Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Punta Gorda, FL (A Guide)
Punta Gorda is one of the best fishing locations in Florida due to its abundant coastline and rich fish populations. Knowing the best times to come fish these rich waterways will make a huge difference.
The best time to fish near Punta Gorda is between May and September for cobia, permit, sharks, tarpon, sea trout, and jack crevalle. Winter and early spring is great for redfish and grouper in Punta Gorda waters.
| Fish Species | Best Times to Fish in Punta Gorda, Florida |
| Grouper | November through March is the best season to fish. |
| Snapper | October through March is the hottest snapper fishing time. |
| Cobia | April through October is the best time to catch cobia in Punta Gorda. |
| Sharks | May through August is the best shark fishing window of the year. |
| Tarpon | Year-round availability. May through August is the best timeframe. |
| Redfish | Year-round availability. August through December is the best timeframe. |
| Sea Trout | May through July is the best time. |
A trip to Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida will allow you to fully appreciate the abundant Punta Gorda fishing grounds. You’ll be able to sail both the Boca Grande Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, and you’ll have access to miles of undeveloped shoreline.
Month-by-Month Punta Gorda Fishing Breakdown
January
Speckled trout, redfish, pompano, grouper, bluefish, mackerel, jack crevalle, ladyfish, and sheepshead fishing is excellent in January.
February
Speckled trout, snook, pompano, redfish, grouper, ladyfish, jack crevalle, and sheepshead fishing is excellent in February.
March
Snook, redfish, speckled trout, mackerel, bluefish, jack crevalle, and sharks are all available in March.
April
Excellent tarpon, Spanish mackerel, snook, redfish, cobia, and shark fishing in April.
May
Excellent tarpon, snook, redfish, and shark fishing in May.
June
Tarpon, snook, sharks, and snapper fishing is excellent.
July
Excellent tarpon, snook, shark, and snapper fishing.
August
Excellent tarpon, shark, snook, redfish, and snapper fishing.
September
Redfish, sharks, snook, tarpon, and snapper fishing is excellent.
October
Redfish, sharks, snook, speckled trout, and snapper fishing is excellent in October.
November
Redfish, snook, speckled trout, and mackerel fishing is excellent.
December
December Speckled trout, redfish, jack crevalle, and mackerel fishing is excellent.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Punta Gorda
These Punta Gorda-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Fast Cast Fishing – Punta Gorda | Offshore, Nearshore, Wreck, Backcountry, Flats & Inshore |
| High Tide Fishing Charters | Offshore, Nearshore, Wreck, Backcountry, Flats & Inshore |
| Reel Rich Fishing | Offshore, Nearshore, Wreck, Backcountry, Flats & Inshore |
| Southern Charm Charters | Nearshore & Inshore |
| Capt. Scotty Roe Fishing Charters | River, Nearshore, Wreck, Backcountry, Flats & Inshore |
| Southern Waters Charters | Inshore, Flats & Backcountry |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Times to Fish in Punta Gorda
There are plenty of possible catches in the waters around Punta Gorda. And that’s not all: with such a wide variety of species, there’s always the possibility of a major surprise at the end of your line. So, before you go out on your fishing trip, think about what kind of trophies you might find. We’ve included a few popular fish that you can catch below.
Snapper
The best time to fish for snapper in Punta Gorda is August through March. Bottom fishing is a must if you want to catch something delicious. Snappers are the most popular in this regard.
Around the reefs and wrecks, fish of all sizes and types congregate, but the Red Snapper remains the angler’s favorite. Due to their availability and flavor, Mangrove Snapper is a close second.
If you stay close to shore, you might get Lane snapper, but if you venture further out, you might capture the cubera snapper, which is a big fish. It’s the element of surprise that makes bottom fishing so exciting because you never know what fish will take your bait. You can also catch red, gag, and black grouper using this technique. There are also amberjack and hogfish.
Cobia
The best seasons for big cobia in Punta Gorda is August through December. Because they prey on smaller fish, they can be found among wrecks and reefs both inshore and offshore.
On a sunny day, a smiling angler holds a huge cobia on a boat. Concentrating on the area’s underwater structures will give you the best chance of reaching a hotspot with impressive awards. You won’t have to travel far to find them, as there are numerous local shore fishing sites where cobia may be found.
Tarpon
Because Tarpon is known as the “Silver King,” we have another regal member on our list. Because larger specimens are often catch-and-release only, it’s all about the thrill of the ride when it comes to these beauties.
Tarpon is available all year because they are an inshore species. Summer is the best season to target tarpon near Punta Gorda from May through early September.
Kingfish
King Mackerel, perhaps better known as Kingfish, have a royal title for a reason. These fish truly are a magnificent sight as they can make high jumps, agile spins, and zooming dashes. They are insatiable feeders, growing up to 50 pounds, which is why you can find them close to wrecks and ridges hunting for food.
Their predatory nature enables you to catch them with both live and frozen bait, as well as large plugs and spoons. During the fall Kingfish migrate south along Florida’s Gulf Coast and make an appearance in both the inshore and offshore waters of Punta Gorda. The best time to target king mackerel near Punta Gorda is from January to June.
Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark is a large, powerful apex predator with a frightening set of teeth and a fearsome reputation.
There are nine different types of hammerhead sharks, Great Hammerhead, Scalloped Bonnethead, Whitefin Hammerhead, Scalloped Hammerhead, Scoophead, Winghead Shark, Bonnethead, Smalleye Hammerhead, and Smooth Hammerhead, all of them can put up an epic battle. Hammerhead sharks are available year-round in local Punta Gorda waterways.
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip sharks are one of the most commonly caught sharks in land-based shark fishing. They may not grow as large as many other sharks, but they can be a lot of fun to catch on medium to light tackle.
The annual migration of blacktip sharks off the coast of Singer Island has made them renowned, but they may be found all over the Gulf Coast and most of the east coast of the United States.
Fishing for blacktip sharks can be done with both bait and lures on light spinning or conventional tackle, and flyfishing for blacktip sharks is becoming increasingly popular. If they decline your bait for whatever reason, turn to casting top-water plugs, as they may require a little more action to bite down.
Spinner Shark
Spinner sharks are widespread in Florida fishing waters and are often confused with blacktipped sharks. A full-sized spinner shark is larger than a blacktipped shark and is defined by the spinning, leaping movements it uses to seek its food. It is identified by the form and placement of its dorsal fin.
The sight of a six-foot spinner shark dashing and leaping through a school of feeder fish may be frightening, but spinner sharks are typically regarded harmless to humans, and just a few attacks are known to have happened.
They are prized by the commercial fishing industry for their meat, skin, and oil, and are typically caught on long lines or as a by-catch of other pelagic species.
Snook
Snook fishing is one of the most popular angling pastimes in the US, and it’s well-deserved. Its acrobatic leaps and rapid rushes make it one of the most difficult-fighting fish you’ll ever encounter, leaving every angler wanting more. Furthermore, its delectable flavor is a major reason why fishermen pursue it. You’ve come to the correct location if you’re seeking a superb all-around catch.
Snook is resistant to salinity changes and may be found in both salt and fresh water, which is why you’ll find them in plenty in brackish waters around river mouths. Snook are available all year in Punta Gorda waters but the best fishing is in fall and winter.
Redfish
Also known as the Red Drum, The warm waters of south Florida are ideal for redfish. Oyster beds, mangroves, shorelines, and grassy flats of Flamingo Florida Bay Everglades National Park are where you’ll find them most often. They are prolific and not afraid to eat, making them an excellent sport fish for light tackle and fly-fishing.
Redfish are voracious eaters, and when we locate them, they readily consume flies, artificial baits, and live shrimp. The late summer and early fall months are ideal for catching redfish in Florida. During these months, you have a better chance of landing a big bull red, though there is plenty of redfish to be caught throughout the year.
Spotted Sea Trout
The best time to fish for spotted seatrout near Punta Gorda is from March through August. Spotted Sea Trout is one of the most popular inshore saltwater game fish, located from Texas to Florida in the Gulf of Mexico and from Florida to Virginia on the Atlantic coast.
Tip: Make use of the clouds to your advantage. When the sun is obscured by clouds and the water is shaded, Sea Trout will strike top-water baits again. When the conditions are hazy, use top-water baits to your advantage.
Fishing Spots in Punta Gorda (Best Times)
So far, we’ve covered the most popular and appealing targets in the region, as well as the fishing experiences and packages that are offered. However, there is a third consideration to address while planning a fishing trip, and that is the location. We’ve compiled a list of Punta Gorda’s most well-known hotspots to help you make the best decision possible.
Gulf of Mexico
Anglers interested in deep-sea fishing will want to head to the Gulf of Mexico. A full-day tour is recommended to get the most out of the experience. Big bottom fish like Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack can be found in blue waters. Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Cobia, and Barracuda are among the major pelagic fish.
Webb Lake & Marl Ponds
There’s even something for freshwater anglers in Punta Gorda. The village is around 9 miles from Web Lake and the Marl Ponds Fish Management Area. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill Bream, Catfish, and Tilapia can all be found in these waterways.
Charlotte Harbor
Charlotte Harbor, This local gem is drawing an increasing number of anglers and has earned a world-class reputation. It’s easy to see why, given that it contains a wide range of habitats for Florida’s most popular species. Flats, noises, and mangrove coasts are among them.
Pine Island Sound
Pine Island Sound, If you’re looking for a long journey and some time on the water, the Boca Grande area and Pine Island Sound are a must-see. Redfish, snook, speckled trout, permit, and flounder, to mention a few, can be caught here for a few hours or up to a whole day.
Types of Fishing Offered in Punta Gorda
Fishing charters
With private charters, you’re almost certain to have an action-packed day that culminates in a catch. Charter packages are ideal for offshore fishing and range in duration from a few hours to a full day. And it’s for this reason that Punta Gorda is so well-known! Another advantage is that most captains will tailor their tours to your preferences.
Basically, you may start with near-shore spots and work your way out to offshore fish and deepwater wrecks. You can also dedicate your entire charter package to catching that coveted prize catch. If you’re less determined, you can take a break and go snorkeling to investigate the reefs. You have complete control over the memories you create!
Party Boat
Fishing on a Party Boat, There are a variety of economical party boat fishing tours and packages available in Punta Gorda. Visits to numerous near-shore reefs are generally included. As a result, you’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of species such as amberjack, barracuda, grouper, and snapper. Even slower boats will bring you to the reefs, which are only a few miles from the beach.
Though party boats are a cost-effective alternative, there are a few things to consider. Because you’ll be fishing with a group, the crew will have to divide their time between guests. It will be useful to be able to bait your own hook and unhook your catch. If you’re an experienced angler, however, you shouldn’t have any concerns.
Fishing with a Kayak
Fishing with a Kayak When kayaking, you are the vessel’s engine. As a result, it’s not only environmentally sustainable but also a lot of fun and good exercise. Kayak fishing has become increasingly popular as a result of these factors, and Punta Gorda is following suit. It’s no surprise Kayak fishing has a number of clear advantages when it comes to catching little fish.
However, a new tendency has just emerged. Anglers have begun to use this to pursue larger trophies. It’s enjoyable, inexpensive, and an opportunity to put your talents to the test. Experienced kayakers flock to Punta Gorda to test their talents against some of the region’s biggest giants.
Fishing from the beach
Fishing from the shore may appear sedentary compared to other options, but it may be just as exciting. You can still catch an exceptional specimen if you stay on the beach or pier in Punta Gorda. Plus, if you’re not hell-bent on confronting a monstrous prize, you can unwind for the day, given that the town is ideal for this type of activity.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Boca Grande, please read this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cape Coral, please read this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Fort Myers, please read this helpful guide.
