Boca Grande (Florida)

Boca Grande, Florida is a large area of water in the west central Florida area along the Gulf of Mexico. It is about 90 miles south of Tampa and a good 1 1/2 hour drive from Ft. Myers. As the name implies, it encompasses famous Boca Grande Pass, the Tarpon capital of the world and Charlotte Harbor estuaries, Bull and Turtle Bays, Pine Island Sound, and Gasparilla Sound. It is known for it's legendary snook fishing and tough, tailing redfish.

The north edge of Charlotte Harbor consists of about 100 islands and over 100 miles of pristine mangrove shoreline. Miles of uninterrupted grass flats hold pot holes with seatrout and redfish aplenty. The island points hold snook that are easy to catch on moving water. The outside deep grass flats and adjacent areas hold tarpon throughout the spring, summer and fall. Seatrout are very plentiful and can be found on any flat in 4 to 6 feet of water. Ladyfish and Jacks roam the whole area busting bait schools. Watch for crashing fish.

Pine Island Sound is a larger area with fewer islands and more extensive grass flats. All of the local species are found there. The spring is tarpon time in Pine Island Sound. The vast deep flats east of the intracoastal waterway often have hundreds of tarpon feeding on threadfin shad in April, May and June. At anytime, an angler may find large cobia and sharks cruising these deep flats.

The off-shore areas of Boca Grande have excellent runs of cobia and king mackerel. The kings are most available in spring and fall. The hundreds of crab trap buoys are home to feisty tripletail. My favorite time is in the fall and winter, but the fish are there year 'round. Many anglers enjoy fishing artificial for grouper. Most troll large lipped spoons over hard bottom and ledges. Spanish mackerel, bonito and bluefish are often busting large schools of bait in the spring, summer and fall. They are a lot of fun on light tackle.

The area is abundant with public and private boat ramps, accommodations from first class to small motels and on the water restaurants. There are several kayak and boat rental facilities in the area also. Tackle and fly shops are numerous and sell licenses and equipment. Guides can be found at most shops or via the internet. Most guides in our area charge between $400 and $500 per day for inshore fishing and more for off shore.

Because the area has large national wildlife refuges, you will be fishing in Florida backcountry conditions. No houses, seawalls or boat wakes. Please remember to leave our area as if you were never there. I hope to see you on the water.

Protect and Presever.
Capt.Pete Greenan