FISHING HEADQUARTERS
 for Sanibel and Captiva Islands.       More than 100 years of local experience.
1041 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, FL 33957
(239) 472-1618                 (239) 472-3035 ~ Fishing Guide Service
E-mail ~
baitbox@mindspring.com
 

LINKS
                          
Home
Area Chart
Cast Nets
Cast Net Rodeo
Catches of the Day
CLAMS! Order Today!
Crocs Footwear
Directions              
Fishing Report
Fish Tales
Fishing Tackle
Fly Fishing
Guide Service
New Products
Reef Locations
Rod & Reel Rentals &  Repairs
Regulations
Species Availability
Tarpon Bay Custom Rods 
Tidal Predictions

 

                                

CATCHes of the Day
(Always a work in progress - Keep catching those fish!)

 

 

Snook 

 

 

 

Scott Nichols
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Unknown
Fly
J.N.Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge
Snook, Shark and Mackerel
Click here to read his story. 
Ed Schmitt and daughter
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Spoon & Cut bait - Threadfin herring
Off Beach - Sundial Resort 

Shark, Snook, Pompano and Trout

The Russell Family
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Shrimp
Sanibel Pier

Lemon Shark
Click here to read his story. 

 

Andrew Berki and Brett
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

5 feet
Cut bait - Ladyfish
Off Beach

Redfish

 

 


 

Bob
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Unknown
Unknown
J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge

Bull Shark


 

Bill Misee and Kerry Burke
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

LARGE!
Catfish Tails using Circle Hooks
Off Beach - West Gulf Drive  


Snook


 

Norm Zeigler
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

39 inches
FLY - Norm's Crystal Schminnow
Off Beach - West Gulf Drive  
 
Redfish



 
Dave Lopata
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Unknown
Shrimp
Lighthouse Pier    
Pompano






 
Michael Craig
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Unknown
Shrimp
Lighthouse Beach
BIG SNOOK! 


See letter to right. 
Mark Preuss
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

40 inches
Threadfin Herring
Off Beach - Sanddollar Condos
     During the winter months, I spent a great deal of time on the Internet researching how to fish Florida's beaches and that's how I discovered your web site.
     In July of this year, we decided to vacation on Sanibel. We have never vacationed on the island during July so I did not know what to expect as far as fishing off of the beaches. I figured that the fishing would be tough and it was! For 2 days all I could catch was catfish. I was getting discouraged so I figured I would go up to the Bait Box on Sanibel and ask them for some advice. They told me the best thing to use would be frozen Thread Fin Herring so I bought a half dozen of them and headed for the beach.
     It was just before noon on July 2nd when I put the first Herring on my hook. Although it was hot, the water was calm with no chop and there was a nice breeze. I waded out about waist deep and cast the Herring out as far as possible and let it sink to the bottom. About 5 minutes passed when I felt my line starting to move. Since I use a circle hook, I let the fish run a real long way before I start applying any pressure. When I started "pulling back" is when the real fireworks started. This fish immediately started peeling out line and I mean it was screaming! I had about a 175 yards of 15 lb. test line on my real and about 3/4's of it was gone before I could get the fishes head turned. The fish was a real fighter! I would get about 20 yards in and he would run out 25. It took about 10 minutes before I could start making some real progress and get the fish back to me. As soon as I got the fish to within 30 yards of me, the darn thing took off down the beach in the other direction! The fish took about half of my line out on that last run but I could tell that it was beat. I only had to fight it for about another 5 minutes before I landed this beautiful snook.
     Unfortunately, I did not have a scale to weigh this fish but we did have a tape measure. The fish measured 40" from the lip to the fork of the tail. I did not measure the girth but you can see that it is thick. Just for scale purposes, I am 6'3" tall and weigh 240 lbs.
     Anyway, I thought you would like to see these. My 2 boys are in the pictures. The oldest is Matt and the youngest is Christopher. As you can imagine, they were really excited to see a fish this big!
     Thanks for all of your help at the Bait box!
     Mark Preuss




Snook


 
Jim Destefano
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Rapala X-rap
Off Beach   


Redfish



Redfish Ready for the Grill
 
Peggy and Andy Stiles
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Tooooooooo Big To Keep
Unknown
Fishing Charter w/Capt. Whitney
  Snook
 
Ed Allen
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

40+ inches, 30+ pounds
Unknown 
Off Beach   
"Hey guys I just want to say thanks to yall for being the Best of the Best! Yall have always provided the kind of info on tackle,how to ,& great bait,its so nice to know that yall are there for all of our fishing needs,I've fished all over the the US & Canada,and yall have the best staff and operation anywhere! it doesnt hurt that its in paradise either!  On the 4th of july I caught 5 gaint snook from the beach useing live bait on 50lb powerpro[the best] & 80lb mono leader,2 were over 40" and wieght in the 30's and the others were close to 40" and in there 20 lbs,these brutes would burn off so much line it was mind-blowing!Without the powerpro I wouldn't have had the confiedence to handle them to land!Whats even better these were the first Snook I'd ever caught, they were all released after a few pics revived and happy,the 5 fish wieghed 110lbs! I had skin ripped off from my wrist to my knuckles,that I looked at and smiled for weeks while they healed! and the great finsh to the day was sitting on the beach that night with the family and watching all the fireworks from sanibel to naples!
Thanks again for all your help!"
Ed Allen Memphis,Tn                                                                                  
Snook


 

Clark Schroeder
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

40 inches
Fly - White/Gray #2 Clouser
Off Beach   
"Landed this snook (my biggest ever) on an 8wt w/ a #2 Clouser (white/gray) walking the beach.  I wasn't sight fishing, but there were bait schools all over the place so I just cast around the schools.  I pulled tight and the next thing I know my fly reel was singing that sweet music.  I didn't get to measure her, but I'm guessing she's in the area of 36- 40 inches.  I have no idea what that translates into weight, I don't really care it's just great to be catching fish.  She bloodied up both my thumb knuckles pretty bad while reviving her.  It's almost three weeks later and I still have scabs.  I've read Norm's (Zeigler) book forwards and backwards and can't wait to put his advice into practice on next summer's trip to the Island.  Hopefully my wife and I will be able to stay for two weeks.  One week a year just isn't enough to get my snook fix.  I love those fish!!!  Thanks for all the help you've provided over the last God only knows how many years I've been coming to the Island."
 
Clark Schroeder
See photo to left 

Snook

 

 


 

Donnie Fisk
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

42 inches
Spanish Sardines 
Sanibel Arms West - Off Beach 
Snook





 

Jack Crevalle

 

The Standards 
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Live Bait & DOA Shrimp
Unknown - Off Beach 


Snook





 

Randolph Peters
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

45 inches
Pinfish
Waterside Inn - Off Beach
 
Snook

 

 

 

Mike Powell
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

44 inches
Chunk bait/2 oz. steel knocker rig

Sanibel Arms West - Off Beach
Snook




 
Clare Moon
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

40 inches
Chunk of catfish
West Wind Inn - Off Beach
Shark


 
Mick Chadwick
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

6 feet
Chunk of catfish
West Wind Inn - Off Beach
Cubera Snapper









 

Charles Sobczak

Size:
Bait:
Location:

50+ pounds, 43 inches
Live Bait
West of Redfish Pass 
Shark



  
Clare Moon
 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

5 feet
Chunk of catfish
West Wind Inn - Off Beach
Snook




 

Stephen Halleran

Size:
Bait:

Location:

28 inches
Norm's Crystal Schminnow - see photo to right
Causeway bridge nearest Sanibel
   
Norm's Crystal Schminnow
The greatest snook fly ever invented.
 
It has been written about in Florida Sportsman, Saltwater Fly Fishing, The New York Times, Fly Rod and Reel, and other publications as well. 

 

Snook
I caught this monster Snook on a 4" Pearl Gulp Shrimp and 40 lb. Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader both purchased at the Bait Box. I had a couple big Snook shred the 20 lb leader material I was using and the Bait Box staff took the time to help us find the correct size for the big Snook. I caught this monster with a new setup I bought at the Bait Box. Thanks guys, I have been coming to the Bait Box for 5 years now and you guys ROCK !!!!!

Rod

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Monster! 
4" Pearl Gulp Shrimp
Off the beach - Casa Ybel Resort
Snook, Shark, Jack and Trout

 

Kevin, Clayton and Austin Russell 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Various
Lighthouse Pier 

Snook

 

 

Dennis Porter 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Huge!  Click the thumbnail to see for yourself!
White Bucktail Jig
Bowman's Beach 

Whiting Bluefish
Pompano Black Tip Shark

Eric Berki and Fans  - See Fish Tales 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

Various
Various
Captiva 

Shark Video - Click here to see Alec land his shark. 
 

Alec Raffa - You can also read his story and see his video on our Fish Tales page. 

Size:
Bait:
Location:

100+ pounds 
Live Mullet
Redfish Pass

Shark and Snook


Bear Sitzes - See Our Fish Tales Page

Size:
Bait:
Location:
Various
Various
Sand Pointe Condos Beach 

Black Drum




 

George Perry

Size:
Bait:
Location:

25 inches
¼ oz jig head and live shrimp
By Lighthouse Pier (off beach)

Redfish


 
Sadie
Size:
Bait:
Location:
32 inches
Shrimp
Lighthouse Pier
Redfish


 

Sadie and Christa
Size:
Bait:
Location:
32 inches
Shrimp
Lighthouse Pier
Stingray

 

 

Gary Cook
Size:
Bait:
Location:
100 pounds
Whiting
Off Beach - West Wind Inn

 

Snook

 

 

Gary Cook
Size:
Bait:
Location:
36 inches
Whiting - Live
Off Beach - West Wind Inn
Snook

 

 

Dave Zenczak
Size:
Bait:
Location:
36 inches
Finger Mullet
Blind Pass

 

Snook


 

Nicole Heacock
Size:
Bait:
Location:
30 inches
Frozen Sardines
Sundial Resort
Snook

 

 

 

Ashley and Bobby    
Size:
Bait:
Location:
36 inches
Ladyfish
Blind Pass

 

Snook

 

 

Dave & Niki Zenczak
Size:
Bait:
Location:
42 inches
Finger Mullet
Blind Pass
Lemon Shark

 

Steve Boshaw
Size:
Bait:
Location:
6 to 7 Foot
Chunks of Mullet
Blind Pass

 

Snook

 

 

 

Ashley and Bobby
Size:
Bait:
Location:
42 inches
Ladyfish
Blind Pass
Snook

 

 

 

Steve Boshaw
Size:
Bait:
Location:
Unknown
Chunks of Mullet
Blind Pass

 

Lemon Shark



 
Steve Boshaw and Justin
Size:
Bait:
Location:
7 Foot
Chunks of Mullet
Blind Pass
Sheepshead


 
Sam Goecke
Size:
Bait:
Location:
Unknown
Shrimp and Fiddler Crabs
Near the Sanibel Causeway
 
Snook

 

 

Jerry Harris
Size:
Bait:
Location:
Unknown
Hand-picked Jumbo Shrimp
Blind Pass
Snook






 
Dave & Sandy
Size:
Bait:
Location:
36 inches
Finger mullet
Blind Pass
 
Sheepshead



 
Sam Goecke and his sisters
Size:
Bait:
Location:
Unknown
Shrimp and Fiddler Crabs
Near the Sanibel Causeway
Snook







 
Tracy & Rob
Size:
Bait:
Location:
26 inches
Ladyfish
Blind Pass

 

Redfish

 

Addison's First Redfish
Size:
Bait:
Location:
19 inches
Live Shrimp
J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge
Redfish
Doug Emery  
Size:
Bait:
Location:
36 inches
Blue crab
Lighthouse Pier
 
Snook







 
Tracy & Sean
Size:
Bait:
Location:
29 inches
Cut Mullet
Blind Pass
Spanish Mackerel
Eric Berki
Size:
Bait:
Location:
Varied
Spoons
Surf - Captiva
Snook
Morgan Hodges
Size:
Bait:
Location:
42 inches
Small bait fish
Gulf Pines
Snook
Matt and Jerry Hulbert
Size:                  
Bait:                    
Location:             
42 inches
Pilchards
Blind Pass
Pompano
Eric Berki
Size:
Bait:
Location:
16.5 inches
Sand fleas
Surf - Captiva
Snook
Mark Kane
Size:           
Bait:            
Location:     
Unknown
Shrimp
Off Beach
Snook
Dennis Porter
Size:
Bait:
Location
BIG
Mirrorlure
Middle Gulf Drive - Off Beach
Snook
DK Davis
Size:            
Bait:            
Location:      
51 inches
Unknown
East Gulf Drive
Grouper

 

 


Chris Arnold

Size:
Bait:
Location:
Huge
Unknown
Unknown
JoeTurner-Snook.jpg (49145 bytes)Snook
Joe Turner on Captain Brian Whitney's Flats Boat.
Size:
Bait:
Location:
10 pounds
Pinfish
Pine Island Sound
Tarpon
Terry Johnson
Size:                    
Bait:                     
Location:              
100 pounds +
Unknown
Unknown
Andy&EricBerkiSpMak.jpg (43826 bytes)Spanish Mackerel
Andy and Eric Berki
Size:           
Bait:            
Location:     
25 inches
Artificial - Johnson Silver Minnow
Captiva - from the beach
Snook
Alexander Downey
Size:               
Bait:                
Location:         
"Best of my life"
Silver Spoon
Causeway
Tyler-Redfish.jpg (42190 bytes)Redfish
Captain Sean Middleton and Tyler
Size:         
Bait:         
Location:   
5 pounds
Pinfish
Pine Island Sound
JoeTurner-Redfish.jpg (49730 bytes)Redfish
Joe Turner on Captain Brian Whitney's Flats Boat.
Size:
Bait:
Location:
27 inches
Pinfish
Pine Island Sound
JenAndorfer-Snook.jpg (40627 bytes)Snook
Jen Andorfer 
Size:            
Bait:             
Location:      
29 inches/10 pounds
Live shrimp
Bowman's Beach
Reeves2 copy.gif (62359 bytes)Redfish
Captain Maxi Stanford and the Reeves Family
Size:            
Bait:             
Location:      
22 inches
Pinfish
Pine Island Sound
MatthewMorrowCuberaSnapper.jpg (46108 bytes)Cubera Snapper
Matthew Morrow
Size:       
Bait:             
Location:      
66.5 pounds
Live - Sand Perch
30 Miles West of Captiva Pass 
BillAgnewSnook.jpg (23237 bytes)Snook
Bill Agnew
Size:        
Bait:         
Location:  
33 inches/14 pounds
Frozen shrimp 
Bowman's Beach
Sanibel 008-2002.jpg (24762 bytes)Nurse Shark
Bill Misee
Size:          
Bait:           
Location:    
6 foot
Pinfish
Blue Dolphin  (W. Gulf Dr.)
Reeves2 copy2.gif (80902 bytes)Redfish
Captain Maxi Stanford and the Reeves Family
Size:        
Bait:         
Location:   
20 inches
Pinfish
Pine Island Sound
BrendaTateSnook.jpg (52128 bytes)Snook
Brenda Tate
Size:           
Bait:                 
Location:         
12 pounds/33 inches
Live - Pilchard
North Pine Island Sound 
Snook-Malcolm.jpg (25170 bytes)Snook
Malcolm Leaphart
Size:          
Bait:           
Location:     
33.5 inches
Live shrimp
Blind Pass - from the beach
Ralph&WayneKingFish.jpg (27078 bytes)
King Fish
Ralph and Wayne Woodring
Size:     
Bait:          
Location:   
30 pounds
MacKensie Trolling Lure
Near Air Force Towers 
Troy Sean.jpg (53278 bytes)Snook
Captain Sean Middleton and Troy Keller
Size:       
Bait:            
Location:     
8 pounds
Live - Threadfin Herring
Pine Island Sound
Sanibel 8-20-2002.jpg (40093 bytes)Trout
Andy Misee
Size:       
Bait:        
Location:  
15 to 18 inches
Live - Shrimp
Blue Dolphin (W. Gulf Dr.)
JoeSetteSnook2.jpg (58536 bytes)Snook
Joe Sette
Size:        
Bait:              
Location:       
12 pounds/34 inches
Frozen - Threadfin Herring
Gulf Pines beaches
Sanibel 8-2002.jpg (27554 bytes)Nurse Shark
Bill Misee
Size:            
Bait:             
Location:      
5 foot
Pinfish
Blue Dolphin (W. Gulf Dr.)
SeanMiddletonBobBurnetteSnook.jpg (67101 bytes)Snook
Captain Sean Middleton and Bob Burnette
Size:       
Bait:            
Location:     
10 pounds/31 inches
Live - Large Threadfin Herring
Mouth of the Caloosahatchee River
Andy&EricBerkiSnook.jpg (19452 bytes)Snook
Andy and Eric Berki
Size:            
Bait:            
Location:     
41 inches
Artificial - Yo-zuri
Captiva - from the beach