Punta Rassa Boat Ramp Fishing

Punta Rassa Boat Ramp is first a launch for boats heading into San Carlos Bay and Pine Island Sound, but Lee County also lists fishing here, and its 24-hour hours make it a rare all-night option near the causeway.

• Open 24 hours, with paid parking by the day
• Snook, redfish, trout and snapper around the ramp basin and rocks
• Winter sheepshead and black drum; summer jacks, ladyfish and mackerel
• Restrooms and a fish-cleaning station on site
• Boats come first here: fish only where you are clear of launching traffic

The ramp is at 15001 Punta Rassa Road in Fort Myers, at the mainland end of the Sanibel Causeway, beside the start of the first causeway bridge.

• Hours: open 24 hours
• Parking: $10 for 24 hours, $20 for 48 hours or $30 for 72 hours, the maximum; pay by bills or most major cards, exact change, no refunds
• The Lee County annual parking pass is valid here
• There are vehicle-and-trailer spaces and single-vehicle spaces
• The walk: a few steps from the lot to the shoreline and docks

The water here is a crossroads between the river mouth, San Carlos Bay and the causeway channels.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook and redfish moving along the shoreline, Spanish mackerel and jacks on the bait, sheepshead finishing up
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook at night on the moving tide, mangrove snapper around the rocks and pilings, tarpon passing along the causeway
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and trout feeding hard, snook still active, mackerel on the fall run
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum around the docks and rocks, trout in the deeper water

Fish close to the rocks and any structure, and keep your gear tidy for the boat traffic.

• Snook: live pinfish or shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook with a 30 to 40 lb leader, or a white jig or swimbait worked with the current at night
• Sheepshead and black drum: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader and small, strong hook next to the rocks
• Redfish and trout: shrimp under a popping cork or on a jighead
• Mackerel, jacks and ladyfish: spoons and small jigs, retrieved fast
• A 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 20 lb braid handles the current; bring a landing net

Tides are mixed here, usually two uneven highs and lows a day, and the range is small, but the current at the river mouth and around the causeway runs hard.

• The outgoing tide carries bait from the river and bay past the point
• Slack water is the time to fish the bottom for sheepshead and drum
• Night and low light are best for snook, especially in summer
• After heavy rain or freshwater releases, the river water runs dark on the outgoing tide
• Strong winds make the ramp area choppy and hard to fish

This is a working boat ramp, so safety starts with staying out of the way.

• Keep clear of the ramps, docks and staging area whenever boats are launching or loading
• Never cast across boat lanes, and watch for boats day and night
• Rocks along the shore are slippery and sharp; wear good shoes
• The current is strong; do not wade
• Summer thunderstorms build fast; leave at the first thunder
• At night, bring a headlamp and fish with a friend; lighting for anglers was not confirmed

The county lists a well-equipped ramp built mainly for boaters.

• Restrooms
• A fish-cleaning station
• Paid parking with vehicle-and-trailer spaces and some single-vehicle spaces
• Two double boat ramps with wooden docks, and a paddlecraft launch
• A staging area for boats, which anglers should keep clear of
• Dogs are welcome on a leash
• No bait or food for sale was confirmed; bring bait, ice and water

• Night sessions avoid most of the daytime launch traffic and suit feeding snook
• Fish the last of the outgoing tide along the rocks for redfish and snook
• Bring fiddler crabs for winter sheepshead around the structure
• Use the fish-cleaning station and pack out scraps and line
• The causeway islands nearby are open dawn to dusk; this ramp is the after-dark option

Lee County Parks and Recreation runs the ramp and lists fishing among its amenities.

• Open 24 hours; parking fees apply, with passes limited to 72 hours
• Give boaters priority at the ramps and docks, and follow posted signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore; Lee County notes Florida residents can get the shoreline license at no cost
• Tarpon and goliath grouper have special release rules: check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything