From the property’s dock, it takes about five minutes to reach San Carlos Bay and some of the best boating and fishing in the world. From there it’s half an hour to the beaches on North Captiva, forty minutes to the famous Cabbage Key, from which you’re just around the corner to the white sand beaches of the Cayo Costa Island state park. Also on the way north are: Jensen's Marina and Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island. If you head in the other direction you’re ten minutes from the Sanibel Marina, half an hour from Fort Myers Beach and forty minutes from Matlacha.
For fishermen, San Carlos Bay/Pine Island Sound has some of the best flats fishing in the US; snook, trout, redfish, shark, ladyfish, spanish makerel, sheepshead and it leaves you about half an hour from deep-water passes between the barrier islands that are famous for holding big grouper, jacks and tarpon.
If you want to fish, but don’t feel like leaving the dock, the canal adjoining the property regularly holds sheepshead, snapper, trout and juvenile grouper, all easily caught on a shrimp or an artificial lure.
Most residents and visitors must purchase licenses for fishing in salt or fresh water. You can purchase a license at most marinas or bait and tackle shops (or even online). Rules and regulations on size and bag limits plus open and closed seasons change. Most bait stores distribute free lists published by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. You do not need a license if you are: under 16; over age 65 and a Florida resident or fishing from a boat covered by a Vessel Saltwater Fishing License. The Tax Collector's office and bait shops list criteria for residency.
The Monroe Canal Marina boat ramp is only a mile from the house and the driveway provides more than enough space to park a trailer big enough to carry a thirty-foot boat.
If you haven’t brought your own boat but you still want to fish you have a choice, rent a boat (see boat rental) or charter with a fishing guide. Monroe Canal Marina in St. James City, Four Winds Marina in Bokeelia have a number of fishing, shelling and boat-tour guides working out of their marina who will take you out and get you hooked up. They also do boat rentals if you want to find your own fish.
Gas is available at the Monroe Canal Marina in Saint James, at the Sanibel Marina on Sanibel (near the causeway), and at Jensen’s Marina on Captiva. If you talk nice to the guys at Jensen’s they might let you tie up there to go get lunch on Captiva (just make sure you get a lot of gas). Jensen’s is also the spot for fishing licenses.
Boat Rental
You have a choice when it comes to boat rental; you can rent by the day, or have a boat sitting at the dock for your entire trip. If you want to do a daily rental, Monroe Canal Marina in St. James City and Four Winds Marina in Bokeelia are your best bet. They have a selection of different boats for half-day and full-day hire.
If you want the boat sitting waiting at the dock every day then Cape Coral Boat Rentals are worth a call. They supply boats for a week, a fortnight or longer. They have a good selection and will deliver straight to the dock and also show you around the boat and give you lessons if you’re new to boating. If you are new to boating, stay in the channels. Pine Island sound varies from twenty feet deep in the intercoastal to four inches deep on the flats, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, the first time you’ll discover the difference is when you’re high and dry wondering how to get home. Cape Coral Boat Rentals offer Tow-BoatUS cover, which is probably worth the expense.
Kayaking
If you are looking for something a little quieter on the water, looking to get some excersize or want to get explore the back country, perhaps kayaking in the sheltered waters of Matlacha Pass or the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve is more to your liking. Monroe Canal Marina in St. James City, Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha and Tropic Star offer kayak rentals.