Sanibel Tide Chart

Sanibel sits across the mouth of the Caloosahatchee, and its fishing is defined by the two passes at either end. The island’s north-facing beaches are the rare Florida shore where you can wade knee-deep in seagrass and sight-fish.

What runs when

• Snook: the headline fish, stacked at Blind Pass and Redfish Pass on strong moving tides, best April through October. Beach snook cruise the first trough at dawn in summer.
• Tarpon: the famous spring run (April-June) — fish roll along the beaches and passes on big tides.
• Redfish and seatrout: year-round on the bay-side flats; fall is strongest.
• Pompano: winter surf fishing when the water cools below 70°F.

Where to cast

Blind Pass beach on the rising tide is the classic. Wade the bay-side grass flats off Bowman’s Beach on a falling tide for trout. The causeway islands give parked-car access to moving water.

Tide timing here

Current through the passes is the engine: fish the last two hours of the incoming and the first hour of the out. This page’s fishing window (built around the pre-high period) lines up with exactly that push.

Rules to know

Snook is Florida’s most regulated inshore fish — closed seasons and a tight slot apply. Check current FWC saltwater regulations before you keep one.