Tarpon fishing in Charlotte County
9 rated shore spots in Charlotte County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for Charlotte County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for tarpon right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the ebb tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Charlotte County
Catch and release only
Charlotte County
Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Keeping
- Return every fish
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026
A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.
Check FWC rulesBest tarpon spots in Charlotte County
1Harbour Heights ParkFair · 60ReliableJuveniles roll off the park from spring into fall, best at first light; small swimbaits or live shrimp. Check FWC tarpon rules.2US 41 Bridges, Punta GordaGood · 72Worth a trySummer fish rolling in the river at dawn and at night; hard to land from a bridge, release in the water.3Stump Pass Beach State ParkGood · 79Worth a tryEarly-summer fish off the beach; hard to land from shore, release in the water.4William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial ParkFair · 61Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the backwater on summer mornings; small swimbaits or live shrimp. Check FWC tarpon rules.5Allapatchee Shores ParkGood · 73Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the bends at dawn from late spring into fall. Check FWC tarpon rules.6Darst ParkFair · 60Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the river from late spring into fall, best at first light. Check FWC tarpon rules.7Centennial Fishing PierGood · 77Worth a tryJuvenile fish roll in the creek on summer mornings. Check FWC tarpon rules.8Chester Roberts ParkGood · 72Worth a tryJuveniles pass along the river in summer, best at dawn. Check FWC tarpon rules.9Oyster Creek Environmental ParkGood · 77Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the creek on summer mornings. Check FWC tarpon rules.
Tactics for tarpon
Top baits, best first
- Threadfin Herring
- Finger Mullet
- Blue Crab
- Live Pinfish
Rigs that work, best first
- Tarpon Circle-Hook Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
- Slip Float Rig
