Every day on the water is a different adventure.  This was definitely the case on a recent offshore trip that was the “maiden voyage” for my friends new 34’ Yellowfin.  Coolers were packed with frozen bait to target red grouper and anticipation was high as we motored out of the canal.  In the dark, … [Read more...]

With the sun rising in the east our livewell was empty after 20 minutes of fishing for ladyfish.  Ladyfish is the easiest fish to catch in Florida and are mainly for sport and to use for bait.  They average 15 to 20 inches, a big bait for monster fish.  Why is it that when you want to catch ladyfish … [Read more...]

About 17 years ago my best friend Capt. Tim Reichenburg helped me move into an old fixer upper waterfront house.  My focus was getting the house squared away and his focus was going fishing.  Not ready to let Tim run my new flats boat into unknown territory, Capt. Tim known by most as “Sparky” took … [Read more...]

Kung Fu Fighting Offshore Fish                                 Every day on the water is a different adventure.  This was definitely the case on a recent offshore trip that was the “maiden voyage” for my friends new 34’ Yellowfin.  Coolers were packed with frozen bait to target red grouper and … [Read more...]

Red Grouper Tactics For Winter by Capt. Chuck Eichner (YES, I love everything water!) The only guarantee you have with winter fishing is that mother nature will create challenges for you.  Grouper fishing in the gulf adds even more challenges.  The obvious first step in planning a trip is … [Read more...]

Two of the hardest fighting fish that swim in our waters are also the easiest to catch in the winter, namely the pompano and bluefish.  Without a doubt these are my favorites when the waters are chilly.  These flashy silvery gamefish occupy different waters than the most sought after speckled … [Read more...]

September in Charlotte Harbor is a time of calm water, hot temperatures, lots of baitfish and very few fisherman.  It is also the best time of year for shark fishing only minutes from any boat ramp!  Yes, in waters less than 5 feet and as deep as 20, large sharks including bull, black tip, nurse, … [Read more...]

January Fishing on Charlotte Harbor is Quite Predictable   By Capt. Chuck Eichner January fishing in southwest Florida is quite predictable. If you pick a day to go fishing there is a good chance of strong winds so the best plan is to watch for lighter wind days and take advantage of … [Read more...]

Extra low tides and windy weather define February in southwest Florida. Charlotte Harbor fish still have to eat regardless of the cold and wind and with some patience and diligence you can have some great fishing. On this particular day, we had a cold morning with a warming afternoon with … [Read more...]

March is a month of change in our local waters and the only thing predictable about fishing is that you will have to deal with a lot of wind. Technically, the first 3 weeks is still winter and depending on mother nature it can swing from a sluggish winter bite with chilly weather to a smoking hot … [Read more...]