Snook and Redfish are the name of the game here. They are great fighters and available year around. They inhabit the same areas and will readily hit both top water and sub surface offerings.
Juvenile Tarpon up to about 40 pounds are here year around and the big boys show up in April and stay into the fall.
Spotted Sea Trout are another plentiful and prized catch. Other common inshore species include Pompano, Black Drum, Sharks, Jack Crevalle, Flounder, Snapper, Grouper, Permit, Mackerel and Sheepshead.
Tarpon
Charlotte Harbor is considered the Tarpon Capital of the world. Huge numbers of migrating fish up to 200 pounds show up in April and stay into fall. We also have a resident population of mostly juvenile (up to about 40 pounds) here all year.
Snook
Snook cruise the back country shallows year around and readily eat flies, lures and bait. Hang on tight when he explodes on your offering and leaps high in the air to throw your fly.
Spotted Sea Trout
Trout are here year around in good numbers and just plain fun to catch. They tend to school so be ready for non-stop action.
Redfish
If there was just one species in the harbor, I'd hope it would be Redfish. These large powerful predators will test your tackle and your nerves. They are here year around but can be harder to find in the winter months. We find them tailing on the flats, cruising mangrove edges and oyster beds and holding in deeper cuts. They readily take flies including poppers, Clousers,, shrimp patterns and most any streamer you put out there. With spinning gear. twitchbaits, chuggers, paddle tails, spoons and Mirrolures all work well.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are found throughout our waters. They are very common near rock jetties, piers, pilings and deeper cuts. Ranging from 2 to 8 pounds, they are fun to catch and great table fare.
Grouper
Grouper are one of those bonus fish. We don't target them but sometimes come actoss these giants when fishing deeper cuts and holes.
Shark
Black Tips, Bulls, Hammerheads and Bonnet Heads are common throughout the harbor and will readily take a fly or bait. Imagine the thrill of sight casting to an eight foot shark in inches of water.
Black Drum
These massive redfish relatives roam the harbor and 30 to 50 plus pound fish are common. We usually find them in the canals and around docks and pilings.
Permit
Don't expect to cast to 30 pound permit here. Our average permit are in the 2 to 5 pound class. Most abundant May through July.
Jack Cravelle
Large schools of Jacks roam the harbor and are available year around. Flies, lures and bait are all effective. They are agressive feeders and pound for pound, probably the best fighter in the sea.
Mangrove Snapper
Averaging 12 to 18 inches, they are one of the smaller gamefish in the harbor. Their firm white meat and abundance make them the perfect choice if you want to take fish home for dinner.