Ft. Myers Beach Help!

[Grace]

We are going to the Ft. Myers area in less than 2 weeks. DH and his buddy want to do a little deep sea fishing, but I need some recommendations about which charter to use, and whether he needs reservations or anything like that. Can anyone help? They only want to go for a few hours, not an entire day. They'd consider the backwater too (although that's not actually "deep sea" fishing I suppose! :D ). They just want to catch some fish. Any recommendations?

I told DH if anyone's going to know, it'll be someone on the board! :D

[Robyn1007]

Hi Grace,

I'll email my aunt and uncle this evening because they have restaurants and a motel there so they should be able to make a recommendation. I know they are heading to Vail tomorrow though so I don't know how quickly I'll get a response.

[MaryMac]

The next town south of Ft. Meyers Beach is Bonita Beach. There is a fishing tackle shop called Master Bait and Tackle (no kidding). The number is 239-992-2553. This place could certainly recommend somewhere for a charter in Ft. Meyers. It's busy all day long with fishermen and that's where we go for our bait. Just up the street is a boat rental place for the backwater, but I can't remember their name. Possibly the tackle shop could tell you. Depending on where you are staying on Ft. Meyer's Beach, Bonita is only 10 minutes down the road over a string of barrier islands. Nice drive!!

If no one else comes up with something better you can at least contact this place.

Good Luck!!

Mary

[Grace]

Thanks you guys! I knew I'd get good info from someone here! And Robyn, I was hoping you'd respond in particular! :D I told my Dad that I "know" someone from the family who owns Matanza's - he was just there for lunch last week. They go relatively often.

And Mary, we are actually staying with my Dad in Lehigh Acres, about a 40 minute drive from Ft. Myers/Sanibel, but we'll definitely go to Bonita and check out the Master Bait :eek: shop! Great suggestion. I am going to print this thread and take it with so we have the phone number.

We go to the Ft. Myers area relatively often, and I got the BEST restaurant recommendations for Sanibel right here on this board. Our all time favorite place to eat is The Mad Hatter. We'll be making a stop there this trip too... ;)

Thanks again ladies. DH thanks you too! :D

[gabbyh]

...We go to the Ft. Myers area relatively often, and I got the BEST restaurant recommendations for Sanibel right here on this board. Our all time favorite place to eat is The Mad Hatter. We'll be making a stop there this trip too...

Grace,

We are just starting to look for another place to stay on Sanibel for our anniversary in February! We love it there...we usually go to Key West a few times a year, but Sanibel has taken over!

Have a great trip!

~Gail

[Grace]

Gail, I don't know if you're looking for a condo or a hotel, but we love to stay at the Song of the Sea. It's part of the Sundial chain, but it's small and quaint and more European in style. No kids are allowed there so it's very relaxing. They have a lovely breakfast spread in the lobby every morning - you can take it back to your room/balcony or sit by the pool with it or whatever. And you get charge privileges at all the Sundial properties, so you don't have to carry cash around. We like to walk along the sand bar in our bathing suits all the way down to the Sundial where they have an outdoor bar/cafe. Great grouper sandwiches and fruit platters and drinks, etc., all poolside/beachside.

They are newly remodeled as well after the hurricane two years ago - completely gutted and rebuilt. We haven't stayed there since it's been rebuilt, but I was visiting my dad two years ago in January and I went over there to see what (if anything) the hurricane had done and the whole place was gutted. So I imagine it's really nice now.

[Robyn1007]

Okay, I talked to auntie today and asked her. She said they have a guy that goes right off of Matanzas' dock and that you could call the inn, they should know. Here's the number for the inn: 800-462-9258. Good luck and have fun. Looking at 2 feet of snow out my window with possible another foot coming this week :eek: I think I would rather be there right now. :rolleyes:

[Robyn1007]

I just got an email from auntie who's husband emailed Matanzas for us. Here's their recommendation:

Deep Sea-Capt Tony Stout 239-887-0028

Back Bay-Capt Ron Smith 239-549-9366

[Grace]

Awesome!! Thank you SO much Robyn!! XXXOOO

Have I mentioned I love this board?? :p :D

[Robyn1007]

You're welcome, I'm happy to help, especially a regular! :D