Shore Fishing
March 10, 2022 at 12:52 p.m.
Shore Fishing
By Kimball & Les [email protected]
This day was different because Kimball had arranged a surprise and managed to keep it secret until we started off towards Punta Gorda. We had talked about researching the King Fisher Fleet’s cruises from Fisherman’s Village as an alternative to the Cayo Costa Ferry service from Pine Island Marina and today was the day.
The Punta Gorda departure begins about a two-and-a-half-hour cruise to the Cayo Costa State Park dock and another 30 minutes to get to Cabbage Key; our destination for Jimmy Buffet’s Cheeseburger In Paradise. Of course, winds, tidal currents, and congestion at the docks can change a schedule continuously. It takes carefully coordinated arrivals and departures by all the fleets to keep things moving smoothly.
There is no alternative to the “camper” ferry from Pine Island to Cayo Costa for times when a lot of gear has to go along with the campers. Day trippers can leave from either Punta Gorda or Pine Island Marina in the morning, but the camper ferry doesn’t leave Pine Island until 2PM. The ferry from Pine Island involves a longer drive but the cruise from Punta Gorda results in a longer boat ride and a shorter drive.
Once you get to Cayo Costa, passengers that don’t go on for lunch at Cabbage Key can catch the tram for a quick 1-mile trip across the island for a few relaxing hours on a beautiful and unpopulated beach. Lots of folks bring a picnic lunch, a beach chair and maybe a spinning rod for this stop. Those passengers opting for the lunch at Cabbage Key stay onboard and cruise on past Useppa Island to the restaurant.
In addition to the cruise traffic, many Cabbage Key locals and boaters stop by this spot for lunch. It is a surprisingly fine restaurant considering the remote location. Famous for its cheeseburgers, they also offer an extensive menu of more refined fare. The full bar features lots of tropical drinks as well as cold beer and wine. Keep track of your bar tab here as it can get a little out of control on a thirsty afternoon with a draft beer priced at $9+. The inside décor is quite fascinating where thousands of dollar bills are taped to the walls and ceiling by customers who have signed and dated their contribution. As bills fall from their perch, they are collected in a basket and donated to a charity.
On the day we were there, the limited staff was soldiering on bravely and doing an excellent job of serving too many guests at one time. Some visitors limited by their cruise’s scheduled departure time had a tough time although most were seated because the cruise/ferry operators call in the number and names of passengers for advanced seating. Although we waited a while, we were eventually seated and served with enough time left to walk the nature trails and climb the water tower for a view of the island and harbor. To avoid big crowds, the shoulder seasons would be a better time to visit.
Leaving Cabbage Key, we swung back by Cayo Costa to pick up the beach crowd and headed back across Charlotte Harbor to Fisherman’s Village. After lunch, the full bar onboard the boat was popular and about half the price of Cabbage Key for those who were still thirsty. The size of the boat coupled with the flat water and a cool breeze were enough to inspire a nap, but the dolphin show complete with playful jumps alongside the boat was exciting and kept everyone awake. The dolphins just love to play with the pressure waves off the bow of such a large boat. We also saw manatees at Cabbage Key and a flock of birds and mackerel decimating a school of bait on the way back.
So, if you’re looking for a special experience try this just for fun. At $50 dollars for a 5-hour cruise, it’s a good deal. Add in a stop at a unique restaurant on a remote island or a few hours on a pristine beach without crowds and you have the ingredients for an enjoyable day cruising on Charlotte Harbor.