Captain Doug Rigsby of Sanibel Island, Florida knows the spot to catch gray snapper. He won't say exactly where the location is other than near Captiva Pass which separates North Captiva Island and Cayo Costa which is one of the inlets that connects the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound.

Using live shrimp, Captain Doug and his charter managed to get their limit of snapper within an hour. Gray snapper is one of the finest eating fish there is, especially prepared whole and on the grill. If you'd like to try your luck at snapper fishing you can reach Captain Doug at Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina by calling 239-472-5800.

Avid fisherman Don Marano of Salt Lake City, Utah scored big with the black drum while fishing near Captiva Island off the coast of Southwest Florida. Don earned his success after fishing the local waters for many years and learning what works and what doesn't.

Don rented an 18ft. center console boat from Jensen's Twin Palm Marina. Bait of choice was live shrimp which Don rigged for casting around the old dock pilings near the tidal flow of Redfish Pass.

Tackle buying is a big part of the whole fishing experience. Sometimes valuable fishing time is wasted by getting to serious and second guessing your tackle purchase. Where ever you fish, consult your local bait shop. Take their advice so you can get back on the water catching fish as soon as possible.

Right now fishing the flats off Captiva Island with floating Yo-Zuri chrystal minnows is providing plenty of action. When the is tide right, plenty of snook and redfish are being caught.

If have you have a trip planned to the Sanibel Captiva island area near Ft. Myers, Florida swing on by Jensen's Twin Palm Marina and Cottages and they will provide with the current and best information on what tackle to use to catch a big one.

Around noon time and also later on in the afternoon the usual suspects gather around the fish cleaning table at Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina. This day was no different as Captain Jimmy Burnsed was busy filleting fish as his charter customers and a few pelicans watched intently.

David and Penny McCaleb of Atlanta, Georgia caught several beautiful redfish and were able to bring a couple home for dinner. Captain Jimmy fishes the Pine Island Sound area near Captiva Island.

If you would like to line up a charter with Captain Jimmy Burnsed, you may call Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina at (239)-472-5800 for contact information.

Chris and Janet Hynes of Boca Raton, Florida enjoyed a recent fishing trip with Captain Shawn Kelly. This crew fished many areas throughout Pine Island Sound favoring the Captiva Island area.

While drifting Redfish Pass as it enters the Gulf of Mexico, Captain Shawn attempted to raise a snook or two. To everyone on board surprise, a very large flounder was landed. The crew brought the fish back to Jensen's marina where Captain Shawn prepared the catch for the happy couple. A crowd gathered and most commented as to the fish being "the biggest flounder ever been caught in these waters".

If you would like to book a charter with Captain Shawn you can reach him at Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina by calling (239)-472-5800.

Jeff Angello and family of North Caldwell, New Jersey just finished a fun vacation week on Captiva Island which is located just off the coast of Ft. Myers, Florida. Fishing was a big part of the Angello's getaway so they took advantage of the Gulf of Mexico only being 150ft. from their Jensen's on the Gulf beachfront cottage.



In the photo is Jeff, age 7, proudly showing the beautiful snook he had caught. Just prior to landing the fish, Jeff fished thru a huge school of ladyfish. A shiny jig was Jeff's bait of choice.



The next evening the Angello's enjoyed a dinner of fresh seafood which included a squid also caught along the beach. The Angello's know how live it up!

The last couple of days a blue streak appeared around Captiva Island. Matt, John, Pete, and Keith who operate Blue Streak Tile out of Naples, Florida did a guys fishing getaway to Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina. This is an annual retreat for the guys and this year it was one of their best.

The weather was great, 80 degrees under blue skies and the fishing was fantastic. Using live shrimp and cut sardines the crew caught several keeper size grouper and snappers.

Across the bay from Captiva Island is a little known secret for fresh seafood lovers, especially those who prefer not catch their own. George Henry Long of Southhampton, England and Queenie Viglione of Captiva went by boat from Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina to Kibbe and Son's Fish House located on Pine Island for a fresh seafood fix.

Sheepshead, mullet and farm raised clams were available this day. George and Queenie went for the mullet and sheepshead. Upon return to Captiva, Queenie did her magic and prepared and incredible seafood meal of the fresh mullet and sheepshead.

If you are planning a trip to Sanibel or Capitva Islands off the coast of Southwest Florida and have craving for fresh fish, contact Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina at 239-472-5800 and arrange for a fun boat ride to Pine Island and pick up your own catch of the day.

Another great day of fishing for Captain Nelson Diaz as his charter Jeff Dickson landed both snook and redfish. Captain Nelson fished the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River where it meets San Carlos Bay and Pine Island Sound.

Jeff caught over 20 snook and redfish with Captain Nelson's help. The guys used live white bait and had luck during both the incoming and outgoing tides. Jeff splits his time between Dallas, PA where he has a manufacturing business and Captiva, Fl where he loves to fish.

Captain Nelson works out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island and he can be reached at (239)-472-5800.

One of the more fun aspects of fishing is catching bait. In the Southwest Florida area the back bays and coastal shorelines are great habitats for using a castnet to catch bait. Using a castnet for the first time can be a little tricky.

Captain Shawn Kelly of Jensen's Marina has helped many a fisherman learn the art of throwing a castnet. First he throws it a couple of times to show how it is done then he guides the would be bait catcher on how to do it on their own. This particular fisherman helped by Captain Shawn was very happy as he became a hero to his young son for learning the art of throwing a castnet.

This weekend the Bait Box Castnet Rodeo takes place. Located on Sanibel Island, this annual event draws contestants of all ages to compete in various castnet throwing games for a chance to earn some great prizes. Jensen's Twin Palm Marina and Cottages has provided five $100 gift card raffle prizes.

If you are planning on visiting Sanibel or Captiva Islands, stop by Jensen's Marina and buy a castnet and one of the guys will show you how to use it. Happy Fishing!