Guest column | Gone fishin’: Why nothing beats a day of fishing in SWFL
The perfect way to decompress is only a few miles away at any of Southwest Florida’s pristine beaches and waterways. Casting a line in the water can fulfill an innate need to connect with nature, soak up vitamin D, relax and unwind while challenging the mind and body.
Rest and rejuvenation while fishing can look different every day. One day, it might be wading in the quiet grass flats for trout, enjoying the sense of solitude. There’s something powerful about standing quietly at sunrise, listening to the water move and birds wake up. In a world that never seems to slow down, fishing gives you permission to unplug. The next day on the water may bring adrenaline and adventure, deep-sea fishing in the Gulf with friends cheering you on as you reel in your next mystery. Whether you’re reconnecting with yourself or friends, being in nature brings peace to your life that you can carry off the boat and into your day-to-day.
To bystanders, fishing looks simple, standing around with a line in the water waiting for a big one to bite, but people who know the craft recognize that it challenges you mentally and physically. Tracking the weather and tides, along with knowing what bait and equipment to use, is a mental feat. Deciding and differentiating what you need for the type of fishing you seek can be overwhelming. From selecting rods, reels and lines to knowing the best bait for your desired catch, knowledge and equipment can make or break a fishing trip.
Beginners don’t need to fear these initial challenges, though. Southwest Florida’s fishing community welcomes any and all, including those who have never cast a line or know the difference between a grouper and a snapper. The in-store experts at Sunshine Ace Hardware regularly field questions about how to fish as well as what to fish, where to fish and whether to use a Penn, St. Croix, Daiwa or Shimano rod for a particular type of fish.
When you’re working out at the gym, using the right equipment and performing exercises the right way leads to the best results. The same holds true with fishing. Using the right equipment and casting a line the right way will help beginners reel in the fish they want to catch.
Fishing is a great way to forget about work, traffic or other stressors. Whether you’re freshwater fishing in a pond behind your house or saltwater fishing 10 miles offshore, there is no better way to reconnect with nature and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings in Southwest Florida. Are you ready to drop a line in the water?
IF YOU GO
Reel in the Sunshine Fishing Expo
Date: Saturday, Feb. 7
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Location: Sunshine Ace Hardware (9100 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs)
Description: Free family-friendly event that includes vendor-led demonstrations, product giveaways and exclusive discounts on a wide range of fishing and lifestyle gear.
Beneficiary: Guests can participate in a charity luncheon and charity giveaway to support Captains for Clean Water
— Michael Wynn, a Naples native, is president of Sunshine Ace Hardware and an advocate for small businesses and charitable causes in Southwest Florida.