Name: Chum Em Up Charters
Address: Punta Gorda, FL
Price range: $500 - $2000
Rating: 5

About Your Guide

A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Michael Castaldi

Certified Damn Good Guide

Independent Guide

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Comfortable

Quantity

I have been fishing charlotte harbor for 20 years and always wanted to turn my passion into a career I now have been running trips for 6 years and i absolutely love it there is nothing better than watching someone catch a fish of a lifetime and knowing it was you that helped them make that happen. I was 10 when my family moved us down to Florida from ny i definitely call this place home to me I love everything about it. Other than guiding trips i absolutely love tournament fishing the thrill of chasing that winning fish and the adrenaline pumping early morning running to your spot is a feeling I can’t explain for me I put a lot of time on these waters with scouting and it definitely shows

About Your Guide

Michael Castaldi

Certified Damn Good Guide

Independent Guide

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

120 pound tarpon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Hot wings

What’s your favorite band?

Led Zeppelin

What’s your favorite movie?

The perfect storm

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

120 pound tarpon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Hot wings

What’s your favorite band?

Led Zeppelin

What’s your favorite movie?

The perfect storm

What’s your favorite sports team?

Ny Yankees

What’s your drink of choice?

Sweet tea

What was your last halloween costume?

N/A

What do you want for Christmas this year?

A million bucks 😂😂😂

How did you get started guiding?

Family told me to chase a dream

What makes you different from other guides?

I go that extra mile with everything so you have the best trip possible

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Chum Em Up Charters Trips

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Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Inshore Fishing in Punta Gorda

4 To 6 Hour Harbor Fishing TRips

100% (4) Guided by Michael

23 ft 1 - 6 People From $500

Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Inshore, Flats Fishing in Punta Gorda

Backbay Fishing Trip

100% (4) Guided by Michael

20 ft 1 - 3 People From $500

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Recent Reviews of Chum Em Up Charters

5.0

based on 2 reviews

Dominic

Verified Review

Captain Michael was great. Very friendly and patient with my wife and son, who both have very little fishing experience. My 11 yr old son said he was like fishing with an uncle. He kept us on fish all day, overall it was a great trip and I would recommend it for anyone.

Dominic

Verified Review

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Matt

Verified Review

Mike was an excellent guide. Hardworking, patient, and has the know-how to put you on the fish. We had loads of premium bait and he knew exactly where the bait and fish would be.
Great experience!!!

Matt

Verified Review

Mike was an excellent guide. Hardworking, patient, and has the know-how to put you on the fish. We had loads of premium bait and he knew exactly where the bait and fish would be.
Great experience!!!

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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Punta Gorda Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing

Types of Fishing

Flats

Inshore

Recent Fishing Reports

Late July 2026

Late June 2026

Fishing has been good before it gets to hot once the afternoon hits the fish have been a little slower so if a trip is to be booked I'd definitely recommend a morning or night trip