Gullivan Bay
About The Gullivan Bay
About Gullivan Bay, FL
Gullivan Bay is situated in Collier County in southern Florida, United States, about 9 miles away from Marco and close to Goodland and within the Everglades National Park. Gullivan Bay in the Ten Thousand Islands is the point where the Everglades joins the Gulf of Mexico. A national park called Watson’s Place is a famous destination up the Gullivan Bay. It is a campsite near an old homestead, featuring exotic plant species and historical objects. Aside from camping, Gullivan Bay is a must-see attraction because of recreational activities that people can enjoy, including fishing, boating, waterfowl hunting, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography.
Nearby bodies of water to Gullivan Bay include Long Rock, Shell Key Bay, Ghost Cove, Whitney Channel, Coon Key Pass, Sugar Bay, Blue Hill Creek, and Morgan River. Gullivan Bay and its neighboring river called the Huston River flow inland into the Huston Bay and Last Huston Bay.
Gullivan Bay Fishing Description
All About Fishing in Gullivan Bay, FL
The vast diversity of habitats and ever-changing ecosystem in the Gullivan Bay houses hundreds of fish species, migratory birds, and other protected animals and plants. Gullivan Bay fishing produces a successful catch of common snook, bull shark, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, redfish, mangrove snapper, and seatrout. The rich estuarine, marshland, and mangroves in the refuge serve as important habitats for endangered species, such as green turtles, manatees, falcons, and immature loggerheads. Thousands of water birds nest along the coast during summer, and manatees look for shelter during cold months on the docks. You can also spot rare forms of wildlife like diamondback terrapin, mangrove cuckoos, and bald eagles in the refuge.
Fly fishing is a popular fishing method of choice by anglers in Gullivan Bay. They recommend 8- or 9-weight fly rods, 12-foot leader with a 20- or 30-pound test tippet, and flies like GT Pinfish, Doc Hall’s Tailing Shrimp, EP Glades Minnow, Bonefish Slider, and Deep Flats Bunnies. Remember that tarpons love flies as lures. They will most likely strike and want to eat most flies you use to entice them. And they fight like crazy when being trapped. So, you will want to practice your casting, especially with your new tackle to fly fish. Make sure to get a feel down of using a heavier line and big rod. When it is time for fly fishing tarpons, find them rolling near the surface of the water, where they often hang. Be prepared for an insane catch as tarpons almost go airborne when caught, frequently running hundreds of feet away from your boat.
Gullivan Bay Seasonal & Other Description
Fishing Seasonality
Fishing in Gullivan Bay is productive all throughout the year and during peak periods from March to July. You may potentially find different fish species on certain portions of the water. Hence, general knowledge of their usual whereabouts is essential. Tarpons usually gather near the shore of estuaries and coastal waters. The common snook is the most abundant species of snook, living ubiquitously throughout central and south Florida waters. You may most probably catch them along with reef structures, seawalls, and bridges. And if seatrout is your preferred fish to trap, look for deep estuarine areas in Gullivan Bay during early spring, winter, and late fall.
Whether the weather in Gullivan Bay is good for fishing or not, you can always find a sheltered location in the bay to catch fish. So, the time and weather may not be your top factors to consider in Gullivan Bay fishing. Instead, you may want to check out the fishing regulations in Florida through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you plan your trip.
Temperature and Optimal Seasons
Fishing Seasonality
Fishing in Gullivan Bay is productive all throughout the year and during peak periods from March to July. You may potentially find different fish species on certain portions of the water. Hence, general knowledge of their usual whereabouts is essential. Tarpons usually gather near the shore of estuaries and coastal waters. The common snook is the most abundant species of snook, living ubiquitously throughout central and south Florida waters. You may most probably catch them along with reef structures, seawalls, and bridges. And if seatrout is your preferred fish to trap, look for deep estuarine areas in Gullivan Bay during early spring, winter, and late fall.
Whether the weather in Gullivan Bay is good for fishing or not, you can always find a sheltered location in the bay to catch fish. So, the time and weather may not be your top factors to consider in Gullivan Bay fishing. Instead, you may want to check out the fishing regulations in Florida through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you plan your trip.
Gullivan Bay Fish Species
All About Fishing in Gullivan Bay, FL
The vast diversity of habitats and ever-changing ecosystem in the Gullivan Bay houses hundreds of fish species, migratory birds, and other protected animals and plants. Gullivan Bay fishing produces a successful catch of common snook, bull shark, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, redfish, mangrove snapper, and seatrout. The rich estuarine, marshland, and mangroves in the refuge serve as important habitats for endangered species, such as green turtles, manatees, falcons, and immature loggerheads. Thousands of water birds nest along the coast during summer, and manatees look for shelter during cold months on the docks. You can also spot rare forms of wildlife like diamondback terrapin, mangrove cuckoos, and bald eagles in the refuge.
Fly fishing is a popular fishing method of choice by anglers in Gullivan Bay. They recommend 8- or 9-weight fly rods, 12-foot leader with a 20- or 30-pound test tippet, and flies like GT Pinfish, Doc Hall’s Tailing Shrimp, EP Glades Minnow, Bonefish Slider, and Deep Flats Bunnies. Remember that tarpons love flies as lures. They will most likely strike and want to eat most flies you use to entice them. And they fight like crazy when being trapped. So, you will want to practice your casting, especially with your new tackle to fly fish. Make sure to get a feel down of using a heavier line and big rod. When it is time for fly fishing tarpons, find them rolling near the surface of the water, where they often hang. Be prepared for an insane catch as tarpons almost go airborne when caught, frequently running hundreds of feet away from your boat.
