Captain Rich Damianos of Reel Rich Fishing Charters, Departing out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported the fishing as Exceptional on Charlotte Harbor for this report for the week ending 12/6/20. The Snook action has been the best we have seen in a long time as fish are transitioning from fall to winter areas they are feeding eagerly as they go. We have been targeting them along the mangroves all over in Pine Island Sound area and up and down the east and west walls all the way north to Punta Gorda. Traditional post up and soaking of large shrimp or cut pin fish have been working well for Reds as well . Getting the bait up under the shade line is key especially when the sun is high. We have been getting some good sized reds for this time of year too. Sea Trout , Sheepshead, Pompano and Jacks continued to round out a good mixed catch this time of year on Charlotte Harbor. One key aspect to fishing right now is to keep moving, covering a lot of areas until you find the the bite. The yearly transition period keeps these fish moving in a here today gone tomorrow pattern that continues to speed up as water temperatures drop. Hopefully we will see some more summer like temperatures return and hold up this exciting Snook bite into the new year. Like many of you I’m happy to see the end in sight for 2020 and It seam like we may start seeing normal again soon. As for Reel Rich Fishing Charters we will be taking a short vacation as usual this month to enjoy the holiday with family and friends and relax a little for the upcoming busy season. We will be back in action on December 28th with plenty of dates available heading into the new year. To all of you we wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Year.

Fishing in Punta Gorda,Florida has been very good over the last couple of weeks although at times a little challenging as we have had to contend with back to back cold fronts and stiff northwest winds. This was a major change from our last report where we where enjoying a more spring like pattern with water temperatures in the upper 70’s.These latest fronts pushed inshore water temperatures back into the lower 60’s which In turn moved many of the fish back into the protected back country or deeper holes. The good news is that the fronts have now passed and that water temperatures this time of year rebound quickly with the more direct sun rays beaming on the harbor. Speckled sea trout fishing continues to be very good with good numbers and size coming over the rails. Catches of 50-100 fish a trip are not uncommon this time of year. Redfish have also continued to be strong along with Sheepshead,Mangrove snapper, Pompano and Spanish Mackerel. March is here and this is traditionally the transition month for our fishery and one of our favorite times of the year. Bait is pilling in now and the offshore guys are reporting huge schools of bait heading our way. The snook will be pulling out of there winter haunts eager to feed before the spawn. Cobia and sharks will be moving in and even a few Tarpon will be spotted around. If your interested in a fishing charter we have plenty of open dates available. Offering 4, 6 and 8 hour fishing charters and we are conveniently located to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida . We invite you to check out our trip offerings here on FishingBooker and book your Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter today. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida.

Captain Rich Damianos of Reel Rich Fishing Charters, Departing out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported the fishing as Exceptional on Charlotte Harbor for this report for the week ending 2/16/20. The Redfish action has been the best in years. We have been targeting them along the mangroves all over in Pine Island Sound area .Traditional post up and soaking of large shrimp or cut pin fish have been working well. Getting the bait up under the shade line is key especially when the sun is high. We have been getting some good sized reds for this time of year too with regular catches in the 10lb class. A fishing charter in the Punta Gorda area would not be complete without getting everybody in on the action on a good school of Sea Trout. This week we have been bringing them over the rails one after another with just about every trip this week exceeding 100 fish. Spanish Mackerel and Ladies have been mixing in with the school’s and adding to the excitement. Sheepshead continue to be plentiful and these hard fighting tanks have been a steady visitor to our net all week. We have picked up some real nice ones this year too with some fish pushing the 8 pound mark. All our other species continue to be strong with Snook, Pompano, Snapper and many others coming over rail on a daily basis. As I said last report “March is right around the corner for us now and traditionally the official start of our spring season and one of our favorite times of the year” but this extended warm up has definitely put us there now. Bait is pilling in and the snook have started pulling out . Cobia are being seen and even a few Tarpon have been spotted around. Over the next week we will be focused on adjusting to the transitions that are happening as the water temperature continue to climb. If your interested in a fishing charter on Charlotte Harbor We have plenty of open dates available. Offering 4, 6 and 8 hour fishing charters and we are conveniently located to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida . We invite you to check out our trip offerings here on FishingBooker and book your Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter today. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida

Captain Rich of Reel Rich Fishing Charters out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported another great week of fishing on Charlotte Harbor. While we had been enjoying more fall like conditions well in to our short “winter” season, inshore water temps have now dropped 10 degrees since our last report as back to back cold fronts have swept across Charlotte Harbor putting us into our more seasonable range. Speckled Sea Trout continue to be strong and we have adjusted to targeting them on the grass flats and inside edges where the suns rays warm the bottom. Shrimp under a float have been working well. Covering water with a 3” DOA cal swim shad on a 1/4oz jig head with a slow and low retrieve will help locate pods of fish. Redfish have been extremely good this week as well. We have been on a good aggregate of fish and we are absolutely seeing the benefits of the temporary closer by the FWC. It’s undoubtedly been one of the best years in many for this species. when we have the right tide and wind the action can be fast paced. The cool off has put us squarely into Sheepshead season and this hard fighting and delicious fish has been a steady visitor to our net all week. We have picked up some real tanks this year too with some fish pushing the 8 pound mark. A good hook makes all the difference when targeting Sheepshead and we love the Owner Mutu Light offset circle hook in the 1/0 size for these guys. Everyone has their favorite bait for sheep’s but for us we keep it pretty basic with shrimp. Spanish Mackerel,Pompano, Mangrove Snapper,Black Drum and Ladyfish continue to mix in with the action daily. March is right around the corner for us now and traditionally the official start of our spring season and one of our favorite times of the year. White bait should start pushing back in and the snook will start pulling out from their winter holes to greet them. Cobia will start showing on the bars and maybe even a few early season Tarpon will be targetable. One things for sure - it’s been a mild and strange winter here on Charlotte Harbor that has been filled with excellent fishing. At this point any prolonged warming trend will only make things more exciting If your interested in a fishing charter on Charlotte Harbor We have plenty of open dates available. Offering 4, 6 and 8 hour fishing charters and we are conveniently located to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida . We invite you to check out our trip offerings here on FishingBooker and book your Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter today. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida.

Captain Rich of Reel Rich Fishing Charters out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported excellent fishing on Charlotte Harbor this week. With inshore water temps running 70 to 74 degrees over the last week the harbor has been fishing more like late fall then mid winter. Speckled Sea Trout continue to be strong and we have been targeting them in a little deeper water then last week. Shrimp under a float has been the key pattern but larger swim bait patterns slow rolled over deep grass have been producing larger fish.Using a 3/8oz jig head and a white zoom paddle tail fluke will keep the bait down low and add distance to each cast. Redfish have been extremely good this week. We have been on a good aggregate of fish all week and when we have the right tide and wind the action can be fast paced. We have even been picking up a few Black Drum mixed in with the Reds, They are open to harvest now and are absolutely delicious table fare. Sheepshead have been picking up this week as well and I would expect it to continue as gulf water temps drop. Spanish Mackerel,Pompano, Mangrove Snapper and Ladyfish continue to mix in with the action daily. Covering water and running the tides right now is the key to success as the windows of opportunity have been narrow over the last week. With the up coming new moon this weekend improving tides will usher in some better flow throughout the day and impact the bite positively over the next week. Father and son Team Larry and Mike from Michigan put together a nice mixed bag this week with a steady pick of Reds, Black Drum and Trout on their Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter. Wade from Washington state and his crew put together a nice catch for the grill and kept the rods bent all morning Destin from Pittsburgh came out and got in on some of the Red hot action and insisted on the captain getting in on the action as well which was a blast. If your interested in a fishing charter on Charlotte Harbor We have plenty of open dates available. Offering 4, 6 and 8 hour fishing charters and we are conveniently located to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida . We invite you to check out our trip offerings here on Fishingbooker and book your Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter today. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida.

Captain Rich of Reel Rich Fishing Charters out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,FL reported excellent fishing on Charlotte Harbor this week. The Sea Trout have been exceptional this week with many days providing one after another steady action all day. Trout are super focused on glass minnow forage right now and are willingly taking artificial baits. While Spanish Mackerel,Pompano and Ladyfish continue to mix in with the action. Moving water is key and keeping an eye out for birds diving will help define likely areas holding fish. Closer in to the mangrove keys and back waters Snook and Reds are doing well and will take free lined shrimp pitched onto and near structure. As usual for our winter fishing trips here on Charlotte Harbor shrimp are king and the larger game fish really can’t resist the biggest ones you can pitch in front of them. Gag Grouper have started pushing into the harbor for their seasonal migration and we have had some excellent catches this week . While the season is currently closed for this species they provide a great challenge and exciting fight on our inshore gear. Mike and his crew from up north boated over 25 Gags on one of our trips this week. Sheepshead have been a little confused with our water temps being on the warm side of normal but we are still picking up a few and Georgie Kline from Homer, NY also gets top honors with this weeks jumbo. Temperatures over the next 10 days are forecast for near record Highs and this is undoubtedly going to have a positive impact on the already good fishing. If your looking for a fishing charter on Charlotte Harbor We have plenty of open dates available. Offering 4, 6 and 8 hour fishing charters and we are conveniently located to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida . We invite you to check out our trip offerings here on FishingBooker and book your Charlotte Harbor Fishing charter today. We depart daily from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda Florida.