
Fishing IS great! But will it keep two young kids happy, Grandpa wonders… Photo by Pete Rapps.
After a short but thorough boat safety lesson at the dock, the children were suited up in their life vests,

Eeew – this one’s a little wiggly!? Photo by Pete Rapps.
We decided to get them out closer to the Gulf to see what was going on out there. On the way we saw a school of Porpoise that came right up to

What is that — are we expecting company? Photo by Pete Rapps.
We pulled up right next to a mangrove-lined island and I began to pitch shrimp out again, each time handing the rods to the children. It was only a matter of minutes before they were reeling in Redfish, Ladyfish, Snook, Trout and even some big whiskered silly looking catfish. As much as the serious angler hates to catch catfish, you can never let a child know it is an undesirable catch. You have to make up stuff as you go, and

I thought I heard a “meow”. Photo by Pete Rapps.
Each time we moved we saw something new. There were several loggerhead turtles that made appearances at the right time. We saw an Osprey carrying a mullet in its talons, keeping it aerodynamic as he flew to the mangrove trees. We saw several bright pink Roseate Spoonbills wading in the water eating their lunch. We even saw a manatee as his little nose popped out for a breath of air.
Before they knew it, four hours had gone by and the children were still fully excited. We succeeded in keeping them interested in a half-day trip! It was a beautiful day and Mother Nature was really cooperating at producing fish, and plenty of wildlife.
Finally it was time to head back to the dock and the children began

Not a bad size for Francoise’s first fishing trip. Photo by Pete Rapp.
The next two hours were just as fun as the first four. After extending the 1/2- day charter to a 6-hour 3/4-day charter, Grandpa was ready to head back to the docks. The children wanted to stay even longer, but they had a two-hour drive home, and the mission was accomplished (and then some).
Captain Rapps offers expert guided light tackle near shore and backwater fishing trips just south of Naples and Marco Island, FL in the Everglades National Park, departing from Chokoloskee Island, on the south side of Everglades City. Visit www.CaptainRapps.com, or call (239) 571-1756.
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