Once home to the famous pirate Black Caesar, Sanibel Island has since moved on from its days of piracy to become one of the best inshore fisheries in Florida. From long, sandy beaches to inshore bays and bayous, fishing in Sanibel has everything you need for an unforgettable day on the water.
In fact, checking out the historical landmarks and fishing sometimes go hand in hand in Sanibel. Right next to Sanibel Pier you’ll find the famous Sanibel Island Light, one of the very first lighthouses in this part of the country. As an added bonus, you have parks and wildlife resorts where you can both fish and enjoy the scenery.
Best Fish to Catch in Sanibel
Sanibel is one of those places with terrific fishing year-round, where your main worry is to pick one out of so many tempting options. There’s something here for both the seasoned angler as well as the recent arrival to the sport. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of Sanibel’s most popular fish.
Redfish
Starting off with the humble Redfish is never the wrong choice when you’re inshore fishing in Florida. Sanibel is no exception. The local mangrove estuaries hold a sizeable number of Redfish at any time, perfect for beginners to hone their skills. Heading out into the shallows will pay off big time if you worked on your sight casting technique.
You’ll find Redfish all over the island, with some notable hotspots being Tarpon Bay and Redfish Pass to the north. It’s honestly as simple as putting fresh shrimp on your line. The bite will come until you call it quits – ask any local angler and they’ll back us up on this.
Tarpon
Known as the “Silver Kings,” these primordial-looking fish are a proud staple of Florida’s inshore fisheries – Sanibel Island included. Tarpon are some of the fiercest fighters around, so get ready to put in the effort for that prize catch! Try not to get distracted by their flashy acrobatics and leaps, since they’ll be trying their hardest to break your line. Keep your eyes on the prize and you’ll have something to brag about for years to come.
The peak season for Tarpon in Sanibel is late spring to summer, making it a good addition to your vacation plans. You’ll find that most anglers target them using live and dead bait like mullet or shad. Fly fishing is also an option, with plenty of fly patterns to choose from, like the tarpon toad or black death.
Snook
If you feel that challenging fishing makes for rewarding fishing, Snook is another good option to consider. While not as flashy as Tarpon, you can count on them to give you a good run for your money. You can go after them pretty much all year long, but you’ll need to switch up your tactics depending on the season. Summer is the best time to fish for Snook, who’ll be a stone’s throw away from the many island beaches.
During spring and fall, though, your best bet is to hit the backcountry creeks and mangroves where you’ll find most of the action. Using live bait is the most common way to go after Snook, but if you want to mix things up we heartily recommend a nighttime fly fishing trip for a classic Sanibel fishing experience.
Spotted Seatrout
Another inshore darling, Spotted Seatrout are a popular charter fishing target for good reason. They’re fun to catch, can get really big, and make for great table fare to boot. What more do you need? You can catch some delicious Trout all over the island, especially in late spring and early summer.
Live bait is your go-to when targeting Spotted Seatrout, with most local anglers using shrimp. Another good option, especially when looking for a big catch, is menhaden. If you go for a night fishing trip, you might see anglers throwing glow sticks into the water and waiting. This is because these fish are attracted to light and it’s a simple way to get some action going.
And More!
Now that you’ve got a good grasp of the main players, you should also keep in mind there’s other fish in the sea. Literally. For some bottom fishing action, you can count on the likes of Mangrove Snapper and Gag Grouper to be near the top of your list. And if you’re looking to do something for the kids, consider a Shark fishing trip that’s fun for the whole family.
How to Go Fishing in Sanibel
When it comes to fishing in Sanibel, you’ll have several different ways of fishing to choose from. We recommend looking into all your options and picking out the one in line with your aims for the trip. Read on to see what to expect from each one, so you can plan and prepare for a day of world-class fishing. Let’s jump in…
Charter Fishing
Hiring one of the many fishing charters in Sanibel is a hassle-free option for a productive day of fishing. You can get yourself an experienced captain for an affordable price who’ll take care of all the legwork and leave you to enjoy the actual fishing part of the trip. If this is your first time in the area, a guide who can show you the best spots is a huge time-saver.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be your old-fashioned rod and reel type of enterprise. Take a bit of time to do your due diligence and you’ll see some exciting opportunities for going out with a group of friends too. Something like a bowfishing trip can easily turn into an unforgettable day out with the right company.
Kayak Fishing
In many ways, fishing with a kayak is going back to basics. No need to worry about fuel for your boat or the various electronics involved, it’s just you and the kayak, going as far as you can paddle. The benefit of a smaller vessel is being able to access all the nooks and crannies of shallow water, and there’s plenty of those all around Sanibel Island.
Even if your main goal is to catch fish, you can still enjoy the beautiful sights around you as you move from one fishing area to another. Expect to see ospreys, eagles, herons, as well as the odd gator. Definitely a must for any and all nature enthusiasts out there, especially with how good the fishing itself can be.
Surf Fishing
Like with so many barrier islands in Florida, you can expect some great opportunities for surf fishing in Sanibel. From Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel to Redfish and Snook, we’re sure you’ll find some good targets at these beaches. You don’t even have to go out of your way – one of the best surf spots is right next to Sanibel’s famous lighthouse.
If you’re an adventurous soul, you’ll easily find great spots off the beaten path to cast your line in peace. We’ll cover some of these places in the next section to get you started, but don’t hesitate to explore and find a spot that’s perfect for you.
Sanibel Fishing Spots
- Tarpon Bay. Don’t let the name fool you, there’s so much more to see here other than Tarpon. We’re talking something like 200 different types of fish in total. And in case you’re a ‘yak type of person, you should know that this bay is widely regarded as one of the best paddling spots in Florida.
- Blind Pass. Nested between the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, Blind Pass is very popular with surf anglers from both sides. The two main spots for fishing here are either the beach on the Sanibel side of the pass or at the pilings beneath the bridge.
- Ding Darling. Since J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a bit of a mouthful, the local anglers usually call it just Ding Darling. It’s a popular place for targeting Sheepshead, Snook, and Redfish. Keep in mind that there are some special regulations for these fishing grounds that you should read about online before heading out.
- Sanibel Lighthouse Pier. One of the most active surf fishing spots on the island, there’s something going on here at any given time of day. From people coming to see the birds and dolphins to anglers hard at work, there’s never a dull moment. It’s a free-entry boardwalk but there’s no bait shop on the pier itself so plan accordingly.
- Sanibel Causeway. The causeway connecting Sanibel to the mainland has a pair of small islands that are a good place for casting. One thing you should know is that there’s a $6 toll for entering the bridge, but not when going back. While it’s a good place for Redfish and Snook, you can find yourself some Goliath Grouper if you stick to the pilings at the bridge.
- Algiers Beach. Officially part of Gulfside City Park, most locals will just call it “Algiers” so don’t get confused! You’ll find this beach at the southern bend of Sanibel Island – a popular destination for both shelling and fishing trips. Even so, it’s far less crowded than the one over at the Sanibel Lighthouse. Perfect if you’re looking for a more quiet and relaxed day of fishing.
Sanibel Rules and Regulations
No matter if you’re fishing from land or sea, on a kayak or center console, you’ll need a fishing license. If you’re fishing with a licensed charter captain you won’t need to worry about that since your license will be included in the price of the trip. Otherwise, make sure to read up on the local rules and regulations so you don’t run into any nasty surprises.
When it comes to the fish you catch, be aware that some species have specific rules on seasonality and harvesting. If you plan on going out with a guide they’ll keep track of that for you. For solo anglers, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the latest information from the FWC website.
Sanibel – Come for the Fish, Stay for So Much More
People from Sanibel take great pride in the island’s conservation record. Just walk through the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge and you’ll immediately see why. And what’s good for the goose is good for the gander – in this case, the game fish. The variety and abundance of top-notch fishing options in Sanibel will keep you coming back for more, year after year.
Have you ever been fishing in Sanibel? Any fun angling stories to share, or catches to brag about? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
