Rich Damianos
Kaptajn

Rich Damianos

Punta Gorda, Forenede Stater
100+ anmeldelser
I'm Captain Rich Damianos and I have been fishing the keys and cuts of Charlotte Harbor for more than 10 years. Born in Newport, Rhode Island and raised in the Finger Lakes of Central New York, I cut my teeth fishing both salt and fresh water. As a tournament angler with FLW and Bassmasters, I have learned to refine my fish finding skills. These skills are what I teach on every guided trip. When you fish Charlotte Harbor with me, you will catch fish, learn some techniques, and have a great time. I am a USCG Licensed Master, Florida Licensed Charter Captain, NYS Licensed Public Vessel Operator and Guide, and certified in First Aid and CPR. I am a father of 2 and considered by others to be an excellent guide, educator, and a pleasure to fish with. I work well with kids, beginners, and seasoned anglers alike. Most of all, I work for you.

Charter

Bedømmelse

5.0
147 anmeldelser
5.0
Båd & udstyr
5.0
Kaptajn & besætning
5.0
Fiskeoplevelse

What anglers say

98%
God oplevelse
100%
Venlig kaptajn
99%
Anbefal dette charter
95%
Egnet til børn
100%
Tilfreds med båden
93%
Fangede fisk

Alle anmeldelser (147)

Viser 1 – 5 af 147 anmeldelser
  • David Hitchcock
    David Hitchcock
    us
    Missouri, USA
    Medlem siden 2026
    5.0
    Verificeret

    Excellent trip!!

    Halvdagstur (AM) • 2 voksne

    If you are looking for a fishing guide out of Punta Gorda, you can stop looking now. Rich is your guy. On a cool morning when the fish weren’t really supposed to be biting, he got us where we caught over 20 fish; 6 different species and 7 keepers, which he cleaned for us at the end. He was super friendly, a great communicator and taught us a lot. I highly recommend Reel Rich and hope to return here for another adventure!

    Indberettet fangst:
    Plettet trommefisk
    Svar fra kaptajnen

    Thank you for your kind review David. Im glad you guys enjoyed the day.

  • John Probst
    John Probst
    Tilbagevendende lystfisker
    us
    Minnesota, USA
    Medlem siden 2025
    3 ture
    5.0
    Verificeret

    great kids trip

    Halvdagstur (AM) • 5 voksne • 1 barn

    there eas six of us from six to eighty. captain Rich put us on fish and regaled us with history and nature stories. he was great with the six and ten year olds. a four hour trip is just right for kids. the kids enjoyed him so much they spontaneously gave him a hug when wr left.!

    Indberettet fangst:
    Rød trommefisk
    Plettet trommefisk
    Sergentfisk
    Plettet kongemakrel
    Svar fra kaptajnen

    The little pirate crew was amazing. y’all caught some great fish and im glad you enjoyed your time on the harbor.

  • Matt Brice
    Matt Brice
    Tilbagevendende lystfisker
    us
    Texas, USA
    Medlem siden 2025
    4 ture
    5.0
    Verificeret

    Captain Rich Reeled it in!

    Halvdagstur (AM) • 3 voksne • 1 barn

    Rich was very personable and Knowledgeable! knew when the fish were not hitting right away to move on to the next spot and sure enough we caught a ton of different types of fish. great experience overall. highly recommend!

    Indberettet fangst:
    Plettet trommefisk
    Rød trommefisk
    Grå snapper
    Plettet kongemakrel
    Svar fra kaptajnen

    Thanks for the review Matt. I really appreciate ya’ll coming out.

  • John Probst
    John Probst
    Tilbagevendende lystfisker
    us
    Minnesota, USA
    Medlem siden 2025
    3 ture
    5.0
    Verificeret

    great trip

    Trekvart dagstur • 4 voksne

    two trips were canceled because of weather. he bent over backwards to give us a great fishing experience

    Svar fra kaptajnen

    Thank You John, we appreciate your support.

  • Rylan Whalen
    Rylan Whalen
    us
    Indiana, USA
    Medlem siden 2026
    5.0
    Verificeret

    Caught some sharks!

    Trekvart dagstur • 4 voksne

    Had a great day of fishing with Rich! He was knowledgeable, professional, and a lot of fun! Great fishing charter!

    Indberettet fangst:
    Plettet trommefisk
    Plettet kongemakrel
    Svar fra kaptajnen

    Great fun you guys! thanks for booking with me and thanks for 5 stars.

Rigtige fangster delt af vores fællesskab

  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    great kids trip
    John P.
    John P.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Excellent trip!!
    David H.
    David H.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Caught some sharks!
    Rylan W.
    Rylan W.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Captain Rich Reeled it in!
    Matt B.
    Matt B.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Reel Rich fishing is an awesome experience!
    Mark P.
    Mark P.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Top Talent!! Look no further
    John S.
    John S.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Fishing Punta Gorda
    Charles G.
    Charles G.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Rich knows what he's doing
    Alan A.
    Alan A.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    A great day on the water
    Randy M.
    Randy M.
  • Reel Rich Fishing
    Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
    Exceeded our expectations!!
    Linda M.
    Linda M.

Hvad bider på krogen med Reel Rich Fishing i Punta Gorda

Hvis du har ventet på køligere vejr, er chancerne store for, at oktober bliver din redning. Fiskeriet i Golfen er stadig varmt! Efteråret er en fantastisk tid til at målrette Rød trommefisk, hvis du har lyst til at blive kystnært.

Topfangster for October

Fiskerapporter

A young woman and an adult male proudly displaying a caught shark while enjoying a sunny day on the water.

I caught a shark!

Jan 11, 2026 • Punta Gorda
Winter fishing on our Florida gulf coast is in full swing and Capt Rich of Reel Rich Fishing Charters in Punta Gorda Florida says fishing is extremely good. Our charters over the week have put several dozen sea trout over the rail each trip per angler with excellent catches of sheepshead, redfish, mangrove snapper and spanish mackerel rounding out a full week of exceptional catches for our guests. Sharks are always a highlight of any trip and our friend Reese caught this shovel head on our last trip on Charlotte Harbor. With the above average warm weather pattern pushing now into mid January we can expect the excellent fishing to continue and likely a early start to our hot spring fishing as we fish through February. Capt Rich would love to hear you say it too - I Caught A Shark!. Reach out Today and lets plan your Florida fishing adventure. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda Florida.
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A young angler proudly displaying a Sheepshead caught while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Florida fishing at its finest

Jan 3, 2026 • Punta Gorda
The thrill of chartering on Charlotte Harbor? It’s the incredible variety of species, each thriving in unique habitats and conditions. A skilled guide adapts to shifting weather and seizes every opportunity in this diverse fishery. With our first real cold snap dropping water temps over the past few days, we pivoted to sheepshead—and it delivered big for our Wisconsin crew today!
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A young angler proudly displaying two Redfish while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

2026 Charlotte Harbor Fishing Season Pre

Dec 12, 2025 • Punta Gorda
Southwest Florida’s Charlotte Harbor remains a premier destination for diverse fishing charters, boasting endless mangrove backcountry, current-rich cuts, and vast seagrass flats with pristine waters teeming with fish. From the explosive topwater strike of a trophy snook to sight-casting a fly to tailing redfish, Reel Rich Fishing—departing daily from Safe Harbor Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida—offers tailored trips to make your 2026 adventure unforgettable. Come create lifelong memories in Charlotte Harbor with us! Charlotte Harbor’s unparalleled diversity stems from its expansive estuary system, comprising five contiguous aquatic preserves: Lemon Bay in the north, Cape Haze and Gasparilla Sound, the core Charlotte Harbor Preserve, Matlacha Pass, and Pine Island Sound to the south. Together, these span over 150,000 acres, fostering a thriving ecosystem. A standout feature is the shallow average depth of just 7 feet, with much of our fishing in waters under 3 feet—more akin to northern bass or pike lakes than deep-sea pursuits. When Is the Best Time to Fish Charlotte Harbor? Anglers often underestimate Charlotte Harbor’s bounty. When asked what you can catch, the real question is: “How much time do you have?” Home to nearly 300 fish species, our focus centers on “The Big Ten”: tarpon, shark, snook, redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. Black drum, bluefish, ladyfish, permit, grouper, king mackerel, and more round out the action. Note: We’re highlighting inshore fishing inside the barrier islands; offshore is a topic for another post. Something bites year-round, though tides and weather play key roles. Seasonal patterns for prime species remain reliable for 2026, per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updates—always verify at **hidden content** for regulations, including slot limits and closures. Your 2026 Charlotte Harbor Fishing Calendar January–February Trout shine, alongside sheepshead and mangrove snapper. Pompano and scattered redfish add variety. March Trout hold strong; bonnethead sharks and early cobia appear on flats. Redfish and snook improve with warming waters, while spring Spanish mackerel runs begin. Sheepshead remain excellent. April Prime snook month (harvest open March 1–April 30 in Charlotte Harbor region). Small sharks increase, Spanish mackerel fluctuate, and first tarpon arrive. Thick trout and ladyfish ensure non-stop action. May Tarpon high season kicks off (peak April–June). Snook closed for spawning (May 1–August 31), but catch-and-release is superb. Shark fishing explodes with large bulls and hammerheads; cobia numbers rise, redfish steady on flats, and Spanish mackerel/trout consistent. June Tarpon peaks here—world-class action in passes and harbors. Catch-and-release snook thrives, sharks are reliable, and redfish flats fishing delivers. July–September Tarpon lingers in bays and rivers; snook and redfish steady (snook closed to harvest until September). Mangrove snapper surge, and shark fishing is exceptional. October Redfish excels; snook and trout solid (harvest reopens October 1–November 30). Mangrove snapper plentiful, with larger Spanish mackerel returning. November Trout, snook, and redfish all strong; mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel persist. Black drum and bluefish possible. December Focus shifts to trout, redfish, mangrove snapper, and sheepshead as waters cool. Flounder and pompano round it out. Explore Reel Rich’s Updated 2026 Offerings We’ve enhanced our lineup for 2026 with new targeted options to match Charlotte Harbor’s rhythms. Visit our offerings for full details: • Inshore & Flats Charters (January–June): Versatile trips for snook, redfish, trout, and more. • Shark Charters (April–July): Thrilling battles with blacktip, bull, hammerhead, and lemon. • Live Bait Tarpon in Boca Grande (May–July): Iconic pursuits of 100–200+ lb silver kings. • Targeted Redfish & Snook (January–July): Catch-and-release focus, redfish year-round, snook from late March. Gear Up with Our Latest Updates Great fishing starts with top equipment. The Un-Reel, our 24’ Nautic Star 2400 Sport, features recent upgrades including a tuned Suzuki DF250 outboard for smoother runs and enhanced stability. We’ve also outfitted with new high-performance rod-and-reel combos—light yet durable for everything from finesse flats work to battling tarpon acrobatics—ensuring you’re ready for any bite. Of course, prime waters are just half the equation. Captain Rich Damianos brings over 10 years of focused Charlotte Harbor expertise to every trip. Whether easing into inshore relaxation or chasing bucket-list tarpon, Reel Rich delivers the best action possible. Ready for your 2026 charter? Book now or inquire about Punta Gorda perks— Message Capt. Rich Right here on FishingBooker.
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Angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while seated on a boat in a calm waterway, showcasing a successful day of fishing.

Redfish Special

Mar 2, 2025 • Punta Gorda
Fishing has been great for just about everything that swims in Charlotte Harbor over the last couple weeks. Speck’s have been crushing artificials and live baits alike and catches of 50- 100 a trip are common providing steady action and a nice fish fry for everyone. Our Redfish Special trips have been very popular since we started this offering and clients like Kurt and Haylie took advantage of the opportunity to knuckle down on some truly exciting Redfish action. March is here and we are heading into spring and the bite is going to get even more amazing as the water warms up. Don’t let your dates get always- check out our offerings here on FishingBooker and lets plan your fishing adventure today.
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Two anglers proudly displaying their catches of Redfish while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Febuary 10 Fishing Report

Feb 10, 2025 • Punta Gorda
What a great time to be fishing on charlotte harbor. Trout and Redfish ha e been the star of the show this week. Good numbers on trout with 100 fish on a typical 1/2 day charter. Outstanding redfish have been caught on our redfish special boat as well.
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Two anglers proudly displaying a large Snook caught during a fishing trip in a scenic coastal environment.

Charlotte Harbor Weekly Fishing Report

Jan 30, 2025 • Punta Gorda
Every thing fishing is getting back to normal after our one week of winter here in Punta Gorda and southwest Florida. Calm seas and warming waters are making for some excellent fishing. Good catches of Redfish are happening for those who choose our Redfish Special which is a great option for anyone looking to target this great fish. Stuart and Jannet had a great day on yesterday’s boat with hot action all trip including multiple doubles on the Reds and some bonus Sheepshead mixed in. Trout continue to provide fun action for everyone with good numbers coming over the rails every trip. Small sharks are starting to mix in and provide for some exciting reel screaming action and of course a great photo opp. Whether you choose our four hour, Captin’s Choice or our six hour Redfish Special you’re sure to be in the action and enjoying everything. Charlotte Harbor has to offer. Check out all of our offerings here on FishingBooker and lets get making some memories on your Florida fishing adventure. Capt Rich and Reel Rich Fishing Charters depart Daily from Burnt Store Marina in beautiful Punta Gorda, FL
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