Discover Englewood 2023
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including grouper, snapper, cobia, amberjack, king mackerel and more sharks than most beachgoers like to think about. Reaching them requires a seaworthy boat. Actually catching them requires knowledge of where to find the reefs and rocky bottom they prefer. This type of information is dearly bought and closely held — a fisherman can spend a lifetime seeking out the small productive areas in the vast open sands of the Gulf. For the casual angler, lists of public reefs created by various agencies can be found with no trouble on the Internet. But because anyone can find them, it's rare for them to hold bigger fish — most are caught and eaten long before reaching bragging status. Those wanting to haul up a serious sea beast are well-advised to hire a professional charter captain. These guides provide not only the know- how, but also the boat, the tackle, the bait — usually, everything but the beer and sunscreen. Their services don't come cheap, but when you compare the time and fuel you'll waste trying to find the places and fish that they can take you to right away, it turns out they're an incredible bargain. If it sounds like there's a lot to learn and a lot to know about local fishing, you're right. Figuring it out on your own will probably take more time than you have, so take advantage of charter captains if you can afford them. If you can't, local tackle shops are an excellent resource. They know what tackle will work (and what doesn't), they know where the fish will be biting, and they can help you rig up to catch a lifetime memory. And, of course, WaterLine is here to help your education along, both with the weekly magazine every Thursday and with our two-hour radio show. To learn more, visit www. BoatingAndFishing.com and www. RadioWaterLine.com. Tight lines! Whether or not you have a boat, there are lots of ways to catch fish in and around Englewood. Lemon Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Peace and Myakka Rivers, Gasparilla Sound, Boca Grande Pass, and any of our numerous creeks, inlets and ponds are all destination points for local fishermen. • Ainger Creek Park 2011 Placida Road, Englewood • Amberjack Environmental Park 6450 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Rotonda West • Anger Fishing Pier 1385 Beach Road, Englewood • Ann Dever Memorial Park 6791 San Casa Drive, Englewood • Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Park 1000 S. McCall Road, Englewood • Blind Pass Beach 6725 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key • Boca Grande Fishing Pier 5810 Gasparilla Road • Butterford Waterway Park 13555 Marathon Blvd., Gulf Cove • Cedar Point Environmental Park 2300 Placida Road, Englewood • Centennial Fishing Pier 14021 Gasparilla Road, Placida • Coral Creek Fishing Pier 3120 Pier Road, Placida • El Jobean Fishing Pier 4224 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte • Englewood Beach/Chadwick Park 2100 N. Beach Road, Englewood. • Gulfstream Park 12873 Gulfstream Blvd., Englewood. • Manasota Beach Park 8570 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. • Myakka State Forest 2000 S. River Road, Englewood • Placida Rotary Centennial Park 13120 Pier Road, Placida • South Gulf Cove Park 10150 Amicola St., S. Gulf Cove • St. Paul Linear Park 9000 St. Paul Drive, Gulf Cove • Stump Pass Beach State Park 900 Gulf Blvd., Englewood • The Learning Garden 13577 Blake Drive, Gulf Cove • Tom Adams Bridge 1450 Beach Road, Englewood FISHING continued from page 24 Boat Ramps • Ainger Creek Park 2011 Placida Road, Englewood • Lemon Bay Sunrise Park 1000 S. McCall Road, Englewood • Butterford Waterway Park 13555 Marathon Blvd., Gulf Cove • Cape Haze Resort 8401 Placida Road, Placida • El Jobean Boat Ramp 4224 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte • Eldred's Marina 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida • Indian Mound Park 210 Winson Ave., Englewood • Manasota Beach Park 8570 Manasota Key Road, Englewood • Placida Park 6499 Gasparilla Road, Placida • South Gulf Cove Park 10150 Amicola St., S. Gulf Cove • Stump Pass Beach State Park 900 Gulf Blvd., Englewood Fishing Spots Discover Englewood 2023 26