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Planning your next escape from the daily rigors of the work a day life or just a weekend seeking sunsets, ospreys, sea shells, fishing, diving, dining or island get-a-way relaxation, Captiva Island, Florida offers all and more. I have been traveling, most of the time by boat, from the Tampa Bay area down the coast south until reaching one of the passes, Boca Grande, North Captiva, or Redfish Pass and then entering the Pine Island sound which extends north to Charlotte Harbor and south to Sanibel, for the last ten years. Sometimes we are on a serious fishing holiday and drive our Gause 26, loaded with our fishing gear heading for one of our favorites haunts on Captiva but at other times, when we would prefer a chauffeur we hire a larger vessel. |
| Cruising down the coast aboard a forty foot yacht, cool beverage in hand, good company, a trusted captain and staff, and a rustic Old Florida destination in mind, is my idea of fun, as long as at least one of the days after arrival I get to fish with one of the local guides I have come to know over the years.
I have many favorite moorings in the sound, but none more so than Jensen’s Twin Palm Marina and Cottages. If per chance I have ventured South from Tampa to Ft. Myers via car or truck, I will leave the vehicle on Pine Island at the Pineland marina, to avoid the tedious drive to Sanibel and back up to Captiva, and take Island Girl Charters, who provide a water taxi service for the majority of the area, to Jensen’s or other of our favorite haunts.
Jensen’s “Twin Palm” Marina and cottages is special, in this writer’s opinion, simply put, because of the Jensen brothers, David, John and Jimmy and their staff. Every time I’ve sided up to the dock, whether to get fuel, ice, tackle, or other, these guys always greet you with enthusiasm, a smile and most of the time remember you from the last stop in. It is said locally that the Jensen brothers are committed to preserving their historical marina and cottages. They are also committed to an occasional barbecue and general good time in and around the marina and cottage complex. The marina and cottage complex reminds me of Old Florida values, pace, and service that unfortunately seems to have given way in many other areas to corporate logos, sales pitches, perfunctory service, and staff that rarely exhibit even a modicum of personality. Jensen “Twin Palm” Marina and Cottages is loaded with character, good service, a sense of history and it is in a great location. |
Just down the block from Chapel By The Sea & the library, Jensen’s is close enough for strolling or bicycling to village restaurants, galleries and shopping; yet far enough away from the buzz. No road between you and the beach from some of the cottages – the most private beach near the village. Walk to the Gulf and hunt shells, laze about soaking up rays, or visit the marina and see if the manatees or otters are hanging around waiting for a hand out. When it’s time for lunch or dinner you may choose to return to your cottage or suite and dine in while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or freshen up and head to one of the many eateries. |
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The Green Flash |
I have taken my friends and family to one such nearby establishment, The Green Flash which is built on the site of the historic Timmy’s Nook. In 1950, T.M. Wiles, henceforth known as Timmy, opened the local watering hole. “The Nook”, as it became known, was a renowned gathering place frequented by natives and tourists alike, and is legendary as a Captiva landmark. For over 40 years, Timmy’s Nook graced the property where The Green Flash now stands and continues to pass along the heritage of Captiva Island the “Timmy’s Nook” tradition.
It is widely known among my friends, that I have traditions of my own, especially when it comes to first time visitors to Captiva, and part of that tradition is to introduce them to my favorite bartender at the Flash, Roger. My form of introduction is to present my |
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| friends to Roger and simultaneously order a “Roger-rita” for each. When they ask, “What is that?” I simply reply, “You’ll find out soon enough. Besides it is the traditional drink of first timers to the island and mandatory.”After a couple of mandatory “Roger-ritas” things usually liven up considerably and I move on to my next devious traditional portion of their introduction to the Flash. The minute one of my visiting male friends asks, “Where’s the restroom?” I smile and point to the area directly behind a mirror that covers a large portion of the wall at the end of the bar. As my unsuspecting newbie heads to the men’s room I inform the balance of the group, if not already aware, to wait a minute or so, until my test subject enters the bathroom, and then begin waving at the mirror. Now, if you’re female you can avoid the entirely male bathroom device, the wall urinal, but if male and find yourself in the Flash and you choose to use said device you will be standing directly in front of a one way mirror.You may now attempt to concentrate |
The Bar at the Flash |
and finish the task you originally intended when entering the room while your friends and bar patrons wave, laugh, and point to the mirror as you ponder whether or not the mirror is truly one way, or not.
The “Flash”, as it has come to be known to those of us that have been hanging around the island for years, is named for a little documented green flash of light that some observers have reported seeing around the sun just as it winks into the Gulf of Mexico and disappears from sight. Personally I tend to lean toward the theory that those observers are also partakers of the infamous “Roger-ritas” which also are tinged with greenness. |
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The Mucky Duck Neighborhood Pub
Sunset on Captiva
The Lady Chadwick
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If you choose not eat in the outside dining area of the Flash while imbibing in “ritas”, or the well appointed interior air conditioned dining room and bar, and have in mind a more darts, beer, and rowdy time fare you may decide to try another local legend, The Mucky Duck. The Mucky Duck concept was hatched during the mid seventies but inspired by the times of W. Shakespeare, the Black Swan, and the pubs of Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK. Two families, the Mayersons and the Webbs, got together and purchased the property, reactivated an expired beer and wine license and gave the Mucky Duck wings. The Duck has become a true local spot where friends meet to quaff cold beers, play darts, enjoy the legendary sunsets and sing songs till the wee hours of the morning. The beer is always cold, the menu specializes in the best delicacies and fresh seafood, and the sunsets are always breathtaking.
Should you prefer your sunsets aboard and offshore Captiva Charters provides such an experience complete with live music provided by a featured musician and a full bar from which to select your favorite sunset beverage while on the evening cruise watching for the elusive green flash as the sun slips into the Gulf of Mexico. During the earlier hours of the day you may choose to take a cruise aboard the Lady Chadwick, which sails daily for a four hour excursion, north to Cabbage Key and back. You’ll enjoy the waters of Pine Island sound on your ride to Cabbage Key where you will have two hours to have lunch, visit the gift shop, the infamous water tower, and generally soak up the history of this old style Florida fish camp.
The main house which is now the inn and restaurant was built in 1938 by playwright and novelist Mary Roberts Rinehart and is currently owned by the Wells family. You will find the wallpaper at Cabbage Key bar and restaurant quite interesting. It is made up of autographed dollar bills that are taped to the wall and ceilings. It is said that Jimmy Buffet was inspired to write the song "Cheeseburger in Paradise" while visiting this rustic fisherman’s pub type setting. I can tell you from experience that many things can be inspired while hanging out at, what some of us call, the dollar bar. Many times you’ll even find Rob Wells, the owner, in his seat near the tournament trophies, swapping fish tales with local fishing guides and their clients who are in after a day hunting tarpon, snook, redfish, and other targeted species to refresh themselves. |
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| Should you choose to fish the flats and bays of Pine Island Sound and areas surrounding Captiva, Useppa, Pine Island, and Charlotte Harbor, fishing guides may be found by asking at the local marinas such as the marina at Cabbage Key, The Tarpon Lodge in Pineland, and Jensen’s on Captiva. I usually call Captain Doug Hatten, who along with Rob Wells is responsible for several of the tournament trophies adorning the corner display case in the bar at Cabbage Key. Doug, I and my family have fished both for fun and together in the Cabbage Key Open and against one another in the Fingers O’Bannon Invitational. Cap’n Doug is one of the most knowledgeable flats and bay guides of Pine Island Sound. He can usually be found at or near The Tarpon Lodge or you can contact www.fishprocharters.com to check on availability if you would like the opportunity to fish with Captain Hatten for redfish, snook, tarpon, or other of the local game fish. |
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Antares Motor Yacht |
If you are traveling to or live in or around the Tampa, St. Petersburg or Clearwater area, there are cruise excursions that will take you and yours by yacht to Captiva Island and other island destinations along the way. One such vessel is the Antares motor yacht, out of Madeira Bay Marina that offers intimate custom cruise packages. You may obtain information on a multi-day West Coast of Florida cruising vacation to Captiva, Cabbage Key, Pine Island, or other destinations at www.fishprocharters.com.
Should you have a favorite fishing travel destination, let me know about it. We will consider it for publication in an upcoming issue and if published will give you due credit. |
Links and Contacts
www.jensen-captiva.com/twinpalm.htm
www.greenflashcaptiva.com
Island Girl Charters
239-633-8142
www.muckyduck.com
www.captivacruises.com
www.tarponlodge.com
www.cabbagekey.com
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