Punta Gorda Fly Fishing CharterS
1 (941) 628-7895
Listen To Michael’s Recent Interview
Driven by Passion
For me, it’s more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle and I live to saltwater fly fish specializing in working mangrove, grass flat, and oyster bar country. Sight fishing when possible. Shallow water hunting.
(941) 628-7895
Captain Michael Manis
I’ve lived in South Florida most of my life and there’s nowhere I feel more comfortable than around the mangroves and grass flats that comprise my office. I’m a skiff guide and would rather throw fly than anything else. I’ve been teaching the sport of fly and light tackle angling since 2002. I’m old fashioned and still believe fishing should be fun. Teaching is my passion and beginning salt water fly fishers are welcome. Learning to cast is a lot of fun and I can help build your confidence.
All in all, the trip belongs to my guests. A day on the water can vary greatly depending on weather, tides and the angler’s abilities. Each day I look over every variable to ensure you are given the best opportunity to catch fish. The most rewarding part of a day on the water for me is knowing my customers have enjoyed the experience.
For sure, fly fishing is one of the fastest growing segments of our sport. In fact, the bow of a skiff is a great spot to work a line. With plenty of room for a backcast combined with the casting platform’s elevated positioning, the teamwork that can be established between the poling platform and the bow makes for an enjoyable experience.
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
I just wanted to provide a quick update after our back to back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, Punta Gorda and Pine Island are in the process of cleaning up and the water is cloudy and quite dirty. With each day, the tide cycle is helping flush the cloudy water out. In...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
For sure, the drought is over. After what seemed like forever without rain, everything changed beginning with a system of tropical moisture that moved in from the Caribbean and now we're back to our typical summer rain that develops daily from inland heat interacting...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
It's been dry and the lack of rainfall has created some clear water conditions. In addition, releases from Lake Okeechobee at the S-79, Franklin lock, have averaged 1934 cfs (cubic feet per second) for the last 14 days which is in the optimum flow envelope of 750 -...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As we approach the half way mark of May, our water clarity has been mostly clear and clean. The lake Okeechobee discharges have been reduced to a tolerable level and we're seeing the results. We can all thank Captains for clean water for their hard work. We're in the...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
Spring is here and our water temperatures have made it to the high seventies. Our most important prey species, the scaled sardine or pilchard, has moved in and most of our gamefish are taking advantage after the slim pickings of winter. On any given day, spotted sea...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As we make our way through February, it's worked out to be the typical pattern of getting out between fronts. By contrast, this year has been cooler, wetter and more cloudy than most. Similar to past years, the bite has been best around the moons and best tides. The...
Charlotte Harbor/ Pine Island fishing report
As we begin a new year and look at the weather trend, it appears we may be in for a cool wet winter. After spending a few days up in Charlotte Harbor along the east side and in Pine Island Sound this was definitely what I encountered. For the most part, particularly...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As November comes to a close, we've transitioned from our late Summer or Fall type pattern into more of a winter scenario. We've had a couple decent cold fronts, water temps have come down and water clarity has improved quite a bit as have our salinity levels. The...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
It's beginning to feel like Fall and both our air and water temperatures are now starting to cool down. As a result, our fish are getting more active. Of course, they've chewed best on the bigger tides around both the full and new moons. For now, I've been sticking...
Snook country post Ian
For the most part, snook have always been my favorite species to hunt on fly. And, yes i say hunt because much of the allure of pursuing snook comes having to spend time in the beautiful places they live. In the Charlotte Harbor backcountry, prime snook country...
Our focus
Safety First
Safety is always first on Captain Mike’s boat. We have all the Coast Guard & First Aid equipment required. We are also First Aid certified
Limited Spots
We only fish 1-2 Anglers at a time. This gives us the ability to give you the attention you deserve to make your trip enjoyable.
Eco Friendly
We are stewards of the mangroves and grass flats that make up our estuary. Understanding a healthy habitat is vital, we work to protect and enhance our fishery through multiple conservation programs.
Catch & Release
Realizing our game fish are too valuable to catch only once. We practice catch and release. In addition, we also believe in “keeping them wet”. Keeping them out of the water as short as possible for a quick photo.
Rates
4 hours
6 hours
8 hours
