Timing is everything, and there is no better time than right now to head to Florida.
This winter has been the coldest I can remember in a long, long time. Walking the beaches of Captiva Island, fishing the Gulf of Mexico, exploring the Everglades and eating dinners outside in Key West last week resulted in the best vacation I've had in years.
This trip was arranged around the winter board meeting of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. My companions included my wife, Melissa, and a number of friends. We worked with the great folks at The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) to set up our stay on Captiva Island. Working with a regional visitor's bureau is the best way to ensure every detail of your trip will be arranged according to your wants and needs.
We flew into Fort Myers and stayed at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, because we wanted to be able to fish and have beach access from a single location. The property was exceptional and so was the fishing. Our first night there was highlighted by a dinner buffet right on the beach. Sitting in shorts, eating seafood and drinking daiquiris while watching the sun set over the ocean sure beats the snow shoveling I have planned for later today. We ate the second night at Key Lime Bistro, and I'm telling you, if you ever visit Captiva, you must have the key lime pie from this quaint little joint. None I've ever had before comes close to comparing.
Captain Tim Hickey, who works out of South Seas Island Resort Marina, is a Missouri native. He split for Florida about 20 years ago. He just laughed when I told him what this Midwest winter has been like. I fished with Hickey for half-a-day. He asked what I wanted to fish for and I said whatever is biting. We targeted sea trout and caught so many I lost track. What a relief it was to be on a boat in the ocean with the sun shining and fish biting. We fished just a little ways offshore from the island in rather shallow water. Anybody with a boat big enough for Lake Monroe could trailer it down to Florida and feel very safe fishing the Gulf of Mexico on a calm day.
After two days on Captiva Island, Melissa and I split from the group and headed for Key West. We chose to travel the famous stretch of highway known as "Alligator Alley." The route takes you through the heart of the Everglades, including Big Cypress National Preserve. This distinct landscape is just gorgeous. We saw plenty of alligators and all kinds of unique birds species. What interested me the most though was just how dense the vegetation is. I couldn't imagine being an explorer trying to fight your way across south Florida.
There's a good chance I'll someday be a Florida "snowbird," which is one who winters in the state. When I become one, I'll likely spend my time in the Keys. I've never visited another part of the country that so completely revolves around fishing and eating seafood; two of my most favorite things. One of the coolest things I did on this trip was stop at the Bass Pro Shops World Wide Sportsman on Islamorada. Giant tarpon hang like pets around the marina. Inside the store is The Pilar, which was Ernest Hemingway's boat. Visitors are free to climb aboard Papa's vessel. Doing so was surreal.
We continued on down to Key West where we spent two nights exploring the vibrant community. Again, Hemingway stirred excitement. Exploring his home was the highlight of my Key West experience. We planned to snorkel, but rain and wind kept us off the water. Even paradise has its problems.
From Key West, we headed to our last stop, my Uncle Chet's place on Lake Okeechobee. The interior of Florida is so much different than the tourist-filled coast. Okeechobee is a world-class bass fishing destination. If you're looking to land a bass over 10 lbs., then Okeechobee is one of the best places to do so. We didn't, but that's all the reason to return next year.
As I look outside my window at the snow continuing to fall, I dream of another direct flight out of here. Unfortunately, I can't go back to Florida right now, but may be you can. If it's an option, contact the folks at The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Visitor and Convention Bureau, plan your trip, pack a bag and head for the Sun Shine State. I guarantee you won't be sorry.
See you down the trail ...
III
Brandon Butler is an outdoors columnist for the News Tribune. Contact him at [email protected].