What’s Biting Right Now
It’s been a windy, rainy stretch on Charlotte Harbor the last couple weeks.
That weather has pushed the best inshore action out of the upper harbor and down south, with Gasparilla Sound holding the bulk of the bite lately.
Water temps had crept into the low 90s, but the rain has cooled things down into the mid 80s, and the fish have responded.
Mornings are the move right now. The bite has been strongest at first light and really slows down by around 11am.
Redfish
Redfish have been cooperative, but they’re holding tight to the mangroves right now.
Live pinfish, pilchards and cut ladyfish have been the top producers. Shrimp is working too, but the shrimp running through the harbor right now are small, so sizing hooks down to match makes a real difference.\
Snook
The bigger snook are just about finished spawning and should start working their way back into the harbor soon.
Worth keeping an eye on over the next few weeks as they push back into their summer haunts.
Tarpon
Tarpon have been showing up in the 20 foot holes scattered through the harbor, with the best window early in the morning.
There are also plenty of juvenile tarpon around in the 10 to 30 pound class, which makes for a fun, hard fighting target on lighter tackle.
Shark numbers have been way up, with most of the action coming closer to the passes leading out to the Gulf.
Speckled Trout
Trout fishing has been solid, and a lot of the fish coming over the rail have been good sized.
Look for them in 4 to 6 feet of water over grass flats. The areas around Three Sisters and Devilfish Keys have been holding trout well.
Ready to Get on the Water
Between the redfish tucked in the mangroves, snook staging to move back into the harbor and tarpon rolling early, there’s a lot happening on Charlotte Harbor right now.
Give Reel Sharp Sportfishing a call at (941) 889-8187 or https://book.vallypro.com/p/reel-sharp-sportfishing to get on the water while conditions are lining up.
Tight lines, Punta Gorda.
