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Matlacha
Matlacha is a small Florida island community on the road to Pine Island. Drive slowly, or better yet, stop and soak up the relaxed, old Florida atmosphere. This is a place to relax and go fishing and then browse the funky art galleries on your way to an informal dinner. The Calusa blueway, a marked water trail dedicated to paddlers, goes right by here.
We spent a few days at the Sun and Moon Inn, a local B&B catering to kayakers and fisherman. The proprietor, Curt, is a knowledgable fisherman and he helped us choose the right equipment and lures when he wasn't busy advising us about local restaurants and activities. Breakfast is a very casual affair. Come down any time, see what's available, make your choice and help yourself. No nonsense, no formality, no food you can't recognize.
One sunny morning we put our kayaks into the water and, accompanied by Curt, set off on an exploratory trip along the blueway. Curt, avid fisherman that he is, took along his fishing gear and surprised us when he put on a mask and snorkel and dropped out of his kayak. He wanted to see where the fish were.
When we weren't paddling, we were fishing. The bridge over Matlacha pass is a popular spot and has been called "the fishingest bridge in the world".
Try to get to Matlacha on a Friday night when the galleries remain open late. Unfortunately, that's the same night that the restaurants are most crowded. Institutions like Bert's Bar will likely have a line out the door. If that's the case, you might want to put your name in and do some fishing on the bridge while you wait.