Fishing Guide in Matlacha

There is something different about fishing Matlacha. The water here is shallower and more intimate than other areas I fish, with a network of shallow flats, deep channels, and the famous Matlacha Pass connecting to the Gulf. As a local guide, I target redfish and snook along the grass flats, particularly around the oyster bars and mangrove points that define this area. The water color changes dramatically from the dark tea-stained channels to the clearer Gulf side, and the fish use these different zones based on tide and temperature. Matlacha also sees a good tarpon migration in spring and early summer, with fish moving through the pass on their way up the coast. The town itself has a great fishing culture, with local bait shops and restaurants that understand what we do out here. A charter departing from Matlacha feels like stepping into old Florida.