A little over a year ago I got a call from a friend of mine, Captain Mark Combs. We did a bit of catch up conversation and then he got to the meat of the call. He asked me about the possibility of moving my charter operations from the public ramp at Punta Rassa to a marina on Fort Myers Beach and perhaps helping out with adding a charter fleet to that location. Now I know that sounds like a no-brainer to most folks but for me, and many other charter captains, the thought of leaving the “no strings attached” lifestyle to work under supervision takes some thought. I said, “Mark... I’ll get back to you.”
A couple of weeks later I was sitting in the office of Al Durrett, owner of Fish-Tale Marina, discussing the logistics of a possible move and wether it would work or not in todays volatile economic climate. His idea was to put together a group of the best captains in the area to give his clientele a shot at some of the best fishing that Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico has to offer. He was looking to round out what was already a successful business and put more foot traffic in the marina.
I’ve spent a great deal of time fishing in the Florida Keys and much of that time was spent on the island of Islamorada. Almost every marina in that area had a charter fleet of both offshore and inshore guides. On any given day you could take a trip to the deep blue water for sailfish, dolphin or tuna or go back country for bonefish, permit and snook. I loved walking though Bud and Mary’s, Papa Joe’s and Holiday Isle looking at the charter fleet and wondering what it would be like to work out of a place like that. Time to find out.
One year later the fleet at Fish-Tale has grown to nine quality captains with over 300 years of combined fishing experience. Captains Mac McKinley, Mike Denegre, Brad Brown, Sean Davis, Ward Kowalyk, John Fetter, Sam Arcure, Phil Pica and myself make up a list of some of the finest guides in the area and all are well versed in putting folks on fish. I’m proud of this gang. I’ve watched them work hard day in and day out to make lasting memories and go the extra mile for customer satisfaction.
Captain Mac has more experience in his little finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. You want to learn something about Estero Bay? Mac is your man. Captain Mike is the family guy. He does group trips and always returns with dinner and smiling faces. Captain Phil is an offshore guide that specializes in sight fishing for permit, tarpon and cobia. If he can’t find fish then they aren’t out there. Captain Sam splits his time between back country flats fishing on an 18 foot skiff and captaining the Estero Bay Express; a 50 foot excursion boat that does sightseeing, dolphin watch and sunset cruises. Captain Brad, Sean, Ward, Jon and myself make up the back country crew. If you’re looking for trout, snook, redfish or tarpon on light spin or fly tackle then look no further.
A year has gone by and I have to say that it’s hard to beat the marina atmosphere. I’ve taken a genuine liking to Fort Myers Beach and love working there. It’s a beach town with beach people and that’s hard to beat. It has a character all it’s own and I’ve met some great folks there. There are small motels, beach resorts, restaurants and hidden away watering holes. There are lots of places to shop. I like the fact that you can find everything from expensive beach art to t-shirts on the beach.
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner. Take time out of your vacation or busy work schedule and visit “The Beach”. Stop in at Fish-Tale Marina and say hello to the gang. You won’t meet a friendlier bunch anywhere. We’ll be happy to show you our little slice of paradise.
Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters
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