A Mango Café employee used to rent from us. He lived to fish out here. he used to say "no matter the time of day there are fish somewhere feeding." In the middle of the day on lunch break he’d surf fish and get trout or sheeps head. At tide changes he'd head for the fish house and float shrimp down for groupers or cast for jacks. In the evening or early morning he’d head for the mangroves and go for the wiley snook. Later at night he’d go to the docks with lights and try for grouper.

In a cold year the fish are best 20-30 miles out and a charter is the way to catch fish. In the heat of the summer the Tarpon here attract fisherman from all over the world, including the Bush family. Flats fishing is another thrill requiring skill and a boat that can float on a wet spot.

A license is required for saltwater fishing. You do not need a license if you are under 16 years of age, over age 65 and a Florida resident, or a Florida resident fishing from a dock or other structure connected to land. A license can be purchased online at http://myfwc.com/license.html.

If you want a guided fishing trip look around the island for signs of seasonal and local guides.

We had gone to town in our boat and on return I stopped to let family and supplies off and picked up my sister who was here for the holidays and headed for the point. The Red Snapper grabbed a few shrimp and then the Mullet were moving and we had a boatful of fish.

Mullet clean easily and taste great baked in a tomato, garlic, onion, and basil sauce. Locals like it filleted and deep fried or part of a sandwich. It is a vegetarian fish (eats sea grass) with a fairly fishy taste unlike the Snapper which tastes light and flaky.

Cast netting can also collect smaller fish you can admire and then release.