Midnite Pass Fishing Camp

In the late 1940’s, Marty’s grandparents, Roland and Helen Martel, took over the Midnite Pass Fish Camp on the far south end of Siesta Key. They began building a legacy on the water. Midnight Pass, with its crystal-clear water, and abundance of fish, crab, and shrimp, was truly a paradise. “Big Marty” added sea walls and a huge tank for rehabilitating turtles and other sea life. With Cape Haze Laboratory nearby, later known as Mote Marine, the fish camp was able to assist in researching the feeding habits in sea turtles. Over the years, many sea birds and sea life were rescued at the fish camp.

The camp offered everything from bait and tackle, blue crab and smoked mullet, sandwiches and beer, to boat rentals and fishing charters. When Marty’s grandfather passed away in the late 70’s, his father Brian took it over. He provided a multitude of services from crabbing to running charters to shark fishing. Marty thrived growing up in this environment and it instilled in him a love of the outdoors, the salt water, fishing, diving, and caring for all manner of sea birds and ocean life. Marty would spend his summers with his dad at the fish camp, diving, fishing, spearfishing and working around the camp. By the time he was a teenager, he was a first mate on his dad’s charter boat, The Midnite Son.

Over the years, Midnight Pass began to close with storms, hurricanes, and dredging, and was eventually fully closed off by man. After over 30 years of prosperous fishing, without the flow of water from the pass, the fish camp closed in the early 80’s.

Those who had the privilege to be on Siesta Key during that time, still recall it fondly and tell stories of a hidden paradise, the likes of which we may never see again. If you happen to be one of the lucky few, please hop on our social media pages and share any photos and memories you may have. We would love to hear your Midnite Pass Fishing Camp stories!

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