Marci and I decided on Sanibel Island for our birthdays this year. We rented a private condo (L-6) at the Sanibel Arms which was a great condo only a couple of hundred feet from the beach and easy access to beach launch the kayaks. On Thursday the 20th (Marci’s Birthday) we made the 3.5 hour trip down to Sanibel through the middle of the state. We would opt to stay on 75 on the way home as even though it is about 40 miles longer that way, it is quicker because you can cruise at mph. After getting checked in, we decided to grab a late lunch at the Lazy Flamingo where I enjoyed the Oysters on the half shell and Marci enjoyed a fish sandwich. 
We then proceeded to make a shopping spree to stock our fridge at the condo with plenty of food and booze for the weekend. We made it back to the condo just before the rain, which was brief and cooled the temperature about 10 degrees. We made a round of cocktails and hit the beach for a walk and some shell collecting. I think we made it about half way to the lighthouse before turning around. For dinner, Marci chose Prosciutto and Tortellini ala vodka, which we enjoyed at around 9:00pm.
Friday (my birthday) we started the day at 8:00am and after a tasty breakfast of bagels, peanut butter and bananas, along with some delicious Kona coffee, we hit the beach with the kayaks and were on the water by 9:00. We were quickly greeted by a pod of dolphins includin a baby. The weather was a bit overcast so the fishing was off but, we made the paddle to the lighthouse and stopped for pictures. Check out some video…
After playing on the beach around the lighthouse for a bit, we made our way back to the condo by yak, stopping about half way for a “drift-nic” comprised of ham and cheese po-boys and a couple of beers. Since we were in no hurry we really just let the current do most of the work and slowly drifted the majority of the way back, just relaxing and taking in the rays. After beaching the yaks in front of the condo, I soon saw a huge flock of birds attacking the water, I made my way out to the mayham and landed 5 ladyfish in about as many casts. After a nap during the afternoon rain storm, it was soon time for cocktails, a walk on the beach, and a steak and potato dinner. We’re just easy like that. 🙂
On Saturday we were up even earlier (7:00am) and after a breakfast, we made our way to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This is a great place to do some kayaking and fishing back in the secluded mangroves. I got a grandslam today (4 species of fish landed!) Three trout, one catfish, a ladyfish, and two Jack Crevalle… no a bad day if I do say so myself. Marci fished some but, gave up after getting stabbed in the hand with a Mirodine and opted to finish reading her book Life of Pi. She was also entertained by a friendly manatee, dolphins, and she even saw a shark.
Were off the water by around noon and stopped at Island Cow for lunch and to watch some of the Gators game. I had the reuban, she had the bang bang tacos. The sandwich was good, but Marci made the winning choice. After lunch we decided to stop in to Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop where we met Norm himself. Norm literally wrote the book on fly fishing for snook and invented a fly which I have been tying for a while called the Schminnow. He was a friendly guy with an interesting story and we were happy to support him by grabbing a couple of t-shirts and a fly that he tied. Unfortunately I was not able to put any of his tips for fishing for snook from the beach to use as the overcast weather continued to make spotting Mr Snookie difficult. We decided on Doc’s for dinner, which was AWESOME, and we highly recommend it to anyonw visiting Sanibel.
Marci and I always have a good time for a birthdays, it has become a tradition. While we generally try some place new every year, we are always on the hunt for something so good, we just can’t resist going back every year. I think Sanibel may have my vote!
Check out more pics HERE.
Here is a video of me landing a HUGE jack crevalle at Ding Darling…