Damn Good Port Charlotte Fishing Charters

Port Charlotte, located at the north end of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary, is a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts on Florida's west coast. The area offers a unique blend of fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities, with the Myakka and Peace Rivers providing access to Largemouth Bass, Bream, Crappie, Tilapia, and Catfish, while inshore fishing offers a chance to catch Snook, Tarpon, Trout, and Redfish. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Gulf waters provide excellent fishing for Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, and Cobia.

Port Charlotte offers a variety of fishing trips to suit any preference, from half-day trips exploring shallow waters close to the shore to full-day trips out to the Gulf. Kayaking, fly fishing for Tarpon, and enjoying scenic sights of herons, manatees, and egrets are also popular activities in the area. Charters are readily available from Port Charlotte Beach Park, Punta Gorda, and Charlotte Park.

It's important to note that booking a trip with a licensed Port Charlotte fishing charter includes a saltwater license, but a freshwater fishing license is required for freshwater adventures. Regulations exist for certain species like Tarpon and Red Snapper, so it's essential to ask your captain about them to ensure you're fishing legally.

Fishing in Port Charlotte is a year-round affair with something always in season. The only question is what you want to target. Inshore trips are the most popular in Port Charlotte because of the quantity and quality of fish here. There are endless inshore waters to be fished between the Peace River, Myakka River, and the Gasparilla Sound. The maze of canals and other backwater habitat is unmatched by any other fishery and makes it an incredible place to target an array of sought after sportfish.

Port Charlotte is a prime location to go after the Backcountry Slam which consists of catching a redfish, speckled trout, and a snook all in a single day. As April comes around, tarpon fishing heats up and these migrating Tarpon can be caught through August. As the summer heat subsides and fall comes around, bull Redfish, snook, and speckled trout head up into the flats and intertidal creeks. This is an excellent time to sight-fish for redfish, and take a shot at the Backcountry Slam.

Heading into the summer, tarpon arrive in waters around 20 feet deep and within 1-3 miles off the shore. For those longer trips out to deeper offshore fishing, various species of grouper, snapper, and other deepwater structure dwellers can be caught year-round. Fishing in Port Charlotte during the winter is every bit as productive as in the summer. In the colder months, prized game fish like amberjack and kingfish reign supreme.

For those looking to leave land behind, there are plenty of Port Charlotte deep sea fishing charters available. There are highly productive nearshore and offshore fishing grounds just a short boat ride from the heart of town. The transition from winter to early spring brings hard-fighting game fish like Cobia and Permit to the nearshore reefs that dot the waters off of Port Charlotte.

There are plenty of events and attractions around Port Charlotte to keep the whole family entertained when you get off the water. Visit any number of the nearby beaches which offer beautiful water, soft white sand, and scenic views, all of which will help anyone relax. If you like adventure, take the whole crew out to see the manatees, dolphins, birds, and other wildlife in Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. This park is teeming with life from the shallow grassy areas to the mangroves. For the 21+ crowd, Port Charlotte has more than enough options for bars and nightlife. When its time to fuel up or wind down for the day, the variety of restaurants is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Whatever you’re looking for on your next trip, Port Charlotte is sure to have something for everyone.