Introduction to Fishing Events

Your Coordinator will be the ultimate person to give you the details you need.  Their instructions to you should include appropriate detail.  Ensure that you have read all this detail and what they have sent you.  Ensure you have the equipment and food that you want for the trip.

Captains have guided many trips for members; we have learned that you aren’t guaranteed of super fishing every time out but you will enjoy the captain and learn Estero Bay, or fishing in the Gulf. However, fishing in the gulf, during warmer times and further out has yielded good catches.  The charters that go out in the gulf do keep catch and do filet these fish.  The filets are divided up by the captain as evenly as possible, after they are filleted.

Refer to the Calendar for dates and times of charter events.

How it Works

Trips are offered by the Club in season most every month with our vetted Captains. Contact your Coordinator to RSVP and for emergency cancellations.

You may also contact charters directly to schedule a private (i.e., non-club) trip if you have enough people. It does not have to go through a Coordinator.

Some Captains fish only in the back waters of Estero Bay and do not go into the Gulf, except for short near-shore excursions on a calm day. This is called Back Water Fishing.

Club rules require that a member who commits but does not show or cancels is responsible for his share of the cost of the trip, including tip. If a member secures a substitute from the club’s member or wait list, the original member is no longer responsible for his share of the cost.

You Do NOT Need

No fishing license is required unless directed by your Coordinator. Charter captains have licenses that include all on board.

Charter Captains provide all bait and spinning tackle.

Captains will fillet your fish for you; except for trips that are specifically catch and release.

NOTE: Beach and Pontoon excursions have no captain involved, so you will need a license, bait, tackle, and filleting supplies on those trips.

Coordinators may arrange for car-pooling, starting from the Enrichment Center.  

 

 

 

What to Bring

        • sunglasses
        • a fishing hat (e.g. Tilley hat)
        • sun block and lip sun screen
          (no spray cans)
        • water
        • snacks or drinks
          (conserve space by consolidating all cool items into a group cooler).
        • baggies and ice for fillets
        • seasickness preventative
        • payment
          (Cash or check payable to the Captain)
        • 10% tip – more if appropriate
          (Your Coordinator will tell you in advance how much to bring.)
        • hand towel
        • jacket for early trips
        • long-sleeve shirt for longer trips
        • cell phone, in case the Coordinator needs to contact you the day of the event

         

Fishing Equipment

Suggested Equipment List for Fresh and Light Saltwater Fishing
(charter captains provide all the necessary bait and tackle)

(one outfit that works for bass, backwater and light saltwater gulf fishing)

  • 5-7.0 foot graphite spinning rod, Bass Pro Brand or comparable, 10-17lb approx and .5oz lure wt.
  • Bass Pro spinning reel or comparable for at least 200 yds of line
  • Power Pro line approx 15 lb test, 125 yds, backed with 6 lb mono to fill spool
  • Soft side lightweight tackle box with removable trays
  • Black or bronze barrel swivels
  • Number 1/0  or 2/0 silver saltwater hooks
  • Number 1/0 or 2/0 black circle hooks
  • Number 1/0, or 2/0 or 3/0 Texas Rig hooks for bass worms
  • 10 and 20 lb test Flurocarbon line to make leaders
  • Egg sinkers, half, quarter, eigth ounce sizes
  • Bullet sinkers for bass, one quarter and one eighth ounce sizes
  • Beads for Carolina rigs to stop sinkers
  • Rag to clean off hands
  • Yellow glove for handling fish
  • Clippers for cutting line
  • Black long nose pliers by Rappala equivalent
  • Hook extractor
  • Florida fishing regulations
  • sunset-841540_1280Florida license unless a FL resident over 65
  • Gary Yamamotto 5” Yamasenko, or Zoom, or equivalent worms, brown, black, green, pumkinseed
  • Small soft sided ice box for food, drink, fish, large ice chest for the bold
  • Landing net
  • Fish stringer
  • Filet knife
  • Bobbers
  • Foldable fish length ruler
  • Bait bucket with aerator
  • Sunglasses, big tie on hat, sun block, bug repellent, and mini first aid kit
  • Optional plugs, jigs, lures, etc including top water for bass
  • Laminated card to recognize local fish
  • GPS depth and marker Maps of Estero Bay to Naples
  • A camera, perhaps, to record the big catch