Finn Fly Fishing: Fly & light tackle · Southwest Florida
Guided fishing on foot and by paddle for snook, redfish and tarpon around Fort Myers and Sanibel.
Trips
All fishing is on foot or by paddle craft. Fly and spin anglers are both welcome, and gear is available on request.
Walk & Wade
- What it is
- Fishing on foot along the beaches and shallow flats. We move slowly, look for fish, and cast to the ones we see.
- Who it's for
- Anyone who can walk in sand and stand in knee- to thigh-deep water. A good first trip, fly or spin.
- Typical length
- 3 or 5 hours
- What to bring
- Your Florida saltwater license (residents wading can use the free shoreline license)
- Wading shoes with a hard sole
- Hat, polarized sunglasses and a sun shirt
- Water and a snack
Rates
- $250 · 3 hours · 1–2 anglers
- $350 · 5 hours · 1–2 anglers
All gear provided
Paddle Flats
- What it is
- Each angler paddles their own kayak or SUP to flats that are too far or too soft to wade. We stop, stake out, and fish quietly.
- Who it's for
- Anglers who are already comfortable on a kayak or SUP and can get on and off it in shallow water.
- Typical length
- 4–5 hours
- What to bring
- A regular Florida saltwater license (the shoreline license does not cover paddle craft)
- A kayak or SUP. Bring your own, or rent one locally and I'll tell you where. I paddle a SUP.
- A life jacket and a whistle
- A dry bag, water and a snack
Casting Instruction
- What it is
- Hands-on fly casting, on land first and then on the water. Loop control, accuracy, the double haul, and casting in wind.
- Who it's for
- New fly anglers, spin anglers making the switch, and anyone who wants to fix a habit before a trip.
- Typical length
- 1 hour, or 2 hours for Saltwater Fly Basics
- What to bring
- Your rod and reel if you have them
- Hat and polarized sunglasses
Rates
- $85 · per hour · private
- $150 · 2 hours, “Saltwater Fly Basics”
- $60 · per hour, per person · two people
Fly Tying
- What it is
- Saltwater flies for the fish we chase here: baitfish, shrimp and crab patterns. You leave with flies you tied.
- Who it's for
- First-time tiers, and experienced tiers who want patterns that work on local water.
- Typical length
- 2 hours
- What to bring
- Your vise and tools if you have them
Coming soon
Where & When
Beaches, flats and the river
Most days are spent on three kinds of water. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. The grass flats of Pine Island Sound. And the Caloosahatchee River, with its backcountry creeks and mangrove edges. The season, the tide and the wind decide which one we fish.
| Season | Species | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Mar | Snook, redfish | Caloosahatchee River and the backcountry |
| Apr–Sep | Snook, juvenile tarpon | Sanibel and Captiva beaches |
| Oct–Apr | Spotted seatrout | Pine Island Sound grass flats |
| Nov–Apr | Pompano | Sanibel beaches and the passes |
| Apr–Oct | Jack crevalle | Passes, beaches and flats |
About Nick
I grew up in Florida with a spinning rod in my hand — freshwater canals and lakes, then the bays, beaches and passes of the Gulf coast. I learned to read this water the way you only can as a kid with time and no boat: on foot, at the edges.
I found fly fishing in Oregon, standing in cold rivers casting to trout, and it changed how I fish. I came back to Florida and brought it with me. Now I fish the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva, the flats of Pine Island Sound and the Caloosahatchee on foot and by paddle, mostly on fly, and I tie what I throw. I'm a member of the Sanibel FlyFishers.
If you want to learn to cast, want a day wading for snook, or already fish and want to see this water from the edges instead of a deck, that's what I do.
FAQ
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Every angler brings their own Florida saltwater fishing license.
Anyone fishing from a kayak or SUP needs a regular Florida saltwater license too, residents included.
Get either one from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at myfwc.com/license before your trip.
What should I wear and bring?
Dress for sun and water: a long-sleeve sun shirt, a hat, polarized sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring water, a snack and a light rain jacket.
On wade trips, wear shoes with a hard sole and shuffle your feet as you walk. Stingrays bury in the sand. On paddle trips, Florida requires a life jacket for each person and a sound device, like a whistle, on a kayak or SUP.
Bring your own rod if you like. Gear is available on request.
What happens if the weather turns?
If the weather rules out the day, we reschedule. You are not charged for a weather call.
I've never fly fished. Is that a problem?
No. Beginners are welcome. If you've never cast a fly rod, a casting lesson before your first wade trip is a good way to start. You can also fish spin tackle while you learn.
Can I use spin or light tackle?
Yes. Spin and light-tackle anglers are welcome on every fishing trip. Bring your own rod or ask for gear.
Where do we meet?
It depends on the trip, the season and the tide. The tide and wind set the start time, so I'll confirm the time and the meeting spot the day before. It's usually a public beach access, park or kayak launch close to the water we're fishing.
Trip inquiry — taking dates from January 2027
Tell me when you'd like to fish and what you have in mind. I'll reply with open dates, a plan and rates.
Or reach me directly
- nick@finnflyfishing.com
- Phone
- (802) 239-1709
- @finnflyfl (DMs open)
Service areaFort Myers · Sanibel · Pine Island · Lehigh Acres