2023 Tarpon Season Update

Hurricane Ian put an abrupt stop to my 2022 tarpon season in Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor. The fishing I’m sure was fantastic due to the fact that the fishing pressure stopped overnight. The local infrastructure in Punta Gorda fared fairly well. Most hotels were back open and running as soon as power was restored. Boca Grande took a little bit of a heavier hit but as of today most of the resorts, restaurants,  and rental properties are back open for the winter and tarpon season. If you are a returning or potential new tarpon fisherman to the area and are worried about accommodations I’m available to help out with that as needed. During the winter months I second as a travel agent even in non hurricane years! The areas to our north did not suffer any damage from the hurricane and its has been business as usual for them.

I have started to schedule charters for the upcoming season, I strictly target tarpon April through October. I have all the hill tides open for the full moon in July. This particular moon phase is special because all of the fishing pressure from the out of town guides is gone and there will still be a large concentration left in Boca Grande pass that will need to spawn. This first moon in July consistently offers the best hill tides of the entire season. The exact dates for this moon phase is July 1-6. If you would like to book any of those dates please contact me ASAP.

Hope the winter is treating all of you well and I look forward to seeing familiar faces in a few months! Tight lines- Chuck