On the southern end of Florida’s West Coast there’s a fat point of land that sticks out into the water where the Peace River, Myakka River and Charlotte Harbor converge. It borders one of the most diverse aquatic ecosystems in the country, and that nubby little point of land that looks like a thumbprint on the map is one that fishermen and boaters have come to know as Punta Gorda, a blending of mangrove forest and hometown charm.              
Development is limited in this town of less than 17,000 residents that was at one time the southernmost stop of the West Coast Railroad. Once described as a “Small Tourist Town” in a 1921 post card, Punta Gorda remains much the same as it did just after the turn of the century, with the social life centered around the trendy restaurants and pubs in the refurbished downtown area, along with the larger hotels and the funky little shops along the waterfront at Fisherman’s Village.            
While new construction and luxury hotels have creeped into the area, the shorelines of Punta Gorda and the rest of Charlotte County haven’t changed much in the last 90 or so years. Dense mangroves, small islands and shallow grass flats prevail, offering habitat for fish of all sizes, and it’s these legendary populations of gamefish that draw crowds to the area. Redfish, snook and seatrout are the most popular residents here, although the attention wanes on these species when the tarpon come to town.     
       
“The redfishing here is some of the best in the state,” said Capt. Andrew Medina of Medina Fishing Charters in nearby Cape Coral. “There are schools in open water on the flats, or fish running the mangrove shorelines with more snook mixed in. But catching fish is just part of the experience, the natural beauty of the place and the abundance of wildlife allows you to step back in time to a pre-development Florida.”            
While redfish are the crux of Medina’s charter business, it’s the tarpon that show in spring that bring the crowds. Tourists in their own rights, tarpon migrate into the area from May through October, although smaller resident tarpon can be caught in the Peace and Myakka Rivers year-round. Just to the south and west, at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, lies Boca Grande Pass, one of the most historic tarpon fishing locations in the country. Thousands of tarpon gather in the pass every spring along their northern migration route. And with the tarpon, come the anglers.          
  
Hundreds of anglers can pack into nearby Boca Grande Pass on any given day during the tarpon run, but for a select few and a handful of local guides, the best tarpon fishing--sight casting to rolling fish—takes place in the canals and deeper holes along the shorelines. Be there at dawn, and you might catch a pod of fish laid-up and floating high in the water column, in which case the bite from below that comes from a vertical attack can only be described as “explosive.”            
“Tarpon are an all-day experience here,” said Medina. “You can catch them in the morning, midday, late afternoon and after dark. If you want a tarpon, the only parameters are the time of the year and your ability to cast to another fish after hooking, fighting and releasing a fish that took an hour or more to land.”            

The mainstay for inshore anglers are the redfish, which school up in the shallows often tailing or mudding along in groups of eight to 20 fish. These are not the standard redfish. These fish are educated, and it takes some level of skill to get one to eat a lure or fly, so when you catch them in multiples, you know you’re dialed into the sport.            
On the southeastern tip of Punta Gorda the trees start, and you’ll find a maze of channels, cuts and little canals that poke into the mangroves. If there was ever a stretch of water that beckoned a kayak angler, this is it. Here you’ll find redfish ghosting through the roots as they search for shrimp and crabs, and a well placed cast in a mangrove tunnel can produce a 45 second tug-o-war over a few feet of water.            
Snook are also commonplace in the mangroves, although a lot of the fish fall well short of the 27-inch minimum. To increase the sporting qualities of these fish many anglers gear down to lighter tackle and shorter rods designed more for pinpoint casting, and often end up getting pulled into the roots when a large snook unexpectedly shows.            
For those that like to test their backs, a short ride outside Gasparilla Pass will put you over hard bottom where you might find kingfish, Spanish mackerel and enough grouper to blow a forearm muscle.             
“This area is known for its winter grouper bite,” said Ralph Allen, head of the King Fisher Fleet of inshore and offshore charterboats that dock along Fisherman’s Wharf, a marina/outdoor shopping mall. “If you can get over hard bottom with bait nearby, a grouper sandwich is a sure bet.”            
Head to one of the Artificial Reefs for the jumbo jack attack, as permit and greater amberjacks work to tighten the line on your reels. Drop a sardine down to the bottom, and you might catch enough snapper to pull into one of the downtown restaurants with a bag big enough to Francaise your entire party.            

On the days you don’t want to fish, the 90,000 acre Crescent B Ranch is a great place to take a 90-minute swamp buggy ride with the family to experience the diverse ecosystems and wildlife Florida has to offer. Through Babcock Wilderness Adventures you’ll get an insight into the different natural terrains like pine flatwoods and cypress swamp, and have the opportunity to see firsthand alligators, Osceola turkeys, wild pigs, white-tailed deer, and a variety of plant life.            
The Crescent B Ranch is a working cattle ranch, with authentic Florida Cracker cowboys working the cattle from their horses.  Try some of the local cuisine at the “Gator” Shack, or grab a souvenir or two in the Country Store.             
If you’d prefer a waterfront view of your recreation, Head over to Grand Tours in Placida where you can rent a kayak and explore the backcountry, take a guided eco-tour or ride the boat shuttle out to Don Pedro Island for some quiet time and deserted island shelling. Kayak fishing excursions are also available, or hop onto any one of the 200 miles of Blueway Trails that wind through the backcountry.            
At night, hit the refurbished section of downtown and all its funky restaurants and pubs, or relax waterfront at Fisherman’s Village where you can share the tales of your fishing adventures with other anglers, many of which arrive by boat. And while the lifestyle is casual, be sure to go easy on your evening activities, because the dawn of a new day and all the fishing and other outdoor activities are awaiting, and you won’t want to miss a single opportunity to round that fat point and make a cast at the fish of a lifetime.    



Fishing Guides:
King Fisher Fleet
(941) 639-0808  

Capt. Andrew Medina
(941) 456-1540
www.bentrods4u.com  

Capt. Doug Creek
(727) 644-0022    

Places to Stay:
Best Western Waterfront
300 Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639-1165  

Four Points By Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
33 Tamiami Trail
Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 
(941) 637-6770  

Wyvern Hotel
101 E. Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 639-7700  

Boat Ramps:
Darst Park
537 Darst Ave.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-505-8686  

Harbour Heights Park
27420 Voyageur Dr.
Punta Gorda, FL 33983
941-627-1074  

Hathaway Park
35461 Washington Loop Rd.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-505-8686  

Laishley Park Municipal Marina
100 E. Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-575-0142  

Ponce de Leon Park
4000 W. Marion Ave.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-575-5050  

Wisteria Park
End of Wisteria, off Rio Villa
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639-5833  

Restaurants:
Peace River Seafood            
A local “seafood shack” in an authentic Florida Cracker House with its own parrot, a petting zoo and live music; dine on Blue Crab, shrimp and fish brought in by local crabbers and fishermen. 
5337 Duncan Road,
Punta Gorda 
941/505-8440 Web:
www.PeaceRiverSeafoodFL.com  

The Perfect Caper            
Two-time James Beard Foundation “Best Chef in the South” nominee Chef Jeanie Roland creates palate-pleasing dishes fusing European and Asian flavors with attention to the Continental style. Restaurant is located in historic downtown Punta Gorda and offers a chic, sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere.
121 E. Marion Ave.,
Punta Gorda, Fla. 33950
941/505-9009 Web:
www.theperfectcaper.com  

The Captain’s Table            
Enjoy a panoramic view of Charlotte Harbor and its amazing sunsets. Feast on a newly renovated outside deck while indulging in magnificently delicious gourmet dishes prepared by an award-winning chef.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Fishermen’s Village,
Punta Gorda, Fla. 
941 637-1177
Web: www.smugglers.com    

Other Activities:
Babcock Wilderness Adventures,.
8000 State Road 31,
Punta Gorda, Fla.
Tel: 941 637-0551 or 800-500-5583
www.babcockwilderness.com   

Grande Tours
12575 Placida Road,
Placida, Fla.
Tel: 941/697-8825
Web: www.grandetours.com