What is Florida Salt Scrubs?

Noted as the original salt scrub company in Florida, you’ll find lots of different salt scrubs to choose from, all made with Atlantic sea salt and coconut oil. If you don’t like the idea of using products made with harsh chemicals and ingredients that may not be the best for you, then you’ll love to hear that you won’t find any of those here. Instead, what you’ll find are 100% all natural ingredients. Your choices include Key Lime, Lemongrass, Orange, Coconut-Mango, Lemon, Coconut, Vanilla, and Grapefruit.

What started out as a mission to provide hard working, yet very gentle, salt scrubs has now expanded into other Florida weather opponents. Their line of sunscreen offers a nice variety, depending on what amount of coverage you’re looking for. You’ll find SPF 15, SPF 30, and SPF 50 cleverly named Florida Grown, Florida Snowbird, and Florida Cruiser. But they don’t stop there. In addition to sunscreen, you’ll also find a series of lip balms in various flavors, all offering a SPF factor of 15.

In addition to all natural salt scrubs, lip balms and sunscreen, you’ll also find soaps, bath bomb fizzies, and spray lotions.

Where can you buy Florida Salt Scrubs products?

Because Florida Salt Scrubs produce high quality products, you can find their scrubs, sunscreens, lip balms and other related items in various chain stores around the sunshine state, as well as online through Amazon. Though you do have lots of buying options, your best option is to purchase by clicking this link. Why? Because each and every The Florida Living Magazine reader gets 15% off your order! Simply type in the code: FloridaLiving15 at checkout and you’re all set!

Should you purchase Florida Salt Scrubs sunscreens, lip balms, and salt scrubs?

Without a doubt, YES! We sampled three of their products: the Florida Grown SPF 15 sunscreen, the Florida Kiss Orange SPF 15 lip balm, and the Key Lime salt scrub.

Let’s break down our review:

Florida Grown SPF 15 sunscreen

Most sunscreens, when spayed or rubbed on, have a it of a chemical smell to them. This one however, didn’t! If you’re already tan, or looking for a lighter sunscreen to wear on a short outing to the shops or lunch, this one’s for you. If you’re planning on staying at the beach for the day, you’ll want to go with a higher SPF.

Also, a nice little extra is the fact that you can put the sprayer into a locked mode. I’ve had a few sunscreen mishaps in my beach bag before, so this is a BIG plus.

Florida Kiss Orange SPF 15 lip balm

Easily my favorite lip balm of all time, the Florida Kiss in orange not only tastes and smells fantastic, but it actually works. I’ve been applying it twice a day and my lips have never felt better. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to ChapStick, you’re in the right place.

Key Lime salt scrub

I’ll have to be honest, none of us at Florida Living have ever used a salt scrub before. I’m pleased to say that it’s a winner! Because of the time of year, we’ve been out in the garden planting any chance we get. This means that my hands have taking a beating. But even dirt and rocks are no match for the Key Lime salt scrub. My hands feel smooth and look great. The key lime smell is amazing as well!

For 15% off, make sure to use the code FloridaLiving15 at floridasaltscrubs.com

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Florida Lobster Season

The lobster sport season is July 25th and 26th in 2018. The regular season is from August 6th to March 31, 2018. Florida lobstering is easier in the sport season and early in the regular season. It gets harder to find lobster as the season progresses.

Known places to go lobstering in the Florida Keys

The three areas I covered for spearfishing also apply to lobstering. A common way to find lobster spots that aren’t heavily exploited is to tow a snorkeler behind a boat. This requires at least three people. One to handle the wheel, the spotter who is being towed, and one in the stern to constantly keep an eye on the spotter, and make sure the line doesn’t get tangled in the prop. He will yell when the spotter signals he’s found something and make sure the spotter isn’t getting in trouble.

The spotter isn’t trying to spot lobster. He’s looking for any structure that lobster might hide in. The farther away it’s from other hiding places the more likely there will be lobster and the less likely anyone will know about it. Record the GPS coordinates and it’s yours forever. It’s fun being the spotter. We discourage guests from asking for a turn by calling the method “trolling for sharks.”

Little known places to find Florida lobster

Lobsters are heavily pursued in the Keys. Finding them where other people don’t look takes more effort, but can result in a hefty catch. Below we put you on track to find those unknown places.

The edges of grass flats

Bully netting is a popular way to catch lobster at night. This is done on shallow grass flats. The lobsters leave their daytime home to roam the flats searching for food. Strong lights are used to pick out the glint of their eyes and find them. A special long-handled bully net is used to lay flat on the ground around the lobster. He’s then spooked into the net. But where are these lobster during the day?

They’re usually in holes on the edge of the flat. Any trough or drop off in or around a turtle grass flat may contain holes with lobsters residing. This can be in surprisingly shallow water. I’ve caught a lot of legal lobster in water I could stand up in. The best flats for this are in the backcountry. There are excellent places that nobody ever goes to. One reason is they’re hard to reach. Another is that there’s no structure, and third, they’re so shallow that people don’t suspect lobster are there.

There’s usually only one lobster per hole. The holes can be difficult to find as they’re often partially covered by turtle grass. Tickling the lobster out may work, but these lobster are quicker than most to shoot back into the hole. There’s a reason for this. Often the hole has a back exit. This is nearly always on top of the flat, well disguised with grass. It pays to have a partner on the flat watching for them. Sometimes the hole can be spotted before chasing the lobster out. Placing a net over it will result in a lobster darting into it.

The best spots often have currents ripping through them. Time it were the current is reasonably slack. I have scars on my feet from fighting the current with only socks under my fins. We were having so much fun and catching so many lobsters that I couldn’t stop. I hope you have as much fun, but without the scars.

Under the mangroves

This is the least enjoyable way to catch lobster I know, but it can be productive. Some mangrove islands have an edge undercut by a current. This cut is often deep enough that you can swim under the mangroves. It’s dark and miserable under there, and the lobster love it.

You need a little current to swim into. Your fins will kick up a lot of muck. If the current doesn’t carry it away, visibility drops to zero. The lobster are in holes on the side and over your head. Tickling them out doesn’t work because there’s usually a drop before they’re on the bottom. They don’t float down to the bottom. They dart away. A tool I use here is a bent spear shaft or any similarly shaped stiff stick. I try to poke this into the hole behind the lobster blocking him from retreating deep into his hiding place. I then grab him with a gloved hand. If he does go deeper, I shove my arm way into the hole and get him. Moray eels are rare in the mangroves so I’ve always gotten away with it, but it isn’t the most enjoyable or safest way to get dinner.

So now you know what others don’t. Well, as long as they haven’t read this article. Good hunting and be safe.

The post Where to find Lobster in the Florida Keys appeared first on The Florida Living Magazine.

There aren’t many reasons to visit Pine Island. Once through Matlacha, it’s wise to pull into Sandy Hook restaurant’s parking lot, turn around, and head back.

Little Pine Island

Before reaching Pine Island you’ll drive through Little Pine Island. It’s an uninhabited wetland reserve. There are trails open to the public, but they’re not worth walking. The island was once covered with invasive melaleuca. The trees have been removed, but the island’s nutrients went with them. As a result, what should be a lush island appears strangely barren. It’s recovering, and will recover eventually, but for now, there’s little to see.

What’s on Pine Island, and What’s not

You’ll come to the four way stop that’s the busiest intersection on the 18 mile long Island. It’s the busiest because it’s the only road on and off the island. Make a right and you’re driving to Bokeelia. Turn left, and you’re heading to St. James City. Either way you’ll end up by the water.

There is one place of interest. The Calusa Heritage Trail. It’s an archaeological site that includes ridiculously large shell mounds created by the Indians that once lived here. This civilized tribe mysteriously disappeared shortly after Europeans arrived. If you’re on the island, it’s a beautiful location worth seeing, even if you’re not into the archaeology.

There are no real beaches on Pine Island. Most of its coast is mangroves. As the crow flies, beaches are close, and they’re not much farther by boat. But, it’s at least an hour drive to a real beach.

In Summer, many of those beaches may be affected by Red Tide. Red tide is an algae that in high enough concentrations will kill fish, turtles, and dolphin. It may also cause respiratory problems for some people. In 2018, it has left nearby beaches littered with dead, smelly fish. Polluted water from the Caloosahatchee River has also caused nauseating problems for the southern part of Pine Island. Some of the canals in St. James City have been blanketed with rotting fish. These two problems have been growing. Many long time residents say this is by far the worse it’s ever been. It’s an expanding environmental and economic disaster that may continue to spread and intensify. Make sure you’re up to date on the situation if you plan on visiting here in summer. Definitely, if you’re considering moving to this area.

The drive time varies greatly, depending on the season. In summer there’s no traffic. During season it clogs up in Matlacha. All of Pine Island Road becomes stop and go through Matlacha and the two mile width of Little Pine Island. It happens again on the eastern side of Matlacha when returning.

It may take a long time to drive off the island, and there’s not much on the island. This contributes to the isolated feel of the place. Between the northern and southern ends, it looks like rural, inland Florida, instead of a subtropical island. There’s a lot of agriculture, nurseries, fruit trees and a few cattle.

The frost free climate is great for growing tropical plants. It’s also great for growing mosquitoes and no-see-ums. Spraying controls the mosquitoes most of the time. Not much can be done about the no-see-ums. In many parts of the island, people don’t venture out at dawn or dusk without some form of protection from biting insects.

Information on Matlacha Resorts

Living on Pine Island

Pine Island FL is an address the people living there are proud to have. It’s a close knit community with good people willing to help each other. They share a love of the simple pleasures of life and a laid back lifestyle. It works for them, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth visiting. There are far more exciting places in Florida.

Pine Island Florida

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Spearfishing is more hunting than fishing. The difference between hunting on land and hunting in water is that the freediver is in an environment foreign to him, while his prey is in its natural environment. The equipment spear fishermen use is relatively primitive. A gun powered by big rubber bands doesn’t give him the advantage a high powered rifle and scope gives to many hunters on land. Spearfishing is hunting, not harvesting.

It’s a physically demanding sport. The longer you stay underwater with one breath, the more fish you’ll shoot and the more fun you’ll have. Get in shape. Do aerobic exercises of any kind before your spearfishing trip.

Beginning the Dive

Before starting the dive, take some deep breaths, but not so many that you feel light headed. Start the dive by bending at the hips, lifting your legs straight up and sliding under water. Don’t start kicking until your fins are below the surface. Keep splashing to a minimum. A dive belt with weights will help. The weights will also help you stay on the bottom without struggling. Some people are slim enough they don’t need them. I used to be like that, but now I use weights, proving that fat floats.

Stalking Fish

Always swim in a relaxed and leisurely manner. This serves two purposes. Less oxygen is used, so you can stay under longer, and you’re less likely to frighten the fish. Quick, jerky movements scare fish. You can’t out swim them, you have to fool them.

The best spearfishing technique for you to use when setting up a shot, is to approach the target at an angle, so it looks like you’ll pass harmlessly by. This makes the shot more difficult as you’ll be holding the gun out to the side instead of in front of you, but the target fish is more likely to stay with in range. As you’re swimming by, your gun lines up with the fish and the shot is taken.

There are exceptions to this approach. One is with mutton snapper. They’ll usually swim away with their tails pointing at you showing a very small target. you need to slowly chase them. Eventually the snapper will turn 90 degrees one way or the other, and then dart away. You take the shot right as the fish turns and is broadside to the gun. They’ll only be like this for a second, so don’t hesitate.

Another spearfishing tip is to hold onto something on the bottom and quietly stay there. When there are desirable fish near by, grab a rock and remain still. The fish may relax and get close enough for a shot. I always wear a glove on my non trigger hand so I can hold onto the bottom of ledges.

Spearfishing for grouper

It’s important to remember that Goliath grouper, shown in the feature photo on the top of the page, are protected in Florida. They’re easy to approach and make big, tempting targets. Don’t do it.

Spearfishing for grouper usually means finding them in a hole or under a ledge, often in shadow. In order to see them, you’ll have to get your eyes in that shadow. The grouper is often very close. When he’s shot the spear tip may go through him with enough force that it sticks in whatever is behind him. If the shot misses, the same thing may happen, plus there’s a strong likely hood the shaft will bend when it hits rock.

Taking all the bands but one off the shaft will usually prevent these problems. A short speargun works well, and they’re easier to maneuver in the tight areas grouper hide in. A pole spear will also get the job done.

Using a pole spear in the mangroves

Another type of spearfishing that pole spears are great for is picking off mangrove snapper in the mangrove roots. Many of the snapper will be too small, but there are lots of places where legal snapper are plentiful. It’s easy to get close as the fish feel safe among the roots. You’ll get plenty of shots, but there will be plenty of misses too. It’s way to easy to get a speargun shaft stuck in the roots. A tip with small barbs saves a lot of hassle. The fish shot will be small, but in my opinion, these snapper are the best tasting fish there is.

Using a pole spear to shoot lionfish

Pole spears work great on lionfish. The spears are easy to carry around, use, and are safe. Lionfish let divers get close, depending on their poisonous spines to protect them. Spear tips with multiple points like a trident work best as they eliminate the risk of a fish sliding up the pole and stinging the diver. These fish are invasive in the Caribbean, Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. By killing them more desirable fish will be able to grow and become targets later.

Spearfishing safety

The goal is to enjoy the ocean and shoot fish. It’s not to see how deep you can go or how long you can stay down. Don’t push it. Spearfishing is a dangerous sport. Maintain a margin of safety. You should stay well with in your depth and always have plenty of oxygen left when starting your ascent. This will also reduce fatigue allowing more dives. Over the whole trip, not pushing it will result in more fish.

You should wear a weight belt, even if you don’t need weights. Anything attached to a freediver such as a goody bag or dive flag is attached to the weigh belt. It can quickly be dropped if something gets tangled, or if ascending to the surface will be close.

You should always carry a knife that’s sharp enough to cut through a speargun line. Some fish when shot will fly around the diver as if trying to tie him and any bottom structure together. Mutton snapper are particularly adapt at this.

A friend once grabbed a rock on the bottom and somehow got fishing line wrapped around his had. Fortunately he had a sharp knife and easily cut himself free.

You should always use a dive flag. Boats are a bigger danger than sharks, but sharks are a danger. Spearing fish is like chumming for them. The chance of you being hit by a shark goes way up after you’ve shot a fish.

Spearfishing with a dive partner is not as important when freediving as it is with scuba. Since freedivers run out of air so quickly, it’s unlikely a partner will be able to help. The more people in the water with spear guns the more chance there is of someone getting shot accidentally. I’ve seen some close calls. At least if you do have a partner, your chance of being attacked by a shark is cut in half.

Feature photo at the top by ZeroEye.

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Beach Breezes

Think of the beach, and most think of a sunny day with a light breeze. But that breeze can be more like a wind storm and there’s no way to predict what your wedding day weather will be when you decide on a date 6, 8, 12 months in advance. Choosing a beach wedding dress with a loose fitting bodice or a plunging neck line may set the stage for a wardrobe malfunction in front of family and friends. If the skirt is too full and flow-y, you might have a Marilyn Monroe moment as you try to prevent the garment from rising up and over your head.

The Humidity

On the other side of the coin, what happens to your dress if there is no breeze on the day of your “I dos”. Breezes on the beach help keep the humidity at bay. Without them, that sunny beach can and will become a sandy steam bath and your form hugging beaded satin dress will be soaked in sweat in no time. Big full skirts with lots of room for a puffy slip or two might be your style, but the more layers your wear, the hotter you will feel, so loose does not always equal comfort.

The Sand

Couples choose a beach wedding venue because they love the sea, the surf, and the sand. Sand comes in all textures from sugary soft to course and crunchy, but it all has one common characteristic - it clings to clothing and your beach wedding dress is no exception. Marching down the aisle with a long train of lace and trim floating behind might be the idea, but you might end up struggling to haul a bucket or two of sand that is weighing you down like an anchor.

The Solution

While finding a wedding dress for the beach that meets your specific style requirement, but avoids all the pitfalls mentioned above can be tricky, it can be done. First and foremost, be realistic, and keep an open mind. Tell the bridal shop personnel that you want a beach wedding dress, and about the exact location. Be willing to try and consider lighter weight fabrics or less beading and maybe a shorter train. Think about the actual beach and prioritize comfort over the latest fad. Remember, you want to enjoy your big day and not feel like you’re struggling to get through the ceremony.

You chose the beach because you love nature and the feeling of freedom, so be careful not to fall victim and feel trapped in a poorly chosen wedding dress. Keep in mind that you’re not looking for the prefect wedding dress. You’re looking for the perfect wedding dress for the beach.

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Where to see alligators in Florida

The farther south you go on mainland Florida, the more likely you’ll see wild alligators. The Everglades are home to more than anywhere else in the state. They can be found in any body of fresh or brackish water. There doesn’t have to be a lot of water. They’re found in swimming pools. The best time to see them is when water levels are low.

Shark Valley in the Everglades is arguably the best place to get close to a wild gator. They’re used to people being close by. Still, exercise caution. A seven year old boy was bitten and dragged into a canal after he fell off his bike there. His parents saved him and all recovered.

The roadside ditch on the north side of the Tamiami Trail is also a good place to see alligators. Speeding cars are the biggest danger here. They’re also common on the north side of Alligator Alley during the dry season. It’s a boring stretch of road, so seeing who can spot the most gators first helps break the monotony. The driver is not allowed to play.

How dangerous are Florida alligators?

The quick answer is not very. However, the friends and family of people they’ve killed or injured would disagree. Their natural prey is anything they can swallow whole. This can be insects when the alligators are small up to pigs and pythons when they’re large. Young children and pets are more likely to be attacked than large adults, yet adults are attacked. No one is sure why. It could be a mistake. Maybe they’re defending their territory, or maybe it’s something else.

Florida averages five unprovoked bites per year. There have been 24 deaths since 1948. In June of 2015 an alligator killed a two year old boy at a Disney World resort hotel. Three years later, in June of 2018, an alligator killed a 47 year old woman in Davie Florida. Fatal attacks like these are rare, but horribly tragic. There are no accurate statistics on how many pets are taken. Often the dog or cat simply disappears.

Alligator safety rules

• Don’t feed the alligators. When large carnivores in the wild start to associate food with humans, bad things happen.
• Don’t get between an alligator and its path back to the water.
• Don’t swim in or go next to bodies of water with alligators in them from dusk till dawn. Alligators are most active at night and usually feed at night.
• Don’t swim with a dog. They attract alligators. The safest thing to do is never let a dog swim in water that has alligators. Cats are too smart to do this.
• Don’t get too close to wild alligators. Do as we say, not as we do.

Alligators play an important role in the environment.

Florida Alligators eat a lot of trash fish. Making room for more desirable fish such as bass. They also protect the nests of some birds. A raccoon is risking its life if it tries to get to a nest surrounded by alligator inhabited waters. The alligators provide security. They take chicks that fall out of the nest as payment.

There are so many alligators in Florida, that it sometimes appears they are overpopulating. But alligators keep their population in check. A juvenile alligator is more likely to be eaten by a big alligator than fall prey to another predator. This, and their territoriality, limit the population.

Love them or hate them, alligators are part of Florida, and always will be.

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What is Honukini?

A bikini brand that believes in protecting what they love, Honukini prides itself on not only crafting beautiful pieces that you can wear around the world as well as your local beach, but on aiding in the protection of one of the world’s oldest and most loved creatures- the sea turtle. In fact, full proceeds of their honu decal goes straight to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. In addition, you’ll also find that some of their exclusive prints now use environmentally friendly fabrics that have been created from recycled materials.

Alongside offering style to anyone who wears one, Honukini also offers comfort for both land adventures and those under the sea. So whether you’re slipping your favorite cocktail on the beach somewhere in the Maldives after a long snorkel or you’re gearing up for an ATV ride in the Caribbean, you’ll find that your bikini stays in place the entire time.

The word Honu is the Hawaiian word for sea turtle. Not only are they praised for their ability to glide through the ocean’s waters with grace, but for their journeys throughout life. Unfortunately, due to hunting, beach degradation and large masses of ocean pollution in the form of plastic, Styrofoam and trash, the world’s sea turtle populations have been steadily in decline. Companies like Honukini however, are fighting back by helping to spread awareness anyway they can. If you would like to help contribute, make sure to purchase one of their sea turtle decals along with your bikini purchase.

Where can you buy a Honukini binkini?

Currently you can purchase any one of Honukini’s pieces through their website. You’ll also find a few other items such as their hand sculpted honu spirit necklace and decals.

Should you purchase a bikini?

The answer is YES! Here are some reasons why:

• Each piece is handmade
• Each piece is designed with comfort in mind
• Each piece is stylish and attractive, making you feel great even on those bad hair days
• Each piece stays in place, even when you’re in the middle of the ocean swimming with a friendly group of dolphins
• The company supports Eco-made fabrics and even uses them on select pieces
• This brand is part of an elite class of companies who value the world they live in while also taking active steps to help protect our oceans

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The post REVIEW: Honukini Swimwear- Handmade Bikinis Made in Florida appeared first on The Florida Living Magazine.

They multiply fast and have few predators in local waters. They eat surprisingly large fish and invertebrates, dramatically reducing the local population. It even appears that they eat each other when they can’t catch other food, usually because they’ve eaten it all.

Lionfish in Florida are hardy and are out competing our local species. They are a threat to the Florida coastal environment and to both commercial and sport fishing, as well as tourism. It appears that the only way to reduce their numbers is for humans to do it directly.

How to kill lionfish

There are no limits or closed seasons on lionfish. They can be killed whenever and wherever you want. It’s easy to do. They’re most commonly found in the Keys. They’re slow swimmers that depend on their spines for protection. The spines are venomous and painful. Trying to unhook a live lionfish is a challenge. I always recommend circle hooks in order to spare the fish. I do so in this case in order to spare the fisherman. Hook removal is easier if they’re hooked in the lip instead of the stomach.

Of course you can go in the water after them. They’re easy to catch using two hand nets. Hold one on each side of the fish and then snap them together. The lionfish will usually remain still as you set up. This method is especially effective with ones that are too small to spear. The big ones are easy to shoot. A spear gun isn’t necessary. A pole spear works just as well. If you don’t want to eat then, release them dead, but they’re excellent table fare.

How to prepare lionfish

When cleaning lionfish you need to be aware of the spines. There are thirteen venomous dorsal spines. Each pelvic fin has a venomous spine and there are three anal spines. They’re not hard to avoid. The first step is to make shallow connected cuts around the area you’ll fillet. Once that’s done, grab the skin on the top front corner. Peel it off from there. Then fillet as usual. The meat is not venomous. Heat destroys the venom anyway. Cook the beautiful white meat fillets as you would any such fillet.

You may not always be able to go out and kill lionfish. You can still help. Ask for lionfish at your grocery store and order it in restaurants. You’ll get a good tasting fish as well as helping with the fight. The only defense against these invaders is us.

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Legal Requirements

Marriage licenses are issued by county court judges or clerk of the circuit court under his/her hand and seal. Licenses are issued by counties and are applied for at any county clerk’s office. Once obtained, you can marry anywhere within the state of Florida within a 60 day period. Both bride and groom must be over 18 years of age and there is no waiting period for non-Florida residents. If you are a resident of Florida, you must wait 3 days, unless you have completed the Florida pre-marital course, in which case this requirement waived. For more information go to Florida Marriage Statutes.

For cheap beach wedding dresses and supplies, go to Ocean Decor and More.

Who is Allowed to Officiate

Ordained church ministers or elders in communion with some church can solemnize your wedding on a Florida beach as can other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers which includes retired judicial officers, clerks of the circuit courts, and notaries public. A family member or friend can become a Notary and save you hiring someone to officiate your seaside affair.

Where to set up the wedding

You must know what the local restrictions are for a Florida beach wedding in order to avoid major surprises before you set up that beautiful wedding arch in somebody’s back yard. In Florida, all beaches are considered public space and therefore available for use, however where the beach ends and private property begins can be a bit tricky to see unless you know the rules.

Are permits Required

Each county in Florida has different regulations regarding beach weddings. It is best to determine if the State of Florida or one of its counties controls the beach of your dream wedding and then call the Parks Department for that government agency directly. Be sure to have a list of questions prepared:

• If the beach is being accessed via a county or state park, are there hours of operation and/or enter/parking fees?
• How many guests without a special permit?
• If erecting a tent and/or setting up chairs is allowed and if so, what size and how many without a permit?
• Do you need to notify local law enforcement?
• Is a bonfire allowed?
• Are pets allowed on the beach and if so, what are the leash laws?
• Are there any other permits or regulations that I need to know about that beach?

If you play it safe and do a little research, you can breath easier knowing you have minimized the chance of surprises on your special day. Why risk the unknown as you start your new journey in life with your soul mate.

The post Florida Beach Wedding Regulations appeared first on The Florida Living Magazine.

Matlacha Bridge Fishing

The old bridge was torn down in 2012 and a new one built. This brought the fishing to a screeching halt, but it’s been four years now, and the fish are back. The Matlacha Bridge may once again be called the best fishing bridge in America.

Update 8/30/2018: Snook and redfish are now only catch and release. This is a temporary regulation due to red tide. Snook season was supposed to open Sept. 1. There is still no red tide in Matlacha Pass.

Update 8/14/2018: Fishing near Matlacha has not been affected by either the blue-green algae in the Caloosahatchee River or the red tide that is killing fish along the coast.

Any inshore fish caught in Southwest Florida can be caught while fishing from or under the Matlacha bridge. Mangrove snapper, trout, sheepshead, cobia, redfish, shark and of course snook. The current running under the bridge is mild, but stronger than that found in nearby waters. This boosts your chances.

Bait

The best place to get live shrimp is within walking distance. As you go over the Matlacha bridge on the right side next to the Perfect Cup Restaurant is a little bait shop marked only with a sign saying “Shrimp”. Their hours vary. If they’re going to open, it’ll be in the morning. They close when they sell out. The shrimp are lively and only cost $2.00/dozen, $8.00/50, and $15.00/100. Their dozen usually equals way more than twelve. Sometimes they’ll also have live pinfish at 50 cents apiece. They told me they’ll be open Christmas eve day and open Christmas day at 8:00 AM in 2017.

If they’re closed, there’s D&D tackle a short drive east of the bridge. The shrimp quality and price is not as good, but they have lots of other bait and an excellent selection of tackle. They also keep regular hours and will be open when the first place is not.

The Matlacha Bridge

The bridge spans Matlacha Pass, a notoriously fishy area. It has a nice walkway to fish from with a solid barrier separating fishermen from the traffic. On the west side there are new clean bathrooms and a fish cleaning board. They’re always open. Parking can be a problem during season, but Matlacha Park is only a short walk away. If you’re on vacation, there are hotels in easy walking distance. The Bridgewater Inn is right at the foot of the bridge.

More than bridge fishing

For members of your party with interests other than fishing, there’s plenty to do. First there’s the view and photography. Both sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular, as well as good times to fish. Dolphin are a common site and birds such as pelicans, osprey and eagles are always around, especially in winter.

The Matlacha bridge is in the Matlacha Historical District. There are hotels and lots of arty shops to explore as well as excellent restaurants. All within walking distance. The only restaurant we advise you to ignore is the Olde Fish House. Matlacha Park is right there with a cute playground for the kids, and the Matlacha fishing pier. You won’t catch as many fish from this quite pier, but it’s a nice change from all the cars zooming by.

Information on Matlacha hotels.

On the bridge you can settle in and do some serious fishing while knowing your non fishing friends and family are having a good time.

Matlacha Bridge Location

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