TIPS FOR THE ANGLER
BEGIN SMALL If you have never experienced a fishing charter, book a short trip of no more than four hours. “You can’t move around a lot like you would on a pier, and some people may not like being out on the water for too long,” says Nagy.
BE READY FOR NO ACTION Embrace the laid-back, nothing-may-happen environment as part of the experience. Like they say, the journey is half the fun.
PROTECT YOURSELF Must haves for sun protection include a wide-brim hat that shades your entire face and neck; wraparound sunglasses to block sunlight reflecting on the water; long-sleeve shirts or sun sleeves that you can take off if needed; and rain jacket/windbreaker (rain can come and go and it can be chilly on a moving boat and in open water even on warm days).
Piers without Peers
If you would rather go solo, there are several old-school fishing piers from where you can drop your lines. The 600-foot wooden pier at Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach has hosted fishermen since the 1930s. The on-site Ruby’s Treasure Chest bait and gift shop has your supplies covered. How is the fishing? Check out the shop’s wall of fame covered with photos of proud anglers with their prize catches of pompanos, snook and sharks.
For a touch of history and scenery, head to the Naples Pier, located at the west end of 12th Avenue South. One of the area’s oldest piers, it was erected as a freight and passenger dock back when Grover Cleveland was president. It stretches almost 1,000 feet into the Gulf and is popular among the local “day-off” fishermen. If you need a break from the sun, there’s a shady cabana near the bait shop.
If you like your fishing to have a blue jean and white T-shirt feel, drive inland to Port Charlotte and the El Jobean Pier. Made from an old railroad trestle, this local favorite stands parallel to the Myakka River Bridge and spans 900 feet out into the river. The bridge’s concrete pillars are reachable with an easy cast where almost every type of fish gathers, from grouper to tarpon. On your way out, stop by the Bean Depot Cafe & Museum at the foot of the bridge for a glimpse of local history, or listen to the local musicians who often gather to jam on the screened porch.
Fishing is about anticipation—waiting and waiting for that oh-so-slight tug on the line. And if nothing ever happens? Well, considering where you are, how bad of a day can it really be?
MOST OF THE LOCAL CHARTERS OFFER TRIPS THAT ARE FOUR, SIX OR EIGHT HOURS LONG, AND PROVIDE ALL THE ESSENTIALS: RODS AND REELS, LIVE BAIT, SNACKS AND BEST OF ALL AN ESCORT TO THE PRIME FISHING SPOTS.
Matthew Solan is a freelance writer based in St. Petersburg. Learn more about him at matthewsolan.com.