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
Needless to say, it has been really hot. As a result, I've been working close to home and fishing early. In fact, it's not a bad idea to be off the water by 10:00 a.m. At first light, it's not unusual to find rolling tarpon and some days they can be more cooperative...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As we approach months end, limited rainfall has kept the upper harbor relatively clear allowing good visibility and sight fishing opportunities. Both the east and west sides are holding snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout. Also, with the wind starting to lay down...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As we wind down the month of April, everyone is hoping that the wind will lay down in order to make looking for tarpon a bit more comfortable. In order to get out of the wind, we've been working the back country looking for lee sides among the many mangrove...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
The water clarity and visibility in the upper harbor remains clear as we're still in a dry pattern with very minimal rainfall. On the east side, depending on the tide we're moving back and forth between the outside bar system and the mangrove island backcountry. It's...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
The dry conditions and lack of rain have combined to keep the water in the upper harbor clear with decent visibility. Just yesterday the county to our south, Lee, lifted their red tide alerts from multiple beach locations. That's encouraging to see. However, there is...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
The water in the upper harbor has been relatively clean and has not been affected by the red tide that is effecting the beaches. Even though it has been warm over the last month or so we've been working a winter pattern that includes working between fronts and the...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
I worked the east side of the harbor this weekend and due to the slow moving tide the bite was tough. However, it was very encouraging to see the amount of life we saw as we're slowly rebounding from the effects of the storm. On the flats and in the backcountry we saw...
Pine Island Sound fishing report
Just finished working the new moon with its low tides in Pine Island Sound. Although the low water made access to my favorite grass flats challenging, the spotted sea trout bite was exceptional in and around the mixed sand and grass on both the outgoing and incoming...
Pine Island Sound fishing report
I just spent my first couple days since the storm in Pine Island Sound. Most of the mangroves have been stripped of their foliage and the turtle grass on my favorite flats have been beat up but are still there and seemed to survive in tact. We fished on a new moon...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
As we approach the end of the year and three months removed from hurricane Ian, the backcountry water conditions towards the top of the harbor have shown improvements in clarity. If you can get out on a good tide, the fishing has been decent. Snook, redfish, jacks,...
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
