Hi Captain Mel,

I'm taking my boat down to Sanibel Island next week for the first time, and I'm not real familiar with the area. I have heard its difficult to go wrong there, but since this is a new area for me are there any spots that you suggest? I have fished the Boca Grande area before (Bull Bay and Turtle Bay), but that is about 20 miles away from where I'm staying this time and I'm not sure I want ride all the way up there. I will be fishing for trout, redfish and snook. I know this is a pretty general question, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul Bodden
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Dear Paul:

Sanibel Island is one of the most productive areas that I’ve ever fished. Some years ago, I had a charter with Capt. Butch Rickey – a guide who knows that area like the back of his hand – and caught several large snook hanging under some dock there – and afterward, drifted the flats where we caught great number of nice trout and other fish. Let me recommend that at the very least, you get in touch with Capt. Butch at capt@barhoppr.com or call 1-239-628-3522. He will be more than happy to provide some fishing advice. But you will be wise to at least book a day on the water with Capt. Butch. You’ll enjoy a grand and productive day and learn a lot about fishing there so that when you go out on your own, you will have some idea of what to do.

Mel

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Hello and greetings from the north.

I live in Columbus, OH. I spend most of my free time with my family. My personal time I fish for bass in Big Walnut Creek which is a over flow off of Hoover Dam. I fish almost year round from early spring - early winter. When the creek freezes over, I watch a lot of fishing shows and read lots of fishing articles. I use open face and bait casting reels and have a nice pair of waders. I usually fish 1 - 3 hours an outing and catch between 1 - 4 bass. My goal this summer is to learn fly fishing by early fall. Summers here in Central Ohio are dry causing my creek to become shallow and warm. The bass move to deeper parts of the creek and I struggle to locate the fall bass. Since people love to feed bread to the ducks I sometimes use dough to catch carp during this period.

Fly fishing for pan fish and carp is actually popular in Ohio. I thought I learn to fly fish for carp to get ready for salt water fly fishing. My wife and I have a good financial plan to move down to Florida in 2017. I want to fish fresh, brackish, and sea water. I have a home and a mini van and Currently I make about $35,000 a year as a customer service rep for a great computer company. I take odd side jobs and will soon buy kayak to fish with when I have enough money. My wife is in nursing school and will become the main financial provider when she graduates. We will probably never be rich enough to afford a nice boat but I like the idea of shore fishing the ocean, kayaking and wading to catch a variety of Florida species.

But I digress. Where in Florida do you recommend living where my wife can get a good nursing job and I could fish fresh, brackish and ocean fish without driving more than an hour. I am also a profession musician and would pick up gigs to support my fishing habit.

Thanks for your input. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Continued fishing success,

Scott E. Steiner

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Dear Scott:

There are many great venues in Florida where you can live, earn decent income and be near many facilities that would hire nurses. However, as a long time resident of west central Florida, I am a bit prejudiced. The Tampa Bay area and surrounding communities offer a great deal in the way of both fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities. You learned fly fishing skill would certainly come in handy hereabouts. Yet, the same could be said of may Florida locations.

You might also want to consider what we call the “Spacecoast” – which is not quite as densely populated, but offer some excellent fishing and job opportunities. The same could be said for southwest Florida communities, like FT. Myers and Naples – or northeast Florida – Jacksonville on down to Daytona Beach. So between now and 2017, you should do some extensive research and select the area that will best suit yours and your family’s needs.

Mel

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Greetings Capt. Mel,

I've fished for nearly 60 years and killed a lot of fish. Over these years, I've evolved into a catch and release guy. This past weekend I watched a large hooked hammerhead get dragged to the beach with bridge gaffs. I didn't stick around long enough to see if this particular fish lived, but I've seen many others die (to the delight of many). Is this legal? If so, what a pity.

Thanks for all you do for the fishing community.

Russ Lukens
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Dear Russ:

I like you am very distressed when I see such magnificent creatures like larger sharks and other species mishandled. Unfortunately, in most instances, it is a death sentence for the hapless creature. Snook are often dragged up into the sand when some folks beach fish. And even though it might swim off, that is a severely damaged snook and will likely not survive. It really is incumbent on all of us to get the word out about proper handling of all fish. It’s too precious a resource to destroy so carelessly.

Thanks for caring about our finny friends.

Mel

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 I hear you praise the redbone rods. were in the Sarasota/Venice area can I buy one??

Gary Sawyer
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Dear Gary:

Redbone rods are widely sold at virtually every tackle store in most venues. They are very nice rods, at relatively affordable pricing.

In Sarasota, I believe that you should be able to pick up one at either CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, Economy Tackle of 6018 S Tamiami Trail.


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