Cape Coral
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $600
Captain
Al Harrington
Cape Coral, United States
Veteran owned
100+ reviews
It has been our love of the ocean and the relaxation fishing brings that has helped deal with the pain of losing my brother.
For many years, my dream has been to share this passion for fishing with others, to teach them and help them experience the same thrill and enjoyment I get whenever I'm out on the water. Finally, at the age of 67, I decided to put away my fears and start a charter service and dedicate it to Chuck. It will been an honor to take your family and friends on the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Al H.
Captain
Charter
Rating
4.9
111 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (119)
What anglers say
94%
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
All reviews (111)
Showing 1 – 5 of 111 reviews
Andy VoRepeat angler
California, US•Member since 2021•2 trips5.0VerifiedCaptain Al is the ''reel'' deal!
1/2 Day Inshore Trip • 4 adultsWe had an amazing fishing trip with Captain Al. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient. He knew exactly where to go and made sure everyone on board was comfortable and having a great time—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler. The boat was clean and well-equipped, and Captain Al shared great tips and local knowledge throughout the trip. We caught plenty of fish and made some unforgettable memories. Highly recommend Captain Al if you’re looking for a fun, safe, and successful fishing experience. We’ll definitely be booking with him again!
Response from CaptainThanks for the review. I had as much fun as you did. Hope to see you again real soon. Al
Justin SweatRepeat anglerGeorgia, US•Member since 2023•2 trips5.0VerifiedGreat 1st trip
1/2 Day Inshore Trip • 6 adultsWe went with Captain Al and really enjoyed the trip. We weren't real picky on the types of fish, as long as we were catching fish. He put us on all types of fish from Catfish, Trout, lady fish and my daughter even caught a skipjack and shark. My wife caught a keeper Pompano as well. All around great trip with experienced fishers to a 1st time fisher in our group and we all had a great time! Looking forward to next time!!!
Response from Captainthanks for the pics and the trip. Glad you had a good time.
Theodore CollierMissouri, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedGreat day
3/4 Day Inshore Trip • 5 adultsQuite the assortment of fish. ... Including a huge ray... Bent our rods... Really enjoyed our outing with captain Al!.... My brother and I both felt we would do it again in a heartbeat... Captain Al knows what he's doing.... He was definitely on our side... And wanted the best experience possible. we both felt he deserved the highest marks. possible.
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThanks for the kind words. I enjoyed fishing with you guys. Hope to see you again.
Shannon BumannIllinois, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedGenuine Captain, Great time
1/2 Day Inshore Trip • 2 adultsOutstanding guy fishing for an admiral cause. Captain Al was welcoming, knowledgeable, patient, and great company. He was open to rescheduling bc of poor weather as well. Got some big redfish near Smokehouse Key. Highly recommend if you’re new to the area; he’ll answer any question you can think of. Thanks, Al!
Response from CaptainThanks for the review. Hope to do it again.
Kimberly KuhnMinnesota, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedFantastic family time fishing in Florida!
1/2 Day Inshore Trip • 6 adultsAl was a great captain. There were 6 of us and none of us had fished much, if ever. Al was patient and kept our hooks baited and lines in the water. We caught numerous fish and 7 were large enough to keep. He cleaned them for us and we took them home and pan fried them for lunch. It was a lot of fun. We even saw a dolphin, while fun, he did scare the fish away! Luckily it was at the very end of our trip and we had caught some fish. I would highly recommend Al for an enjoyable fishing trip.
Response from CaptainThanks for the review. I had fun today and hope to see you and the family again soon.
Real catches shared by our community
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
- All 4 Chuck Fishing ChartersCape Coral, FL
What's biting with All 4 Chuck Fishing Charters in Cape Coral
September is the end of the rainy season in Southwest Florida, but there is a risk of hurricanes. The water temperatures are still hot, but cold fronts may start to appear. Look out for Redfish spawning at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River.
Top catches for September
Fishing reports
Fishing report for Matlacha and Pine Isl
Jan 30, 2026 • Cape Coral
Matlacha and the surrounding Pine Island Sound area are fishing well this winter, with classic January patterns setting up around creeks, oyster bars, and deeper holes on the flats.
Overall conditions
Cooler temps and occasional cold fronts have pushed fish into winter spots, especially on low tides and windy days.
Anglers are finding action from Matlacha Pass down through Pine Island Sound, with sheepshead, redfish, snook, and seatrout leading the way.
What’s biting now
• Sheepshead: Numbers are building around creeks, docks, pilings, oyster bars, and in the Gulf passes, with shrimp on light jig heads or knocker rigs the go‑to bait.
• Redfish: Fish up to the upper‑slot range are coming off low‑tide potholes, then sliding onto grass flats and mangrove shorelines with the incoming water; they’re eating shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and flies.
• Snook: Smaller snook are holding in deeper creeks and sheltered bays, with more consistent action on live bait along mangroves and Cape Coral/Fort Myers shorelines when temperatures stabilize.
• Seatrout: Trout have been spottier than usual, but better catches are coming from bar edges and deeper grass in western Pine Island Sound and around Bokeelia while drifting shrimp or soft plastics.
• Bonus species: Ladyfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel, bonnethead sharks, snapper, and black drum are mixing in over the same flats and channel edges, especially where current pushes bait.
Best areas to try
• Matlacha Pass: Work deep creeks and channels on cold, windy days for sheepshead, drum, snapper, and smaller snook using shrimp on the bottom.
• Pine Island Sound: Target oyster bars and bar edges for sheepshead, trout, redfish, and mackerel; drifting and fan‑casting plastics or shrimp has produced steady bites.
• Bokeelia and west side of Pine Island: Deeper grass and potholes are holding trout, ladyfish, and jacks, with occasional reds sliding through with the tide.
• Cape Coral / Fort Myers shorelines: On good weather days with higher water, snook and redfish are feeding along mangroves and points, especially when you can fish late‑morning or afternoon high tides.
Tactics and bait
• Live bait: Shrimp is the workhorse right now, catching sheepshead, trout, reds, drum, snook, and bonnetheads when fished on a jig head or light knocker rig near structure.
• Artificial lures: Shad‑tail plastics, spoons, and small jigs are effective when drifting bars and grass flats for trout, mackerel, ladyfish, and jacks.
• Fly fishing: Sight‑fishing reds around sand holes and grass edges is productive on clear, sunny days with properly presented shrimp patterns or small baitfish flies.
• Presentation tips: Focus on slower retrieves and smaller profiles during cold snaps, then speed up and cover more water as the sun warms the flats and tides rise.
Planning your next trip
Aim to fish low incoming tides for redfish in potholes moving onto the flats, and higher stages for snook and trout along mangroves and shorelines.
On the coldest, windiest days, slide into protected creeks and deeper channels around Matlacha Pass to bend rods on sheepshead, drum, and mixed winter species until conditions improve.
Show more
Smorgasbord
Dec 19, 2025 • Cape Coral
Everything was biting today after lunch: redfish, black drum, Jack Cavelle spotted sea trout, and grouper.
Show more
Fishing after the front
Dec 8, 2025 • Cape Coral
Fished with jig and shrimp around structure.
Show more
Matlacha Fishing Report — Week of Decemb
Dec 1, 2025 • Cape Coral
Here’s the low-down on what anglers around Matlacha, Florida have been seeing — and what you might expect this week as we roll into December.
According to recent data, fish activity is forecast to shift from “high” (late November) down to “average” by the first few days of December. Tides4Fishing
That said: winter conditions often bring clearer water and cooler temperatures — which can concentrate fish and make hiding spots like oyster bars, mangroves, and flats more productive. Port Sanibel Marina+2Guidesly+2
? What’s Biting (and What to Target)
Redfish (Red Drum): Redfish remain reliable inshore targets. Look for them along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, grass flats, and flats around passes — especially near tidal movement. Soft plastics, shrimp, or cut bait work well. Port Sanibel Marina+2onWater+2
Spotted Seatrout (Trout): Trout continue to show up on grass flats and shallow flats. With cooler water and clearer conditions, they tend to hold in deeper holes, potholes, and near dropoffs — shrimp under popping corks or slow jigs are a good bet. KingFisher Charters+2onWater+2
Sheepshead & Structure Fish: As winter settles in, sheepshead — and other structure-oriented species like mangrove snapper — start to show up near docks, mangrove roots, oyster bars, bridge or pier pilings, and other hard structure. Small hooks, fiddler crabs or shrimp, and light tackle can pay off. KingFisher Charters+2CyberAngler+2
Snook: Snook may be more sluggish in cooler water, but they shouldn’t be ignored. Focus on deeper holes, canals, or mangrove-lined pockets — particularly where there's some structure or warmer-water outflows. Early-afternoon when the sun warms water may help trigger bites. KingFisher Charters+2onWater+2
? Where to Fish — Good Spots This Week
Mangrove shorelines & flats — excellent for redfish cruising and trout feeding.
Oyster bars, creeks, shallow flats, and potholes — ideal for seatrout, sheepshead, snapper, and structure fish.
Bridge/pier/dock/mangrove-root structure — prime for sheepshead, snapper, and maybe even a snook if you get lucky.
Inlets, passes, channels near stronger tidal flows — good for redfish and occasionally larger trout or snook looking for moving bait.
? Tackle & Strategy Tips
Bait & Lures: Live or fresh shrimp — especially under popping corks — and small soft plastics or cut bait for reds/trout; fiddler crabs or shrimp on small hooks for sheepshead; soft plastics or live bait around mangroves for snook.
Tides & Timing: Watch tidal movement — rising tides that push bait into flats and mangroves often trigger redfish and trout bites. If you can, plan around mid-morning or early afternoon when tide + light combine for best results.
Water Clarity & Light Conditions: Cooler winter water often means clarity — good for sight-fishing in flats for reds and tailers, but be careful of overly light gear spooking wary fish.
? What I’d Do If I Hit Matlacha This Week
If I were getting on the water in Matlacha this week, I’d:
Head to shallow flats or mangrove flats on an incoming tide with a light spinning rod, shrimp under a popping cork — targeting trout early.
Work mangrove edges and oyster bars with soft plastics for redfish in the mid-morning as the tide pushes in.
Check dock pilings, oyster beds, and mangrove roots for sheepshead or snapper through the midday, using fiddler crabs or shrimp on light hooks.
If the day warms, scout deeper holes, canal mouths, or mangrove channels for a snook or two — especially around structure or warm spots.
Show more
Mixed bag of fish today.
Oct 21, 2025 • Cape Coral
Caught a variety of different fish today, including speckled trout, flounder, mangrove snapper, lizard, and ladyfish, to name a few.
Show more
Hungry fish galore
Jul 22, 2025 • Cape Coral
We caught mangrove snappers, snook, Pompano, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish.
Show more