Flathookedup Fishing Charlotte Harbor
When you think about world class fishing some area’s that come to mind might be places like the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.  One fishing destination that has really but a mark at the top of the hottest spots to fish is Charlotte Harbor.  As a pristine destination for countless numbers of redfish, snook, and tarpon Charlotte Harbor and its surrounding waters are quickly becoming a go to anglers dream.Growing up as a child dreaming of living the life of a fishing guide, I knew this is where I needed to be.  With vast shorelines of the backcountry to the world famous Boca Grande this area really caught my attention. Charlotte Harbor is the second largest naturally occurring bay on the west coast of Florida with Tampa Bay being the largest. With over 129 square miles of sparkling, protected waters you can spend hours fishing or just exploring new ground without ever having to enter the Gulf of Mexico or the intra-coastal. Charlotte Harbor is a large estuary comprised from the outpourings of two rivers, the Peace River to the east and the Myakka River. Charlotte Harbor and adjacent Gasparilla Sound comprise 80,000 acres of some of the most productive coastal areas in Florida and comprise an incredible network of barrier islands and mangrove forests. Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands have emerged as one of the world's top sport fishing destinations. With over 75 square miles of pristine grass flats and miles of mangrove shorelines, Charlotte Harbor's incredible diversity of great fishing is hooking anglers from around the world. Tarpon, snook, redfish, barracuda, cobia, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, pompano, bluefish, jacks, sheepshead, numerous species of grouper and many other species of sport and game fish regularly traverse between the Gulf of Mexico and Charlotte Harbor.

While some fish are seasonal, you can catch many species year round.
When I started fishing the waters of Charlotte Harbor I started in the north end of the harbor near Port Charlotte and found fish seemingly in every corner.  The first year and half was a big learning phase for me.  I realized that this was now big waters and a lot of ground to cover so I methodically covered sections at a time until I was comfortable fishing all of what Charlotte Harbor had to offer.  I divided the harbor in to sections and began to dissect each one.  I thought this would be a good way of learning every facet of what was offered here.  After a few years of fishing and guiding these waters I have fallen in love with some areas more than others.  Though I spent many days in all areas of Charlotte Harbor there were a few that seemed to produce regularly.
Along with the aquatic waters of Charlotte Harbor there are surrounding estuaries such as Pine Island Sound, Gasparilla Sound, Bull Bay, and Turtle Bay and let’s not forget the historic area of Matlacha. I would say that all of these area’s are known for their lush grass flats and gin clear water.  Pine Island Sound has some of the best skinny water fishing for redfish in all of Florida.  The tall turtle grass and deep sand holes make for the perfect ground for tailing fish on low water.  Pine Island has been known for its uncanny ability to support large schools of redfish throughout the entire year.  Just about every year you will hear the gossip among anglers speaking of one acre of solid redfish in Pine Island Sound.  Many times those large schools of redfish can be found in several different areas of Pine Island.  Though Pine Island has a tradition of clear water sight fishing, often times some refer to it as the “Gator Sound”.  Large trout (Gator Trout) seem to like the waters of Pine Island.  West coast trout have not really been known to be the largest of the state. Catches of nearly eight pounders are reported yearly.  For every sight fishing angler this area should be a place to come see.