[surf skunk]

My family is planning a trip to Sanibel Island, FL in February. Does anyone know what is in the surf that time of year? I'm pretty sure it will be too cold for snook or tarpon, especially this year. But, what else might be biting in the surf or back bay?

Thanks

 

[Esox1]

sent to my brother - sanibelfisher, he should respond

 

[striper2278]

We went down to the lighthouse last year near the fishing pier. The were catching sheepshead and spanish macks like crazy!

 

[SanibelFisher]

My family is planning a trip to Sanibel Island, FL in February. Does anyone know what is in the surf that time of year? I'm pretty sure it will be too cold for snook or tarpon, especially this year. But, what else might be biting in the surf or back bay?

Thanks

I honestly avoid Sanibel in February, just too crowded for my liking. You will have no trouble finding fish, Snook maybe - I have done very well in December/January. Tarpon, I am not sure.

I always tell people to stop at "TheBaitBox" when they first hit the island - great place for bait/License etc.

Here is what is running (not Running) in February.

They completed dredging Blind Pass between Sanibel/Captiva and the fishing there has been great for Jacks. The polls and pilings should be covered in sheepshead. If you can bring a thrownet for bait.

Aquaport is another guy on the Barn who loves fishing southern Florida an offered up This fine post as a great reference for Fishing Sanibel and southern Florida.

Good luck and don't forget to post a trip report!!

Where are you staying??

 

[surf skunk]

Thanks for the replies.

We are staying at the Casa Ybel. I have my reels with me, but my rods are at the in-laws' place in Avalon. I might have to make a trip down to pick them up.

Thanks again.

 

[surf skunk]

We went down to the lighthouse last year near the fishing pier. The were catching sheepshead and spanish macks like crazy!

Skip,

Was that in early February? Didn't you have a one or two month old then?

 

[striper2278]

Skip,

Was that in early February? Didn't you have a one or two month old then?

I did, she liked Fla

I didn't fish that day, I just watched:nuts:

 

[surf skunk]

I did, she liked Fla

I didn't fish that day, I just watched:nuts:

I meant to ask, "when was your trip to Sanibel?"

 

[RyanF]

Dumb question, not familiar with the towns down there:

Is your link for the bait box the shop I passed on my left before heading across the bridge into Fort Myers beach?

RyanF

 

[tbush]

I spent some time fishing SWFL especially Sanibel/captiva area. I always did well fishing the rocks on the other side of the bridge that connects Captiva to Sanibel. Parking is a pain in the a** though. There was a channel that hugged the beach until hit hit the rocks then dog-legs left there. Snook should be cruising in that channel tight to the beach. If that channel is still there, the fish will be tight to the beach with the bait. Also, those rocks should be full of mangrove snappers and some sheepshead. Shrimp are easy and affective bait fished on a small jig head around the rocks. The public pier near the lighthouse in sanibel gets way crowded for my liking. Rent a kayak and paddle through Ding Darling. Worst case scenario it will be gorgeous!! I havent fished down there in 3 years so keep an open mind. Tight lines and good luck-

 

[SanibelFisher]

Dumb question, not familiar with the towns down there:

Is your link for the bait box the shop I passed on my left before heading across the bridge into Fort Myers beach?

RyanF

The Bait Box is on the ocean side (west side) of Periwinkel way just as you enter or leave the island. Oppiside side and right down the street from the Dairy Queen.

 

[SanibelFisher]

I spent some time fishing SWFL especially Sanibel/captiva area. I always did well fishing the rocks on the other side of the bridge that connects Captiva to Sanibel. Parking is a pain in the a** though. There was a channel that hugged the beach until hit hit the rocks then dog-legs left there. Snook should be cruising in that channel tight to the beach. If that channel is still there, the fish will be tight to the beach with the bait. Also, those rocks should be full of mangrove snappers and some sheepshead. Shrimp are easy and affective bait fished on a small jig head around the rocks. The public pier near the lighthouse in sanibel gets way crowded for my liking. Rent a kayak and paddle through Ding Darling. Worst case scenario it will be gorgeous!! I havent fished down there in 3 years so keep an open mind. Tight lines and good luck-

That channel is now open past the rocks and under the bridge to the bay - first time in a long, long time. There are alot of fish there now. Parking will be a bear though just like you said.

 

[tbush]

The last time i fished the rocks there was nothing but sand under that bridge. Did a storm open it back up or was it opened back up on purpose?

 

[SanibelFisher]

The last time i fished the rocks there was nothing but sand under that bridge. Did a storm open it back up or was it opened back up on purpose?

Dreged

(Not my video - and there are more, search Sanibel Blind Pass)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy2j5P_xtuw

My parents were there a few weeks ago and they were catching fish right under the bridge.

Somewhere on the web there are pictures and video of the water when it breached the temp dam - the Gulf water was crystal clear and the stagnant Bay water was dark brown flowing into the Gulf. That is why they dredged it - to start flushing out the water behind the islands. They did set aside money to keep the pass clear in case it fills with sand again.