Island patrol. PHOTO: JOHN DONOHUE
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Matlacha FLORIDA
Rustic Beauty
Welcome to Matlacha, the Gate- way to Pine Island. Mat-la-shay, as the locals call it, is a tiny island town with breathtaking bay views from both sides of the road. The eclectic combination of brightly painted art galleries and working fish houses evokes an earlier time, instantly bringing Old Key West to mind. Matla- cha’s mix of boutiques and world-class flats fishing is so savory, it makes for the perfect couples getaway. Launch your kayak at Matlacha Community Park for easy access to
Captivating. PHOTO: SAM ROOT
®
pristine waters and some of the best sight fishing Florida has to offer. Kick-start your heart casting to tailing redfish on winter’s early morn- ing low tides. While the action in Matlacha may be amazing, don’t miss the opportunity to fish Pine Island Sound, just a 10-minute drive down the road. Monster sea trout will snap up your topwater plugs. Keep the camera handy—bald eagles, osprey, spoonbills and white pelicans soar in these skies. Wind down your fishing adventure exploring tiny coves in search of baby tarpon. The fishing can be frenzied, but in every other respect Matlacha is relaxingly laid back. After you and your companion have exhausted yourselves with all the
paddling and art store browsing, kick back and enjoy the fiery sunset in the hot tub of one of the angler-friendly bed and breakfasts. —John Donohue
Chart Your Course
THE WATERFRONT SUN & MOON INN $110–150 per night;
www.sunandmoon.net.
BEST MONTHS October through March.
BEST BAITS Dark colored jerkbaits, weedless for tailers and on a jighead for the potholes; Zara Spook Jr. style topwater plugs; crab patterns for the fly slingers. Or go with a guide:
swflkayakcharters.com.
DON’T MISS Hanging out with world’s friendliest locals at Bert’s Bar and Grill—paddle up service too!
MAT L A CHA TAI L S ®
seattlesportsco.com 38 …KAYAK ANGLER SUMMER/FALL 2011
The morning sky comes to life with an amazing blend of yellow, orange and baby blues. My Hobie glides just above the tips of the lush eel grass on the expansive flats. Along the mangrove shoreline, spoonbills and great blue herons stalk crabs in water barely covering their feet. Frolicking mullet usher me in. Broom-sized blue tails, almost fluorescent, wave hello. A cast three feet in front of the business side of my inviting target bounces a weedless jerkbait across this stud’s nose. The tail drops and my line slides away from the picturesque pod. It’s taut! I pound the hook home amidst a violent explosion. The Matlacha copper beauty bulldogs through the shin deep water, finally rolling on its side ready for a redfish photo session.
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