Fishing boat at sunrise on Southwest Florida waters

Southwest Florida Inshore Guide

SWFL Fishing Charters

Boca Grande's top-rated inshore & tarpon fishing guide. Serving Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood & all of Southwest Florida.

Your local SWFL guide

Know Every Flat, Pass & Backwater Channel

Captain Matt Newberry is a true local — born and raised on the waters of Charlotte Harbor. With over 20 years of experience and a calm, level-headed approach, he brings deep knowledge of the harbor's rich history and a passion for preserving Old Florida's timeless charm. Whether you're a seasoned angler or stepping on a boat for the first time, every trip is built around putting you on fish.

Meet the Captain →
SWFL Fishing Charters captain on boat in Southwest Florida

20+ Years

On SWFL Waters

Target species

Tarpon, Snook & Redfish

Southwest Florida's inshore waters hold three of the most sought-after species in saltwater fishing. We target all three year-round.

Tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida

The Silver King

Tarpon

Best Season:April – July (peak season)
Top Spots:Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor, Gasparilla Island

Boca Grande is the tarpon capital of the world — and we fish it like locals. The annual migration brings hundreds of tarpon stacking in the pass, offering some of the most thrilling inshore fishing on the planet. We target them on live bait and artificial lures from April through July.

Snook fishing in Southwest Florida

The Linesider

Snook

Best Season:Year-round (best May – October)
Top Spots:Mangrove shorelines, Lemon Bay, Pine Island Sound

Snook are the ultimate inshore predator in Southwest Florida. We target them along mangrove edges, in tidal creeks, and around structure throughout Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, and Pine Island Sound. Early morning topwater action is as good as it gets.

Redfish fishing in Southwest Florida

The Bull Red

Redfish

Best Season:Year-round (best September – December)
Top Spots:Charlotte Harbor grass flats, Matlacha, Placida

Sight-fishing for tailing redfish on the grass flats of Charlotte Harbor is one of the most rewarding experiences in inshore fishing. We pole the flats quietly, spot fish before they see us, and make precise presentations. Redfish are available year-round, with fall producing the biggest bulls.

Where we fish

Southwest Florida's Best Inshore Waters

From the world-famous tarpon grounds of Boca Grande Pass to the backcountry flats of Pine Island Sound, we cover the full breadth of Southwest Florida's inshore fishery.

Aerial view of Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass Southwest Florida

Charlotte Harbor & Boca Grande Pass

Boca Grande

The tarpon capital of the world. Boca Grande Pass is the premier destination for giant tarpon from April through July, drawing anglers from around the globe. We fish it like locals — because we are.

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda sits at the heart of Charlotte Harbor, offering year-round access to snook, redfish, and trout on the flats. One of SWFL's most productive inshore fisheries.

Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte's extensive canal systems and open harbor flats hold excellent populations of snook and redfish. A productive year-round fishery right in the heart of Charlotte County.

Englewood & Lemon Bay

Englewood's Lemon Bay is a protected estuary teeming with snook, redfish, and trout. The shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines make it ideal for sight-fishing.

Charlotte Harbor

One of Florida's largest estuaries, Charlotte Harbor is the backbone of SWFL inshore fishing. Redfish, snook, trout, and tarpon all call this massive bay home.

Cape Coral & Fort Myers

The canal-rich waters of Cape Coral and Fort Myers provide exceptional snook fishing, especially around bridges, docks, and tidal passes connecting to the Gulf.

Gasparilla Island & Placida

Gasparilla Island flanks the famous Boca Grande Pass. The surrounding flats and the Placida Harbor area offer excellent year-round inshore action away from the crowds.

Pine Island Sound & Matlacha

Pine Island Sound is a vast, shallow estuary with some of the best sight-fishing in Florida. Matlacha Pass and the surrounding backcountry hold redfish, snook, and tarpon.

Boca Grande Tarpon Fishing

Boca Grande Pass is the tarpon capital of the world. Every spring, thousands of giant tarpon migrate through this legendary pass, creating the most spectacular inshore fishing event in Florida. Our Boca Grande tarpon fishing charters put you right in the middle of the action with a captain who has fished these waters for over two decades.

Punta Gorda Inshore Charters

Punta Gorda sits at the confluence of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, creating a rich estuary that holds fish year-round. Our Punta Gorda fishing charters target snook along the mangrove shorelines, redfish on the grass flats, and trout in the deeper grass beds — all within minutes of the dock.

Port Charlotte Fishing Guide

Port Charlotte's extensive canal network and open harbor access make it one of SWFL's most productive inshore fisheries. Port Charlotte inshore fishing produces excellent snook, redfish, and trout throughout the year, with tarpon accessible during the spring migration through Charlotte Harbor.

Englewood & Lemon Bay Fishing

Englewood's Lemon Bay is a pristine, shallow estuary that offers some of the best sight-fishing in Southwest Florida. The Englewood FL fishing guide experience means poling the flats quietly, spotting tailing redfish, and making precise casts to fish that haven't been pressured. A true backcountry experience.

Charlotte Harbor Redfish & Snook

Charlotte Harbor is one of Florida's largest and most productive estuaries. Charlotte Harbor fishing for redfish and snook is world-class — the vast grass flats hold tailing redfish year-round, while the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars produce explosive snook action on topwater lures at first light.

Cape Coral & Fort Myers Charters

Cape Coral fishing charters and Fort Myers fishing guide trips access the rich waters of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, and the Caloosahatchee River. This area is a snook fishing hotspot, with excellent action around bridges, docks, and tidal passes connecting to the Gulf of Mexico.

Why choose us

A Real Captain. Real Local Knowledge.

Licensed & Insured USCG Captain

Fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and carrying full liability insurance. Your safety and compliance are never an afterthought.

20+ Years on SWFL Waters

Born and raised on Charlotte Harbor, Captain Matt brings two decades of local knowledge — he knows where the fish are in every season, every tide, and every condition.

Top-Quality Gear Provided

Reaper Rods paired with Florida Fishing Product reels, carefully rigged by Captain Matt himself. All you have to do is show up and fish.

Fresh Live Bait Every Trip

Captain Matt personally catches live bait before each charter, ensuring you're targeting the hottest bite with the right bait for the season and species.

Ready to fish?

Book Your Southwest Florida Charter

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours to confirm your trip details and availability.

We respond within 24 hours. For immediate availability, call (941)-623-5673.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

On the Water

Real catches, real memories — from Boca Grande Pass to Charlotte Harbor's backcountry.

Inshore fishing catch on Southwest Florida waters
Fishing charter action in Southwest Florida
SWFL inshore fishing guide with client catch
Saltwater fishing on Charlotte Harbor flats

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Ready to Fish Southwest Florida?

Boca Grande tarpon. Charlotte Harbor redfish. Mangrove snook. Book your SWFL inshore charter today.