zest for marine ambiance. The docks at the Tarpon Lodge are just steps away from the inn, and Pine Island Sound just beckons for explo- ration and fishing with a guide. History abounds in the Pineland section of Pine Island. Right across the street from the Tarpon Lodge is the Calusa Heritage Trail, where pre- Columbian Indian mounds are re- minders of the ancient Calusa civiliza- tion that dominated Southwest Florida for centuries. Perhaps the most innova-
Just a 30-minute paddle down a section of the Great Calusa Blueway out of Matlacha, the fishing on Indian Flats is tailor-made for kayakers.
tive design of the Calusa Indians was their extensive use of engineered canals to move shellfish and seafood across the islands of Southwest Florida. The Calusa once controlled all of south Florida and were masters of the natur- al resources in their environment. As late as 1867 the Calusa still thrived, but European disease, war and slavery eventually took its toll.
Once you’ve had your fill of local
history, you can always turn to the out- standing fishing out of the Tarpon Lodge which offers unparalleled oppor- tunity for a variety of species. General Manager Rob Wells III makes it clear which fish is his favorite target. “When the snook are biting you can see and hear the activity,” he says. “It is impossible to resist.”
Whether fishing at Bokeelia on the north end of Pine Island, or South at Matlacha, Capt. Josh Harvel of Yakin’ It Up kayak charters is a solid choice for a guide. Just a 30-minute paddle down a section of the Great Calusa Blueway out of Matlacha, the fishing on Indian Flats is tailor-made for kayakers. The shallow water is covered by tur- tle grass, except for the conspicuous sandy potholes which are fairly easy to spot using polarized sunglasses and
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are often prowled by snook. Armed with 7-foot medium action rods long enough to reach around the front of a kayak during a fish fight, artificial lures such as the Riptide Saltwater Lure prove productive not only for snook, but also the trout, jack crevalle and redfish that flourish in the area. The Tarpon Lodge boasts a four-star
restaurant and the chef and menu have a savory reputation. For starters, the Blue Crab and Roasted Corn Chowder has been selected as one of Southwest Florida’s “100 dishes to eat before you die.” The Pine Island Sound crab cakes and the sunset view of Pine Island Sound make for a mem- orable dining experience.
PUNTAGORDA
Visiting the Fish-Tale Marina in Fort Myers allows access to the backcountry fishing of Estero Bay for more snook, trout, reds and mangrove snapper. The marina also runs a four-hour dinner cruise each week to secluded Cabbage Key on a 45-foot boat for those looking for some R&R on the water.
Capt. Rob Modys (SoulMate Char-
ters.com) specializes in light spin-tack- le fishing, but also offers birding trips and old-fashioned boat rides. Knowing exactly where to set a bait in this pro- ductive backcountry estuary is key, and Modys seems to know every pro- ductive shell point in the Back Bay. Traveling north about an hour to Punta Gorda, the fishing opportunities branch out to include the Boca Pass which is rightly famous for the tarpon
www.joincca.org
Southwest Florida is a worthy destination for the serious angler or the winter- weary history buff.
run that occurs there in April and May. In winter, ladyfish and glass minnows arrive in numbers in the waters of Char- lotte Harbor, signaling Capt. Bill Lotito (
FishPuntaGorda.com) that trout are in the neighborhood. Thanks to the sedi- ments in the Myakka River, trout in this area have a pronounced golden glow. Southwest Florida is a worthy desti- nation for the serious angler or the winter-weary history buff. If fishing is part of your plans, remember to make sure you target which species you are after and check with local guides to choose the best time and place. Agood source for all island lodging informa- tion is
www.FortMyersSanibel.com.
Jeff Dennis is a freelance writer and photographer who grew up on a tidal creek in Charleston, South Carolina, and has been a cooperating angler for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources marine gamefish program since 1994. He can be reached at www.Lowcountryout-
doors.com.
TIDE
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