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 hours, or 5 for a full day
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
Contact for rates
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
Contact for rates
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 for one or two people, or 2 hours for more practice
What to bring
Your rod and reel if you have them
Hat and polarized sunglasses
Contact for rates
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
Contact for rates
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.
Target species by season
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
Photo placeholderNick on the water
About Nick
I've been fishing for more than 40 years. Here in Southwest Florida I fish on foot and by paddle craft. I wade the beaches on Sanibel and paddle the grass flats of Pine Island Sound. In winter I follow the snook up the Caloosahatchee. I'm a member of the Sanibel FlyFishers, and I tie my own flies.
I guide the way I fish. We read the tide, move quietly, and look for fish before we cast. If you're new, we start with the basics. If you've fished for years, we work on the shots that are hard to make. I'll show you what I'm seeing and why, so you can find fish on your own next time. Fly or spin, either works.
Let's go fishing.
Gallery
Photos from the water. There are more on Instagram.
Photo placeholderWading a Sanibel beach at sunrise
Photo placeholderA snook at the waterline before release
Photo placeholderA kayak staked out on a Pine Island Sound flat
Photo placeholderSaltwater flies on the vise
Photo placeholderA fly casting lesson on the beach
Photo placeholderMangrove shoreline on the Caloosahatchee
Yes. Every angler brings their own Florida saltwater fishing license. Florida residents fishing on foot can use the free resident shoreline license on wade trips. Non-residents, and anyone fishing from a kayak or SUP, need a regular Florida saltwater license.
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.
Book a trip
Tell me when you'd like to fish and what you have in mind. I'll reply with open dates, a plan and rates.
