If this pandemic taught me one thing, it’s the importance of getting outside into the fresh air and sunshine.
As a full time fishing guide in Southwest Florida, the last year has been insanely busy with visitors from all over the country. Some were first time visitors to Sanibel & Captiva Island, and some have been coming here with their families for decades – but all of them were glad to get outside and enjoy everything our islands have to offer.
Now that kids are returning to school, and adults are going back to their offices, we are finally starting to see a bit of a reprieve from the onslaught of travelers. Don’t get me wrong, I love and appreciate having a full schedule but it’s also nice to have the opportunity to stand back and appreciate everything we get out of simply being outside and how unique this business is.
Its all fun and games!
I know you all will find it hard to believe, but being a fishing guide isn’t always fun and glamor. I’m up each day at O’Dark Thirty, icing down the coolers and hauling the boat to the marina. Followed by some exercise throwing a 30+lb cast net to catch bait, then cleaning the boat, and rigging the rods before I can pick up my guests. After ten or so hours in the Florida sun, it’s time to fillet the fish, haul the boat home, clean the boat (again), and finally, I get to have dinner with my wife and kids.
After dinner, its time to respond to the emails, text messages and phone calls from the day before doing it all over the next morning. It can be easy to get frustrated when I’m on 2 straight weeks without a day off or when any one, of a million little things can go wrong on any given day. But, I don’t have the time to get mad now, the boat needs service and the lawn still needs to get cut. Oh well, keep going!
Last week I was standing on the bow of my boat. I was hot, tired and sweaty having just finished catching bait and cleaning the boat. Then, I looked up to see what is pictured on top of this page. It was a gorgeous, flat beautiful morning on Sanibel and I couldn’t have been more thankful for it. It was a great way to start another busy day.
Fall Is Here!
Fall is here in Southwest Florida. The humidity is getting lower by the day; the mornings and evenings are becoming a little cooler. The water temperatures are starting to drop and the fish, and I, are enjoying the changes. (See todays weather here – https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sanibel/33957/weather-forecast/2245244)
The fall is always one of the most enjoyable times to fish in Southwest Florida. As the waters cool, species like Tarpon will be working their way back down the coast towards the warmer waters. Snook are moving off the beach and back towards the warmer waters of the estuaries and rivers. Cooler water species like Pompano, Triple Tail and Sheepshead will begin moving back into the surrounding waters. Redfish and Speckled Trout love this time of year and the nearshore bite will be as exciting as ever.
If you haven’t been down here in a while, Fall can be one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit, and the fishing is shaping up to be outstanding!
No matter what you do, or where you are remember to get outside and take every moment you can to appreciate what Mother Nature has presented us with. If I never hear the term “lockdown” again, I’ll be just fine with it! Come and see us soon, You won’t be sorry!
To book your charters, you can always reach out to us here.
Tight lines!
Capt. Bryan Dollar
Fish Old School