Tarpon Trip in Charlotte Harbor
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target tarpon during peak season from May through SeptemberAll fishing gear included with trips accommodating up to 3 guestsInshore fishing adventures led by experienced Captain Scotty Roe
You've heard the stories, seen the photos, maybe even watched someone else fight one of these silver kings from the dock. Now it's your turn to get on the water with Capt. Scotty Roe and experience what makes tarpon fishing the ultimate test of an angler's skill and endurance. Charlotte Harbor serves up some of the most consistent tarpon action on Florida's Gulf Coast, and from May through September, these prehistoric giants are prowling the flats and channels looking for their next meal. This isn't your typical half-day fishing trip where you're hoping for a decent photo – this is about going head-to-head with a fish that can jump six feet out of the water and peel 200 yards of line off your reel in seconds.
Captain Scotty knows Charlotte Harbor's tarpon grounds like the back of his hand, and he's been putting anglers on these silver bullets for years. Your day starts early – tarpon are most active during the cooler parts of the day, so expect to be on the water when the sun's just starting to peek over the horizon. The harbor offers multiple fishing environments, from shallow grass flats where you can sight-fish rolling tarpon to deeper channels where they stage during tide changes. You'll spend your time moving between productive areas, watching for signs of fish – rolling backs, nervous baitfish, or the telltale swirl that means a tarpon just inhaled something nearby. With only three anglers max on each trip, you're guaranteed plenty of shots at fish and personal attention from the captain. Don't worry about bringing tackle – all the heavy-duty gear you'll need is included, from the big spinning reels spooled with 40-pound braid to the circle hooks designed specifically for tarpon fishing.
Tarpon fishing in Charlotte Harbor requires specific techniques that Capt. Scotty has perfected over countless seasons. You'll primarily be using live bait – pilchards, threadfin herring, or crabs depending on what the fish are eating and what's available. The key is presentation: getting that bait in front of a tarpon without spooking it requires patience and precision. Sometimes you're sight-casting to fish you can see rolling on the surface, other times you're anchored up and waiting for tarpon to move through on the tide. The tackle is beefier than what most anglers use for inshore fishing – think 7-foot heavy action rods paired with reels that can handle 300 yards of 40-pound test. Circle hooks are mandatory for tarpon conservation, and Capt. Scotty will walk you through the proper hookset technique. The drag settings, leader material, and knots all matter when you're dealing with a fish that can weigh over 100 pounds and has the jumping ability to throw your hook if everything isn't just right.
Tarpon are the reason anglers travel from around the world to fish Florida's waters, and Charlotte Harbor produces some genuine trophies. These ancient fish can live over 80 years and reach weights exceeding 200 pounds, though most of the tarpon you'll encounter range from 80 to 150 pounds – still more than enough fish to test your tackle and your stamina. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size, but their fighting style. The moment you hook one, it's going to explode out of the water in a series of spectacular jumps, shaking its massive head and gill plates to throw your hook. Even after the aerial display ends, you're in for a long, grinding fight as the fish uses its size and the current to wear you down. Tarpon move into Charlotte Harbor's warm, shallow waters during their spawning season, which runs from May through September. The peak months are typically June and July when the largest numbers of fish are present. These fish are catch-and-release only in Florida waters, which means every tarpon you land gets to swim away and potentially provide the same rush to another angler down the road. The satisfaction comes from the fight itself and earning your place in the unofficial brotherhood of anglers who've successfully landed one of these silver kings.
If you're ready to find out what all the fuss is about, Capt. Scotty Roe's tarpon trips are booking fast for the prime summer months. This is bucket-list fishing that combines the technical challenge of fooling a smart, spooky fish with the raw power of fighting something that outweighs you by a considerable margin. Charlotte Harbor's productive tarpon waters, combined with a captain who knows how to put you on fish, gives you the best shot at experiencing what many consider the pinnacle of inshore fishing. Remember to bring your own snacks and drinks – you'll work up an appetite fighting these silver submarines. The gear is provided, the location is proven, and the fish are there waiting. All you need to bring is your A-game and maybe a good pair of sunglasses to help you spot those rolling backs when they surface. Don't wait too long to book – the tarpon season is relatively short, and the best fishing happens fast when conditions align perfectly.
Our motorboat is built for serious tarpon fishing in Charlotte Harbor's productive waters. The 22-footer handles the choppy inshore conditions while you battle these silver kings that can easily top 100 pounds. Fish finder technology helps locate tarpon schools, while GPS keeps us on the most productive flats and channels. When visibility drops or weather moves in, radar ensures we stay safe and can continue fishing. The insulated ice box keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh during those long May through September tarpon runs. With space for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to fight these acrobatic fish without getting tangled up. The boat's layout gives everyone access to prime fishing spots whether we're working the deep holes or shallow grass beds where tarpon love to roll and feed.
Port Charlotte, FL