Captiva has the perfect trip for any angler with access to a variety of prime fishing spots. Just looking at a map will get an anglers blood pumping. Located just outside the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and Pine Island Sound, Captiva has access to prime inshore waters and is just a quick boat ride from productive offshore spots. Fishing near Captiva provides a unique opportunity to check off multiple bucket list species in the same trip. The sheer volume of fishable waters can be overwhelming, but guides have the lowdown on the best fishing spots in the area.
Fishing in Captiva is a year-round affair. Something is always in season, the only question is what you want to target.
The crown jewel of Captiva charter fishing is the inshore trip. There are endless inshore waters to be fished between the Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, miles of canals, and the backwater intertidal creeks. Captiva is a prime location to go after the backcountry slam, which is catching a redfish, speckled trout, and snook all in a single day.
The tarpon bite heats up around April and lasts until August. During these summer months, tarpon swing through Captiva on their annual migration to spawning grounds. Easily being one of the most exhilarating fish to catch in the world, tarpon are on almost every angler's bucket list.
As the summer heat subsides and fall comes around, bull redfish, snook, and speckled trout head up into the flats and intertidal creeks. This is an excellent time to sight-fish and go for the Backcountry Slam. If you want to double down on a challenge, book a trip to Captiva and target these inshore fish with a fly.
Captiva Deep Sea Fishing Charters
For those looking to head offshore, there are plenty of Captiva deep sea fishing charters available. The highly productive nearshore and offshore fishing grounds are just a short boat ride from the heart of town. The transition from winter to early spring brings hard-fighting game fish like Cobia and Permit to the nearshore reefs that dot the waters off of Captiva.
Continuing into the summer, tarpon arrive in waters around 20 feet deep and within 1-3 miles off the shore. Going further offshore to deeper water from Captiva will produce various species of grouper, snapper, and other deepwater structure dwellers year-round. Fishing in Captiva during the winter is every bit as productive as in the summer. when water temperatures drop in colder months, prized gamefish like amberjack and kingfish go into a feeding frenzy.
Things to do in Captiva, FL
There are plenty of events and attractions around Captiva to keep the whole family entertained when you get off the water. Visit any number of the white sand beaches or take the whole crew out to see Manatees. For the 21+ crowd, Captiva has more than enough options for bars and nightlife. No matter what you’re looking for on your next trip, Captiva is sure to have something for everyone.
Book a Captiva Fishing Charter Trip Today
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Captiva Tides & Weather
View Captiva tide times and charts here, and weather here.
