We're often asked what the best Sanibel fishing spots are for those looking to fish from land while on vacation. Below is a list of popular places we can guarantee a fish or two be caught! Stop in to our Sanibel fishing store for more details on any of these locations or for pro-tips from our award-winning fishing captains!
Sanibel Fishing Spots
Sanibel Lighthouse Pier
Sanibel's historic lighthouse shares the grounds with one of the Island's most popular fishing spots, the Sanibel Pier. A t-shaped, free-entry boardwalk can be found lively at all hours of the day. The pier at Ligthouse Beach Park provides residents and visitors with sights of enthusiastic boaters circling the island, dolphins jumping in the waves, birds diving for their next meal and the area's most popular species of fish. Fisherman can expect to catch snapper, redfish, snook, sheepshead and more. And while their isn't a bait shop on the pier, you can gear up with all your fishing needs at our Sanibel bait shop before you head over. We even have rod & reel rentals for those traveling without their own equipment. Check out our current fishing report for what we've seen there lately or stop in to talk to Whitney & crew!
What you should know:
- Drinking fountain
- Bike racks
- Barbeque grills
- Picnic Areas
- Shade Pavilion
- Outside showers
- 170 parking spaces
- $5.00 per hour parking fee
- Restrooms
- Handicapped accessible (free handicapped parking)
Blind Pass
Blind Pass is probably the most popular and well known Sanibel fishing spot due to its position between Sanibel & Captiva Islands and the flow of water that results from the bay and Gulf meeting. Fisherman can be found out on the beach or beneath the bridge along the pilings.
What you should know:
- Acreages = 1.5
- 27 parking spaces
- $5.00 per hour parking fee
- Handicapped accessible (free handicapped parking)
Ding Darling
Before heading to this top Sanibel fishing spot, make sure to come in to Whitney's Bait & Tackle for your FL fishing license or purchase it online here. We also have rod and reel rentals as well as all your fresh, frozen & live bait. Ding Darling is a national wildlife refuge with many activities but for those looking to fish, there are some things you'll need to know before heading over to land your next big catch.
What you should know:
- Admission: $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian, $1 per bicycle
- Indigo trail & Bailey Tract are open year round from dawn to dusk
- Common fish include sheepshead, snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout.
- Salt water fishing is popular along Wildlife Drive, in Tarpon Bay, and in the backwaters of the Refuge.
- Saltwater fishing from shore is allowed on both sides of Wildlife Drive.
- Sport cast netting is also permitted (only personal use of bait fish and 50 mullet per person, per day).
- Most areas of water on the left side of Wildlife Drive are closed to the public. These areas are posted “Area beyond this sign closed.”
- All Florida state fishing laws apply.
- The bugs can be bad. Wear repellant and take precaution!
- Boating is allowed in the Refuge in designated areas; however, the Refuge has some restricted access areas including a No Motor Zone and a Pole/Troll Zone.
For detailed information on this very popular Sanibel fishing spot, click here to view or download an informative brochure on all things fishing at Ding.
Sanibel Causeway
The causeway Islands are open from 7am to dusk, seven days a week. This facility, approximately 10-acres, is located on SR/CR 867, consists of the road sides of two spoil islands built and used to link the mainland to Sanibel Island. The causeway bisects San Carlos Bay a short distance from the Caloosahatchee River, that allows bay and gulf side access.
What you need to know:
- A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore. There is no fee for Florida residents
- There is excellent fishing from both sides of the causeway islands
- Goliath grouper have been caught under the bridges by the pilings
- There are very strong rip currents near the base of the causeway bridges and they can be extremely dangerous
- You may launch unmotorized vessels or wade into the water
Other Sanibel Fishing Spots
While the popular spots listed above are known favorites, anyone looking to fish on Island can have great luck on any of our beautiful beaches. With the right fishing setup and bait, you can pretty much catch fish from the comfort of your vacation accommodation's beach or bay location.
Whitney & our Sanibel fishing store crew are always happy to help prepare you for fishing on land. We give free lessons on casting a net, fly fishing casting techniques, tying knots and anything else you can think of!
A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore. There is no fee for Florida residents.
Chumming is NOT prohibited from ANY Florida beaches!