4-Hour Flats Fishing Trip — Punta Gorda, FL
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fourhour flats fishing in Peace River and Charlotte HarborTarget redfish, snook, and trout with included equipmentCatch cleaning and filleting service provided after trip
If you're looking to experience some of Southwest Florida's best shallow water fishing, this half-day adventure puts you right in the heart of the action. True Florida Expeditions takes you into the productive waters of the Peace River, Myakka River, or Charlotte Harbor — all legendary spots where trophy fish cruise the flats looking for their next meal. With everything included from your fishing license to fly fishing gear and cold drinks, you just need to show up ready to cast. Plus, they'll clean and fillet whatever you catch, so you can take home dinner without the mess.
This 4-hour trip is perfectly timed to hit the prime feeding windows when fish are most active. Your guide will read the conditions and take you to whichever water body is fishing best that day — maybe it's the grass flats in Charlotte Harbor where redfish patrol the shallows, or perhaps the structure-rich zones along the Peace River where snook ambush baitfish. The beauty of having three different fisheries to choose from means you're always fishing the hot bite. With just two anglers max, you get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to work different techniques. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working topwater plugs over grass beds, your guide will put you on fish and help you land them.
Flats fishing is all about stealth, precision, and reading the water. You'll be working shallow areas where fish can spook easily, so quiet approaches and accurate casts make all the difference. The included fly fishing equipment is perfect for this style of angling — lightweight rods that load quickly for short, accurate presentations, and reels with smooth drags to handle powerful runs. Your guide will position the boat using the trolling motor or pole, keeping you in casting range while staying quiet. You'll learn to spot fish before they see you, whether it's the telltale red tail of a drum tailing in skinny water or the wake of a snook moving through the grass. The technique is addictive — once you hook your first fish on the flats, you'll understand why anglers become obsessed with this style of fishing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing, and these waters hold some absolute slabs. They're ambush predators that love structure — dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and grass bed edges where they can hide and pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish moving shallow during dawn and dusk feeding periods. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and the fight they put up, combining powerful runs with gill-rattling jumps. They're also incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, making them a true test of angling skill.
Redfish are the bread and butter of flats fishing here, and Charlotte Harbor produces some real bulls. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass beds and oyster bars, often feeding with their tails sticking out of the water. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall see the biggest numbers as they stage for spawning. Reds fight like freight trains — long, powerful runs that test your drag and your patience. They're also more forgiving than snook when it comes to presentation, making them perfect for anglers still dialing in their flats technique.
Tarpon are the ultimate flats fish — the silver king that can turn a quiet morning into an adrenaline-pumping battle. Late spring through early fall brings juvenile tarpon into these backcountry waters, typically ranging from 20 to 80 pounds. When you hook one, get ready for a show — they'll jump, shake their heads, and make blistering runs that can empty your reel in seconds. Even the smaller tarpon fight way above their weight class, and seeing one explode out of the water with your fly in its mouth is something you'll never forget.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the craftiest fish you'll encounter. These black-and-white striped convict fish hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars, where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites, earning them the nickname "convict fish." Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they school up in deeper holes and around structure. Landing a big sheepshead requires patience and sharp hook-setting reflexes.
Grey Snapper are scrappy fighters that add variety to your catch. These opportunistic feeders patrol the same areas as snook and redfish, but they're more aggressive and less finicky about presentations. They're excellent table fare and put up a respectable fight on light tackle. Summer months see the best snapper action, particularly around structure and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. They might not be the flashiest fish in these waters, but they're reliable biters that keep the action going when other species get lockjaw.
This trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want — access to world-class fisheries with an experienced guide who knows how to put you on fish. The combination of three different water bodies means you're always fishing productive water, regardless of conditions. With all gear, licenses, and drinks included, plus cleaning service for your catch, it's a complete package that lets you focus on what matters most — hooking up with Southwest Florida's best gamefish. The intimate 2-angler maximum ensures you get the personal attention and casting opportunities that make for a top-rated fishing experience. These flats don't give up their secrets easily, but with the right guide and the right approach, you'll discover why Punta Gorda has become a customer favorite destination for flats
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Punta Gorda aboard a reliable Pathfinder motorboat designed for serious flats fishing. This nimble vessel cuts through shallow water with ease, getting you into prime redfish and snook territory in the Peace River, Myakka River, and Charlotte Harbor. The boat's GPS navigation keeps you on the fish while the onboard fish finder helps locate schools holding in deeper pockets and grass beds. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space on the spacious deck to work lures and flies around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. The Pathfinder's shallow draft lets your captain pole into skinny water where big trout and reds cruise the flats. Whether you're sight fishing or working structure, this fishing platform gives you the stability and positioning needed to land your target species in Southwest Florida's best inshore waters.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snapper, these grey-red fish are some of the smartest we target in these waters. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, though you'll occasionally hook into a 3-4 pounder that'll surprise you. They hang around docks, mangroves, and any structure they can use for cover - classic ambush feeders. Best fishing happens at night since they're nocturnal, but we catch plenty during the day around deeper docks and channels. What guests love about mangrove snapper is they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids since they bite consistently. Here's the trick: use a 4/0 hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a foot. Be patient - they'll inspect the bait before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our flats fishing here in Charlotte Harbor. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-27 inches with that signature black spot near the tail - nature's fake-out to confuse predators. You'll find them cruising the shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall through spring offers the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes redfish so popular is their bulldog fight - they'll make long, powerful runs and never give up. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're also perfect for sight fishing, which gets everyone excited. Local tip: look for wakes and tails in skinny water during high tide. Cast ahead of them with a gold spoon or soft plastic, and let it sink before starting a slow retrieve.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese black-and-white striped fish are the convicts of the flats, and they're some of the best eating you'll find. Most sheepshead run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, with those human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off dock pilings. You'll find them around any structure - bridges, docks, and rock piles where they can feed. Winter and early spring are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. What guests love is the challenge - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light bites, plus the reward of sweet, white meat that's hard to beat on the table. They're also year-round residents, so we can target them anytime. Here's the secret: use a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, get right against the structure, and set the hook at the slightest tap. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets here in Charlotte Harbor. These sleek, golden fish typically run 18-28 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line and attitude to match. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and moving water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make screaming runs that test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around docks, cast your lure tight to the pilings and let it sink before starting your retrieve. Snook are ambush predators and won't chase far from cover.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what legends are made of. These prehistoric giants average 80-100 pounds and 4-6 feet, but can reach up to 8 feet and 280 pounds. Around Punta Gorda, we find them in deeper channels of Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River, especially during their spring and summer migration from May through August. What makes tarpon fishing so special isn't the eating - most folks release them due to their bony meat - it's that first jump. When a tarpon goes airborne 6 feet out of the water, shaking its massive head, you'll understand why they're called the silver king. The fight can last an hour on lighter tackle. We typically use live bait like pinfish or mullet, but fly fishing is popular too. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook.
Punta Gorda, FL