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Ready 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.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Solo half day fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $400
    If your just wanting to get out and have a day on the water and just don’t have a group to go with then the solo trip is for you,
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 16 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $400
    If you're only looking for a few hours fishing on the water then the Half Day Trip is for you. Nothing better than being on the water with tons of wildlife possibly seeing dolphins or manatees. Charlotte Harbor has some of the best backbay fishing, an experience you will never forget.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Wreck Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Snook
    Snook
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    Sheephead half day
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $400
    This trip will be targeting sheephead and snapper using live crabs and shrimp mainly fishing bottom structures and docks they are a super hard fighting fish and excellent table fair .
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    Night Snook Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $400
    We'll be fishing bridges, with the help of underwater lights you will actually be able to see the Snook and possibly watch them eat your bait. Typically we will be using live bait.
    Targeted fish
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
  • Private trip
    Half day tarpon trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $500
    This trip is for tarpon great fight drag screaming and getting a few jumps from them out of the water is a thrill great experience.
    Targeted fish
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
  • Private trip
    Night tarpon trips
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 PM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $500
    Live bait light tackle fishing for tarpon targeting a trophy fish in charlotte harbor from the sunset view to hooking a tarpon watching him come out of the water with jumps gives you chills and most likely will hook a few snook in between.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
  • Private trip
    Full day shark fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $600
    Full day shark fishing never know how big one will be or the type of shark we can catch
    Targeted fish
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Nurse)
    Nurse Shark
    Shark (Bonnethead)
    Bonnethead Shark
    Shark (Bull)
    Bull Shark
    Shark (Lemon)
    Lemon Shark
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $600
    This Full Day Trip is an experience you won’t forget. It gives you that extra time to enjoy the sights around you and possibly catch the fish of a lifetime.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Flounder
    Flounder
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    Night shark fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 PM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $600
    Night time shark fishing for a chance at a giant shark some smaller though these sharks love to feed at night and gives you a great shot at catching one using cut whole fish as bait with bigger rods.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    Full day tarpon fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $700
    Tarpon fishing drag screaming watching them jump out the water is just an experience all together
    Targeted fish
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
There are 42 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 34 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (41)
Fishing with Michael
Great day on the water!
Great day on the water!
+38
Angler rating
30
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 34 reviews
Jeremy S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Michael

VERIFIED   NEW  Solo 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...
Jeremy S. recommends Chum Em Up Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Michael Castaldi Captain replied

Thomas H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Mike made my day!!!

VERIFIED   Solo half day fishing on December 12, 2024
I had an incredible experience, all thanks to Captain Mike. He truly made everything possible. It was my last day in...
Thomas H. recommends Chum Em Up Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Michael Castaldi Captain replied

Jaden R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best fishing guide in SW Florida

VERIFIED   Night tarpon trips on October 16, 2024
Booked 5 hour night fishing, arrived to the dock to insane weather . Went out and Mike still put us on a couple snook. Called...
Jaden R. recommends Chum Em Up Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Michael Castaldi Captain replied

Matt H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent day of fishing

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 26, 2024
My son and I had an absolute blast fishing with Mike. Early into the day, it was obvious the Mike spends a ton of time on the...
Matt H. recommends Chum Em Up Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Michael Castaldi Captain replied

John A.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Michael

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip on January 24, 2025
Windy day out we fished the channels and had a great day first stop all three of use had caught sheephead. Then we went for...
John A. recommends Chum Em Up Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Michael Castaldi Captain replied

FAQs about Chum Em Up Charters

Chum Em Up Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $200 per person - Solo half day fishing (5 hours)
  • US $400 per group - Half Day Trip (5 hours)
  • US $400 per group - Sheephead half day (5 hours)
  • US $400 per group - Night Snook Fishing (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half day tarpon trip (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Night tarpon trips (5 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Full day shark fishing (7 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Full Day Trip (7 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Night shark fishing (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Full day tarpon fishing (7 hours)

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

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 )

Chum Em Up Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Chum Em Up Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Popping

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

Michael Castaldi
Punta Gorda, Florida, United States
27 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
34 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2024
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

Black Drum Black Drum
Cobia Cobia
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
1998
Restored in
2023
Boat manufacturer
Century
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 115HP

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques will you 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 not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
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

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Recent fishing reports

40 trout today
40 trout today
February 7, 2025
Gorgeous weather today and great company came with an amazing trout bite today from start to finish not as many giants today but the bite was fast and furious
Continue reading
Great couple days on the water
Great couple days on the water
February 4, 2025
Water temp is going up and fish are starting to really bite
Continue reading
A grind today
A grind today
February 3, 2025
The bite was super good in thd morning but got slower with if getting warmer out the water temp is starting to get hotter and that means the snook trout and redfish will be eating good gonna start targeting them now that the water is getting warmer
Continue reading