Free Quarterly Guide for Exploring, Vacationing and Visiting Pine Island Florida
Bokeelia Trading Company
D E S T I N A T I O N
Capt. Chick Melfi
Captain Chick Melfi enjoys fishing with friends & family. Chick
has fished S.W. Florida waters for many years and continues to have a passion for
being on the water & catching fish. Near shore reefs, ledges and wrecks within a
few miles from shore, are the primary areas fished. Captain of a successful Southern
Kingfish Association tournament team "TEAM ENVIRONMENTAL". Also enjoys dining at
the areas fine restaurants, as well as reading a good book by local authors, and
then writing a review.
Capt. Gregg McKee
Capt. Gregg McKee is a full time fishing guide and owner of Wildfly Charters, providing full service flats
trips in both Southwest Florida and Puerto Rico. Born in central PA, (Go Steelers!) Capt. Gregg started
his fishing career after moving to Key West in 1993. He guided the Keys until 2005 when he and his wife
Amanda moved to the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Gregg started fishing the waters surrounding
Pine Island in 2001 when his parents retired to beautiful Matlacha, FL. He immediately fell in love with
the area and now spends half the year chasing snook, redfish, and tarpon from Boca Grande to South
Ft. Myers. Capt. Gregg runs a 17 foot Beavertail skiff and welcomes both experienced anglers and
total beginners. Call him (787)435-4833 www.wildflycharters.com
Merry Beth Ryan
Merry Beth was born & raised in upstate NY and has always loved the outdoors. She is
currently a columnist for “South Florida Sport Fishing” Magazine. Growing up, when she was not
on the basketball court playing Point Guard for Syracuse, she was spending her time fishing. Merry
Beth can be seen fishing the beautiful waters of Charlotte Harbor almost every opportunity she gets.
Living with a full time fishing guide definitely helps feed her passion. She can be reached at:
mbr1965@comcast.net www.merrybethryanphotography.com
Capt. Joe Greco
Capt. Joe Greco has been been a USCG licensed captain since 1991 and currently operates
a charter fishing business in upstate, New York and in southwest Florida. He operates
"Justy-Joe Charters" on the pristine waters of Lake George -in New York's Adirondack
region- during the summer months, targeting salmon, native lake trout and bass. From
December through May, Capt. Joe operates "Fort Myers Fishing Adventures" out of Salty
Sam's Marina, in Fort Myers Beach. Capt. Joe conducts fishing seminars on a regular
basis and has been an avid outdoor writer for nearly two decades. He is a pro-staff
for several companies, including Shimano Reels and Cannon Downriggers. Family-oriented,
back-bay/ near shore fishing excursions are his specialty. He can be contacted by
calling toll free 1-877-249-7472 or via his website, www.FortMyersSportfishing.com
Captain Bill Russell gcl2fish@live.com (239) 283-7960
As a native
Bill has spent his entire life living on Pine Island and fishing the surrounding
waters for over forty years and as a professional fishing guide for the past fourteen
years. The waters surrounding Pine Island are a true fishing mecca that provides
a wide choice of angling thrills. We specialize in light tackle fishing for Snook,
Tarpon, Redfish, Sea Trout, Sharks and a variety of other inshore species. We customize
each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. From
the small child to the novice to the most experienced angler we will make your trip
a memorable one. If it’s your first fish or the fish of a lifetime we will work hard
to make it happen while having fun too! “Catch the Action” at www.fishpineisland.com
As a native Bill has spent his entire life living on Pine Island and fishing the surrounding waters for over forty years and as a professional fishing guide for the past fourteen years. The waters surrounding Pine Island are a true fishing mecca that provides a wide choice of angling thrills. We specialize in light tackle fishing for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Sea Trout, Sharks and a variety of other inshore species. We customize each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. From the small child to the novice to the most experienced angler we will make your trip a memorable one. If it’s your first fish or the fish of a lifetime we will work hard to make it happen while having fun too! “Catch the Action” at
Mel the Guide
Mel has been an avid kayaker most of his adult life. He has paddled
in the rivers, canals, backwaters,
estuaries, lakes and oceans from Maine to Florida on the east coast. Plus in California around Newport
and Malibu when on vacation in the Caribbean Mel could be found in his kayak almost every day diving
or snorkeling. He was a guide at Gulf Coast Kayak for four years and when the business came up for
sale it was a no brainier. Originally from the Jersey shore, Mel was on the Allenhurst Fire and First Aid
Squad and held officers positions many times and was a EMT in the thirty two years of service. He
also worked many summers on the beach rescue unit in Belmar Beach at the Jersey shore, before
coming here to southwest Florida. You can see his love and respect for the great outdoors when you
are out with him on tour on the quite, calm waters of Matlacha aquatic preserve, and the Great Calusa
Blueway at Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha, just behind old fish house marina at the bottom of the
bridge in Matlacha. www.gulfcoastkayak.com
Captain Dick May
Captain Dick May is located on Pine Island in Bokeelia. He specializes
in light tackle, flats fishing in
Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor . He has fished from Alaska to South America but says this
area is the best for year-round fishing. In the summer he also fishes for sharks
and this past year a 7
ft. Hammerhead was his largest. His 22 ft. Pathfinder is comfortable, dry and still runs shallow enough
to get into the back country to fish for Snook, Redfish, Trout, and Snapper and sturdy enough to
chase Tarpon in the passes. He enjoys teaching youngsters, so bring beginners and kids. Capt. Dick
has also published a seafood recipe book, and he submits one monthly in the Nautical Mile. Contact
him at 239-283-3247. www.easyridercharters.com www.cookingwithdickmay.com
the Snook Cowboy
Craig Timbes, aka the "Snook Cowboy", born in Orlando on December
7th, 1969, is the son of a
long line of rednecks from Mississippi. It wasn't until about eight years ago when he moved to Pine
Island that he got serious about saltwater fishing, specifically for Snook. After jumping in with a 400
pound Goliath Grouper at the Bokeelia pier to keep him from breaking his line and landing it, Craig
became known for going toe to toe with monster fish and has invented and received a patent for a
fishing system designed to be used in place of a Calcutta stir-stick that drastically
increases your
chances of landing larger fish than ever before. He shares his secrets with the public at record breaking
attendances for his Snook seminars countywide. www,.calusabackwater.com
Capt. George Howell
Born and raised on the outer banks of North Carolina, Capt. George
Howell grew up fishing waters
very similar to the back bays, sounds, rivers and beaches southwest Florida. Before moving to Lee
County to pursue his dream of becoming a professional angler, Capt. George earned his degree in
biology, an education that provided insight into the world through the eyes of fish. Capt. George is
an active participant in C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation (www.castforkids.org) and Operation Open
Arms (www.OperationOpenArms.com) for the SWFL area. As a full time fishing guide, nothing is
more fulfilling to him than providing others with a memorable day of fishing.
www.Capt-George.com 239.770.5166
John Paeno
John Paeno owner/operator of Calusa Ghost Tours and Calusa Backwater Adventures
is also a local artist, naturalist, and guide. Before moving to Pine Island John
worked as Operations Manager for Fort Ontario NY State Historic Site (40 acre site
on Lake Ontario in NY). Since moving to Pine Island John has volunteered for and
then worked as Operations Manager for the Randell Research Center. He also does volunteer
work for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Preservation Department working with staff
to net, measure, identify, and count local marine species. This year Calusa Ghost
Tours added two 16’ canoes to the fleet and will be able to handle tours from 2-20
people, plus they offer kayak rentals/sales and camping trips to nearby islands.
www.calusaghosttours.com
Ron Brooks
Ron, an experienced fisherman and award winning outdoor writer, is also
a member of the Georgia
Outdoor Writers Association (GOWA), Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA), and the
Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) Ron was born in Miami and spent his childhood
there and in Key West. He has fished from Maine to California, and most points in between. If it swims
in saltwater, he has probably fished for it or written about it at some point during his career. Ron is an
experienced fisherman, an award-winning outdoor writer and a Coast Guard trained
boat captain with
over 45 years on the water. “I provide links to all of the important information available on saltwater
fishing on the Web. New links every week and new articles on timely subjects, fishing reports, marine
weather - everything you need to make your next fishing trip successful”. www.saltfishing.about.com
Dockside Dennis
I moved to Florida from Kansas City nine years ago with my wife and daughter. My neighbors noticed
I was always working on my boats, a 27' sailboat and a 36' trawler. I started getting request for help on
projects on their boats and my name started getting spread around, and the rest is history. I started
writing for the Nautical Mile February '04. Boy how time flies. I've had a career in Electronics, then
changed to electrical work. I'm a constant student always reading the latest. My business has turned
into taking care of all facets of boating. Along with electrical I seem to be doing more and more gel
coat repairs, which has come from an off shoot of my boat detailing business.
Dockside Dennis 239-541-1497
Capt. Mark King
Capt. Mark King along with his wife Diane own and operate Reel Dreams
Guide Service in Clewiston
Florida. Mark is a full time guide on Lake Okeechobee and surrounding waters, he is also a professional
tournament bass angler fishing tournaments from Lake Erie to Lake Okeechobee. Mark is a member
of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Florida Guide Association, and staff writer for Florida
Fishing Weekly. He will be covering the freshwater fishing in south Florida with a mix of tips, techniques,
and new product reviews. Mark can be contacted for guide trips or questions at
www.markkingfishing.com or 863-983-9950
Capt. Jack Innis is a well-known fishing and boating writer. The San Diego resident’s
love affair with fishing began in the early 1960s when he became a Junior Oceanographer
with Scripps Institute of Oceanography. As a high-school youth, he worked summers
handling and filleting sport-caught pelagic species such as albacore, yellowtail,
tuna, and marlin. In the 1980s, he owned and operated Crystal Pier Bait & Tackle
atop a 1,600-foot-long fishing pier in San Diego. In the early 1990s, Innis kicked
off his writing career with fishing articles in Charter Industries Magazine, California
Game & Fish Magazine, Motorhome Magazine, and Saltwater Sportsman Magazine.
In 1999, Innis became a reporter, covering waterfront and fishing activities for The San Diego Log Newspaper. In 2000, his newspaper article “City Makes Island Grow Under Light of the Moon” earned 1st place award at the San Diego Press Club. Innis later became editor of all five Log Newspapers and oversaw the development of FishRap, a separate fishing section within the publication that is going strong to this day.
In 2001, Innis authored “Catalina Island, Historical Tribute to Recreational Boating,” a magazine/book hybrid that includes segments on the Catalina Island Tuna Club and fishing history. In 2004 he authored “San Diego Legends” (Sunbelt Publications), which enjoys continued success its second printing.
Innis is an International Game Fish (IGFA) International Committee member, very active over the past seven years in organizing free fishing derbies for disadvantaged youth. He also works hard to promote ethical angling and has been visible in trying to ensure that California’s implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act and other laws governing fishing are based on good science, not guesswork.
In 2003, Innis and his wife Michelle, a master soapmaker, created De-Fishing Soap ®,
a biodegradable hand soap guaranteed to remove the toughest fish and bait odors from
hands. Contact Jack Innis
Nothing is more important in the marine repair and boat business than experience. Tom Papesh, owner of York Road Marine, has been in the marine business for more than 25 years. Moving in his early 20s from Ohio to St. Petersburg, Florida, he quickly realized – living in a city surrounded on three sides by water – that boating and the enjoyment it brought was an integral part of his new home. With that knowledge in mind he started his own mobile marine repair business, and learned that using quality products and not cutting corners resulted in satisfied customers.
He moved from the repair side of the business into a sales position at Mastry Engine
Center (the largest distributor of Yanmar diesel engines in the southeastern United
States), where the concept of a superior product combined with superior service was
cemented in his marine repair philosophy. After 15 years with Mastry the opportunity
to go out on his own presented itself, and in 1999 he and his wife Misty and son
Brent moved to Pine Island and into the life of a business owner.
York Road Marine is a full service marine business, which means that anything you
need for your boat, from engine repair to bottom painting, we can do. Our engine
lines include Yamaha -
Tom Papesh’s reputation for honesty and thoroughness keeps customers returning year
after year. He runs York Road Marine with the same philosophy he has always had:
if you have superior products and provide superior service you will have a satisfied
customer.
The year was 1984. Nuclear arms controls with the Soviet Union were unraveling. The prime loan rate was 13 percent. I guess we were in an “Oh, what the heck” state of mind.
Vic and I started Southwest Florida Yachts.
Hey, if you’re going to get hit by a nuclear bomb, why not move to Florida, get married, start a yacht chartering business and a yacht school and, as they say, live happily ever after. Keep in mind that “ever after” on this earth was, in cold war terms, only going to last another couple of months or so.
Except for the part about the nuclear bomb, all of that is pretty much how it has
been. Knock-
I subscribe to the philosophy that if you have a job that you love, you’ll never have to work another day in your life. I love my job.
Southwest Florida Yachts charters luxury trawlers and sailing vessels. Visit WWW.SWFYACHTS.COM
Florida Sailing & Cruising School WWW.FLSAILANDCRUISESCHOOL.COM Provides live-