Fish on in Charlotte County, Florida

In the 1500's, Spanish explorers would travel from settlements on nearby Carribean islands to the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida, into the Charlotte Harbor for supreme fishing. The earliest structure in the City of Punta Gorda, Charlotte County's seat, was an old fishing shack constructed by Spanish explorers and used by Spanish people up until the mid-1800's, when the Punta Gorda area was settled by white pioneers from the northern U.S. states. At that time, it was occupied as a residency by Col. Isaac Trabue and his wife, Virginia, while Col. Trabue began to sell real estate for the area and grow the settlement into a city. One of the prosperous industries and recreational activities that put Charlotte County on the map and continued to attract celebrities and world leaders was fishing. There are limitless places to fish for food and sport in Charlotte Harbor. This writer will give you the top five locations.

Parking and fishing are both free at this all but one of these locations and specific details will be provided on any related charges, however, visitors should consult the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission [FWC] website page concerning Licenses to learn information about what is required for different types of fishing in the State of Florida.

El Jobean Pier, El Jobean
Originally the first and second El Jobean Bridge, visitors can see the remaining wooden supports for the bridges that were never removed each time the bridge burned. When the bridge burned the second time, the wooden structure had become obsolete in transportation technology so the train tracks were lifted, its center section was demolished and the bridge was transformed into two enormous fishing piers on both sides of the Myakka River near the mouth of the Charlotte Harbor. A larger concrete bridge was constructed next to the original bridge.

This writer recommends the south pier, located in El Jobean, down the road from the historic El Jobean Hotel, an abandoned structure that is on the National Register of Historic Places and used to be a favored retreat for circus performers, and the El Jobean Post Office, which is a local museum and diner with fantastic reviews.

Parking and fishing are without fees at this location. Safety rules regarding the pier are posted at the entrance of the pier, on the land bridge portion where train tracks used to run before they met the wooden planks of the bridge.

This is a good location for snook fishing and visitors should be aware of the Myakka River Tide Chart.

Bayshore Fishing Pier, Charlotte Harbor Town
Across the street from the historic site of the Mott Willis General Store, this pier was constructed solely for recreational fishing. Charlotte Harbor Town was one of the first settlements in the area before Charlotte County was established and all of the area was governed under Manatee County. Several families were prominent contributors to the small settlement's success, working to keep the area alive in both Charlotte Harbor Town and El Jobean during the Civil War.

This pier should not be confused with the new Bayshore Live Oak Park that finished construction and was dedicated in 2008, located along Bayshore Road next to the Bayshore Fishing Pier. The limited parking at the fishing pier is free and Charlotte County Division of Parks & Recreation has posted safety rules for the pier at the pier's entrance.

This is a good location for catfish, redfish, lady fish, toadfish and even snook.

Fire Tower Spring, Punta Gorda
The old Charlotte County Fire/EMS training tower is a familiar site for residents and for I-75 travellers. Few knew about the fresh water spring that was located behind the training tower. The fire department used the spring as a water source and for water-related training exercises, but now that the training tower and station on site has permanently closed, the worn path behind the tower is used by locals who are in-the-know.

The spring is relatively small but can be swam, kayaked, canoed, or navigated with a simple row boat. There is no official launch for craft. The concrete dock is a sufficient place to fish.

Fishing and parking are free and while both are permitted on the property, neither is officially designated as such. This is known as a local secret which this writer is now including for readers who wish to fish in Charlotte County for bass, blue gill, perch and gar. Just watch for alligators and remember that they are protected from harm or death for as long as they are not attacking an individual. Share the pond.

Gilchrist Park Pier, Punta Gorda
As the Town of Trabue grew into the City of Punta Gorda, industry demanded more room for growth so Fisherman's Village was constructed as piers to handle shipping and fishing commerce. This pier was one of the original fishing piers constructed to handle boats and dock fishermen. Located across the street from the Harvey House, one of the original Punta Gorda residences that's still standing and in use as a private residence, the Gilchrist Park Pier continues to stand as a beautiful ammenity in Gilchrist Park and is used as a great location to fish for catfish, redfish, lady fish, toadfish and even snook.

Parking is free in all of Gilchrist Park's parking areas but the park is open from dawn until dusk. Visitors will be required to leave at nightfall.

Spring Lake Park, Port Charlotte
Visitors can plan to dock fish or boat fish from this location. A pier and boardwalk exist for dock fishing and a boat ramp allows easy access for boats, kayaks and canoes to venture into the waterway. Carved into the residential population of Port Charlotte, this park offers a scenic view of both houses and vegetation and provides ample fishing in a quiet and serene environment. Local residents don't need to travel far to escape the hustle of daily life and tourists can share in the balance that Charlotte County offers with a prosperous metropolis and a protected wildlife.

Under the jurisdiction of Charlotte County Division of Parks and Recreation, Spring Lake Park offers two parking areas. A simple parking area is offered for visitors who arrive in only a vehicle. Visitors who arrive with a boat trailer are required to park in the second parking area, near the boat ramp, and there is an hourly charge for parking.

This is a great location for bass, perch, blue gill and gar.

These five locations are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when talking fishing in Charlotte County. Fishing is a long and deep tradition in these parts and can be easily and affordably enjoyed from a backyard canal or on a day-long deep sea expedition. These five locations were chosen according to criteria based on affordability, accessibility, unique and scenic views, and catching the most fish for the time spent.

Fish on!