Captain
Rich Damianos

Member since April 2018 Punta Gorda, United States
Background
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.

Hey, I'm Captain Rich Damianos

Punta Gorda, United States
Background
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.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(140 reviews)
Punta Gorda
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $549

Fishing Reports

Charlotte Harbor Fishing Report for 1/14
Charlotte Harbor Fishing Report for 1/14
Jan 14, 2023 Punta Gorda
Captain Rich Damianos of Reel Rich Fishing Charters, Departing out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported the fishing as very good on Charlotte Harbor for this report for the week ending 1/14/23. After battling back to back blustery cold fronts since our last report it looks like our weather patterns may start settling down a bit heading into the second half of January . Long range forecast are showing temperatures in the upper 70s with sunny skyโ€™s and favorable winds. The Sea Trout action has just been getting better and better all week long on Charlotte Harbor. Fish are transitioning to pre spawn areas and they are feeding eagerly as they go. The trick to success with trout right now is to slow down, working your swim bait along the bottom so that it is ticking the grass is having the best results. On todays charter we used this tactic to swing over 100 trout over the rails. Sheepshead are moving in and we are starting pick them up along the mangroves in the Pine Island Sound area. Sheepshead fishing will continue to improve over the next few weeks. Redfish have been good with a few Snook mixed in. Getting the bait up under the shade line is key especially when the sun is high. The water is really clearing up right now and you have to keep in stealth mode while approaching key areas. We have been getting some good sized reds for this time of year too. Flounder, Pompano ,Jacks and lady fish continued to round out a good mixed catch this time of year on Charlotte Harbor. One key aspect to fishing right now is to slow down and look for deeper grass ares. covering a lot of areas until you find the the bite is still important but you donโ€™t want to fish so fast that you fish right over good concentrations of fish. Mangrove snapper are common and great eating for inshore anglers there are also other overlooked fish that are also excellent eating when properly handled and processed. Shovel Nose Shark also known as Bonnet Head Sharks are very good eating as well as Crevalle Jacks both are very common catches this time of year and are worthy of a try. We have open dates for 4,6 and 8 hour inshore charters on Charlotte Harbor so if your in the Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda Florida and surrounding area and would like to get out on Charlotte Harbor Book with us today.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 140 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (163)
Reel Rich fishing is an awesome experience!
Top Talent!! Look no further
Fishing Punta Gorda
+160
Angler rating
139
0
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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Showing:
5 of 140 reviews
Craig B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Highly Recommend

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 29, 2024
Rich did a great job keeping us on fish by moving when it slowed or the fish were small.ย  Very attentive to our needs, baiting...
Craig B. recommends Reel Rich Fishing
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Joseph B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on Charlotte Harbor

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on January 5, 2024
Rich was fantastic: not only a great guide for fishing but also extremely knowledgeable of the harbor and surrounding cities.ย ...
Joseph B. recommends Reel Rich Fishing
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Makenzie M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Bucket list experience

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Shark on May 11, 2024
Such a great experience! The boat was clean, and our guide ensured we were safe while also making sure we had fun! We were...
Makenzie M. recommends Reel Rich Fishing
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Jenna A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had an INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on April 4, 2024
This was so much fun! My boyfriend and I had a great time competing over who got the most fish and Captain Rich was so incredible...
Jenna A. recommends Reel Rich Fishing
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John P.
Geneva, NY
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Three quarter day trip with Reel Rich's Charter

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 14, 2023
Canโ€™t say enough about our day on the water with Captain Rich. Good sense of humor, very knowledgeable and totally committed...
John P. recommends Reel Rich Fishing
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