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.
December outlook
For the most part, this can be a good month to have a good wind App. I like Windfinder as it’s accurate and free. It’s a good way to keep an eye out for opportunities, chamber of commerce type days, that do come along between the fronts that are so prevalent this time...
December 2021
For the most part, this can be a good month to have a good wind App. I like Windfinder as it’s accurate and free. It’s a good way to keep an eye out for opportunities, chamber of commerce type days, that do come along between the fronts that are so prevalent this time...
Sightfishing redfish
We've been working between fronts and even though the days have warmed up the water temperatures are only in the mid 60's. We're seeing quite a few redfish around the mangroves. Fortunately, even on the higher tide stages many fish are still staying out of the bushes....
Low tide stewardship
The new moon today, November 4th, brought us some of the lowest tides we've seen in quite a while. Moreover, as we get ready for the second cold front to push through this season it looks like there’s more to come and it’s time to get ready to work this unique winter...
November 2021
Change is in the air. We’re approaching a winter pattern around the harbor as sporadic northern fronts combine with seasonally low tides. As well as contributing to cooler temperatures, these winds also push water out of the harbor escalating these tides. Typically,...
November from the bench
As we sat down at the fly tying bench for this month, November. We’re in seasonal transition and you can really feel the cool down first thing in the morning. We’ll begin to work our way further into the backcountry with our favorite gamefish as salinity levels drop...
November outlook
Change is in the air. We’re approaching a winter pattern around the harbor as sporadic northern fronts combine with seasonally low tides. As well as contributing to cooler temperatures, these winds also push water out of the harbor escalating these tides. Typically,...
A sign of things to come
Well it’s not even a real cold front, but at least for a couple of days the weather that just pushed through has given us a reminder of what’s to come. Specifically, it’s brought a couple cooler mornings and some definite wind. From this, it’s the wind that got my...
October from the bench
As we sat down at the fly tying bench for this month, October. It’s still warm but you can feel a bit of a cool down first thing in the morning. We’ll begin to work our way further into the backcountry but we’re still working the outside bar systems adjacent to...
October outlook
This is one of my favorite months as southwest Florida transitions out of summer but is still a month or so away from the first front that suggests winter is approaching. Cooler water temperatures put game fish on the move. This combined with moderate breezes provides...
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
