Charlotte County is home to world class fishing in the
waters of Charlotte Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, the Peace River, and
the Myakka River. The area is widely known to be the Tarpon fishing
capital of the world, and Boca Grande is home of the "World's
Richest Tarpon Tournament". Several other species are abundant.
Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound include 750,000 acres of
estuary, and the waters teem with plentiful game and food fish
including Grouper, Redfish, Snapper, Tuna, Amberjack, flounder,
pompano, snook, spotted trout, sheepshead, bluefish, kingfish,
mackerel, and more!
Southwest Florida has some of the best fishing in the world, and
fishing is an important part of the industry and culture of
Gasparilla Island. Every spring, tarpon fishermen head for the
"Tarpon Capital of the World" to fish famous Boca Grande
Pass. Boca Grande is host to the "World's Richest Tarpon
Tournament". This is the most famous tournament of its kind,
with a $100,000 purse. Local marinas also host tarpon tournaments in
season, and recreational fishermen share the "fishing hole"
with tournament anglers, all vying for the thrill of the catch. Since
tarpon are not an edible fish, catch-and-release is the operable word
in the pass during Tarpon Season. Few anglers keep tarpon for
mounting, and taxidermists can make fiberglass mounts that exactly
replicate the big fish you caught. Your guide will expertly take its
measurements for the taxidermist if you ask him. Most tarpon anglers
hire a fishing guide who provides the boat, equipment, bait,
knowledge and a fishing license. Experienced fishing guides are
available for tarpon, April through July, as well as offshore and
back bay fishing year-round.
From the Gulf of Mexico to the backwaters of Charlotte Harbor, our
waters teem with plentiful game and food fish. In addition to Tarpon
Season in the spring, prime fishing times run from August through
November, when offshore fishing yields grouper, snapper, mackerel and
kingfish, and inshore fishing is excellent for snook and redfish.
Recreational fishing in Boca Grande is an exhilarating sport all 12
months of the year! You can use your own boat, rent one, or hire one
of our many local fishing guides.
Whatever your taste in fishing, or your level of expertise, you can
find what you're looking for in these waters. There are several local
fishing piers to choose from and you can fish from sea walls, in the
surf and, of course, from boats!
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