Serving Boca Grande · Punta Gorda · Port Charlotte · Englewood · Charlotte Harbor
941-623-5673
Southwest Florida Inshore Guide
Boca Grande's top-rated inshore & tarpon fishing guide. Serving Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood & all of Southwest Florida.
Call Captain Matt
(941) 623-5673
Inshore Half-Day
$600
Inshore Full-Day
$900
Tarpon
$1,200+
Your local SWFL guide
Captain Matt Newberry is a true local — born and raised on the waters of Charlotte Harbor. With over 10 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 →
10+ Years
On SWFL Waters
Target species
Southwest Florida's inshore waters hold three of the most sought-after species in saltwater fishing. We target all three year-round.
The Silver King
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.
The Linesider
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.
The Bull Red
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.
Sarah Mama
July 25, 2026
We had an outstanding experience with SWFL Fishing Charters and Captain Matt! From the moment we arrived, he was friendly, professional, and made sure everyone felt comfortable. He knew exactly where the fish were and worked hard all trip to keep us on the action. His knowledge of the local waters was impressive, and he was patient and happy to share tips that helped us catch more fish. The boat was clean, well-equipped, and everything was organized. Captain Matt made safety a priority while still making the trip relaxed and fun. Whether you're an experienced angler or it's your first time fishing, he makes sure you have an unforgettable experience. If you're looking for an honest, hardworking captain who genuinely wants his guests to have a great day on the water, I highly recommend Captain Matt and SWFL Fishing Charters. We'll definitely be booking another trip the next time we're in Southwest Florida!
Regan
July 27, 2026
My 12 year old son and I had an outstanding day on the water with Capt Matt. Matt had great communication and was very informative as we were planning the trip originally and then again the day before. Matt had a great gameplan for the day specific to what we wanted to do and had us on fish all day long. I've fished with lots of guides and Matt is up at the top of the list for professionalism, fishing skill/knowledge and personability.
Gary Day
June 25, 2026
Wow! Thats all we can say! Captain Matthew put us on the fish from our very first cast to our very last one. What a day! We ended up canceling with a few other guides we had booked times with to spend extra days with Captain Matthew! And we'd do it again! Such a great guide! Thank you! You know we'll be back every year now
Michael Burks
June 23, 2026
Great day with Captain Matt. Very knowledgeable and easy going. Caught lots of Snook and some Snapper.
Rue Nijhof
June 23, 2026
I have nothing but great things to say about Captain Matt. He definitely knows his stuff and put us on that fish with great expertise
Jeremy Gassman
June 23, 2026
Went fishing on 6/14. We had hooked 17 Giant Tarpon. What a great day. I have used Matt two other times. Fishing has been excellent! Highly recommend!
Where we fish
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.
Charlotte Harbor & Boca Grande Pass
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 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'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'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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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'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'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 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 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
Fully licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and carrying full liability insurance. Your safety and compliance are never an afterthought.
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.
Reaper Rods paired with Florida Fishing Product reels, carefully rigged by Captain Matt himself. All you have to do is show up and fish.
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.
2026 Suzuki
175 hp · Brand New
The vessel
A purpose-built inshore flats machine — shallow-draft, stable, and rigged with top-of-the-line gear. Comfortable for families, serious enough for tournament anglers.
Engine
2026 Suzuki 175 hp
Electronics
Full Garmin Suite
Anchoring
Power-Pole Anchors
Stealth
Minn Kota Trolling Motor
Shade
T-Top Canopy
Capacity
Max 4 Guests
Ready to fish?
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
On the Water
Real catches, real memories — from Boca Grande Pass to Charlotte Harbor's backcountry.
Follow Along
Daily catches, behind-the-scenes moments, and the best of Southwest Florida fishing — follow along for your daily dose of the flats.
@swfl_fishingchartersBoca Grande tarpon. Charlotte Harbor redfish. Mangrove snook. Book your SWFL inshore charter today.
