CHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla.— Halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, a collection of former fishing villages has evolved into a world-class recreational fishing destination now known as Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, an area of nine charming coastal communities and five barrier islands clustered around the state’s second largest harbor. Here Tarpon fishing first became popular in the mid-1800s as a pastime for the wealthy; vintage postcards proclaim it “Tarpon Capital of the World.” The area was visited by such notables as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Frederick Remington, J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, and even the nefarious Al Capone; conservationist and outdoorsman President Teddy Roosevelt fished Charlotte Harbor in March 1917. More recently, Gasparilla Island has been host to famous fishing enthusiasts, including President John F. Kennedy and Presidents George H. and George W. Bush.
Today, tarpon, dubbed the “Silver King,” reigns at the top of every avid angler’s “bucket list,” and Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands remains the world-renowned place to catch them. A spectacular game fish, tarpon are a formidable opponent for even the most experienced fisherman, as their bony jaws and shimmering bodies lunge powerfully out of the water, spinning, twisting and flipping to wrestle free of the hook. A fight with a tarpon can last quite a while, yet the thrill remains forever.
From May through September, thousands of tarpon congregate in and out of Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass as they migrate to and from their spawning grounds. The average tarpon weighs between 90 and 130 pounds, but catches of up to 230 pounds are not unknown. Sport fishermen come from all over the world to book half- and full-day charters with one of more than 25 professional fishing guides who know their quarry’s habits and hiding places like the back of their hand. Several guides are regular contributors to well-known fishing magazines and have hosted or appeared on sport fishing television and radio shows.
Teddy Roosevelt would be pleased to know that today, 84 percent of Charlotte Harbor’s 830-mile shoreline remains protected from development to preserve this haven for outdoor
enthusiasts. The Peace and Myakka Rivers, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are fertile grounds for fresh- and saltwater catches. No wonder the area remains one of the world’s top sport fishing destinations: the waters fluctuate from fresh to brackish to salty, creating a system that supports more than 300 species of fish.
The Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau makes it easy for fishermen to find the perfect fishing guide and the perfect vacation experience. The Bureau’s Web site, www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com, includes links to guides, marinas, fishing information, dining and accommodations. The area has many luxury hotels and resorts as well as small inns, B&Bs, quaint motels and popular chain hotels, many with waterfront and beach locations. Rental condominiums, homes and vacation villas are also popular throughout the area. Visit www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com for economical summer packages and rates. For Example, Punta Gorda’s Fishermen’s Village,(www.fishville.com), a delightful complex of shops, restaurants, a marina and vacation villa resort, is offering a two-night stay, two Sunset Cruise tickets, and a full-day Saltwater Fishing Charter starting at $350 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy. Based on availability; advance reservations required. For details, go to http://www.charlotteharbortravel.com/cms/index.php?id=234
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in September. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Today, tarpon, dubbed the “Silver King,” reigns at the top of every avid angler’s “bucket list,” and Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands remains the world-renowned place to catch them. A spectacular game fish, tarpon are a formidable opponent for even the most experienced fisherman, as their bony jaws and shimmering bodies lunge powerfully out of the water, spinning, twisting and flipping to wrestle free of the hook. A fight with a tarpon can last quite a while, yet the thrill remains forever.
From May through September, thousands of tarpon congregate in and out of Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass as they migrate to and from their spawning grounds. The average tarpon weighs between 90 and 130 pounds, but catches of up to 230 pounds are not unknown. Sport fishermen come from all over the world to book half- and full-day charters with one of more than 25 professional fishing guides who know their quarry’s habits and hiding places like the back of their hand. Several guides are regular contributors to well-known fishing magazines and have hosted or appeared on sport fishing television and radio shows.
Teddy Roosevelt would be pleased to know that today, 84 percent of Charlotte Harbor’s 830-mile shoreline remains protected from development to preserve this haven for outdoor
enthusiasts. The Peace and Myakka Rivers, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are fertile grounds for fresh- and saltwater catches. No wonder the area remains one of the world’s top sport fishing destinations: the waters fluctuate from fresh to brackish to salty, creating a system that supports more than 300 species of fish.
The Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau makes it easy for fishermen to find the perfect fishing guide and the perfect vacation experience. The Bureau’s Web site, www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com, includes links to guides, marinas, fishing information, dining and accommodations. The area has many luxury hotels and resorts as well as small inns, B&Bs, quaint motels and popular chain hotels, many with waterfront and beach locations. Rental condominiums, homes and vacation villas are also popular throughout the area. Visit www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com for economical summer packages and rates. For Example, Punta Gorda’s Fishermen’s Village,(www.fishville.com), a delightful complex of shops, restaurants, a marina and vacation villa resort, is offering a two-night stay, two Sunset Cruise tickets, and a full-day Saltwater Fishing Charter starting at $350 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy. Based on availability; advance reservations required. For details, go to http://www.charlotteharbortravel.com/cms/index.php?id=234
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in September. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.