Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

That time of year again. Going to Venice one day to fish w. Fish Galore for Grouper and would like to take the family another day to do some "back bay" fishing.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Do not want the tourist trap and would love for the kids and wife to catch some fish.

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

What time of year? If in May that is when the tarpon start showing up.

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

Going in 2 weeks, wish it were tarpon season :mad:

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

You looking for a charter or a place to stay/fish backwater?

Backwater is going to be Snook & Redfish

I can recommend either...

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

Well fishing for Tarpon is a commitment and its not like you can switch gears to something else. You are either fishing specifically for Tarpon or you are not and the best you can hope for is a shot or 2 during a days fishing so probably not suited for the kids.

I would stick to redfish and trout if you want some action for the kids... Lots of back bay charters in the area. We fished several times with www.captmattmitchell.com/. Great guy serious about what he does yet good with kids. He is out of Pine Island which is a half hour drive from Fort Myers.

He does half days and that is probably your best bet if your are fishing with kids.

Tell him Gerry, Mike and Jake from NJ sent you.

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

Charter

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

I have a great kayak guy down in everglades city about 1.5 hours from ft meyers. Tarpon reds trout ect

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

if you are looking for a family trip you got to go on hickory bay charters. captain mike is the nicest guy i ever fished with, he has a 30' pontoon boat very comfortable , i have always come back with a meal, which you can have cooked at the marinas restaurant .....239- 947-3851 ... you can tell him warren gave you his name

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

When I was in Venice about 15 years ago there was a nice fishing pier out into the bay. You could see flounder, sheepshead and other species right under you but all I caught was theirhttp://www.venicefishingpier.com/images/10.jpg type of bergall. At that time it only cost $1 to get on. I think they rented rods also. www.venicefishingpier.comhttp://www.venicefishingpier.com/images/10.jpg

Re: Fort Myers Advice Needed
 

So Gerry had some great advice with Pine Island.

Most of the backwater guides trailer their boats and will arrange to meet you at the ramp. Request a Pine Island Ramp. You will drive about 30 minutes from Ft Myers but if you launch in Ft Myers you will waste an hour or more going down the calusahatchee in a flats boat. Better to drive the car to Pine Island travel 15 minutes to best fishing grounds and have more fishing time!

www.hokefishingcharters.com

David Hoke wins more redfish snook tournaments than anyone down there. I highly recommend him.

Catch Big Fish!