Extended Half Day Fishing In Punta Gorda Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure in Charlotte Harbor watersTarget cobia and crevalle jack with experienced local guidesSmall group charter accommodates up to three guests maximum
When you step aboard with Chum Em Up Charters for this 6-hour fishing adventure, you're signing up for some of the best inshore action Southwest Florida has to offer. Starting at 8:00 AM sharp, this extended half-day trip gives you serious time to work the flats, grass beds, and structure around Charlotte Harbor without feeling rushed. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and with only 3 anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic day on the water.
Charlotte Harbor is a fishing paradise that stretches for miles, offering everything from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channels where the big boys hang out. Your captain will read the conditions - wind, tide, water clarity, bait activity - and adjust the game plan accordingly. Some days you'll be poling through knee-deep water stalking tailing redfish, other days you'll anchor up on structure waiting for that monster cobia to cruise by. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is having time to hit multiple spots and really dial in what's working. You'll cover serious ground in Charlotte Harbor, from the Peace River mouth to the outer islands, always chasing the bite.
This isn't your typical party boat experience - we're talking serious light tackle fishing with live bait, artificials, and whatever it takes to put fish in the boat. Your captain comes equipped with everything from spinning reels loaded with braid for the grass flats to conventional tackle for wrestling big tarpon. Live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards are standard weapons, but don't be surprised if you're throwing topwater plugs at first light or working soft plastics through the mangroves when the bite gets tough. The shallow water around Punta Gorda demands stealth and skill - expect plenty of sight fishing where you'll actually see your target before making the cast. When the fish are deep, you'll drop down with jigs and live bait to structure that holds cobia, grouper, and big trout.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing, and Charlotte Harbor serves up some absolute slobs. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangrove points, oyster bars - anywhere they can hide and attack passing bait. Peak season runs May through September, but you'll find them year-round in deeper holes during cooler months. What makes snook special is their fight - they'll jump, run for cover, and test every knot you've got. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line and that bucket mouth that screams attitude.
Tarpon fishing around Punta Gorda is world-class, especially during their spring and summer migration from April through August. These silver kings roll through Charlotte Harbor in massive schools, some fish pushing 150+ pounds. When you hook a tarpon, everything else stops - they'll jump 6 feet out of the water, strip 200 yards of line in seconds, and fight for what feels like hours. Even a 50-pound fish will leave your arms shaking. The adrenaline rush of watching a 100-pound tarpon cartwheel through the air just yards from the boat never gets old.
Sea trout are the bread and butter fish that keep action steady throughout the trip. They school up on grass flats and around structure, hitting everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs. While they might not be the biggest fighters, a 20+ inch gator trout is nothing to sneeze at, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding aggressively in shallow water.
Redfish are pure muscle wrapped in bronze and black spots - built for shallow water battles in heavy cover. These bruisers average 20-30 inches in Charlotte Harbor, with slot fish being perfect for the dinner table. What makes reds special is how they feed - you'll watch them root around oyster bars with their tails sticking up, or cruise the flats like submarines with their backs out of water. When they eat, it's game on - they'll make blistering runs toward the nearest structure trying to break you off.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks cruise alone or in small groups, often following rays and sharks looking for an easy meal. A big cobia might go 40+ pounds and will test your drag system to its limits. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you multiple shot opportunities if you stay calm and make good casts. Peak cobia season runs March through June, when they're moving through on their annual migration.
Six hours with Chum Em Up Charters gives you the time to really fish - not just wet a line, but work different techniques, hit multiple spots, and adapt as conditions change throughout the day. With Charlotte Harbor's incredible diversity of species and structure, every trip offers something different. Whether you're after that personal best snook, hoping to jump your first tarpon, or just want to bend rods consistently for 6 hours straight, this extended half-day format delivers. The 3-angler limit means no crowds, no waiting for your turn, and plenty of one-on-one instruction if you want to sharpen your skills. Book now and get ready to see why Punta Gorda consistently ranks among Florida's top fishing destinations.
Hit the waters of Charlotte Harbor aboard this well-equipped 23-foot Shoalwater that's built for serious fishing. Powered by a reliable 200hp Yamaha outboard, this boat gets you to the productive spots quickly so you can maximize your time on the water. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 3 anglers without anyone getting in each other's way when fighting fish. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of cobia and crevalle jack, while the GPS keeps you on productive structure. When you need to work an area quietly, the wireless trolling motor lets you position perfectly without spooking fish. Stay connected with the VHF radio and keep your catch fresh in the icebox. Between fishing sessions, enjoy the multimedia system as you cruise to the next hot spot. This boat delivers everything you need for a productive day chasing Florida's inshore gamefish.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are Charlotte Harbor's brown sharks that aren't sharks - dark, torpedo-shaped fish that often cruise near the surface looking like trouble. They average 30-50 pounds here, with some reaching 60-80 pounds, and that single dorsal fin definitely gets your attention when they surface. Find them around channel markers, bridge pilings, and any structure in 10-50 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're moving through on their migration routes. What makes cobia special is their curious nature - they'll actually approach the boat to investigate, giving you shot opportunities. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat similar to shark but much better. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but determined. My favorite technique: when you spot one near the surface, cast a bucktail jig ahead of them and work it slowly. They'll often follow before deciding to eat.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Charlotte Harbor's most popular targets, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish typically run 18-30 inches around here, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and any structure where they can ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and stubborn fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs toward cover. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when cooked right. One tip I always share: cast your lure past the structure and work it back along the edges. Snook are ambush predators, so they'll be tucked tight to cover waiting for an easy meal to swim by.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate trophy fish in these waters - pure muscle and attitude wrapped in silver scales. Most fish we encounter run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though giants over 200 pounds cruise through Charlotte Harbor. They prefer deeper channels and around bridge structures, especially during spring and summer months when they're most active. What draws anglers back is watching a 100-pound fish launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a fight. The battle can last an hour, testing your tackle and endurance. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the experience is what counts. My go-to advice: when you hook one, bow to the king when it jumps. Drop your rod tip toward the fish during each leap to keep tension off the line and prevent them from throwing the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charlotte Harbor classics - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that make every catch memorable. They typically range 20-35 inches here, with bigger bull reds showing up seasonally. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when water temperatures are ideal and baitfish are active. Anglers love redfish because they fight hard, making powerful runs and using their broad sides against the current. Plus, they're excellent eating - firm, sweet meat that grills perfectly. The sight-fishing opportunities are outstanding too, watching their backs break the surface as they feed. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds in shallow water, cast well ahead of their path and let your bait settle to the bottom before they arrive.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a bread-and-butter species here in Charlotte Harbor, perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. Most run 14-20 inches with some reaching 24 inches, featuring distinctive spots across their silvery sides. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around deeper potholes and channel edges. They bite best during cooler months from October through April, particularly on overcast days or during low-light periods. What guests love is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters for their size, making nice runs when hooked. Here's a local trick: work your lure slowly along the bottom near grass beds, then pop it up occasionally. Trout often follow before striking, and that sudden movement triggers them to commit.
Punta Gorda, FL