Tarpon is the major fishing challenge in Florida especially in July - an excellent time to take that fishing vacation. This is when the famous "World's Richest Tarpon Tournament" takes place with the winning boat taking $250,000 in prize money !! The location of this event and tarpon fishing in general is Boca Grande pass. Boca Grande is located 6 miles from the villa on the unspoiled Gasparilla Island, a seven mile barrier island along the coast of Southwest Florida. The area around the villa in Charlotte County is one of the finest fishing areas in all of Florida!! Boca Grande also has a famous lighthouse, situated at the southern tip of Gasparilla Island. Here you can see Boca Grande Pass, the deepest natural harbor on the West coast of Florida. In the spring hundreds of thousands of tarpon congregate. They can be seen rolling and splashing along side the boats in the pass. Tarpon are an exciting and challenging opponent for any fisherman. You may even see many of the famous visitors that take their vacation on the island. All types of fishing are well catered for, not just the tarpon. The canals and lakes around Rotonda can be used on a catch and release basis. Within a short distance from the villa you could be catching a wide variety of fish and even the kids can have a go - watch out for the alligators though ! An array of boats can be chartered for organized trips or by the hour. Manasota Key, Fisherman's Village, Stump Pass and Boca Grande are to mention a few. Take a mornings fishing trip and then relax in the evening by the pool with your fresh fish on the BBQ - you can't taste better than that ! Or take a romantic evening boat trip and see the sunset. There is also a trip that takes you out to islands and stops off for lunch at Cabbage Key - the only restaurant on the island and a great day out. With fishing to suit all types you could even just get some live bait and fish off the highway bridges and piers. A license is required but is easily purchased at the local Walmart. Certainly fishing for everyone is available and right on the doorstep so why not give it a go. |