Based on its proven and successful 48 Convertible hull, the new Viking 48 Open (LOA 49’1″; Beam 17′; Draft 4’8″; Displ. 66,342 lbs.) is designed with the serious fisherman in mind.
The 124-square-foot cockpit has aft-facing seating on a split mezzanine, plenty of storage, easy under-steps access to the engine room, and separate coolers for bait and drinks. The transom has a large door and liftgate for boating big fish, as well as family and guests, plus a livewell. The oversized lazarette will accommodate a ton of gear and a Seakeeper 9 gyro stabilizer.
Several MAN diesel engine options offer performance up to 39 knots at the top end and will cruise efficiently in the low to mid-30 knot range.
Builder’s Choice is Jarrett Bay’s fourth custom hull built for a well-known family in the sportfishing community, and it is the largest boat to date for those owners (LOA 64’8″; Beam 18’8″; Draft 5’4″; Displ. 78,000 lbs.). Power for this yacht is a pair of CAT C32 ACERT diesels in a conventional drive configuration.
The boat carries 1,800 gallons of fuel and 275 gallons of water. With a raised mezzanine for spectators, the cockpit has three teak-planked levels, a mid-height step with storage, a 140-square-foot main level with room all around, and a custom fighting chair.
The spacious bridge contains a large console, room for two custom chairs with a good view of the cockpit and a huge lounging area forward. The luxurious salon is warm and comfortable. jarrettbay.com
With its distinctive design, the new Huckins Sportfisherman 45 celebrates the company’s 75-plus years as builders of desirable custom wooden fishing and cruising boats. Wombat is powered by twin 480-hp Cummins diesels turning Zeus pod drives, which help her achieve top end speeds of 35 knots burning 50.5 gph, or cruise comfortably at 28 knots and sip fuel more efficiently at 33 gph.
Wombat’s low and graceful hull (LOA 44’10”; Beam 13’9″; Draft 3′; Displ. 23,000 lbs.) is a cored fiberglass composite structure, with a full-on fishing cockpit that features three insulated fi sh bins with in-drain macerators, a Dometic icemaker, a mid-cockpit rocket launcher for stand-up angling, and Rupp outriggers. The company’s trademark Quadraconic® hull has a solid reputation for smooth running and minimal pounding compared to other hulls.
With more than 40 years of experience building luxury yachts from 36 to 77 feet in length, Riviera’s reputation for sea-kindly, comfortable boats is well-established.
The Riviera 77 Enclosed Flybridge (above) (LOA 81’2″; Beam 20’9″; Draft 5’9″; Displ. 116,600 lbs.) is a serious long-range battlewagon that carries 2,536 gallons of fuel and 349 gallons of water. Standard engines are a pair of 1,900-hp MAN V12 diesels with conventional shaft drives, and has a predicted range of 556 nautical miles at 26.4 knots, according to the builder.
The fighting cockpit is a whopping 177.6 square feet with a raised, weather-protected mezzanine measuring 76.4 square feet and equipped with copious amounts of storage. The standard layout includes four staterooms with ensuite head compartments, and the level of luxury is first class all around.
In the company’s line of Luxury Performance Sport Yachts, the Sea Force IX 94.5 (LOA 94’8″; Beam 22’11”; Draft 5’8″; Displ. 160,000 lbs.) is the largest of six models that begin at 81 feet. All are equipped with enclosed flybridges, though the 94.5 also features an open skybridge one level higher with a helm station, obviating the need for an add-on tower.
In addition to the enclosed helm on the flybridge, there is also an exterior helm on the open-air deck aft, well-suited for maneuvering when the fish is hooked up. There are four general layouts available, three of which include a full beam master. Standard power is twin 2,600-hp MTU 16V2000 94 diesels turning traditional shaft drives in performance prop pockets. Top speed is 36 knots, and easy cruise is 27 to 28 knots, according to the builder.
With more than 60 years of experience building traditional, cold-molded custom sportfishing yachts, ACY stays current on the latest materials and techniques to satisfy performance-oriented customers.
Double Take (above) is an ACY 67 (LOA 67′; Beam 18’8″; Draft 5’4″; Displ. 92,000 lbs.) built for a customer who plans on extensive travel globally and fishing everywhere. Twin 1,900-hp Caterpillar C32 ACERT Tier 3 diesels easily achieve 32 knots at cruise, and with 2,000 gallons of fuel, the yacht has a predicted cruising range of 450 nautical miles at that speed. The cockpit is equipped to tackle a wide variety of species, with three large livewells, a pair of Eskimo ice machines and six tuna tubes. Mezzanine seating helps keep the cockpit clear and the off-watch refreshed.
In Chokoloskee, Florida, fishing reigns supreme against a backdrop of local flavor.
On the southwestern coast of Florida, a small community amidst the mangroves preserves the final remnants of the Old Florida lifestyle. In Chokoloskee, and its neighbor, Everglades City, seven miles to the north, there’s no pretense. There is, however, a legacy left by early pioneers, whose descendants now populate the area. There are also ghosts—if you know where to look.
The locals have been here for generations. They’ll eye you steadily from their seats as you launch your boat at the marina, and maybe even ask where you’re from. “We’re Florida folk, here to do some fishing,” is a fine response. But don’t ask about the town’s drug smuggling bust in 1983. Mention that, and the locals might reply that people can easily get lost out in the mangroves. And out in the mangroves is really what it’s all about.
Chokoloskee borders the western edge of Everglades National Park, and with it the Ten Thousand Islands. The name is well deserved. With over 2,000 square miles of identical-looking mangrove islands and channels, oyster bars, bays, and shallow waters, it’s easy to get lost. When you’re out on the boat each turn in the channel looks the same. The blue-green water reflects both the mangrove islands and the sky, creating natural fractals as far as the eye can see. Even when you think you might be in the clear, shallow flats and treacherous ridges silently wait.
Like a Local
You need a guide. A local, someone who knows the twists and bends in the channels. Someone who knows when markers have been flipped. Someone like Brian Sanders, who runs fishing charters in Chokoloskee over 250 days a year. He knows where the fish will be biting, when the tide will turn and, most important, the way back inland. For decades, the wilder side of Collier County has drawn sportsmen and outlaws alike. The area’s isolation was, perhaps, the biggest draw for the latter, but it has also fostered the perfect atmosphere for a fishing experience unlike any other on this remote edge of the Everglades.
Ten Thousand Islands aerial view of mangrove islands in the saltwater estuary. Photo credit: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
Fishing against the mangrove islands usually leads to a rewarding catch of redifsh and snook, but keep an eye on the weather; it can be unpredictable in the Ten Thousand Island region. Photo credit: Susanna Botkin
Coming back to the dock after a long day of fishing is its own reward, but the plentiful fish you can catch in Chokoloskee are even better. Photo credit: Susanna Botkin
Ted Smallwood’s General Store. Photo credit: Rey Perezoso
Great white egret with breeding plumage. These beautiful wading birds are easily viewed from numerous locations including nature sanctuaries and coastal areas. Photo credit: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
There aren’t many places on earth that can rival the beauty and complexity of the Ten Thousand Islands. A diversity of animal and marine life comes from a shared ecosystem as freshwater and saltwater combine. A quick offshore run reveals everything from dozens of bird species and smaller fish to large alligators soaking in the sun and dolphins breaking through the waves. The beaches sometimes offer glimpses of deer, wild pigs, and even bears.
To the northwest of Chokoloskee lie thousands of mangrove islands that dot the murky waters and echo postcard-perfect scenes. They also confuse and confound the uninitiated. To the south, tidal rivers flow through the backcountry. You can fish scoured holes, river mouths and oyster bars here. The rivers and flats form habitats that support and nurture the species anglers are after. Both artificial fishermen and live baiters will have luck fishing the rivers. Sight fishing is also an option in the clear headwaters of the river, even with the slight tint due to the tannic acid of the mangroves.
Fish Heaven
The rivers to the north of Chokoloskee include Pumpkin, Ferguson, Wood, Little Wood, and others. Here, you’ll find that the small mangrove islands and feeder creeks form a safe refuge for fish, including the area’s local population of smaller tarpon. Each northern river dumps into large bays, while the surrounding mangrove islands form channels of flowing tidal waters. With depths of scour holes reaching some 20 feet deep, the largest of the snook, tarpon and goliath groupers move into areas in the warmer months. The cooler months bring large black drum, Spanish mackerel and cobia.
The southern rivers—Chatham, Lopez, Lostman’s, Broad—are big enough to hold redfish, tarpon, and snook. There are more fishing spots than you could explore in a day, or perhaps even a lifetime. And oftentimes, a trip through the backcountry will see a catch of over a dozen different species of fish. Head a bit offshore to find the numerous natural and artificial formations that attract fish like cobia, kingfish, snapper, and even permit.
Smallwoods, Tall Tales
While there’s plenty of space for fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands, there’s a lot of history and character packed into the 137 acres of Chokoloskee. The story begins with Ted Smallwood’s General Store at the turn of the 20th century. Ted Smallwood built his store on the edge of Chokoloskee Bay in 1906, and it soon became the central meeting place for all of the town’s happenings—drawing gossip, gambling and trade. It also drew some of the more unsavory figures in the area.
There are skeletons in the closets of the town, even if they don’t make much noise. One such skeleton is that of Edgar J. Watson, who was rumored to have been an outlaw that once ran with Jesse James. Watson settled on a plantation at Chatham Bend and was a frequent visitor at Smallwood’s store. Once his hired workers began disappearing one by one, however, the town grew suspicious. The townsfolk later confronted Watson at Smallwood’s in an event that led to Watson’s demise. Local rumor says the ghost of Watson lives around the store to this day.
Smallwood’s is no longer a general store. Instead, it’s now one of the most unique museums in Florida. Open the wooden doors, walk inside and be transported back to the 1920s. Within the walls, you’ll find rocking chairs, wagon wheels, old glassware, and even quirkier artifacts. Ever since Ted’s family reopened the store as a museum, it’s stood as a time-weathered monument to the unique history of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Personal History
There’s history here in Chokoloskee and a colorful past with tales of mystery and intrigue. There’s fishing and a peaceful solitude that’s hard to find elsewhere. But there’s also the present moment while you’re out in the bay. One of my favorite parts of Chokoloskee is its ability to make an impression. It changes you in small ways for the better. It fosters a sense of community and togetherness that’s hard to find in other parts of the country. Events like the annual Seafood Festival in Everglades City, for example, delight locals and guests alike with its bounty of fresh seafood and craft booths. Finally, it creates memories that will keep you coming back, time and time again.
Yet, while Chokoloskee has the ability to create memorable experiences, it also teaches some tough life lessons. Rabbit Key, the site where the notorious Edgar J. Watson is buried, is also the place where I lost my first redfish when I was five years old. Back then, I didn’t really understand fish mortality, and I pressured my father to dip the redfish back in the channel so it could breathe. A quick flip of the tail and it got away. I remember feeling slightly relieved. My father was arguably less so. But this means that now, years later, I have one more excuse to head through the channels past the sweeping mangrove islands out toward Rabbit for some redfish redemption—with a guide, of course. It is always, already, a place I like to be.
—CRUISER RESOURCES—
Marinas: Chokoloskee Island Park Marina
1150 Hamilton Lane
(239) 695-2414 chokoloskee.com
For more than a century, Gasparilla Island has lured anglers seeking to combat the mighty silver king.
If you’re looking for a cruising destination with exciting nightlife, a vibrant social scene, reservation-only restaurants, and high-end shops that stay open well after sunset, Gasparilla Island is not it.
It also doesn’t have fast-food restaurants or a large supermarket, a shopping mall with department stores, high-rise condos, stoplights, neon signs on storefronts, a gas station, or traffic—golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. And from what I could tell when I first drove into the town of Boca Grande (Spanish for Big Mouth), it doesn’t appear to have much of a police force either, or at least one that uses radar guns.
I was still in turnpike-driving mode and evidently missed the slower speed limit sign when a uniformed officer on the side of the road extended his arm and executed the universally understood palm-down motion for “slow down,” then casually resumed his conversation with a bicyclist. Indeed, what Gasparilla Island doesn’t have is what’s drawn second-home buyers seeking the old-Florida charm that’s disappeared from touristy towns. But what it does have is what’s drawn anglers from around the world for more than 100 years: tarpon.
Laidback Living
Gasparilla is a seven-mile-long barrier island on the north side of the mouth of Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The barrier island on the south side is Cayo Costa. The distance between the two islands—Boca Grande Pass—is less than a mile across, and with holes reaching depths of more than 70 feet, it’s the deepest pass in the state of Florida. Tarpon frequently gather in the holes and sometimes stack due to their numbers. Exactly why they collect in the pass is still unknown, and speculation is wide in theory and varied in nature.
Yet while many other tarpon fisheries throughout the U.S. are now all but barren, the stock in Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor continue to proliferate, a phenomenon the surrounding communities seek to preserve through education and conservation.
The Certified-Green Inn Marina offers a quiet setting and full service. Photo credit: John J Unrue
Old Florida’s island elegance greets guests upon arrival at The Gasparilla Inn
The beachfront swimming pool overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.
Water hazards along perfectly manicured greens await golfers at the Pete Dye 18-hole course.
Paraphernalia outside Whiddon’s Marina hints at more “treasure” inside their Maritime Museum. Photo by Liz Pasch
The Silver Kings
The lure of “boating” a tarpon—hooking and reeling the fish to the boat to release—is understandably on many anglers’ bucket list of accomplishments. In fishing tournaments, catching a tarpon, snook, seatrout, and redfish in one day is classified as a “grand slam.” Tarpon is widely considered to be the most difficult. Winning top prize is highly sought after in the numerous tarpon tournaments, most of which are held in May and June.
Tarpon are also called silver king, sabalo, silverfish, or poons. An adult tarpon can live to 55 years and weigh up to 150 lbs., although the tarpon record with the International Game Fish Association (igfa.org) is an astounding 283 lbs. 4 ounces. There’s no doubt that the biggest draw of tarpon fishing is the explosive fight that ensues once they’re hooked. In an attempt to free or break the hook holding them hostage, they repeatedly leap into the air writhing with all their strength, then dive to the bottom before resurfacing to leap again.
Even for experienced anglers and owners of fishing boats, it’s vitally important to know how to boat and fish in the Boca Grande Pass. Fishing captains in this area know the pass’s landscape, its currents, each other’s boats, and each other. They use established boating and fishing methods, and newcomers must adhere in order to ensure a safe and productive fishing experience for all. Even if you own a well-equipped fishing boat, a better option is to hire one of the many local charter captains; your marina can provide a recommendation.
Come on Inn
Though tarpon fishing is certainly exhilarating, it can also be exhausting. For cruisers who prefer swimming pools to fishing “poons,” all things restful and charming can be found at The Gasparilla Inn & Club, a classic and historic resort known for its endearing hospitality.
The original small hotel was built in 1911 before it was expanded and renamed The Gasparilla Inn. Soon after its reopening in 1913, affluent guests from the Northeast arrived having learned of the legendary fishing. News of The Inn spread so quickly that by 1915, plans were made to double its size, with budgeting for servants quarters and elegant hotel furnishings brought in from Boston. The Inn continued to grow in popularity and accommodated clientele such as J.P. Morgan, Henry DuPont and other noteworthy guests. Prior to the construction of the Boca Grande causeway in 1958, guests arrived by train or boats.
Today, The Gasparilla Inn & Club offers much more than a clean room and soft bed after a day of fishing. Far beyond its humble beginnings, the resort now offers 163 guest accommodations including suites, cottages, villas, and even larger properties. The grand resort is known for its “civilized” charm, so pay attention to the dress code, especially in the evenings and for dinner during the social season. If all you need in the morning is coffee and the daily paper, it’s complimentary in The Living Room, as well as afternoon tea and sweet treats in season. For those with a heartier appetite, The Inn’s Dining Room offers full breakfast daily and full dinner menu. Just down the block, enjoy the talented chef’s specials at The Pink Elephant Restaurant.
Golfers can enjoy a Pete Dye-designed course at The Golf Club, with practice facilities, pro shop and lessons with PGA pros. The Tennis Club offers seven Har-Tru tennis courts, pro shop and lessons. Take in a yoga class or work out in the fitness area followed by a steam or spa treatment. Stroll on the private beach or sit poolside at the Beach Club, and while you’re there arrange for a golf cart to explore the island or a bicycle if you don’t carry one on your boat. The paved bicycle path was formerly an abandoned railroad bed, which one of The Inn’s former owners and his brother acquired in the early 1980s by trading it for waterfront property.
Explore More
First, stop by the Johann Fust Community Library, which is a pretty pink building on 10th Street that looks more like a home than a library. In addition to books, magazines, DVDs, music, and a children’s area, there’s a lovely garden in the back with an open-air reading area and beguiling shell collection. It’s much more than a library and serves as a cultural center offering a variety of authors, speakers, and musical events during the social season.
Explore the neighborhoods in the downtown area and the old-Florida architecture, and treat yourself to a latte and sweet at The Inn Bakery. There are a number of quaint shops downtown to explore—no chain stores here—most of which close at 5 PM. Then stop at Whiddon’s Marina & Maritime Museum on your way to the south end of the island to explore the state park and the lighthouse museum at Boca Grande Pass; the museum closes at 4 PM. After dinner, explore The Pelican Room at The Inn.
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your visit to The Gasparilla Inn. Reservations for The Gasparilla Inn fill up quickly for the social season and special event weekends, and it closes for several months offseason for renovation and upkeep.
The Inn’s owners—including those currently who are involved in all décor selection—invest an extraordinary amount of attention on all properties. More than 325 seasonal employees continue the tradition of hospitality that began more than a century ago, traditions that have been passed on to generations of owners and guests. Whether you fish for tarpon, golf for birdies or just lie poolside, time spent on Gasparilla Island lets you be part of its history—and its enduring legacy.
The new Everglades 273 CC is a hybrid inshore/offshore boat. Her low-profile, powder-coated bow rails and pop-up cleats along with the casting platform and bow seating provide the space to make cast netting live bait easy. She comes ready to fish (27’3″ LOA, 9’3″ beam) with flush-mounted rod holders, standard under-gunwale rod racks, circulating livewell, and fishbox space. Everglade’s 360LXC also flaunts its spacious 100-square-foot lounging area at FLIBS. The 360LXC (35’4″ LOA, 10’8″ beam) comes standard with a 32″ retractable flat-screen, electric stovetop and outdoor cooking area, abundant food and cooler storage, and a fully equipped wet bar and mixing station. An aft bench seat comfortably seats six while the redesigned helm with ergonomic captain and companion seating has room for three. evergladesboats.com
The Kevlar-infused Bonadeo Express 45 Walkaround is the new flagship of the Florida-based, semi-custom builder that lets you spec it your way.
With classic sportfisherman aesthetics, the new 45 shows off plenty of deck space and full mezzanine seating tucked under a serious tuna tower. Below the cockpit sole, you’ll find a pair of 700-quart fishboxes accompanied by an expansive center storage compartment. A dedicated mechanical area houses a diesel generator, a 700-gallon fuel tank and a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer along with most of the ship’s systems.
Quad 400-hp Mercury outboards are nested behind a 72-gallon livewell, and a side door provides access to a dock or to the water for divers and swimmers. The custom interior below is a mix of traditional teak and white surfaces and offers a galley, a full head, a dinette that converts to a queen berth in the bow, and an entertainment space aft with another large berth and TV. If it gets too stuffy below, you can always sleep on the bow sunpad or ample aft and serve up some beverages and snacks at the wet bar behind the elevated helm.
The new Albemarle 29 Express (28’5″ LOA, 10’6″ beam) offers the ultimate in hardcore fishing amenities and comfort in a compact package. Serious anglers will appreciate its offshore ability, exceptional handling in rough seas and fuel economy. Featuring a modern helm area with forward-facing seating for three, mezzanine-style seating aft, dual in-deck fishboxes, baitwell, oversized tackle center, a standard transom door, and folding cockpit seat, the Albemarle 29 Express is designed to be comfortable even on the most unpleasant of days. The Lou Codega hull design cuts through head seas and lands softly in the troughs. A full-beam windshield provides unobstructed views keeping the pilot and co-pilot warm and dry at the helm. Below you’ll find a separate head, full galley and sleeping capacity for four. albemarleboats.com
The Wellcraft 242 Fisherman (24’4″ LOA, 8’6″ beam) is available with three distinct packages and seven color schemes to meet any fisherman’s tastes and needs. Built in Cadillac, Michigan, the base 242F includes a host of standard features, including six gunwale-mounted rod holders, aft rod holders, gunwale rod storage, leaning post, and port and starboard bluecoat baitwells/livewells with lights and timers.
Ample storage in the 242F’s bow includes port and starboard fish boxes. There is an enclosed changing room with a head in the console pod for convenience. Add an optional fiberglass T-Top or deluxe T-Top to complete the package. For comfort and enjoyment for the entire family, opt for the Family Package: a bow table, forward facing backrests, bow backrests and cushions, bow fill-in cushion, and aft backrests.
For the ultimate fishing machine, there’s the Scarab Offshore Package: an upgraded leaning post and interior, helm floor pad, eye-catching Scarab Offshore graphics, and an aggressive Tri-Tone Gel Coat scheme. Powered by engine packages ranging from a single 250-hp to twin 200-hp outboards, the 242F reaches top speeds of 53-56 mph and cruises at 32 mph with a range of 400 miles.
Whether the plan is for an offshore run or a casual day closer to shore with family and friends, the Regulator 23 offers unbelievable stability and comfort with the fit, finish and ride that Regulator is known for. Boasting an overall length of 27’6″ with Armstrong bracket and engine (8’6″ beam), the Regulator 23 fishes and rides like a much larger boat with its deep-V entry and 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom. Regulator’s soft ride is a direct result of how the hull was designed using Regulator’s signature grillage system and a rugged molded fiberglass stringer system that adds an enormous amount of strength to the hull.
The Regulator 23 is built in Edenton, North Carolina, powered by a single Yamaha 300-hp F300 outboard engine, runs to a top speed of 46.9 mph, and has a cruising speed of 29.8 mph. Big-game fishing benefits include a 23-gallon livewell, 120-quart transom fishbox and 350-quart in-deck fishbox, along with a convenient rigging station and plenty of storage. Luxuries include abundant forward seating, a built-in 55-quart insulated cooler in the console seat and an optional head with holding tank.
The Pursuit S 408 has a new power package featuring triple Yamaha F425 outboards with Yamaha Command Link Plus display.
Three captain’s seats face a Garmin-equipped helm with two MFDs, sonar, open array radar, autopilot, and more. The bow includes wraparound seating with a pop-up table and a full sunpad.
Anglers have 12-rod holders, lighted Oceana Blue 44-gallon recirculating livewell, in-deck fishboxes with overboard discharge, reinforcement plates and wiring for downriggers, aft cockpit prep center with sink, transom freezer box, and electric grill and plenty of tackle storage.
The Pursuit S 408’s stout helm, rugged hardtop, large cabin space, and varied seating choices around the cockpit deliver utility and comfort. The cabin has forward seating that converts to a V-berth, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, and an enclosed head.
A rugged hardtop with windshield offers protection. The S 408 is an all-around boat for overnights or weekend getaways.
Jupiter’s new 30 Hybrid Forward Seating model (29’6″ LOA, 9’4″ beam) combines the best of a serious fishing machine with all the amenities of a luxurious cruiser. The 30HFS comes equipped with Yamaha’s 300-hp F300 four-stroke outboards, runs to a top speed of 57 mph and cruises at 35 mph. The Jupiter 30HFS 2016 design provides the ability to comfortably fish or stand all the way forward without giving up bow seating. New on the 30HFS: freshwater sink in the head, larger lockable rod lockers, updated console face, and a newly designed dash switch panel.
Fishing features include a 45-gallon sky blue lighted livewell with a clear lid to keep baits pressurized while enroute to the fishing grounds. Flush-mounted cabinets with tackle drawers to port and removable Plano boxes to starboard keep everything within arm’s reach. In-deck lockable rod storage on either side of the console can house up to four rods each to keep the cockpit clutter free. The console has room for twin 16-inch MFD screens and a dedicated spot for a VHF command mic. A 120-gallon macerated fishbox in the cockpit provides plenty of room for the day’s catch. The Jupiter 30HFS’s seating area area can be converted into a fully-cushioned sunpad with optional filler pieces and removable backrests.
