Happy New Year 2026

 Captiva Island is looking good! The Mucky Duck is moving along, The Bubble room Restaurant is open. Both are across the street from McCarthys Marina, where I am located. The Fall and winter have been dry and warm. Both are good for the water quality. Fishing is in the Winter pattern, Sheephead and Trout with a few Redfish mixed in. On calm days, ive been near shore catching Snapper, Sheephead and Grouper ( Gag Grouper are closed. I have openings for Feburary and March! Rates for 2026 are unchanged 1/2 day charters for up to 4 guest $600, includes license and all you need to fish, Call or Text to Book you day on the water 239-410-7194. Captain Dave

Busy fishing Busy life

The year has been steadily moving into the normal rhythms of catching bait and and fish, Many previous Sanibel and Captiva clients have returned to enjoy the peace and tranquil island experience. I am still working from McCarthy's Marina and now have a second slip at the Pine Island Commercial Marina,  

Spring Break on Captiva

March is just a few weeks away and the calendar is filling up fast. Warmer days are arriving after another front washes out the weekend. Trout < redfish and snook are biting now, with a few nice sheepshead. I'm still at McCarthys Marina, just around the corner from South Seas resort.  Make plans to catch fish, watch dolphins or go shelling at a nearby, boat only island. A few pictures of recent catches!

Sanibel Captiva January Fishing

The Winter shark fishing is better than I can remember!. I am not certain why but the sharks are in the passes, on the flats and offshore. For the last month they have stayed around and cooperated.  After catching snapper, or sheepshead and redfish you can take an hour and try to hook some fun. Let me know if you're interested and I will bring bait and gear. South Seas resort has opened the pools, and one is heated. People are back under the Palm trees lounging bay the bay as we catch fish. Yesterday my wife and I walked down Andy Rosse lane to see the sunset. Lots of people on the beach, live music was going on the patio at The mucky Duck . Made me smile to see a little of what makes Captiva Island so special. I am at McCarthy's marina on Andy Rosse lane. See you soon!. Captain

Dave

Sanibel and Captiva December

 Captiva continues to recover  and fishing keeps improving. The Redfish have returned in good numbers although most are undersized. The numbers of fish have our hopes up for bigger schools of breeding fish in the fall. Sheepshead, Redfish and trout are regular catches now near the passes and flats. The mangrove snapper have moved offshore where I like to go if the weather and wind allows

.   I'm still at McCarthys Marina on Captiva island. 

Captain Dave

Yes !, Captiva is in Business!. Fishing Too!.

 The summer is heating up this year and many visitors and locals have returned to Captiva Island. The marina is 100% up and running cruises, McCarthy's marina is running shelling and dolphin and lunch cruises. I have been fishing alot this month as captiva recovers. I have lots of pictures to catch up on, so enjoy the photos of recent catches. Thank you, Captain Dave

October update post Ian

   Firstly! we are safe and our home is fortunately ok.  So sit back and I will tell you a tale...Monday, September 26th was a full day fishing with friends. We caught it all in the pre storm bite. Snook, Redfish, limits of snapper. I finished the day in a light rain, fileting our catch. Ian is forecasted to hit Tampa bay area. I dropped off my boat and prepared it for the storm. I've always kept the boat on Pine Island, remove plugs, remove cushions, tied down to trailer, aim the boat south west. Tuesday, September 27th, Ian now forecasted to hit Sarasota. We are back in the cone. I spend the day in a light rain putting up shutters, clearing the lawn and porch, remove screens from our pool cage. Wednesday, September 28th, Ian track looks to pass just north of our islands, ominous storm surge forecast on the TV. 11:15 am winds reach 100mph, the wind continues, reaching 150mph. 2:30 pm the Sun comes out, the eye passes over Pine Island and Cape Coral. 7:30 pm , the wind calms and we are able to take a breath. October 7th,The Matlacha bridge is reopened and I am able to retrieve the Avenger from a fallen tree. There will be some repairs needed on the boat, but she will survive.  The scheduled trips I have booked are cancelled for October, November. The marinas are currently closed, clearing debris and repairing. I will keep you posted on re-openings and the first trips we can fish. Thank you all for checking in on me, and my family.

Captain Dave