Fort Myers Beach, FL Fishing: A Classic Florida Beach Town with Amazing Fishing Spots

Fort Myers Beach is a small beach town on Estero Island that was only incorporated in 1995. However, the town and the island on which it sits have had a long history, dating back to the Calusa Indian tribe that used to inhabit the rich and wonderful barrier island. 

Located 20 miles down south from downtown Fort Myers, this old-school beach town has long been a favored tourist spot ever since Florida became famous as a vacation destination in the 1920s. Its main draw is its wide beach, which is beloved by all for its powdery sand, stunning sunsets, and warm water. The town itself can easily be accessed via the Matanzas Pass Bridge west from Fort Myers or via the Bonita Beach Causeway from the south. It’s also a great access point to many neighboring destinations such as Lovers Key State Park, Sanibel Island, and Bonito Springs.

Apart from its natural beauty and its laid-back beach town vibe, Fort Myers Beach is a great spot to visit if you’re into any type of water sports. Come here first for the swimming and sunbathing, then discover the joys of kayaking and parasailing, marvel at the wildlife that the area attracts and nurtures, and then finish off your water-based trip by taking advantage of the many fishing opportunities you can have on the island itself and its neighbors. This is Florida, after all, and no trip to the Sunshine State is complete without fishing.

Fort Myers Beach Fishing

Fort Myers Beach may be small, but it’s definitely packed with fishing opportunities no matter where on the island you go. And because the area enjoys year-round great weather, you can come here and be guaranteed a productive fishing experience, whether you choose to fish inshore, nearshore, or offshore.

If you don’t want to head too far out into the water, cast a line from the shore. Any beach in the town will do. If you’re a fan of pier fishing, head over to Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier or the pier under Matanzas Bridge. Both areas yield some diverse catch, including tarpon, snook, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, flounder, pompano, cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, and many others. 

Bridge anglers, on the other hand, might want to check out South End Bridge, which is on Estero Blvd. The best fishing spot on the bridge is quite easy to spot, as it is very popular with anglers.

Sanibel Island is a nearby destination that is also teeming with fish, but before you get to the island, you will pass by the Sanibel Causeway, which is also reportedly a great place to fish. Both sides of the causeway islands are open for fishing; you can even launch an unmotorized boat or wade into the water. Look out for the pilings under the bridges — that’s where you can target some goliath grouper. Do note that the causeway bay bridges can be dangerous for their strong currents.

If you want to include scenic nature walks with your fishing, include the Bowditch Point Park and Matanzas Pass Preserve to your bucket list. Bowditch is a fantastic surf-fishing destination where you can catch redfish, spotted sea trout, and sheepshead, while Matanzas Pass is a little bigger and more pristine, with swatches of mangrove where you can target mangrove snapper, snook, redfish, and more.

Lovers Key State Park may be more well-known as a wedding destination, but don’t snub your nose at it as a fishing destination. This picturesque area is pristine and offers access to many mangrove forests where you can fish sheepshead, spotted sea trout, mangrove snapper, snook, and redfish. The park itself offers many parking spots and a boat ramp. Even if you don’t feel like getting on a boat, you can still wade in the bay.

Nearby fishing hotspots that you can access easily from Fort Myers Beach include Sanibel Island and its twin island, Captiva Island, and Pine Island Sound. At Sanibel Island, you will enjoy casting a fly and targeting snook, pompano, and more. One of the most popular spots to fish in Sanibel is the fishing pier at the Lighthouse Beach Pier. This beautiful park is free to enter, but you will have to pay for parking. Moreover, from Sanibel Island, you can access Tarpon Bay, a rich water body that attracts both salt and freshwater species. Redfish, tarpon, and sea trout are quite common here, along with mangrove snapper, flounder, and grouper. At Captiva Island, fishing on the shores and heading out offshore on a charter boat is quite productive and will yield goliath grouper, king mackerel, and amberjack. Right in between the two twin islands, you can fish on the beach or beneath the bridge at Blind Pass. Pine Island Sound, on the other hand, has secret spots in the smaller islands that surround it which are gifted with seagrass beds, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars.

For some freshwater fishing, head over to the nearby city of Fort Myers. Here it’s impossible to avoid the Caloosahatchee River, which has many tributaries, canals, ponds, and lakes all over the city and the entire county. This great body of water lends itself to fly fishing and spinning and attracts species such as largemouth and peacock bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. One of the best places to fish the river is in Riverside Park, where you can launch a kayak or fish from the floating dock. Tarpon Street Pier, on the other hand, is a handicap-accessible fishing pier where you can target the aforementioned tarpon, plus snook and trout while watching the beautiful sunset and avoiding huge crowds. If you’re keen to do some bass-fishing, Caloosahatchee River tributaries such as Billy Creek and Lakes Park should be on your to-fish list. 

Nearshore and offshore fishing in this part of Florida will give you access to many natural and artificial reefs that attract plenty of fish. Head 20 to 35 miles to the rich Gulf of Mexico waters and target some red, black, and gag grouper, king and Spanish mackerel, cobia, and even some shark. If you want to try some night fishing, there are charters specializing in that as well. Most night fishing in this part of the gulf will yield lane, mangrove, yellowtail, and vermilion snapper as well as some grouper.  

One of the most legendary tarpon fishing is just a boat ride away from Fort Myers Beach. Pass through the Boca Grande Pass around April, May, and June and witness the largest tarpon migrations in this part of Florida. This pass is known as the Tarpon Capital of the World and is best fished while drifting with heavy tackle and live bait.

Top 10 Fish Species in Fort Myers Beach, FL

The top 10 fish species to catch in Fort Myers Beach, FL are redfish, tarpon, snook, spotted sea trout, mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, largemouth bass, goliath grouper, and sheepshead.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in Fort Myers Beach is productive all year round, thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its year-round favorable weather. No matter what time of the year you come, you can find mangrove snapper, redfish, bonito, king mackerel, and permit here, as well as bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Springtime is tarpon season. Come here April, May, and June to witness the biggest tarpon migration off Boca Grande Pass. Once the waters get warmer during summer, tarpon can be found in waters 20 feet deep just a couple of miles offshore. Other spring species that also make an appearance around fall include cobia, Spanish mackerel, and amberjack. Around winter, head to the flats for some snook and trout and dare to go offshore to target amberjack and king mackerel.

Enjoy a Relaxing Vacation at Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach is a small beach town with a laid-back vibe. It can easily be explored in a few days, with plenty of charm and sights to offer.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Fishing is a way of life here in Fort Myers Beach, so you will find several fishing charters specializing in your target catch.

2. Spend a Day at the Beach and Nearby Sights

No trip to Fort Myers Beach should end without a day gallivanting at its eponymous beach. This famous beach offers many water sports opportunities, including swimming, kayaking, and parasailing, as well as eco-tours that allow you to catch glimpses of dolphins. The beachfront itself is surrounded by other sights such as the Ostego Bay Marine Science Center, the historic Mound House, and the fantastic Times Square shopping district. It’s also home to annual festivals such as the Shrimp Festival held in March and Pirate Festival in October.