Inlet Light Sportfishing

Inlet Light is the small-boat answer to the offshore fleet. Captain Ray Delgado fishes a 22-foot bay boat out of the Sandsprit Park ramp at the inlet, and the whole point is light line: eight-pound spinning gear or a fly rod, sight-casting to snook along the sea walls, tarpon rolling in the inlet at first light in summer, jacks and ladyfish for anyone who wants their arm pulled, and the odd permit on the flats inside the inlet in spring.

Trips are four hours and take two anglers, three if one is a child. The boat carries fly and spinning gear for every hand, and the captain ties the flies himself from the bait he saw the day before. Beginners are not just tolerated but preferred; there is nothing to unlearn.

Everything is catch and release except what is legal and wanted for dinner, and most clients leave with nothing in the cooler and no regrets. Weather calls are made the evening before, by text. The boat carries shade, water and a small cooler for anything kept, and the whole trip stays within sight of the inlet, so nobody is far from the ramp if the weather turns.

Good to know

• First light is the time for tarpon in summer; the afternoon trip is for snook and jacks.
• Polarised sunglasses are the one thing you must bring.
• Three anglers maximum, and only if one is small.
• The ramp lot at Sandsprit is free but busy on weekends.
• A Florida fishing licence is covered by the captain’s.