Fishing Facts
Some of the best fishing in southwest Florida and the whole state of Florida is on North Captiva and the surrounding waters of the island. The Gulf of Mexico, Captiva Pass and the backbay of Pine Island Sound is home to Snook, Grouper, Redfish, Snapper, Black Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Blue Fish, Lady Fish, and Tarpon in the warmer summer months.
Fishing Licenses
Anyone age 16-65 needs a license for saltwater
fishing when fishing from a boat,unless otherwise exempt.
If you are fishing on a vessel that has a valid vessel license, like Captain Dennis Realy, you do not need to have a fishing license as his commercial license covers his passengers. He provides also provides the bait, tackle and the know-how. He is happy to answer questions and to show you how to fish. No experience is necessary.
Fishing Regulations
You need to know the current fishing regulations. There are penalties for keeping fish outside of the size limits, for keeping too many of a species or keeping a fish “out of season.”
Call Gretchen for a current copy of the Florida Fishing Regulations Saltwater Edition Publication.
Fishing Report for December 2011,
As the water gets colder different types of fish are moving into Pine Island Sound and the passes.
Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel and Blue Fish are showing up in numbers. Look for Sheepshead around piers and docks. The schools of Mackerel and Blues can be seen offshore and near the passes.
Bait Schools have arrived flocks of birds show you where they are and the fish aren't far away.
You can keep 10 Blue fish and 15 Spanish Mackerel per person and they must be a minimum of 12”. Please only keep what you need for dinner and throw the rest back to be caught another day. These fish are great on the grill. When the Lady Fish are around it can be non-stop fun.
Snook season is still closed due to the freeze of a pervious winter.
Gag Grouper season is closed in federal and state waters for the rest of the year 2011.
Trout season is closed until the new year. Then you can keep 4 per person and must be at least 15" with one allowed to be over 20".
Sharks are always around and may favorite ones for the tables are small (less than 4’) black tips. You can only keep 1 per person or two per boat. Never kill the females and only take the ones you are going to eat. Other sharks are out there as well but with out the right tackle you could end up losing a lot of hooks and line even when fishing for different species.
The much sort after Red Fish are on the move but can still be found if you have the time and patience. They must be between 18” to 27” and you can only keep one per person.
The fishing regulations are constantly changing so check out the states web site at www.myfwc.com
NOTE: Effective Aug. 1, 2009 - Residents and nonresidents fishing for a saltwater species (other than mullet in fresh water) from land or from a structure fixed to the land are required to purchase a saltwater fishing license.
Nonresident Annual Saltwater Fishing $47.00
Nonresident 3-Day Saltwater Fishing $17.00
Nonresident 7-Day Saltwater Fishing $30.00
Licenses can be purchased on line or by call toll free 888-FISH-FLORIDA
Wondering how much that fish weighs and don't have a scale? Here's how to accurately estimate the weight of a fish from measurements of length and girth. The girth is measured at the thickest portion of the midsection and the length is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. All measurements should be in inches.
Weight Estimator Formula:Weight (lbs.) = length (in.) x girth (in.) x girth (in.) / 740
Example:
A fish is 52 inches long and has a girth of 30.5 inches.
The calculation is as follows:Weight = (52 x 30.5 x 30.5) / 740 = (48,373) / 740 = 65.37 lbs.