In fact, the Sanibel Island Fishing Club (SIFC) has been an active social club here on island for more than 30 years!
About SIFC
The Sanibel Island Fishing Club meets once a month during season, and sponsors several group fishing outings during the winter. You must be a member to attend the group outings, but all are welcome to join the club, or attend the monthly meetings at the Sanibel Community House.
Click here for more information about joining SIFC.
Fishing in February!
Just this past weekend, the group hosted its February outing, where teams of anglers were on the hunt for sheepshead fish. Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) are salt water fish, commonly found inshore in Southwest Florida.
The winning team was Captained by the club’s first female Captain, Mary Laser. Mary and her team reeled in 10 Sheepshead fish, weighing a total of 33.5 lbs! The next day, Mary hosted the fishing club of more than 50 people at her home for a fish fry!
The SIFC website also mentions that 17 lbs. of filleted sheepshead was also donated to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, to help feed those in need. What a great way to have fun and support the community at the same time!
SIFC Community Involvement
Actually, the Sanibel Island Fishing Club is involved with a number of nonprofit organizations here on the island. Not only do they offer goods, services and monetary donations to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, but also to the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, Lee Reefs, and also the Sanibel Sea School.
Last year, the club donated $1,000 to the Sanibel Community House renovation project, which has provided the group with a fresh new meeting space for this year’s gatherings. You can read more about the Community House Renovation Project in our blog here.