Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
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- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Destination Paddle/Fish- Matlacha
Launch: Matlacha Park http://www.leeparks.org/facility-info/f ... t_Num=0173 is a model park. The waters around the park are all slow speed manatee zones and offer up some great paddling and fishing.
All four kayak/canoe launches in Matlacha Park are isolated from the boat ramp and offer pull up access. The launch shores are shallow with firm bottom. There are shaded picnic facilities, restrooms, fresh water wash down for kayaks and canoes, trash receptacles, fishing pier and more.
Directions:
Matlacha Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. 4577 Pine Island RD NW Matlacha, FL 33993. Drive time from St. Petersburg is aprox. 2-3 hours depending on time of day.
GPS Coordinates: 26°37'44.63"N 82° 4'12.98"W
Handicap Access: Yes
Safe Parking: Yes
Paddling Difficulty: Easy, but watch for summer afternoon thunderstorms. Given the North/South orientation of Matlacha Pass, winter’s pre and postfrontal winds can change paddling difficulty.
Matlacha Vibe: Old Florida Key’s style fishing village. To view interesting and informative videos about Matlacha including fishing information- http://theadvance.info/index.php?key=Matlacha
Local Weather Site: http://www.capeweather.com
Tidal Station: Matlacha Pass Bascule Bridge
Interesting to note: The tides actually meet at the “Famous Matlacha Bridge”. Fishing improves a mile north or south of the bridge where tides run truer and are less influenced by run-off from North Cape Coral.
Closest Recommended Tackle Shop(s) in Matlacha: Seven Seas, D&D Bait and Tackle
Restaurants: Sandy Hook, Moretti’s, Miceli’s, Perfect Cup Coffee Shop (wonderful breakfast and lunch). Bert’s Bar.
Art Galleries: Too many to list here featuring local artist’s and author’s works.
Interesting to note: You can paddle to all the accommodations, restaurants and art galleries on the island!
Festivals
Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival http://www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com/
Mango Mania- http://www.floridascreativecoast.com/MM-home.html
Annual Seafood Festival and Mullet Toss- http://www.matlachamariners.org/MMI_Eve ... s_2010.htmCheck this site for dates.
Seafood Markets: Ye’ Old Fish House (they serve fresh seafood lunches), Andy’s and the market right by the entrance to Matlacha Park. Bring a cooler to take home fresh, local caught, stone crab, clams, tripletail and harbor shrimp at great prices.
On Island Accommodations- Sun and Moon Bed and Breakfast (kayak rentals available), Bridge Inn.
THE FISHING- Snook, redfish, trout, jacks, mangrove snapper, ladyfish; juvenile tarpon and sharks in the summer are available.
Best bets: Redfish on the turtle grass flats and mangrove shoreline of Indian Fields (see Google image above) and around islands off the northwest point of Matlacha.
Look for jacks behind the Matlacha shrimp boats first thing in the morning when boats dock and start culling and offloading their catch. Also, look for birds diving around the bridge, either side.
Note Matlacha Bridge and Bridge Inn with the red roof in the background
Snook: Cuts into back bays, mangrove points/outside shorelines and for the adventurous, traverse the narrow mangrove tunnel to Tom Black Lake (see Google image above) on high incoming tides.
Trout and Ladyfish on deeper grass flats (Late afternoons in early spring Indian Fields), I like the flat behind Bert’s Bar where the old live-aboard sailboats moor.
Juvenile tarpon: First thing on still, hot summer mornings around the island itself in the deeper residential canals closest to the main channel or right outside the entrances to the same canals.
Matlacha Tarpon caught by husband
Wildlife Viewing: Manatees, Bottlenose dolphin, osprey, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets and more.
If you do visit Matlacha, please post here; pictures and your experiences, add helpful information, etc.
Tight lines, safe paddling and remember to bring the camera!
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Nice work, Chrystal. Thank you!
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Very nice ! I used to fish there fairly often but quit when gas hit 4 bucks a gallon. I needto get back there. A wonderful fishery and fun little town.
Senior Exalted Pro Staff Member of the Paddle-Fishing.com Kayak & Canoe Anglers Club
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
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- Posts: 2533
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
- Location: Among the Mangroves of W. Central FL
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Agree with all the above, Matlacha is good ANY time of year. Need to get down there again soon myself. Too many fisheries ... so little time. (#&$*@@^# WORK!!!)
GIL
"Only the half-mad are wholly alive." ~~~ Edward Abbey
"Only the half-mad are wholly alive." ~~~ Edward Abbey
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Good hearing a report from you Chrystal and nice pictures.
Never fished that area but I hear it can be great snook fishing at times.
Never fished that area but I hear it can be great snook fishing at times.
Fishin Worms and Investment Advice Inc.
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- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Skeeter!!!,
It's great to hear from you!!! Since the freeze last year snook fishing around Matlacha has been challenging, but there are fish around. If ever you are heading this way, please send me an e-mail. It would be fun to get together and fish. That might even convince John to get back in his canoe.
It's great to hear from you!!! Since the freeze last year snook fishing around Matlacha has been challenging, but there are fish around. If ever you are heading this way, please send me an e-mail. It would be fun to get together and fish. That might even convince John to get back in his canoe.
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
We've only been down there twice, both times taking the boat to cayo costa, both times w/o our kayaks. Definitely on our to-do list. However, we have managed to reconstruct the "beach bread" appetizer from Berts
Jerry White
Contributing author for Paddling.net since 2005
Contributing author for Florida Sportsman Magazine
Member - Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Contributing author for Paddling.net since 2005
Contributing author for Florida Sportsman Magazine
Member - Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
To whomever answers,
Thanks in advance.
My question is about the parking fees arrangements at Matlacha park for paddle craft.
I know there is a fee for trailer launched boats, but what about canoes launched from the paddle craft area?
Thanks
Kevin
Thanks in advance.
My question is about the parking fees arrangements at Matlacha park for paddle craft.
I know there is a fee for trailer launched boats, but what about canoes launched from the paddle craft area?
Thanks
Kevin
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- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Re: Matlacha is a Must Visit Paddle-Fish Destination
Parking at Matlacha Park for individual vehicles, no trailer, is free.
FYI, new Matlacha Bridge construction is underway.
Also, a neat tarpon-fishing-in-Matlacha video shot by Apollobeach Sam aka Sam Root. The guide, Joe Harley is my neighbor.
http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/video.jsp? ... 3558796001
FYI, new Matlacha Bridge construction is underway.
Also, a neat tarpon-fishing-in-Matlacha video shot by Apollobeach Sam aka Sam Root. The guide, Joe Harley is my neighbor.
http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/video.jsp? ... 3558796001