Chum Em Up Charters
+194Ready to cast a line in Punta Gorda? Then Chum Em Up Charters has a trip with your name on it! Your guide for the day is Captain Michael, giving you access to years of sportfishing experience.
These waters are known for Snook, Speckled Trout, Tarpon, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Blacktip Shark, Jack Crevalle, Gag Grouper, Cobia, Black Drum, Redfish, and more – with any luck, they’ll make your reel scream.
On the day of your trip you’re likely to bottom fish using light tackle.
You’ll be dropping lines from a 20’ Center console with capacity for 3 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without.
Rods, reels, and tackle are covered by the charter, along with lures. Live bait is included, but it’s good to ask about this so you know if you’ll be catching it yourself.
The charter boat covers your fishing license, so you can drive right over and come aboard without any hassle! Some fish have special regulations, including when you can keep them. Simply ask and your captain can tell you more.
It’s always wise to bring sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and sunglasses. If you’d like to bring other drinks, just ask. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.
Go ahead and treat yourself to a day on the water with Chum Em Up Charters.
Captain
Michael Castaldi
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (109)
+106Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
96%
- Targets multiple species including sharks, snook, and trout on the same trip
- Lands trophy-sized spotted trout up to 21 inches
- Captain provides detailed instruction and adapts to guest skill levels
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fish on
Afternoon half on June 29, 2025
This captain mike is a true genuine guy. It's what he loves to do and is very important to him for you to have the best experience. I didn't know when it was a good time of day for good fishing. He called me and said I cant do this switch to this time, if you can. and I'm so glad I did . He didnt just want to take my money and have a bad experience. My son and I were double hooked at every spot. Fish after fish. He is good at keeping you in the right current conditions were the fish are. We fish several spots and when time was up he wasn't worried about it we all were having fun. I saved his number no matter what part of Florida our next trip is we will be calling for another trip. GREAT CAPTIN, GREAT PERSON, ... Mike , Nick and I had one of the funniest experiences with you that we ever had. thanks again from the both of us Mike and nick
This captain mike is a true genuine guy. It's what he loves to do and is very important to him for you to have the best experience. I didn't know when it was a good time of day for good fishing. He called me and said I cant do this switch to this time, if you can. and I'm so glad I did . He didnt just want to take my money and have a bad experience. My son and I were double hooked at every spot. Fish after fish. He is good at keeping you in the right current conditions were the fish are....
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Perfect Day!
Half Day Trip on June 15, 2025
Got to take my 16 year old son who is a fishing nut, and my wife who only goes once a year or less out on Father’s Day 2025. We all had the best time with Captain Michael. He knew just where to go one the water, the personality to make us all feel at home, and was extremely patient and attentive with just the right amount of coaching based on the varying levels of fishing experience in our group. We were going out for snook, mangrove grouper, and spotted trout and caught many of all 3 but also my wife got a 60 plus pound Goliath grouper in a canal! She will never forget it (or let me live it down)! I also lucked into a nice tarpon, a first for me, in the same area. If you want an exciting and fun half day of fishing I would whole heartedly recommend going with Chum Em Up Charters!
Got to take my 16 year old son who is a fishing nut, and my wife who only goes once a year or less out on Father’s Day 2025. We all had the best time with Captain Michael. He knew just where to go one the water, the personality to make us all feel at home, and was extremely patient and attentive with just the right amount of coaching based on the varying levels of fishing experience in our group. We were going out for snook, mangrove grouper, and spotted trout and caught many of all 3 but...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Five-Star Fishing Experience with Captain Mike!
Half Day Trip on June 10, 2025
We had an absolutely amazing day out on the water with Captain Mike! From the moment we stepped onto the boat, it was clear we were in great hands. Mike was not only professional and organized but incredibly friendly and welcoming. His knowledge of the local waters was impressive—he knew exactly where to go to find the fish, and we were reeling them in within minutes! Throughout the trip, Mike was extremely attentive, making sure everyone had what they needed, whether it was baiting hooks, giving pointers, or sharing stories that made the day even more enjoyable. What really stood out was how patient and encouraging he was, especially with my son, the newest angler in our group. His passion for fishing and love of the ocean were contagious. By the end of the day, we didn’t just feel like clients—we felt like part of the crew. If you’re looking for a memorable fishing trip with a top-notch captain, look no further. We can’t recommend Captain Mike highly enough and are already planning our next charter with him!
We had an absolutely amazing day out on the water with Captain Mike! From the moment we stepped onto the boat, it was clear we were in great hands. Mike was not only professional and organized but incredibly friendly and welcoming. His knowledge of the local waters was impressive—he knew exactly where to go to find the fish, and we were reeling them in within minutes! Throughout the trip, Mike was extremely attentive, making sure everyone had what they needed, whether it was baiting hooks,...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great Trip. Rating doesn’t lie
Half day tarpon trip on March 22, 2025
Captain Michael provided a great trip. The high rating he has online is warranted. He provided everything we needed to have a great time. Knowledgeable about the area and how to target fish. He put us on the fish and even gave out a lot of information on tips and tricks he uses. You can tell the passion he has for fishing and making sure his guests have a great time. One of the few times that I was on a trip with a guide and the captain didn’t fish. When asked about it his response was I’m here to make sure you catch fish not for you to watch me catch fish. He had caught a ton of live bait for us, had great performing equipment and boat. No problems with motor or defective equipment. When we got snagged and lost tackle he was quick to get us set back up and on the fish. I would highly recommend him and will definitely use him again.
Captain Michael provided a great trip. The high rating he has online is warranted. He provided everything we needed to have a great time. Knowledgeable about the area and how to target fish. He put us on the fish and even gave out a lot of information on tips and tricks he uses. You can tell the passion he has for fishing and making sure his guests have a great time. One of the few times that I was on a trip with a guide and the captain didn’t fish. When asked about it his response was I’m...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fishing with Michael
$300 Single person half day fishing on February 3, 2025
I did a solo trip with mike.. He's a great captain and person. The bite was slow on the day I went but thats the way fishing goes.. He worked hard to get me on some fish though. We hooked in to several different species of fish...trout,snapper, snook and sheep head. We stayed out later than the orginal end time. He wanted to make sure that I had some keepers to take home. I thought it was a very stand up thing to do. I appreciated his gesture. I was still happy with the fish I had hooked in to, after all it's called fishing and not catching.
I did a solo trip with mike.. He's a great captain and person. The bite was slow on the day I went but thats the way fishing goes.. He worked hard to get me on some fish though. We hooked in to several different species of fish...trout,snapper, snook and sheep head. We stayed out later than the orginal end time. He wanted to make sure that I had some keepers to take home. I thought it was a very stand up thing to do. I appreciated his gesture. I was still happy with the fish I had...
FAQs about Chum Em Up Charters
What are the trip rates for Chum Em Up Charters?
Chum Em Up Charters offers the following trips to customers:
- US $300 per person - $300 Single person half day fishing (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Afternoon half (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Half day tarpon trip (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Night shark fishing (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Night Snook Fishing (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Night tarpon trips (4 hours)
- US $500 per group - Sheephead half day (4 hours)
- US $650 per group - Full Day Trip (6 hours)
- US $700 per group - Full day shark fishing (6 hours)
- US $800 per group - Full day tarpon fishing (6 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Chum Em Up Charters?
When you book a trip with Chum Em Up Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live Bait Well
- Multimedia System
- Wireless Trolling Motor
- Ice Box
What's included in the trip price with Chum Em Up Charters?
Trips booked with Chum Em Up Charters include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live Bait (I will have live bait before the trip starts so we won’t cut into any of your time fishing.)
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Cleaning of fish is included in the fee we will fillet fish once we return to the dock )
- Fishing License (Yes included my license will cover everyone on the boat )
What types of fishing does Chum Em Up Charters offer?
Chum Em Up Charters offers the following types of fishing:
- Inshore Fishing
- Reef Fishing
- Flats Fishing
- Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Chum Em Up Charters offer?
Chum Em Up Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Spinning
- Popping
Which fish species can I catch with Chum Em Up Charters?
Top targeted fish species with Chum Em Up Charters include:
- Black Drum
- Cobia
- Grouper (Gag)
- Jack Crevalle
- Redfish
- Shark (Blacktip)
- Sheepshead
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snook
- Speckled Trout
- Tarpon
Your captain
Punta Gorda, Florida, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
It’s always been my passion to be on the water fishing or just on the water in general so I decided to turn my passion into a business. My favorite catch would probably be watching a redfish swimming in a foot of water casting my line to him and watching him eat my bait
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Inshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Popping
Which amenities are available onboard
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
I will have live bait before the trip starts so we won’t cut into any of your time fishing.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Cleaning of fish is included in the fee we will fillet fish once we return to the dock
Fishing License
Yes included my license will cover everyone on the boat
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
How you can pay
Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
What’s biting in Punta Gorda right now
Black Drum
Cobia
Grouper (Gag)
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Shark (Blacktip)
Sheepshead
Snapper (Mangrove)
Snook
Tarpon