Southwest Florida is a compelling destination that offers big challenges for expert anglers and a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. The inshore waters, coastline passes, back bay country and shallow Gulf of Mexico flats between Ft. Myers and Sarasota are particularly productive for anglers chasing a diverse array of fish species. These include speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon and other abundant marine species such as Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, pompano, jacks and even cobia.
The moderate weather in the spring along the coast seldom affects fishing in this region from Sarasota Bay southward along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) through Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. Anglers in Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties have a variety of good fishing spots in the form of islands, beaches, bays, creeks and in the meandering ICW. Throughout southwest Florida, there are many beautiful and expansive flats with lush grass and sand potholes spread across thousands of acres.
In the Sarasota Bay area, there are 50 miles of shoreline and numerous shallow oyster bars around which to locate activity. Great fishing exists all around Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, which are surrounded by
