Also, Ding’s waters comprise a complex and confusing network—comparable to a mini-Ten Thousand Islands—and it is easy to get turned around. If you are not careful the tidal creek that you are sure leads back to your canoe launch may dead-end in a mangrove thicket. Fishing in the waning light of late afternoon or evening can further complicate matters.

It's best not to rile local wildlife, particularly those with teeth.

When the Gulf and Pine Island Sound are frothy with whitecaps, Ding can be especially inviting. For whatever the wind direction, the refuge’s mangrove tangles and mazelike waterways provide protected pockets in all but the fiercest blows.

But boat fishing is just one option in Ding. There are many good shore fishing areas along Wildlife Drive, the 4-mile-long refuge access road. The road is also a dike separating wading-bird impoundments on the south side (left) from areas of freer tidal flow on the north side (right). Fishing from shore is permitted all along Wildlife Drive. But boating and wading are prohibited on the left side.

Some of the most popular roadside fishing spots are near the culverts that pass under the access road. Working the current seams and edges of the rip-rap often produces fish. Success rates are highest when there is a good tidal flow.

Both incoming and outgoing tides can be productive. Strong outgoing tides often sweep schools of bait out of the impoundments, bringing jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook and reds slashing to the surface near the outflows. At such times, small lures and flies can bring nonstop action. On spinning and baitcasting rods try soft-plastic shrimp, gold spoons, rattling crankbaits and minnow plugs. Fly fishers favor Clousers, Schminnows, Deceivers and shrimp or crab patterns. Red-and-white or green-and-white poppers are effective as both spinning plugs and flies.

Shrimp under a popping cork and free-swimming pinfish are among the most popular live baits. Suspend the shrimp at least two feet below the cork. During the winter months, when there are a lot of sheepshead and mangrove snapper, frozen shrimp cut in pieces and either dead drifted or lightly weighted work great. But as with bottom fishing in many areas, you will usually have to deal with catfish. Grouper also move into Dingduring the winter months, though mostare undersize.

During the winter tourist season upwards of 2,000 people pass through the refuge every day, most in vehicles. Anglers, especially fly fishermen, must exercise care not to hook a car, biker or hiker.

Most Florida anglers are used to dealing with insects. The period from December through March, especially during cool spells, presents few problems in Ding. Mosquitoes are virtually non-existent and the few no-see-ums are only occasionally a minor irritant. Still, it is good practice to take protective clothing—long pants and long-sleeve shirts—and repellent.

What is a practical suggestion for the winter months becomes de rigeur in the summer. Especially early and late in the day, and when there is no breeze, Ding is infested with massive, endless swarms of biting pests. Most vicious are the no-see-ums, which get up inside shirts and into ears, eyes and nose. During the worst insect times some anglers resort to protective netting.

The various creams, ointments and sprays vary in effectiveness but my preference is Skin So Soft, which acts more as a barrier than a repellent. Grease yourself up like a bodybuilder before a competition and the no-see-ums find it hard to penetrate through the protective oil layer. Other friends swear by Off or Florida Swamp Insect Repellent, sold locally on Sanibel.

Along with the swarms of bugs, summer also brings out good numbers of baby tarpon. They can often be spotted porpoising and busting schools of bait early in the morning and at dusk.

Summer 2004’s active hurricane season had little or no adverse effect on Ding and its great fishing. Sanibel and its rich mangrove estuaries have weathered many tropical storms in the 5,000 years since the island was formed.

In general, whatever the season, the best fishing days in Ding are those with two high tides and two or more feet of tide change. Days with minimum tide changes or those with the Gulf Coast’s bane—only one high tide—tend to be less productive. If you have some flexibility in planning a trip, check the daily tide charts before booking.