UTERBull shark fishing in Charlotte Harbor
In Charlotte Harbor, bull shark peak April–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Following the tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bull shark in Charlotte Harbor, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JunePeakFollowing the tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish bull shark near Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda
Boca Grande Pass and the mangrove sounds behind it — Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, the Caloosahatchee, Estero Bay — miles of mangrove shoreline, oyster bars, sand holes in the grass, and long barrier-island beaches from Gasparilla to Sanibel.
Fish Scouter charts 98 wreck, 30 beach / surf, 17 pass / inlet, 3 bridge spots in the Charlotte Harbor & the Islands map area — the kinds bull shark hold on.
What to use for bull shark
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
- Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
- Leader80–150 lb mono
- Hook8/0–16/0
- Braid65–150 lb
Feeds in 66–92°F water, best at 72–88°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bull shark in Charlotte Harbor?
Peak season is April–November. Bull shark are here year-round. June: Following the tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.
Where do bull shark hold in Charlotte Harbor?
Look on pass / inlet, channel edge, bridge, beach / surf, wreck — around Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Fort Myers, Naples.
What is the best bait for bull shark in Charlotte Harbor?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), finger mullet, menhaden (pogies), cut ladyfish. Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 80–150 lb mono, hook 8/0–16/0, braid 65–150 lb.
What are the rules for bull shark in Charlotte Harbor?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about bull shark · Charlotte Harbor & the Islands, the whole year