Two days, 4 stops on 4 public waters, all within 75 minutes of Cape Coral. Each stop below has its drive time, its access point and the fish recorded there.
Day 1
Morning: Estero Bay
Start the day on Estero Bay, launching from the ramp below.
Estero Bay is a 15-minute drive from downtown Cape Coral. Launch at Mullock Creek Marina, the public ramp on Estero Bay closest to downtown (≈ 8.4 mi). Public access on Estero Bay: 12 boat ramps and 1 pier. Surveyed depths reach 20 ft. Recorded here: Common Snook, Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Tarpon.
From Mullock Creek Marina to San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve: 22 min by road (13.5 mi).
Evening: San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve
End the day at San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve — no boat needed.
San Carlos Bay is a 19-minute drive from downtown Cape Coral. San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve: pier on San Carlos Bay, ≈ 5.9 mi from downtown. Public access on San Carlos Bay: 9 boat ramps and 3 piers. Surveyed depths reach 28 ft. Recorded here: Common Snook, Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Tarpon.
Day 2
Morning: Lake Trafford
Start the day on Lake Trafford, launching from the ramp below.
Lake Trafford is a 55-minute drive from downtown Cape Coral. Launch at Lake Trafford - Ann Olesky Park, the public ramp on Lake Trafford closest to downtown (≈ 29.7 mi). Public access on Lake Trafford: 1 boat ramp and 1 pier. Surveyed depths reach 8 ft. Recorded here: Largemouth Bass, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish, and White Catfish.
From Lake Trafford - Ann Olesky Park to Galt Preserve: 87 min by road (61.1 mi).
Evening: Galt Preserve
End the day at Galt Preserve — no boat needed.
Pine Island Sound is a 38-minute drive from downtown Cape Coral. Galt Preserve: pier on Pine Island Sound, ≈ 9.7 mi from downtown. Public access on Pine Island Sound: 10 boat ramps and 3 piers. Surveyed depths reach 42 ft. Recorded here: Common Snook, Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Tarpon.
When the fish bite here
Common Snook and Florida Pompano bite well.
BrackishGoodCommon Snook
Centropomus undecimalis
Centropomidae
48 in50 lb15 yr57 watersGame fish
SaltwaterGoodFlorida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
Carangidae
24 in6 lb4 yr59 watersGame fish
SaltwaterSlowGray Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Lutjanidae
36 in20 lb10 yr55 watersGame fish
SaltwaterSlowPermit
Trachinotus falcatus
Carangidae
36 in75 lb10 yr10 watersGame fish
SaltwaterSlowRed Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Sciaenidae
50 in90 lb60 yr57 watersGame fish
SaltwaterSlowSheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Sparidae
36 in20 lb9 yr63 watersGame fish
