Fishing & Boating | Tarpon Lodge - Part 2

Taking Your Kids Fishing at Tarpon Lodge

Posted on April 18, 2018
By Jon Sutton, Outdoor Empire
Fishing, Recreation, Tarpon Lodge

Anytime you go on vacation, you’ll need to make sure you enjoy as many activities as possible – you’ll be back at work soon enough, and you’ll want to have made good memories when you had the chance. And while there are certainly plenty of things to do at Tarpon Lodge, we like to encourage our guests to spend at least one morning or evening introducing your children to fishing.

Photo courtesy of Hoke Fishing Charters

Fishing is a positive and fun way to spend a few hours, at it becomes a healthy, lifelong hobby for many. But if you want your child to enjoy fishing, you’ll want to make sure their first trip is a good one and that you catch plenty of fish in the process.
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Adventure Awaits

Posted on February 23, 2018
By Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant
Calusa Indians, Fishing & Boating, Local Attractions, Newsletter

Explore the natural setting and incredible history
that makes our area so unique.

Our friends at Captiva Cruises have created a special lunch excursion from Captiva to Tarpon Lodge and the ancient Calusa Indian Mounds on Pine Island. You’ll cruise by historic fish houses en route to Pineland, with Captain Sean and Captiva Cruises’ Educator, Richard, discussing the history and unique properties of the area. You’ll then enjoy a delicious lunch at Tarpon Lodge. After your meal, you’ll walk over to the Randell Research Center where you’ll be led on a guided hike to the top of a pre-Columbian mound of the ancient Calusa Culture. This Center is dedicated to learning and teaching about the archeology, history and ecology of Southwest Florida.

For more information, call Captiva Cruises at 239.472.5300 or book online at http://www.captivacruises.com/sched_cruises.html#Dolphin 

Inn-to-Inn: Around Pine Island, Florida

Posted on August 3, 2017
By Lisa Ballard, DIY Fishing / Photos by Jack & Lisa Ballard
Fishing, Kayaking, Pine Island, Tarpon Lodge

Silhouetted Lisa Ballard casts her fishing line from her kayak into Pine Island Sound at sunset.

MY HUSBAND, JACK, desperately wanted to hook a big snook, which was the motivation behind our three-night DIY kayak-fishing trip around Pine Island, the largest landmass in the archipelago which includes southwest Florida’s seaside resorts of Sanibel and Captiva. There was only one problem, as far as we knew an inn-to-inn paddle-trip in that area had never been done before. It wasn’t exactly a heroic off-the-grid adventure. During the day we’d weave in and out of mangroves and across shallow bays, then come ashore at dinnertime, check in to a waterfront lodge, then paddle and fish again the next day.

“I think it’ll work,” Jack said, after researching some nautical charts and regional websites. “We’ll need to paddle about eight miles each day, which should leave us plenty of time to fish.”

Eight miles in the ocean? What if we got lost? What if the sun scorched our pale northern hides? But we might catch snook! A month later, we launched our boats at Tarpon Lodge on the west side of Pine Island.

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Tarpon Tales Newsletter Summer 2017

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

What’s Biting?

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.

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Captain Chuck Koucky: Perfecting the Art of Smooth Sailing

Posted on October 30, 2016
By The Wells Family, Tarpon Lodge, Pineland, Florida
Boating, Pine Island, Recreation, Sailing

At our dock at Tarpon Lodge, amid an array of motorboats small and large, guests will notice the sleek outline and billowing sails of the Alondra, a fine, museum-quality 47-foot classic wooden sailboat designed by renowned naval architect L. Francis Herreshoff. One look at this beauty, and you know there’s a good story here.

The classically elegant Alondra designed by renowned naval architect L. Francis Herreshoff

The classically elegant Alondra designed by renowned naval architect L. Francis Herreshoff

The story begins with Captain Charles (Chuck) Koucky a well-known area artist and a captain for more than 30 years. With three sailboats in his fleet, Chuck has a special place in his heart for the Alondra, a meticulously-crafted vessel launched in Michigan in 1985, and purchased by Chuck about five years ago.

Sailing since the age of 10, Chuck spends the winter months taking clients out for sightseeing or sunset tours, plus offering sailing instruction. During the summer, he sails on the Alondra with the Boy Scouts of America high adventure tours out of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

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10 Reasons to Visit Fort Myers and Sanibel, Florida

Posted on August 10, 2016
By Gillian Kendall, National Geographic
Fishing, Nearby, Pine Island, Recreation, Tarpon Lodge Overview

For a beach lover, the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are a dream destination.

Trouble in paradise: I’m at the tollbooth on the causeway that crosses to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Florida. There’s a six-dollar charge, and they don’t take credit cards. After fumbling through pockets, purse, and beach bag, I come up with only four crumpled one-dollar bills. But the tan booth attendant offers an authentic smile. “If you don’t have it, it’s OK,” she says, waving me through. “Someone ahead of you just paid it forward.”

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Florida coast offers great food, fun on, off water

Posted on May 29, 2016
By Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Sportsman
Fishing & Boating, Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Reviews

Southwest Florida has an entirely different vibe because tourism is not the center of its culture. Tourism is woven into its fabric, and its environment is authentically native.

My base during my kayak fishing extravaganza was Tarpon Lodge, an early 20th century fishing camp that evokes images of old Florida. Its whitewashed exterior houses and understatedly lavish rooms are scrupulously clean. It is the cleanest place I have ever stayed. It’s comfortable and it is warmly welcoming. Miss Laura and I stayed there last year as well, and its high quality was consistent.

The lightning show from late-night storms was spectacular from my balcony.

The Tarpon Lodge restaurant offers a diverse selection of surf and turf options, including a filet mignon so tender that it practically falls apart at the touch of a fork. You’ll be wobbling at the end of the entree, and the desserts will deliver the knockout blow. The head waiter, Frankie, is a master at his craft.

This article originally appeared on arkansasonline.com and has since been archived.

Historic stays on Pine Island Sound Part 1: Tarpon Lodge

Posted on May 20, 2016
By Jimmy Jacobs, Atlanta Outdoor Travel Examiner
Fishing, Pine Island, Recreation, Tarpon Lodge, Tarpon Lodge Reviews

Pine Island Sound is located just northwest of Fort Myers, Florida. The body of water is fronted on the inland side by Pine Island and to the west by Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva and Cayo Costa islands that separate its waters from the Gulf of Mexico. The passes connecting the sound to the Gulf are veritable highways for tarpon and other game fish at all times of the year. Also the mangrove-lined islands, creek shores and inland lakes are magnets for snook and redfish.

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Kayak Fishing ClassicS Returns!

Posted on June 14, 2013
Events, Fishing

The world famous Tarpon Lodge in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida will host the Kayak Fishing ClassicS’ Pine Island Classic scheduled for July 13. The famous lodge was the lodging host last year and this year they will host the entire tournament event.

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Making Waves TV Ep 4 Teaser

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.

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