Redfish Pass

Redfish Pass is a haven for fishermen and surfers alike. It was formed in 1921 when the Hurricane of 1921 caused Sanibel Island to separate itself from the larger Captiva Island. It connects Pine Island Sound to the Gulf of Mexico., and its name is taken from the enormous amounts of red fish which were caught in the pass soon after it formed. There are still mammoth portions of redfish, snook, and many other species of game fish which can be caught in Redfish Pass.

While many believe the Hurricane of 1921 caused the pass to form, one local legend is it was originally dug by island natives who did not want to paddle their boat all the way around the northern end of Captiva Island to get to the Gulf. This could explain why the depth suddenly drops from four feet in the flats to a thirty three foot hole in the center. The hurricane may have just finished the job.

Redfish Pass is a popular destination for fishermen and surfers. The waters can be calm one minute and have rolling waves perfect for surfing the next. Locals have tried to limit the number of visitors to their island by only allowing one road to extend to it, making a boat the best way to get there.