Endless Summer Charters

Tarpon Season Sanibel Fort Myers!

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:23:00 +0000

We are now about a third of the way into our Tarpon season here in SW Florida. Captains Bill and Matt have been doing their job and getting their customers on some big Silver Kings!

They've been mostly down south off Fort Myers Beach but are working their way up to Boca Grande where these 150 lb plus beauties com year after year.

The action has been good and really heating up as June is just around the corner! There are just a few slots left so don't delay, book your tarpon charter today!

Winter Species Sanibel Fishing Charters

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:14:00 +0000

Carrie Vollmer visiting from Michigan got a chance to wrangle a few black drum and redfish today while enjoying this great weather.

November is a great month for fishing. Not only is the weather great here (sunny and 73 tomorrow) but some good eating species start to return. Mackerel, pompano, sheepshead, black drum and mangrove snapper are among some of the species that are great table fare that migrate here starting in October.

We hope you!ll be lucky enough to visit us in the fall when Sanibel and Fort Myers fishing is incomparable!

Tight Lines,

Angela

First Mate

Perfect Weather for a Sanibel Fishing Charter!

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 04:43:00 +0000

We have had some real "Chamber of Commerce" days with our weather. November is my wife's favorite time of year because it's the best of everything, weather, fishing, clear water and no waiting time at restaurants!

A perfect snook for dinner caught near Sanibel Island

The high pressure that gives us this great weather can also make for some unfavorable fishing conditions. However with a little planning you can you have an incredible day. I had the opportunity to fish with some great families for the last few days and we found ourselves with extra low tides in the morning. We started out by fishing exposed osyster bars and grass flats in Pine Island Sound which produced so many redfish we lost count! Several slot size snook as well as a few small bonnet sharks.

Nothing better than a Sanibel fishing charter!

As the tide rolled in along with the wind we worked into the shoreline and creeks to stay out the wind where the schools of jacks were so abundant we almost ran out of bait.

A beautiful example of a red drum

Several snook and snapper where caught as well. With winter fast approaching in this perfect days of fall are soon to come to an end which only means Pompano and sheepshead should be knocking on our door pretty soon.

Tight Lines,

Capt Bill

239-691-1966

EPIC Sanibel Fishing Charter

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:09:00 +0000

On Friday I got to have a day that, as a fishing guide, you would like to have everyday be as epic a day as this one.

I got a call from my friend, Sarasota artist and angler Brendon Coudal, who said his friends were in town from Indiana and he and his wife were driving down to meet them.

They thought it would be great to let them experience a little of Florida fishing. I thought that was a great idea and we set a date.

Fishing with locals for me always seems to set up several challenges. It seems as if Mother Nature knows and throws me a curve ball every time. In this case I lost a bit of sleep the night before knowing this.

As if fishing after a big full moon isn't hard enough we were having a small front move through and another one right behind it. I was sure the conditions weren't going to be favorable for a good bite but as always I was going to give it my best shot.

I picked up my group at the Sanibel Harbor Marriott Resort and made a short run to my best spot for that tide that I knew of. I hooked a live pilchard on a spinning rig, made a cast and handed it to Brendan. From that first cast it was pandemonium for the next 3 hours! At one point we had fish on the deck and fish hooked up. We caught Snook, redfish, big trout and flounder. Schools of big jacks kept coming in giving my anglers quit the work out.

I could not have asked for a better day for anyone. This trip will go down as one of my personal best. Great friends, great fishing, and a lifetime of memories. Doesn't get any better than that.

Thank you Brendan for allowing me to guide you, your wife, and friends on Friday. I hope we can make a habit of it!

Sanibel Fall fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:56:00 +0000

As we move into October, like clockwork our first front of the fall season has moved in as well temps dipped into the low 70s, brrrrrr! Break out the fleece!

Fishing ahead of the front things couldn't have been more exciting. This past Saturday I had the pleasure to fish an all female team in the B103 Racks and Reels fishing tournament benefitting the American Cancer Society.

We had a impressive day ahead of this front. This was a ladyfish only tourney and boy did we find some. We boated over 70 fish and weighed in our best 12 for a weight of 13.94 locking up a 3rd place spot. Thanks to the Timbers Resturant and the Sanibel Grill for their sponsorship. Our team fished nothing but artificial which provided a lot of great action.... Big trout, snook and jack crevalle but the big treat was jumping tarpon as the sun was rising. Funny what a little change in temperature will do.

Please contact Angela should you want to participate in one of our local fishing tournaments! We'll get you hooked up!

Fort Myers Beach Fishing Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:51:00 +0000

The Racks & Reels fishing tournament out of Fort Myers Beach, Florida was a great event that raised money for the American Cancer Society.

I was lucky enough to guide one of the winning teams and ended up with a third place finish! This all ladies tournament was the first in what we hope will be a yearly fishing event!

Congrats to Ashley Kneram, Kaitlin Rae and Kelly Bonkowski for winning the $3000 purse! Way to go girls!

If you would like to do a fishing tournament on my boat please contact me. I can let you know of any upcoming events you can enter and hopefully win like Team Timbers pictured above!

Sanibel Fishing for Redfish

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 23:03:00 +0000

Today as we left the dock we notice a slight and I mean slight change in temperature. The rain for the last few days has subsided and the "cool" front has turned the redfish bite on in Pine Island sound.

Our charter started off right with 2 nice snook and a big jack and as the high tide started to flood the mangroves the redfish moved off the flats and headed for the tress. We had several nice slot size reds as well as a few oversize on our morning charter.

As fall approaches SW Florida large schools of Redfish will start pushing south though out Pine Island sound a make the flats and islands behind Sanibel and Captiva their home for the next few months until we see the first few cold fronts.

Tight lines,

Capt. Bill Hammond

www.endlesssummetcharters.net

Endless Summer Charters

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 06:06:00 +0000

One of our latest videos for you to check out...enjoy!
Endless Summer Charters

Sanibel Fishing Charters, Fort Myers Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, Shelling

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 05:17:00 +0000

We have had a fantastic year and want to thank our customers for their continued charter business! We see many (or most) of our charters on a yearly basis if not sooner. I think that's what sets us apart, we build relationships. The families that visit Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and even Cape Coral can't miss out on a great day on the water with Capt. Bill year after year.

You're really missing out on the best that this area has to offer if you don't book a charter at least one day of your vacation.

The great outdoors and especially the islands of our coast and the Gulf of Mexico is what brought settlers here in the first place.

The abundance of sea life, world class fishing, birdwatching, the pristine beaches with miles of shells are just a few things to see on the water.

Did you know this is the birthplace of sport fishing? The great Silver King, aka Tarpon was the very first fish considered a sport fish and was caught just a few miles from Port Sanibel Marina in Tarpon Bay near Sanibel Island, Florida. This mean strictly caught for the fight and trophy.

Today we do catch and release only but any fish can be mounted or "recreated" as a trophy to hang on your wall without harm to the fish! The taxidermist that mount these fish are true artist. Endless Summer Charters is a representative of Gray Taxidermy and can have your fish mounted by simply getting photos and measurements.

Not only does your mount act as a source of conversation and a true trophy but a work of art to treasure from the birth place of sport fishing!

Sanibel Fishing Charters, Fort Myers Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, Shelling

Visit us at Endless Summer Charters website and book you charter today. Get out there and catch that trophy fish!

Sanibel and Captiva fishing Charters

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 21:58:00 +0000

This weeks pressure from local fishing tournaments have made me fish places that we haven't fish in a while to get away from the crowds. Between tournament anglers and Labor Day weekend warriors it was hard to find a quiet flat or mangrove stretch of island anywhere. We managed find some great fishing right where most were zooming by. With the southeast winds and long out going tides in Pine Island sound, we fished grass flats and hit broken bottom or potholes as we call them and

had a wonderful trout and redfish bite with several fish over the slot size in 30 to 36 inch category for redfish and several trout 20 to 25 inches. Snook season opened this weekend but this Captain is going to stand his ground and practice catch and release on that particular species. Even though the snooks comeback has been seen in other areas in great numbers, SW Florida was one of the hardest hit and I still believe the snook needs more time. For now it will be catch and release leaving us with only a great photo and a chance to catch more in the future.

Tight Lines!

Capt. Bill Hammond

Http://www.endlesssummercharters.net

239-691-1966

Rainy days of summer

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 14:10:00 +0000

As I sit here watching the clouds roll in for an early arrival of afternoon storms, I can't help but wonder what the effect we will see long term from all of this water. I can certainly see early changes in bait patterns as well as fish on flats, However the redfish don't seem to mind. We have been seeing nice schools in the sound and some moving closer into all the freshwater being released from lake "O" near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee. The Shark bite has been hot with several black tips and bull sharks being caught.

With fall quickly approaching I look forward to the trout bite picking up and the large school of spawning redfish to hit the flats and oyster bars. Here is a look at a few of last week catch. Have a great day and remember to take a kid fishing

Capt Bill

Endless Summer Charters

Sanibel Tarpon fishing in May

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:28:00 +0000

They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. I would have to say the lion ate the lamb this year! We are still getting strong winds and here we are in May! The tarpon are slowly making their migration up the west coast of Florida to The craziness of Boca Grande Pass and beyond. We've had a few tarpon hook-ups despite the less than favorable weather conditions. Tarpon fishing offshore is about it right now if you want to get the Silver King.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Bill Hammond

www.endlesssummercharters.net

Sanibel Fishing Trout Spectacular

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:38:00 +0000

As we begin December with mild temperatures and light winds, fishing in Pine Island sound has never been hotter. Redfish are still in abundance but we are seeing sizes getting smaller as the water temps start to fall.

his is the first December that trout have been open in many years and our clients have been limiting out each charter. Snapper and sheepshead also are making appearances and as we move into the colder months ahead we will see sizes increase.

Schools of pompano are getting more active on the flats around Sanibel but trout are still the most active in the sound. Nearshore, look for birds to show you the way to Mackerel and Bonito as the offshore bite will also start to heat up this month as well.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Capt Bill and Angela
Endless Summer Charters
www.endlesssummercharters.net

Fishing Sanibel, FL

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 05:48:00 +0000

Despite the ominous addition of red tide earlier this week the fishing is good and not so bad. The inshore bite produced some perfect for the fillet table sized ref fish.

Offshore this week produced cobia as well as mackerel and some undersized grouper.

The Olsen clan below had a great time fishing the backbay waters of Sanibel Island, FL

Capt. Bill
www.endlesssummercharters.net

Sanibel Fishing is still hot!

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:23:00 +0000

Despite the release of billions of gallons of fresh water from the bursting walls of Lake Okeechobee this week we are seeing more and more redfish catches for our charter guests. Here's a letter we received tonight for our trip today:

Angela we had a great time out on the water today chasing the redfish and trout with Capt. Bill. Our friends Minnie and Norman Patrick had a great first trip on Endless Summer Charters with us. We took part of today's catch to Island Cow for dinner tonight...what a meal!!! Thanks so much.

Bruce and Mary Howey

Thanks so much Bruce and Mary. It was a pleasure to have you aboard again!

Fiery sunrise over Fort Myers Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:41:00 +0000

Just had to post this photo of the sunrise Capt. Bill witnessed yesterday morning for green-eyed envy solely. 🐬

Little did we know there were billions of gallons of lake water being released from Lake Okeeochobee into the Caloosahatchee River today. Luckily, it didn't hurt the fishing.

www.endlesssummercharters.net

Fishing SW Florida in Late Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:32:00 +0000

This has been a strange few days here in SW Florida. We have had lots of wind and rain all associated with the remnants of Hurricane Isaac. With all that said, we have still been fortunate enough to catch some nice fish in between the rain the wind. This has made me change my tactics. With a SW wind and slow outgoing tides we found ourselves fishing leeward sides off mangrove islands just to be able to cast close to the tree line. In these conditions stealth is still important. The wind and waves can help hide your movement and get you in tight to the shore allowing you to cast to the trees as well as along the shoreline. Cut pin fish on a #2 circle hook and 1/4 ounce slip sinker allow you to make those cast in the wind. We also used small corks with white bait and allowed the wind to move the bait around to the corners and out with tide. Try these methods on your next windy day and you might be able to salvage what might be a fishless day. While fishing in these conditions, please always watch the weather, it can quickly change. Always watch out for lighting. It's better to be able to come back and catch fish another day then making your last cast that could really be your last.

Tight lines,

Capt. Bill Hammond
www.endlesssummercharters.net

Fishing in SW Florida for Redfish

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:23:00 +0000

As we move into the "dog days of Summer" and water temperatures start to rise, fishing for redfish in Pine Island sound is just what the doctor ordered, and the key to a successful day is tidal movement. As we get into the end of August the temperatures in the sound are nearing the 90s, find areas where the water moves faster look for small cuts between grass flats and oyster bars. Slow your baits down and make it a little easier target for the fish to catch. A trick I learned years ago is to trim the fins off of pin fish and float him under popping cork. This does two things slows the bait down and release and scent for the redfish to find. Fish the sand hole or "potholes" on the flats as well as oyster bars and I'm sure this technique will help you catch more reds. This technique will also get you hook ups with trout and small sharks that are cruising the flats looking for a easy meal.

Tight lines!

Capt Bill Hammond
Endless Summer Charters
www.endlesssummercharters.net

Fort Myers Fishing for Reds

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Redfish have been on fire in the Fort Myers and Sanibel areas of Pine Island Sound. Our customers have been tearing it up and for one reason and one reason only...Capt. Bill knows the habits of redfish in SW Florida.

Just about every charter with Endless Summer Charters has "limited out" on the redfish bite. This makes for some good eating and happy anglers.

We have been sending many of our happy customers to restaurants to have their catch cooked for dinner. We've even had a few eat their fresh catch at The Waterfront restaurant on Pine Island while on their charter with Capt. Bill. The chef will prepare a plate full of fried redfish with sides for a nice price too. There is nothing like eating fresh fish just minutes after catching!

We will be adding restaurants to this list and hope you come back to see what's next from the water of SW Florida.

Sanibel Fishing Charters

Fort Myers Fishing May 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Here Snookie, Snookie!
Capt. Bill has been fortunate enough to be super busy sometimes not having a day off unless we booked it out on purpose! Fishing has been so much better then expected and really surprised us considering the freeze we had in late winter that killed so many fish and particularly snook.

Starting early summer we were quite apprehensive about taking people snook fishing when it was requested. We thought...okay this is fishing NOT catching so what do we have to lose? Well, we shouldn't have even worried about the lack (or so we thought) of snook!

We had just one day to scout for snook spots and was fortunate enough to have an old spot deliver. Snook like brackish water so the mouth of the Caloosahatchee is prime real estate for linesiders. We found ours during outgoing tides hanging out under mangrove overhangs in 1-2 feet of water.

We had a really good run for a couple months but because of the prolonged closure of the snook season we are still unable to keep the tastiest fish around! That's okay...we would rather have the numbers grow for future fishing trips!

Sanibel Fishing Charters July 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:51:00 +0000

It's all about the Tarpon & Shark!
Oh, how we LOVE tarpon season! Tarpon fishing runs
through our veins and we really look forward to the run of
the Silver King every year. Having family roots in Boca
Grande and a grandfather that was one of the first tarpon
guides there helps.

Early in the season was tough. Lots of tarpon but not enough taking the bait. I suspect it's because of the large army of shark that come to the passes around that time to get themselves a tasty silver treat. I wouldn't take time for a snack if I had a 10 foot hammerhead chasing me either.

After not such great luck in Boca Grande pass Capt. Bill took to the beaches and passes that have a lot less shark and boat traffic. That's when the bite turned on and we were seeing silver all over!

Boca Grande is great but lots of amateurs that don't follow the rules of the pass makes it hard for those that know and follow the rules. It definitely takes someone that knows what they're doing to navigate Boca Grande. There are sometimes 100+ boats all nose to nose vying for the beautiful Silver King.

The Snook are gettin' Hungry!

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:04:00 +0000

When the water gets cooler the snook bite generally slows, if not stops all together. They move slower to save energy and keep their metabolism as low as possible. They just don't want to put out the effort to grab a meal, even if it's an easy meal.

There have been many times that I've casted my bait onto the nose of a snook and watch it roll it's eyes at me. Okay, maybe not but it sure did seem like it. If that snook had a thumb he would have been thumbing it at me!

Now that the water is warming the snook are stirring. It seems the smaller ones start eating first and by the time we're well into spring the big ones can't get enough of eating those hand sized white bait.

Despite the freeze that killed so many snook last year we really had a good Spring and Summer. We caught some lunkers near Sanibel, Pine Island, Estero Bay and in the mouth of the Caloosahatchee in Fort Myers.

Snook season is closed indefinately but it's still just as thrilling to catch the local favorite. We've caught more than a few this week and they're are getting bigger with every catch. Looking forward to it even if I can't serve them up with grits, hushpuppies and slaw!

Now that the Tourist are Leaving...

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:33:00 +0000

Well, it's that time again! Time for the tourist and Snowbirds to start packing their bags and heading up North, right? Well, yes but that's not what I mean...

NOW is when the bite turns on for all the fish that have been tight lipped for the winter and start chewing on freshly caught bait! Now is the time for the beautiful Silver King to make their way up through the Gulf of Mexico to feast on the bounty of S.W. Florida. The Snowbirds are going home just in time. I would say it would have to be bad timing but they're leaving none the less.

Tarpon season is nearly here and just got word today that the tarpon are frolicking and having a good 'ole time off Sanibel beaches while moving their way to Boca Grande Pass. Ahhh, Boca Grande. The mere utterance of the two words meaning "Big Mouth" conjure up the excitement felt when a kid is told he's going to Disney World. At least for me and a few thousand others.

If fly fishing is the Waltz then fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande is slam dancing. Not that slamming is looked upon favorably but it happens.

Imagine 150 boats drifting over an area of two football fields in strong current trying NOT to bump into each other while tarpon are jumping, the yahoos that don't know the rules are darting in and out messing up the drifts and you're trying to keep an eye on the depth finder to find the exact right spot to let out more line or reel it up! Whew!

I know what you are thinking... Yes, I've seen my share of fights in Boca Grande Pass (even been in a few) but they're mostly verbal and add to the excitement of atmosphere of the pass. People get real brave when they know their opponent can't just walk over and knock them out!

I'll tell you the worst thing I've seen in Boca Grande Pass while fishing for tarpon... It just happened to be the day of the PTTS (Professional Tarpon Tournament Series). There is so much adrenalyn, testosterone and just plain ego that you can feel it in the air. The tension is brutal. All these guys trying to make a name for themselves and get their mugs on TV is unreal. I have to admit...it's a blast!

Anyway, one of these guys jumps a tarpon. By jumping I mean he hooks a tarpon good enough where the tarpon flies out of the air like a basketball player making a lay up. At the same time an amature hooks up on a nice tarpon from the same pod. The professional holds tight as the tarpon weaves it's way through the boats. It's a fight just trying to not let your line get cut on another boats propeller. That's part of it though. The obstical course of Boca Grande adds to the excitement of the catch and makes winning a tournament all that more sweet. At least I thought.

As the ego driven angler with a testosterone driven captain crosses lines with the female angler in the amature's boat (Now, they have the right to be there just as much as the professional tarpon angler does) I watched as the captain came out from behind the helm with what looked like a filet knife. It happen so fast I didn't have the time to think about why he left the helm. In a split second the line from the lady angler was cut! Sure it was in the way..but no more than they were in the way of the lady angler! You might as well had cut her heart out. Boy, was she steamed and I don't blame her. She was seen complaining to the officials later. Sadly, it did no good.

I have to admit there was $100,000 on the line and that changes things for some. Oh, I guess I should add greed to the list of things you could feel in Boca Grande pass that day.

Come visit us during "Bite" season and not just Snowbird season. I'll be your guide through all the frenzy and you'll have the time of your life!

http://www.endlesssummercharters.net/

This just in...

noreply@blogger.com (Endless Summer Charters) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Just heard on the news that the State of Florida could be sunned-in for the next several days. Residents have been urged to proceed quickly to the nearest beach and/or tiki bar for further instructions. We are asking our friends and relatives to the north to keep us in their thoughts & prayers!!

Seriously though...we have had some awesome weather and fantastic fishing in the Sanibel and Captiva Island waters.

This time of year the bigger fish are pushing off shore to deeper waters and the smaller of the same species are in abundance. We are catching 50-70 fish during a charter which includes redfish, snapper, sheephead, flounder and trout to name a few. We have even caught a few snook despite the fact that they get closed-lipped this time of year.

You may not catch that trophy this time of year but the action is non-stop! Just about the time your bait hit the water the fish are practically meeting it at the waterline to gobble it up.

So, if you like a lot of action and like to take home some fresh meat for dinner this is the time to take a charter with Endless Summer Charters!

Don't forget, tarpon season is just around the corner! The hunt for the Silver King is on!

Capt. Bill Hammond