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
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,...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
Charlotte Harbor and all our surrounding communities have been greatly affected since hurricane Ian made landfall west of Fort Myers on September 28th. Up to this point, most of us have been focused on providing relief to those impacted the most. Normal is nowhere in...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
The story this week is that we're finally seeing good amounts of rain throughout our estuary system. This is very beneficial as it helps flush out lots of the dead grass thats accumulated from the summer's heat. This is especially true on the harbor's east side south...
Charlotte Harbor fishing report
Around the backcountry and flats of the harbor and surrounding bays and sounds the snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout fishing has been decent. There are quite a few redfish around and we've seen some of the best numbers on the flats and adjacent shorelines adjacent...
Boca Grande fishing report
The backcountry fishing around Boca Grande has been consistent through the heat of summer in part due to its proximity to the cleaner and a bit cooler water flushing in from the Gulf. Flats on both sides of the Intracoastal are worth poling around and exploring. At...
September outlook
Generally about this time of year, it’s not unusual to find yourself fishing some typical summer patterns while also looking for some new opportunities. For sure, even though we feel like fall should be on the way; it’s still summer. Just like last month, tarpon are...
September from the bench
As we sat down at the fly tying bench for this month, September. It still feels like summer so we’ll continue tying baitfish style flies to resemble the scaled sardines or pilchards that are so prevalent and a favorite of our local gamefish. In addition, as we’re...
Weekly on the fly
As we enter the last week of the month, we've still got juvenile tarpon on our minds but they've been scattered on the flats and when we find them they've been disappearing way to quick. The window has been short. We're still working shorelines and flats towards the...
Weekly on the fly
We're still working around the top of the harbor loading out of Ponce Park. For the most part, we're still looking for juvenile tarpon. Poling mangrove shorelines we did find some rolling tarpon as well as saw quite a few redfish. We also took some time and moved a...
Weekly on the fly
As another week passes we're still waiting for the juvenile tarpon to move out of the canal systems and onto the adjacent flats. We're still working the top of the harbor and loading out of Ponce or Laishley park. We've been able to find some snook and redfish...
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
