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

About Your Guide

Michael Castaldi

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

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

Choose a trip to get started

Inshore Fishing in Punta Gorda

4 To 6 Hour Harbor Fishing TRips

100% (3) Guided by Michael

23 ft 1 - 6 People From $500

Inshore, Flats Fishing in Punta Gorda

Backbay Fishing Trip

100% (3) 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 1 review

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 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

Mid May 2026

Fishing has been on fire using live bait the water temperatures have had them going nuts and the boat can take up to 4 people very comfortably

Late January 2026

Fishing has been really good, even with the cold fronts coming through. It's not stopping the bite after these next few colder days are over; it will start to warm up, and the fish are gonna go crazy eating everything