Fortunately, most anglers do go offshore and so the backwaters are usually free from crowding, even during the busy winter season. Imagine being only a mile or two from your hotel or condo and enjoying quality fly fishing with no one else in sight other than your guide and perhaps a fishing partner. And you can easily be back in time to shower and then enjoy a good dinner at one of our 90 top-notch restaurants. Later, take in the beauty of one of our famous gulf sunsets, go to the movies or enjoy the entertainment available at a local lounge. And during the day, while you're away fishing, there are about 120 retail shops on the island to get the attention of your family.
All local guides agree that spring and early summer provides fantastic fly fishing.
Stacy Mullendore, who berths his 19-foot ActionCraft on the island, is especially enthusiastic. With rising water temperatures, massive numbers of baitfish and crustaceans invade the area and of course the snook, tarpon and redfish gorge themselves on this cornucopia. The tarpon migration is in full swing, the snook are beginning to spawn on the beach and the redfish are very active feeding on shrimp and crabs. These gamefish and others will be along the beaches, in the passes and all around the barrier islands, taking advantage of the plentiful food supply. Another local charter captain who likes the spring and summer fishing, especially for tarpon, is Capt.