Who: The Bowes Family, Caroline and Scott

Where From: Pennsylvania

The Catch: Shark and Grouper

The Captain: Jeff Zasadny

Marina: Jensen's Twin Palm, Captiva

Island, Florida

Who: Jenny Vance and J.R. Vance

Where from: Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Captain: Jeff Zasadny

The Catch: mangrove snapper, flounder, spanish mackerel, and

shark

Marina : Jensen's Twin Palm , Captiva Island, Florida

Maggie Teachout of Eustis, Florida caught this beautiful seatrout while fishing in Pine Island Sound directly in front of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina. Maggie's Captain(and husband) know his stuff and he knew right where to go and catch fish.

Captain Shawn Kelly of the "Summerwind" out Jensen's Marina
turned his party onto several big trout. Todd Keefer and Kim
DeVoogel of Clearwater, Florida were the lucky fisherman.

Fishing near Redfish Pass at the end of Captiva Island, Captain Shawn first used his cast net to catch some fresh bait. The gator size trout went crazy for the small bait fish.

Dinner that night was special for the guys from Clearwater. Nothing like fresh fish, fresh fish caught that day!

Legendary Captain Jim"Sandbar" Thompson and his charter Crystal Bender out of Orlando landed nothing but big seatrout. Captain Sandbar has been plying the local waters surrounding Captiva Island for many years and he knows most of the tricks to catching all kinds of fish. On this day trout touts worked the best.

Big trout, close by was the call of the morning for this great crew. Aaron Sutton along with his son Kris and friend Brian Faryna did the deed on trout while fishing the nearby flats of Pine Island Sound.

Aaron and Kris call Apoka, Florida their home port and Brian lives in Umatilla, Florida. Aaron trailered his boat to Captiva and is staying at Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina.

The morning brought good luck for Larry and Claudia as they fished Pine Island Sound with Captain Doug Rigsby. Lots of mangrove snapper and trout by these expert anglers while using live shrimp and plastic tail jigs.

Captain Doug can be reached by calling Jensen's Marina at 239-472-5800 or visit their website at www.gocaptiva.com

Boy, what smiles! Boy, what fish! Two very big catch and release redfish landed by Ebin, Jim and Jesus. The guys had some help in the form of Captain Nelson Diaz who works out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island.

Pine Island Sound was the area the redfish were caught and the bait used was live blue crabs.

www.gocaptiva.com

Visiting from Taylorville, Illinios the Penrod family enjoyed a day of fishing out of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina. Jamie, Bob, Zoey, and Bailey all caught fish which included gray snapper and sheepshead. Live shrimp was the bait of choice.

Ryan Gerber and Shawn Kelly work together at Jensen's Marina on Captiva Island. They are around fishing and fishing folks all day. So what do they do after work one day. They go fishing of course.

Ryan moved here from Ohio recently and wanted to catch a shark. It didn't take Captain Shawn long to show Ryan how it's done. The guy's were back at the dock in an hour after catching several black tip sharks.

Shane Stephenson of Tuscaloosa, Alabama had him a fight with a blacktip shark while fishing near Captiva Island in Pine Island Sound.
Shane's captain was Doug"Tex" Rigsby who works out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island.

Captain Doug used cut Spanish Mackerel for bait and fished the area known as Foster's Point.

Captain Doug Rigsby working out of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina put his charter on redfish and seatrout. Scooter and his buddy, both from Virginia, enjoyed their day on the water with Captain Doug.



The guys used shrimp and fished the Foster's Point area of Pine Island Sound which is just east of North Captiva. Captain Doug also owns a houseboat that he rents out which makes for a great time. Call Jensen's Marina at 239-472-5800 and they will connect you with Captain Doug for more details.

Schools out and fishing is on the schedule. Kaitlin Gohr and Zack Arnett along with David Gohr enjoyed a successful day on the water with Captain Nelson Riaz aboard the Summerwind.

Black Drum, Sheepshead, and Mangrove Snapper are just some of the fish caught by the lucky fisherman from Germantown, Wisconsin. If you are visiting the Sanibel and Captiva area of Florida give Jensen's Marina a call and schedule your very own special day on the water. (239)-472-5800 or visit www.gocaptiva.com

Brothers Hiram and Mark Locklear of Wildwood, Florida have been visiting Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva for many years. The great fishing in our area is why they come here and they sure know how to catch fish. This particular day they got their limit of big trout. They also did well with the redfish and tarpon.

Today was ladies day aboard the Summerwind out of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina on Captiva Island. Captain Nelson Diaz along with his party from Burnveld, New York had a fine day catching seatrout and mangrove snapper.

I was late getting to the scene with my camera for a photo of Margaret Murdock, Heidi Jones and Nancy Lennon with their catch so we had to settle for a shot of the filets in a bag.

Tarpon season is starting to hit full swing. Captain Nelson Diaz, working out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina put his client Ross of Cape Coral on to a beauty of a fish weighing in at approximately 145lbs..

Captain Nelson used live threadfins and fished the Caloosahatchee River to make the silver king catch. For other fishing information, please visit www.gocaptiva.com

Bill Coats of Captiva and crew enjoyed a morning of fishing with Captain Nelson Diaz. The guys wanted to catch snook and redfish and that's what they caught.

The snook, redfish and tarpon are starting their spring feeding triggered by steady warmer water temperatures. Action is almost a guarantee on into May as long as the tides are moving good.

If you would like to rent a boat and be your own captain or have Captain Nelson take you right to the hotspots call Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina at 239-472-5800 or go to www. gocaptiva .com

Lots of happy fisherman as this crew just returned from fishing aboard the Summerwind out of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina on Captiva Island. Captain Shawn Kelly took this crew to some of his hotspots and found plenty of mangrove snapper.

To plan your fishing trip, visit www.gocaptiva.com or call 239-472-5800 for additional information.

Seatrout and Mangrove Snapper made catch of the day this sunny day in March near Captiva Island, Florida. The Okray's and the Lawlis families from Stevens Point, Wisconsin were all smiles as Captain Nelson Riaz out Jensen's Marina put them all on fish.

If you like fishing and you are visiting Southwest, Florida call 239-472-5800 or visit Jensen's website at www.gocaptiva.com to set up your own catching trip.

Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina guests John and Judy of Long Island, New York and Bob Haege from Syracuse, New York show off their catch of redfish. They wouldn't say exactly where they caught dinner but I suspect it was not far from the marina located on Captiva Island.

The fishing trio will clean their fish and take it up to the Lazy Flamingo Restaurant on Sanibel Island for a fine preparation of their catch.

Paul and Jane Foster of Toronto, Canada recently escaped the cold winter of the north and visited Captiva Island just off the coast of Ft. Myers, Florida. The Foster's enjoyed some of the area's great fishing during their vacation while hiring Captain Sean Kelly of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina.

Three beautiful keeper size trout were caught by the Fosters. To plan your own fishing trip call 239-472-5800 or go to www.gocaptiva.com

It never fails. February is the month to catch big trout when fishing near Captiva Island in Pine Island Sound. Jud Hayes of Gainesville, Florida proved it for us as he brought in several big sea trout while fishing from a rental skiff out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina.

Jud used several methods to catch fish which included live shrimp and small pinfish rigged with a popping cork and also artificial baits. If you would like to plan your own fishing trip while visiting southwest Florida you may contact Jensen's Marina at 239-472-5800.

Wow! can't believe it February! Sunshine and warm. Well, its beautiful Southwest Florida so this is not so unusual and along with the good weather is great fishing.

Captain Neslon Riaz, working out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island, hooked his party up with redfish and trout. Nelson's charter, David Stanziak of Holland Township, NJ and Jim Gunning of East Holden, ME each caught keeper redfish and big trout.

The fish were caught in Pine Island Sound using artificial baits. You can reach Captain Nelson at 239-472-5800.

Jeff Dixson of Dallas, PA made the fantasy fishing trip recently with Captain Nelson Diaz. Fishing the south end of Pine Island Sound, Jeff landed several redfish and snook.

Captain Nelson took time out before fishing to catch fresh bait. Fish were caught in and around mangrove shorelines and near oyster bars. Jeff had a great time and hopes to be back soon to Captiva Island and escape the harsh north winter.

Into the office of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina walked a smiling couple. Unfortunately, I misplaced their name but I remember they were from Minnesota and later on this day they were to catch a plane home. All they wanted to do was to go fishing one more time before their vacation ended.

Since Jensen's offers fishing trips by the hour, they were in luck and on duty this day was Captain Nelson Diaz. Just a short ride from the marina aboard the "Summerwind" Captain Nelson got into the sheepshead for these folks.

If you are visiting Sanibel or Captiva Islands and want to make your vacation even more special call Jensen's Marina and set up your fishing trip by the hour. (239)-472-5800

Ken Vanderlaan and some of his fishing buddies hired Captain Jeff Zasadny out Jensen's Twin Resort and Marina recently. What a day it was as the guys caught lots of fish including mangrove snapper, redfish and grouper.

Ken and his friends are visiting the Captiva Island area from Ontario, Canada.

Working out of Jensen's Twin Palm Marina on Captiva Island, Captain Nelson Diaz showed three generations of the Marsh Family a good fishing time. Large amberjack and grouper were the catch of the day.

Captain Nelson has been featured on several TV shows with his monster catches. Call Jensen's Twin Palm Marina at 239-472-5800 to arrange your big day on the water.

The Olson Family from Middlebury, CT wore big smiles as they showed off their catch. Fishing with Captain Jeff Zasadny, the Olson's caught redfish and mangrove snappers. Fishing was best in the upper reaches of Pine Island Sound just inside North Captiva.

If you would like to catch fish like the Olson Family you can contact Captain Jeff by calling Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island at 239-472-5800.

The Cenatempo Family of Atlanta enjoyed a beautiful day on the water while fishing with Captain Shawn Kelly. Dan and Roxanne and their children Jack and Cara fished Redfish Pass which separates the islands of Captiva and North Captiva. The catch of the day included several mangrove snappers and a sheepshead. Live shrimp was the bait of choice.

Captain Shawn works out of Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina located on Captiva Island in Florida near the mainland area of Fort Myers. Shawn can be reached at 239-472-5800.

Shane Kelly, age 10, of Cape Coral, Florida recently caught a flounder off the dock at Jensen's Twin Palm Marina. Shane caught some of his own bait fish and also used live shrimp he had purchased. The flounder hit on the live shrimp.

Shane also caught several grouper not quite keeper size. If it wasn't for school or football season Shane would be fishing all the time. Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina is located on Captiva Island just off the southwest coast of Florida near Ft. Myers.

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!

Fishing machine Kurt Krattinger from Dawsonville, GA completed another successful fishing trip while staying at Jensen's Twin Palm Marina and Cottages. Fishing Pine Island Sound just off Captiva Island, Kurt used a variety of baits. A top water lure was the winning lunch ticket for his keeper redfish.

Kurt plans on fishing the oyster bars tomorrow as he feels the redfish will continue to be very active. Time is ticking away before he has to head back to northern Georgia, so Kurt will be packing in as much fishing as possible.

If you are visiting the Sanibel and Captiva Island area and would like some additional details as to how Kurt catches fish, stop by Jensen's Twin Palm Marina and Cottages or give them a call at 239-472-5800 and the Jensen Brothers will arrange for your very own special fishing trip.

Looking for something to do, four friends from the Pontiac, Michigan area stopped by Jensen's Marina to see if they could go fishing. Captain Nelson Diaz was available so Chris Kizy, Kevin Pefley, Mark Stryjewski, and Todd Zill boarded the "Summerwind" charter boat and headed for Pine Island Sound to fish the grass flats.

Captain Nelson rigged some of the guys equipment with live shrimp and the other's with simple jigs. Everyone caught fish which included seatrout and pompano. Later today the crew from Michigan are taking their catch to the Lazy Flamingo restaurant on Sanibel Island for a fresher than fresh seafood dinner.

If you plan to visit Ft. Myers, Florida area contact Jensen's Marina at 239-472-5800 for all your on the water interests including fishing, outer island shelling, sightseeing and dolphin cruises.

John Landry with Waterproof Charts out Punta Gorda enjoyed a day of fishing with Captain Shawn Kelly. Just south and west of Captiva Island at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, Captain Shawn found a hotspot for snook. John landed a beautiful 18lb fish as the tide was moving out. Shawn landed a 20lb snook as the tide stopped moving. Both fisherman used live pinfish for bait.

If you find your way to Captiva Island, stop by Jensen's Marina and ask for Captain Shawn Kelly and he will be sure to fill you in on the latest fishing hotspots. For additional fishing imformation for the Captiva and Sanibel Islands area visit our website at www.gocaptiva.com

Ray and Mary Lynn Posgay of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida are spending this week doing what they like to do most-fish. Yesterday morning they made their usual pit stop at Jensen's Marina on Captiva Island to pick up live bait shrimp for the days excursion.

The Posgay's loaded up their boat and headed for their fishing destination, the barrier island inlets off Pine Island Sound. Ray and Mary Lynn fished all morning then decided to take a lunch break, boat motor off, drifting out into the Gulf of Mexico, soaking up the sunshine. No reason to pull in the baits, just relax and enjoy their sandwiches.

Out of now where, Ray's line tighten's and takes off screaming. Ray dropped his sandwich and grabbed his rod and started reeling in. On the other end was dinner, a beautiful 17 inch mangrove snapper. Eating lunch, drifting along in your boat, catching fish. What a day!

Last stop of the day, Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina to show off their catch and have their photo taken. If you would like to show off your catch and have your photo hang on the walls of Captiva's Fishing Hall of Fame at Jensen's Marina call us at 239-472-5800 and let us know you are on your way. For additional Captiva Island area fishing information visit our website at www. gocaptiva.com

Tides are similar to weather as they are a major topic of fisherman and there is nothing one can do about them. A recent discussion of the subject at Jensen's Twin Palm Marina brought abut a common concern among visiting fisherman to Captiva Island-is the tide coming in or is the tide going out.

Listening to the captains who fish for a living throughout our area of Southwest Florida one will learn that the direction of the tide movement is of less importance than how fast the water is dropping or rising. The quicker the tide water movement the better fishing. Some tide charts provide relative tide movements and can be interpreted to know how quickly the water will be moving at any given time of day.

If you would like a tide chart sent to you or have questions regarding fishing the near waters of Captiva Island, contact Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina at 239-472-5800 or visit their website at www. gocaptiva.com

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Hunter Davis, age 11, along with his dad Rich, made a weekend visit to Jensen's Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island which is located along the southwest coast of Florida. Fishing is always on the agenda for Hunter. This morning the father and son team rented a boat from Jensen's and headed for Captiva Pass where they drifted the eddies and currents of the waterway that separates North Captiva and Cayo Costa.

Photo is of Hunter with a saltwater catfish he caught just off the seawall at Jensen's marina. Hunter restocked his bait bucket with live shrimp and has high hopes of catching a snook under the lights at Jensen's Marina.

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Captain Shawn Kelly out of Jensen's Marina and Cottages on Captiva Island reported catching jacks off the beach. Fishing with Captain Shawn was Mike Ripka of Cape Coral. The guys used top water lures and jerk baits.

If you wish to contact Captain Shawn Kelly, call Jensen's Marina at (239)-472-5800 or visit their website at www.gocaptiva.com

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Fall is the time large bait shrimp find their way into Pine Island Sound, the body of water on which Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina is located. Live shrimp is the choice of bait for those who fish the waters surrounding Captiva Island which is located just off the coast of Southwest Florida.

Graeme Stewart and his son Gordon will testify to the effectiveness of live shrimp for bait as they both caught plenty of fish from the beach just south of the Mucky Duck Restaurant on Captiva Island. Both fisherman caught ladyfish. Graeme kept one of his ladyfish and used it for bait which resulted in a hookup of a huge tarpon. That's right, a huge tarpon right from the beach. Graeme was not prepared to catch a tarpon but he did manage to get one jump out this silver king before losing it.

All fisherman planning a trip to Captiva Island are welcome to contact Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina for local information at 239-472-5800 or visit their website at http://www.gocaptiva.com/

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

What a beautiful day. Breeze out of the east, palms swaying and the fish were biting. Kurt Krattinger of Dawsonville, Georgia left Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina on Captiva Island in Florida and headed straight for one of his favorite fishing spots.

Redfish Pass was Kurts destination, the swift moving body water that separates the islands of Captiva and North Captiva. Kurt had his poles rigged with plain leaded hair jig heads with the hopes of catching pompano. Instead, Kurt caught his limit of spotted seatrout, some of which he hooked by using a top water plug.

Before heading back to the dock at Jensen's Marina, Kurt pointed his boat out into the Gulf of Mexico . The wave actionwas minimal. In the distance Kurt observed large patches of sea surface churning which as he approached he discovered to be thousands and thousands of mullet.

Tomorrow Kurt plans to return to the Gulf waters with his castnet aboard and load up on some mullet for the fish fry and music jam at Jensen's Marina this coming saturday night. Jimmy Jensen and The Trouble Starters Band will be performing. Call Jensen's today (239-472-5800), rent a cottage and experience a special moonlit night you'll never forget. Visit our website at www.gocaptiva.com