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.
Pick your trip
Fishing Charters in Southwest Florida
Pick a date and book online in a couple of minutes. Your confirmation comes by email right away.
Most popular, April through July
Tarpon Charter
The Silver King at Boca Grande Pass. Six or eight hours chasing giant tarpon on their spring migration.
6 hours
$1,200
8 hours
$1,600
Up to 4. Per trip, for your whole group.
More ways out on the water
Inshore Fishing Charter
Snook, redfish and trout on the flats, mangrove edges and tidal creeks of Charlotte Harbor. Great for every skill level.
4 hours
$600
6 hours
$800
8 hours
$1,200
Up to 4. Per trip, for your whole group.
Nearshore Charter
Goliath grouper and sharks on the Gulf bottom structure off Boca Grande. A different kind of fight from the flats.
6 hours
$800
8 hours
$1,000
Up to 4. Per trip, for your whole group.
Where we fish
Where we fish
From the tarpon grounds of Boca Grande Pass to the backcountry flats of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. Captain Matt picks the water by the season, the tide and what you want to catch.
Eldred's Marina, Placida
Every trip starts here, on the Boca Grande Causeway. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Boca Grande Pass
A short run from the dock
The tarpon capital of the world, where giant tarpon stack up every spring.
Charlotte Harbor
Grass flats, oyster bars and mangrove edges for redfish, snook, trout and black drum.
The Gulf off Boca Grande
Nearshore bottom structure for goliath grouper and sharks.
Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound
More mangrove shorelines and flats for snook, redfish and trout.
What's biting
Target species
Tarpon run April through July. Snook, redfish, trout and black drum are here year-round, each with its best months. Tell Captain Matt what you're after and he'll build the trip around it.
Boca Grande Pass
Tarpon
The Silver King. Every spring giant tarpon stack in Boca Grande Pass, and they can top 200 lbs.
Mangrove shorelines
Snook
Smart, powerful and fun to catch, along mangrove edges, tidal creeks and structure. Early morning topwater is as good as it gets.
Grass flats
Redfish
Sight fishing for tailing reds on the Charlotte Harbor grass flats. Fall brings the biggest bull reds.
Grass flats
Speckled trout
On the flats of Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound, with topwater strikes at dawn. Excellent table fare.
Flats and oyster bars
Black drum
Hard-fighting and underrated, often tailing alongside the redfish, and they can grow to an impressive size.
Born and raised here
Captain Matt grew up on Charlotte Harbor and has guided these waters for 10+ years
Live bait every trip
He catches fresh live bait the morning of every charter, so you're fishing the right bait for the season and the species.
Never more than four
Every charter is limited to four guests, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and the captain's full attention.
Rigged for the flats
A 23 ft Hanson bay boat with a 2026 Suzuki 175, Power-Pole anchors, a Minn Kota trolling motor, a 50-gallon livewell and a T-top for shade.
"I grew up on these waters and I want every person who steps on my boat to leave with a deeper appreciation for what we have here in Southwest Florida."
Reviews
What guests say
"Excellent trip with Captain Matt. He was knowledgeable, patient, and personable. Will definitely book with him again.
"If youre looking for an absolute amazing day of fishing- Captain Matt in boca grande is definitely your guy!! My sons 13th bday was today and his dream was to catch a shark. Capt Matt definitely came through! My kid is on top of the world! We also caught SO MANY snook, redfish, grouper, trout, and jack! From the minute we cast til the end of the trip we were catching fish. He was so easy going and fun, and amazing with my kids. You can tell hes passionate about what he does & makes sure you have an awesome time. He was also very patient with my lack of fishing skills 🤣 We will 100% be back in march! Thank you for the best day, captain matt!!
"Captain Matt was awesome! Throughly enjoyed ourselves will be definitely be booking another trip in the near future!
"Great captain + very knowledgeable + born and raised locally =great times!
"Wow! Great inshore trip for our family with mixed levels of experience. Matt knew a lot of great locations, was a great guide, and very communicative. Excellent equipment and rig, terrific day out we couldn't recommend more!
"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!
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Fish Southwest Florida?
Boca Grande tarpon. Charlotte Harbor redfish. Mangrove snook. Book your SWFL inshore charter today.