Winter fishing on our Florida gulf coast is in full swing and Capt Rich of Reel Rich Fishing Charters in Punta Gorda Florida says fishing is extremely good. Our charters over the week have put several dozen sea trout over the rail each trip per angler with excellent catches of sheepshead, redfish, mangrove snapper and spanish mackerel rounding out a full week of exceptional catches for our guests. Sharks are always a highlight of any trip and our friend Reese caught this shovel head on our last trip on Charlotte Harbor. With the above average warm weather pattern pushing now into mid January we can expect the excellent fishing to continue and likely a early start to our hot spring fishing as we fish through February. Capt Rich would love to hear you say it too - I Caught A Shark!. Reach out Today and lets plan your Florida fishing adventure. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda Florida.

The thrill of chartering on Charlotte Harbor? It’s the incredible variety of species, each thriving in unique habitats and conditions. A skilled guide adapts to shifting weather and seizes every opportunity in this diverse fishery. With our first real cold snap dropping water temps over the past few days, we pivoted to sheepshead—and it delivered big for our Wisconsin crew today!

Southwest Florida’s Charlotte Harbor remains a premier destination for diverse fishing charters, boasting endless mangrove backcountry, current-rich cuts, and vast seagrass flats with pristine waters teeming with fish. From the explosive topwater strike of a trophy snook to sight-casting a fly to tailing redfish, Reel Rich Fishing—departing daily from Safe Harbor Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida—offers tailored trips to make your 2026 adventure unforgettable. Come create lifelong memories in Charlotte Harbor with us! Charlotte Harbor’s unparalleled diversity stems from its expansive estuary system, comprising five contiguous aquatic preserves: Lemon Bay in the north, Cape Haze and Gasparilla Sound, the core Charlotte Harbor Preserve, Matlacha Pass, and Pine Island Sound to the south. Together, these span over 150,000 acres, fostering a thriving ecosystem. A standout feature is the shallow average depth of just 7 feet, with much of our fishing in waters under 3 feet—more akin to northern bass or pike lakes than deep-sea pursuits. When Is the Best Time to Fish Charlotte Harbor? Anglers often underestimate Charlotte Harbor’s bounty. When asked what you can catch, the real question is: “How much time do you have?” Home to nearly 300 fish species, our focus centers on “The Big Ten”: tarpon, shark, snook, redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. Black drum, bluefish, ladyfish, permit, grouper, king mackerel, and more round out the action. Note: We’re highlighting inshore fishing inside the barrier islands; offshore is a topic for another post. Something bites year-round, though tides and weather play key roles. Seasonal patterns for prime species remain reliable for 2026, per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updates—always verify at **hidden content** for regulations, including slot limits and closures. Your 2026 Charlotte Harbor Fishing Calendar January–February Trout shine, alongside sheepshead and mangrove snapper. Pompano and scattered redfish add variety. March Trout hold strong; bonnethead sharks and early cobia appear on flats. Redfish and snook improve with warming waters, while spring Spanish mackerel runs begin. Sheepshead remain excellent. April Prime snook month (harvest open March 1–April 30 in Charlotte Harbor region). Small sharks increase, Spanish mackerel fluctuate, and first tarpon arrive. Thick trout and ladyfish ensure non-stop action. May Tarpon high season kicks off (peak April–June). Snook closed for spawning (May 1–August 31), but catch-and-release is superb. Shark fishing explodes with large bulls and hammerheads; cobia numbers rise, redfish steady on flats, and Spanish mackerel/trout consistent. June Tarpon peaks here—world-class action in passes and harbors. Catch-and-release snook thrives, sharks are reliable, and redfish flats fishing delivers. July–September Tarpon lingers in bays and rivers; snook and redfish steady (snook closed to harvest until September). Mangrove snapper surge, and shark fishing is exceptional. October Redfish excels; snook and trout solid (harvest reopens October 1–November 30). Mangrove snapper plentiful, with larger Spanish mackerel returning. November Trout, snook, and redfish all strong; mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel persist. Black drum and bluefish possible. December Focus shifts to trout, redfish, mangrove snapper, and sheepshead as waters cool. Flounder and pompano round it out. Explore Reel Rich’s Updated 2026 Offerings We’ve enhanced our lineup for 2026 with new targeted options to match Charlotte Harbor’s rhythms. Visit our offerings for full details: • Inshore & Flats Charters (January–June): Versatile trips for snook, redfish, trout, and more. • Shark Charters (April–July): Thrilling battles with blacktip, bull, hammerhead, and lemon. • Live Bait Tarpon in Boca Grande (May–July): Iconic pursuits of 100–200+ lb silver kings. • Targeted Redfish & Snook (January–July): Catch-and-release focus, redfish year-round, snook from late March. Gear Up with Our Latest Updates Great fishing starts with top equipment. The Un-Reel, our 24’ Nautic Star 2400 Sport, features recent upgrades including a tuned Suzuki DF250 outboard for smoother runs and enhanced stability. We’ve also outfitted with new high-performance rod-and-reel combos—light yet durable for everything from finesse flats work to battling tarpon acrobatics—ensuring you’re ready for any bite. Of course, prime waters are just half the equation. Captain Rich Damianos brings over 10 years of focused Charlotte Harbor expertise to every trip. Whether easing into inshore relaxation or chasing bucket-list tarpon, Reel Rich delivers the best action possible. Ready for your 2026 charter? Book now or inquire about Punta Gorda perks— Message Capt. Rich Right here on FishingBooker.