Aspiring FGCU Student Catches 250 Pound Goliath Grouper In The Gulf

Isaac Francis, a 17-year-old junior at Riverview High School, was fishing with his friends on Turtle Beach in Sarasota, Florida last weekend when he reeled in the catch of a lifetime. A Goliath Grouper estimated to be 250 pounds. Isaac, an avid fisherman, and his friends helped muscle the grouper to the shore. After grabbing some photos, the teenagers helped the fish back into deeper waters.

According to the FWC, "If you capture a goliath grouper, the fish must be immediately released alive, unharmed, and with proper fish handling techniques." The FWC does state that taking photos before releasing the fish is ok, but removing it from the water is not. The skeletal structure of a large goliath grouper cannot support its weight out of the water. Doing so could kill it.

The Goliath Grouper can grow up to 800 pounds and exceed 8 feet in length. Although Isaac's catch was massive, it's not a record. The largest ever caught in Florida was 680 pounds!

As you can see in the pictures, Isaac is sporting an FGCU hoodie. According to his father, Stu Francis, Isaac's sister goes to FGCU. Isaac aspires to also attend FGCU in Estero, Florida and is looking towards the college's School of Entrepreneurship. For those of you unfamiliar with the major, Florida Gulf Coast University’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program ranks number 15 in The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies” list. Their program is highly ranked on a national level. Many of the students who attend FGCU with this major go on to starting their own business.

I've lived and worked in Estero for nearly 20 years, so this list is coming to you from experience. But rather than pick my favorites, I've decided to keep it impartial. I've turned to the reviewers of Yelp for the best restaurants in Estero.

Estero has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. Many of the places on this list didn't even exist back then. For those of you new to town, back then our only mall was Miromar Outlets, FGCU was just getting started, and when you drove past Bella Terra on Corkscrew Road that was the end of civilization. I remember when our only fast food option was Arby's, and it closed early. Once you drove south on 41 past Corkscrew there wasn't much of anything until you got to Bonita Beach Road. Except for a liquor store. I remember there being a liquor store. All this has happened in less than 20 years.

We've done quite a few of these lists, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples. But this is the first time I've done Estero, except for the time I wrote about the taco place at the gas station. I'm telling you, those are some of the best tacos I've ever had. That place, along with several others are too new to make this list, so if your favorite isn't on here - sorry. Once they stack up enough reviews they may make the cut. So, no, Cheesecake Factory isn't on here. Let's get started.

Most of these places are either located in or near malls. But the two that aren't, are absolutely amazing. Let's begin at Coconut Point.

Great food and a great staff, SFG in the Coconut Point Mall comes in at number 10. They've got a fantastic Early Bird special and a pretty solid menu. The "Buddha bowl" gets mentioned quite often in reviews. A fair amount of gluten free options, too. If you're going for dinner, in season, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.

Located just south of Coconut Point Mall. Angelina's has been a staple since 2008. They're only open for dinner and don't even think about rolling in fresh off the beach. Dress nice. This is going to be some of the best Italian food you've had. And the decor and ambiance is just as impressive as the food. Super classy. They have won so many awards. When I'm there I always think "this place is too nice for me to be here."

https://angelinasofbonitasprings.com/

Another entry from Coconut Point. Mediterranean. House made pasta and seafood are specialties. Also lobster ravioli. I love large wood fired ovens and often wonder what it takes to keep that place cool inside.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/amfora-mediterranean-restaurant-estero

This funky place serves up Peruvian cuisine in Miromar Outlets. Try the ceviche, yuca bites, and tostones bruschetta. Pair it up with a spicy margarita. The food is fun, and the drink prices are amazing. 

Argentine and Peruvian food across the street from the Coconut Point Mall. Try the Meat Lovers Poseidon Parrillada. And go on Wednesday.

This one is away from the malls, but is one of my favorites. Good sushi, great Pad Thai. But be careful if you ask for it spicy - you better be ready. It's hot. The service is absolutely amazing, and save some room for the mango with sticky rice desert. And an often overlooked thing, their website ordering is one of the best setups I've ever seen.

http://www.9thai-sushi.com/

Back over to Miromar Outlets for Ford's Garage. Sure, it's a chain, but if you want a great burger and an amazing selection of drinks - this is your spot. When you go, enter the mall from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Much easier.

The Tommy Bahama at Coconut Point is not hard to find. Just follow the crowd. Not kidding, the rest of the mall could be relatively empty and this place is still packed. There's usually live entertainment and seating outside.

This makes quite a choice when you go to Miromar Outlets. To the right is Ford's Garage, to the left is Naples Flatbread. The food is amazing, but you're coming for the  self-service tap wall. 54 craft beers, wine, hard seltzer, hard cider, spiked kombucha, mead wine, nitro cold brew coffee, as well as a house-made Moscow mule with Tito’s vodka. A couple of drinks in and you're ready for a flatbread pizza.

This Italian restaurant in the Coconut Point Mall is voted number one in Estero by Yelp reviewers. A great atmosphere and great Italian food. A roaring twenties Miami feel. A perfect pairing of atmosphere and food.