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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Boca Grande fishing guide
Boca Grande sits on Gasparilla Island at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, and the pass on its south end is one of the deepest natural passes in Florida, around 80 feet. From spring into summer the pass fills with tarpon and the guide fleet fishes it tide by tide with live bait. Behind the island, the grass flats, mangrove shorelines and island edges of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound hold snook, redfish and trout all year, and nearshore reefs and rock piles off the beach hold snapper, grouper, kings and cobia.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
NOAA tides, Port Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Fort Myers, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Boca Grande. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Snook | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Pompano | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Grouper (gag and red) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Tarpon
Peak: May, June
Guides drift Boca Grande Pass with live bait on the tides, and fish also roll along the beaches and in the harbor.
Snook
Fish mangrove shorelines and island edges in the back bays on light spinning gear or fly.
Redfish
Work the shallow grass flats and oyster edges of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound on the higher tides.
Spotted seatrout
Drift the harbor grass flats with live bait or soft plastics.
Pompano
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August
Spring and summer fish run the beaches and sandy edges, small jigs and sand fleas are the usual baits.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March, April, May, December
Fish shrimp or crabs around pilings, docks and the old railroad trestle pier in winter and spring.
King mackerel
Peak: March, April, May, September, October, November
Kings move along the beaches and nearshore structure on the spring and fall runs.
Cobia
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August
Nearshore boats see them around reefs, rock piles and markers in spring and summer.
Grouper (gag and red)
Nearshore and offshore hard bottom, but gag harvest in 2026 was only open in September.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer
Summer season ran May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) through July 31. Private-vessel anglers must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Open Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, then every day Oct. 9 to 22 (eight days added in September), Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Opened 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Recreational season open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. Closed June 1 to July 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Charlotte Harbor region
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30. In 2026 harvest closed May 1 and reopened Oct. 1. Keeping one also requires a snook permit.
FWC, 2026 (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Charlotte Harbor region
Open year-round. Bag and slot vary by region, check FWC.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Charlotte Harbor zone
Open year-round with no seasonal closure.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only statewide. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Boca Grande Pass gear rules (all species)
Weighted gear that hangs below the hook is banned in the pass year-round. In April, May and June a vessel may fish no more than three lines at once and breakaway gear is banned in the pass.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Pass
Boca Grande Pass
About 80 feet deep at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor and famous for tarpon, with strict gear rules inside the pass.
- Beach
Gasparilla Island State Park beaches
Beach fishing from any of the five parking lots, with tarpon moving along the beach in season.
- Pier
Boca Grande Fishing Pier Park (old railroad trestle)
A long trestle pier on the causeway side where the better spots can be a long walk from your car.
- Flats
Charlotte Harbor grass flats
Shallow grass and mangrove island edges for snook, redfish and trout year-round.
- Bay
Pine Island Sound
Mangrove islands, oyster bars and grass flats just south of the island for the same inshore species.
- Reef
Nearshore reefs and rock piles
Just off the beach for snapper, Spanish mackerel, kings, cobia, permit, grouper and tripletail.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placida Park boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 6499 Gasparilla Rd., Placida, FL 33946 |
| Eldred's Marina ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, FL 33946 |
| Boca Grande Fishing Pier Park (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Free | 5810 Gasparilla Rd., Gasparilla Island, FL 33921 |
| Gasparilla Island Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Free | Between 1300 and 1400 E Railroad Ave., Boca Grande, FL 33921 |
| Placida Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | CR 775 and Fishery Rd., Placida, FL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Eldred's Marina (opens in a new tab) | 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, FL 33946 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Gasparilla Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Tracy Lynn Charters (Capt. Willie Mills, Whidden's Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
| Wheeler Charter Fishing (Capt. William "Dumplin" Wheeler) (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
| Anejo Charters (John "Tater" Spinks) (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
World's Richest Tarpon Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid to late May
2027: May 20 and 21Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament (Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce) (opens in a new tab)
usually May
Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament (Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum) (opens in a new tab)
usually late May
Gasparilla Island Kids Classic (Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce) (opens in a new tab)
usually June
Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association Tarpon Season Kick-off Party (opens in a new tab)
usually mid April at Whidden's Marina
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Boca Grande, asked and answered
When is tarpon season in Boca Grande?
May and June are the peak months, with April, July and August also good, and the guides association kicks off the season in mid April. Guides drift Boca Grande Pass with live bait on the tides, and fish also roll along the beaches and in the harbor.
What gear rules apply in Boca Grande Pass?
Weighted gear that hangs below the hook is banned in the pass year-round for every species. In April, May and June each boat may fish only three lines at a time and breakaway gear is not allowed.
Can I keep a snook around Boca Grande?
Boca Grande is in FWC's Charlotte Harbor snook region, closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Sept. 30. In 2026 harvest reopened Oct. 1, and you need a snook permit along with your license.
Where can I fish from shore on Gasparilla Island?
Gasparilla Island State Park lets you fish the beach from any of its five parking lots, and there are two free piers: the old railroad trestle at Boca Grande Fishing Pier Park and the Gasparilla Island pier off Railroad Avenue.
What else bites besides tarpon?
Snook, redfish and trout are in the back bays year-round, while nearshore reefs hold snapper, Spanish mackerel, kings, cobia, permit, grouper and tripletail depending on the season.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Boca Grande
Sources for this guide (27), last checked 2026-10-26
- bocabeacon.com/let-the-season-begin-tarpon-tourney-schedules-now-set/ (opens in a new tab)
- bocabeacon.com/tag/boca-grande-fishing-guides-association/ (opens in a new tab)
- bocagrandechamber.com/business-directory/business-category/fishing-guide-boat-tours/ (opens in a new tab)
- bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishbg.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishbg.com/back-bay-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishbg.com/nearshore-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishbg.com/traditional-boca-grande-tarpon-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps/Placida_Park/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps/eldreds_marina/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/fishing.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/fishing_piers.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/fishing_piers/Boca_Grande/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/fishing_piers/Gasparilla/index.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- bocagrandefishing.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/gasparilla-island-state-park (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Boca Grande
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.