FLORIDA KEYS: Fishing the Bridges of the Middle Keys

Suggested Guides

Randy Rode: 1-800-322-7122; www.tarponguaranteed.com
Jim Bourbon: 1-800-461-0527; www.thinktarpon.com
Bob Brown: 1-800-282-1712; www.sundancesportfishing.com
Jeff Knapp: 305-849-0548
Billy Rabito Sr.: 305-395-1943; www.floridakeysflyfishing.com
Byron Farnes: 305-743-7548
Greg Stearn: 305-393-1178
Fred Reed: 305-664-7029
Lindsay Harper: 866-451-5300, www.flyfishkeywest.com

Accommodations

>www.floridakeys.com
>www.floridakeysmarathon.com

Boat Ramps

>33rd St. in Marathon, mile, marker 49; free, excellent condition
>Bahia Honda State Park; two ramps, excellent condition, fee charged
>For more, visit www.inshore.com

BOCA GRANDE: Drifting the Grande Old Pass

Suggested Guides

Mike Anderson: 813-672-0816
Billy Nobles: 813-299-5563
Dave Markett: 813-962-1435
Greg DeVault: 727-919-8666
Artie Price: 727-639-7805
Lori Deaton: 813-967-5032
Ray Van Horn: 727-639-2486
Troy Sapp: 813-920-6928
Rob McCue: 727-534-3150
Mike Myers: 941-416-8047, www.reelshark.com
Buster Herzog: 800-950-0381
Phil Dugger Jr: 800-774-0356
Scott Boland: 863-324-5878
Scott Hughes: 941-628-4247, www.blackwatercharters.com

Boca Grande Guides' Association: www.bocagrandefishing.com

Accommodations

>Beachcroft Hotel, Englewood: 941-474-6509
>The Boardwalk, Englewood: 941-474-2346
>Days Inn & Suites, Englewood: 800-887-5412
>Veranda Inn, Englewood: 941-475-6533
>Grove City Motel, Placida: 941-474-3436
>Palm Island Resort, Cape Haze: 866-838-1653/941-697-4800

Boat Ramps

>Ainger Creek Park: 2025 Placida Road, Englewood
>Darst Park: 537 Darst Avenue, Punta Gorda
>Placida Park: Boca Grande Causeway, Placida

For more local information, contact the Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau at 941-743-1900, or visit www.pureflorida.com

TAMPA BAY: Fishing Egmont Key and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Suggested Guides

Tommy Ziesmann: 727-432-0355
Jim Lemke: 813-917-4989
Chet Jennings: 813-477-1513
Billy Nobles: 813-299-5563
Justin Moore: 941-720-6408
Rick Gross: 941-794-3308

Accommodations

>There are numerous hotels in St. Pete and Anna Maria.
>Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, on the north end of the Skyway, would be one of the most convenient, and it has its own boat docks; 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Pete, 800-727-8047.

Two high-end destination resorts in this area:
>Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach: 866-728-2206
>Bilmar Beach Resort, Treasure Island: 877-834-0441

Boat Ramps

>Fort DeSoto Park at Tierra Verde, which also has a very nice campground.
>O'Neill's Marina, north end of the Skyway: 727-867-6701
>Maximo Park at 34th Street and Pinellas Point Drive, St. Pete.

PORT CANAVERAL: Fishing the Bait Pods

Suggested Guides

Keith Kalbfleisch: 407-671-1696; www.SAOCF.com
Jim Ross: 321-636-3728; www.captjimross@cfl.rr.com
Tom Van Horn: 407-416-1187; www.irl-fishing.com
Bob Levine: 321-784-2711; captbobfishing.com

Accommodations

>Radisson Resort At The Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd.,Cape Canaveral, FL32920 (3-star)
>Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa
Beach,8959 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
(3-star) >Royal Mansions Resort, 8600 Ridgewood Ave., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (3-star)
>Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Cape Canaveral, FL: 909 Astronaut Blvd. Cape Canaveral, FL 32930

Boat Ramps

>Freddie Patrick Park (formerly Central Park). No fees in this 10-acre site, located in the center of the port's south side. Three double-wide boat launching ramps, covered picnic tables, fish cleaning tables, restrooms and extended parking spaces for vehicles with trailers. Grills, a tasty seafood restaurant is next to the boat ramp. Rusty's, another popular seafood restaurant, is just a couple of blocks down. Both overlook the water.
>Port's End Park: This 4-acre park also has a double-wide launch ramp and extended parking. Also, no fees for parking or launching; it has covered picnic area and restrooms. However, it's at the end of the port, which means a longer ride at slow speeds through the port and into the ocean.

Anglers can often find live mullet and other baitfish inside the port or off the beaches; also, along the buoyline; bring your castnet.

NORTHEAST BEACHES: Fishing Behind the Shrimp Trawls

Suggested Guides (St. Augustine)

Dennis Goldstein: 904-810-2455
Whit Whitlock: 904-285-3077
Kevin Faver: 904-829-0027
Kirk Waltz: 904-241-7560
Camachee Island Sport Fishing Charters: 904-825-1971

Accommodations

>Inn At Camachee Cove: 904-825-0048, 800-345-9269; www.camacheeisland.com At the Vilano Bridge on A1A, right next to Vilano ramp. Comfortable motel-style rooms overlooking the yacht basin... can walk from room to guide boat. Ships Store convenience mart, fuel and boat services. Attached Kingfish Grill restaurant has excellent food, indoor or outdoor dining, and adult beverages.
>Conch House Marina & Resort: 904-829-8646 On the water in Salt Run, close to Lighthouse Ramp. Full service marina with overnight boat accommodations, fuel, motel, pool, restaurant, Tiki Bar
>Ocean Blue Motel: Small motel on Vilano Beach overlooking the St. Augustine Inlet. A number of guides put their customers here.

Boat Ramps

>Vilano Beach Ramp: Free. Can handle 40-foot boats, parking for 80-plus rigs. At south end of Vilano bridge on A1A.
>Lighthouse Ramp: Free. In Salt Run, can handle 40-foot boats except on extreme low tides. Off of Anastasia Blvd at Anastasia State Park. Can handle 35-plus rigs.

HOMOSASSA/BAYPORT: Fishing Classic Fly Waters

Suggested Guides

Mike Locklear: 352-422-1927
Jimmy Long: 352-628-0383
Steve Kilpatrick: 352-562-9131
Earl Waters: 352-302-0359
John Bazo: 352-895-7811
Dan Malzone: 813-833-0312 (Bayport)
Homosassa Guides' Association: www.homosassaguidesassociation.com

Accommodations, Tackle Shops and Boat Ramps

>MacRae’s of Homosassa: 352-628-2602 (tackle, ramp, motel)
>Homosassa Riverside Resort: 352-628-3450 (ramp, motel)
>Nature Coast Fly Shop (Daryl Seaton), Crystal River: 352-795-3156 (Orvis Fly Shop)
>Outcast Fly Shop (Capt. Cade Burgdorf), Homosassa: 352-621-3474 (excellent fly shop)
>Back Country Concepts (Capt. Earl Waters), Homosassa: 352-628-0359 (fly shop, rigging, boat gear)