Posted on June 29, 2018
By Tom Keer, Matador Network
Cabbage Key, Fishing & Boating, Fort Myers, Pine Island, Sanibel, Tarpon Lodge
Photo: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
There are so many reasons to visit Florida’s lower Gulf Coast — all those beaches, the calm, warm water, the sailing, power boating, kayaking, diving, SUPing…. But hey, my linebacker legs don’t do well on SUPs. No, all those things are well and good, but I come here for one reason: to fish.
Posted on June 6, 2018
By Lori and Angelo Sorrentino, TravlinMad.com
Cabbage Key, Pine Island, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
Driving onto Pine Island is like stepping back in time to Old Florida. There’s still just one way on and one way off this largest of Florida’s barrier islands, passing through the tiny fishing hamlet of Matlacha with its funky shops, galleries, and open air bars, then over a draw bridge – affectionately nicknamed “The World’s Fishingest Bridge”.
If you sail in on your yacht, you might never know you’re just a stone’s throw from the bustling coastal city of Ft. Myers, but the rest of us will navigate the bustling traffic over bridges, causeways, and through Cape Coral to get here. That’s OK, the better to appreciate the slower pace.
We were on our way to Tarpon Lodge, Pine Island, one of the last remaining Florida-style sportsmen lodges in this part of southwest Florida. And as we headed north on the island’s one main road, I had the feeling I’d been here before, with fleeting memories and treasured photographs of my grandfather on his annual fishing trips to Florida coming back to me. Pine Island is 18 miles long from Bokeelia at the north end to St. James City at the southern end, and just 2 miles wide, and is close to Sanibel and Captiva Islands as the crow flies. We drove miles of mango orchards and palm tree nurseries before arriving at Tarpon Lodge just after lunch.
We were guests of Tarpon Lodge during our stay, however as always, all opinions are ours alone based on first hand experience.
Posted on May 24, 2018
By Nancy J Semon, Harbor Syle
Cabbage Key, Recreation, Reviews, Tarpon Lodge
Whether you’re looking for a one night getaway or a week long retreat from reality, Tarpon Lodge and Cabbage Key make for the perfect vacation location, and they’re just minutes away.
Posted on July 27, 2017
By The Wells Family
Cabbage Key, Events, Fishing, Newsletter, Tarpon Lodge Restaurant, Weddings, Wine Tasting
Tarpon Tales is a Newsletter from your friends at Cabbage Key & Tarpon Lodge in Pineland, Florida.
Warm Gulf breezes, spectacular sunsets and starlit nights are making our summer bright and happy here at Tarpon Lodge and Cabbage Key. If you haven’t spent time with us over the summer months, we invite you to experience the nuances of a different season in our special corner of the world.
We are also thinking ahead to fall happenings and events, and our staff has much in store for your next visit. In the meantime, please send us your favorite photos and stories from the time you have spent with us – we may include them in our newsletter or post on our blog or social media pages.
Thank you for being part of our Tarpon Lodge & Cabbage Key family!
All the best,
The Wells Family
Catch a local fishing report from Captain Erik Flett, Native Attitude Charters
Tarpon season has been great these past few months, but the big numbers are starting to dwindle. Right now, snook abound in and around the passes on live bait. And you can always find trout up on the grass flats, catchable with live or artificial bait. And some more good news…there have been quite a few snappers around.
Posted on April 26, 2017
By The Wells Family
Cabbage Key, Newsletter, Tarpon Lodge, Tarpon Lodge Restaurant, Weddings
Tarpon Tales is a Newsletter from your friends at Cabbage Key & Tarpon Lodge in Pineland, Florida.
Welcome to longer sun-filled days, and balmy twilit nights. Spring has arrived at Tarpon Lodge and Cabbage Key. It has been a fun and busy season, and we are excited to share our latest news with you, keeping you up to date on our sister resorts. Please feel free to send us your favorite photos and stories from your visits – we may include them in our newsletter or post on our blog or social media pages.
Thank you for being part of our Tarpon Lodge & Cabbage Key family!
All the best,
The Wells Family
Posted on September 27, 2016
By Rob Wells
Birding, Cabbage Key, Nature & Wildlife, Pineland FL
Thanks to our quick thinking staff members, “Ruddy” is one lucky bird. Last week, Oleg, Joe, Angela and Michelle were on the staff boat from Cabbage Key to Tarpon Lodge when they noticed a Ruddy Turnstone shorebird drowning. They quickly pulled him to safety, put him in a box and took him to the Clinic for Rehabilitation Wildlife (CROW) drop off location in Capel Coral (http://crowclinic.org).
On Friday, we checked in with CROW and learned that Ruddy is recovering quite nicely. He has scabbing on his legs and wings from his struggle, and he is underweight, but his appetite is good and he is expected to make a full recovery. If not for the compassionate and swift attention of our crew, this would not have been the case.
Posted on May 31, 2013
By Making Waves TV
Cabbage Key, Fishing, Pine Island
Making Waves TV — Episode 4. Jeff’s goin’ country in Pine Island Sound with Bo and Deidra, 2-time champions of Madfin Shark Series. They take us fishing in a Sea Hunt BX24 BR. Everyone lands at Cabbage Key Inn to kick back with the locals and country music star, Casey Weston and local favorite Taylor Goyette.
Posted on February 16, 2013
By Florida Travel & Life
Cabbage Key, Fishing, Restaurant Reviews
The Weekend: Go Fishing at Pine Island Pine Island may not have a single beach, but you’ll hardly notice while napping on a hammock or fishing along the 17-mile island’s coast.
Start Here: An old-school fishing lodge with upscale trimmings, Tarpon Lodge provides comfort; we love the island house, a building on stilts with views of Pine Island Sound. (You’re so close that the waves will lull you to sleep.) Get fortified with a complimentary continental breakfast at the 1926-built historic lodge building before heading out for the day.
Posted on June 12, 2012
By John Cameron & Sherel Purcell
Cabbage Key, Pine Island, Tarpon Lodge, Video Gallery
A day on Pine Island with visits to Bridgewater Inn, Matlacha, Bokeelia, Cayo Costa State Park, Tarpon Lodge, Pine Island Sound and Cabbage Key.
Posted on July 7, 2011
By Capt. Rob Modys
Cabbage Key, Fishing, Fishing & Boating, Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the expression, “Old Florida”. Most of the time the description is close, but not right on the money. Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island, in my opinion, is the exception.
My wife, JoNell, has a fairly grueling travel itinerary associated with her job. She goes on excursions both near and far to preach the gospel of vacationing in the Collier County area of Florida. In the month of May, her birthday month, she traveled to New York City and San Francisco and spent her big day on the road, or in the skies as it were. She very much wanted to do something special for her birthday. She told me so, but our schedules just didn’t mesh. The window of opportunity was made smaller when she told me she had another trip scheduled to the state of Texas in early June. What’s a guy to do? ….
Our staff is standing by to help you book your stay and answer any questions you may have about your relaxing Old Florida getaway. (239) 283-3999or
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