Punta Gorda
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $549
Captain
Rich Damianos
Punta Gorda, United States
100+ reviews
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
Rating
5.0
147 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (176)
What anglers say
98%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
93%
Caught fish
All reviews (147)
Showing 1 – 5 of 147 reviews
John ProbstRepeat angler
Minnesota, US•Member since 2025•3 trips5.0Verifiedgreat kids trip
Half Day Trip (AM) • 5 adults • 1 childthere 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.!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThe little pirate crew was amazing. y’all caught some great fish and im glad you enjoyed your time on the harbor.
David HitchcockMissouri, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedExcellent trip!!
Half Day Trip (AM) • 2 adultsIf 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!
Reported catch:Response from CaptainThank you for your kind review David. Im glad you guys enjoyed the day.
- John ProbstRepeat anglerMinnesota, US•Member since 2025•3 trips5.0Verified
great trip
3/4 Day Trip • 4 adultstwo trips were canceled because of weather. he bent over backwards to give us a great fishing experience
Response from CaptainThank You John, we appreciate your support.
- John ProbstRepeat anglerMinnesota, US•Member since 2025•3 trips5.0Verified
great three days of fishing
3/4 Day Trip • 5 adults • 1 childwe caught 18 species of fish from pin fish to sharks. it eas great
Reported catch:
+1Response from CaptainThat may be a new record for number of species in one day here inshore- every thing was chewing today. thanks for fishing with us.
Matt BriceRepeat anglerTexas, US•Member since 2025•4 trips5.0VerifiedCaptain Rich Reeled it in!
Half Day Trip (AM) • 3 adults • 1 childRich 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!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThanks for the review Matt. I really appreciate ya’ll coming out.
Real catches shared by our community
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
- Reel Rich FishingPunta Gorda, FL
What's biting with Reel Rich Fishing in Punta Gorda
Now that the Tarpon craze is dying down, set your sights on the big game fishing offshore. You can enjoy excellent fishing for Snapper, Grouper, and a few fall Spanish Mackerel near the pass.
Top catches for September
Fishing reports
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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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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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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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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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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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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