Steve's Southwest Florida Fishing Page!

[Fishing Reports] [Photo Page] [Fishing Regulations Page] [Fishing Info & Stories] [Seasons] [Equipment] [Saltwater Fishing Links] [E-Mail Steve Wien]

Last Update March 17, 1999

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

SALTWATER FLATS FISHING

WITH STEVE WIEN

If stalking and sight-casting to wary, elusive species sounds like the best angling experience, join Steve Wien fishing the most diverse estuary system in North America. Saltwater flats fishing is a year-round pursuit where you can enjoy an abundance of species in Charolette Harbor, Matlacha Pass, the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, and the San Carlos Bay area, including redfish, spotted sea trout, juvenile tarpon, and the snook.

The southwest region of Florida extends from Charlotte Harbor in the north to the famous Ten Thousand Islands in the south [click here for regional map]. It encompasses Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties. People come to this part of the state, one of the fastest growing areas in the country, for its favorable climate, abundance of natural areas, wildlife watching opportunities and, of course, because of the region's legacy as a fishing hot spot.

Saltwater Fishing

Southwest Florida has some of the best backwater fishing in the state. For the uninitiated, backwater fishing, or backcountry fishing, is angling in the extensive network of bays, mangrove islands and tidal creeks that permeate the region. There are thousands of miles of shoreline, miles of grass flats and numerous oyster bars that attract an abundance of saltwater fish species.

Roaming these waters are four of the state's most sought after gamefish, the snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon. Thousands of anglers come to southwest Florida each year for the chance at a grand slam, catching one individual of each species in one day.

Perhaps the most significant factor contributing to the region's excellent fishing reputation are the vast tracks of fresh and salt water wetlands protected by state and/or federal laws. The Charlotte Harbor - Pine Island Sound area, one of the largest estuaries in Florida, has relatively clean water that supports extensive grass beds and stands of mangroves. Several large sections of this estuarine complex are designated as state aquatic preserves and there are strict regulations that protect the water quality and marine life in the system.

Rookery Bay, between Naples and Marco Island, and the waters from Marco Island into the upper part of the Ten Thousand Islands are also Aquatic Preserves. The upper part of the Ten Thousand Islands is slated to become a National Wildlife Refuge while the lower portion has been a part of Everglades National Park for many years.