Waterlands

NWS zone GMZ836 · Eastern Gulf

Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound fishing forecast

Florida · Gulf coast

Score now

79Great
Common snook · 5:00 PM EDT
Named spots
126
Species scored
20
Tide stations
1
Open in the tide mapAll Florida bay systems

Overview

Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound is NWS marine zone GMZ836 on the Florida Gulf coast, in the Eastern Gulf species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as inland water (bays, sounds, straits). It holds 126 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 1 NOAA tide station nearby.

20 species are scored here in this forecast; Common snook, Red drum, Atlantic croaker and Gray snapper are at peak season now.

At 5:00 PM it scores 79 (great), led by Common snook. The best window for the rest of today is 8 PM-12 AM (flood tide), peaking at 84 for Common snook. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Tue, Sep 29 at 7 AM, scoring 85.

Best times to fish

Waterlands engine forecast computed 5:05 PM EDT.

Best window today

8 PM-12 AM · Flood tide

Top species: Common snook

84Great

Best hour of each day, next 14 days

  1. Tue, Sep 22

    84

    10 PM

    Common snook

  2. Wed, Sep 23

    81

    9 AM

    Common snook

  3. Thu, Sep 24

    83

    9 AM

    Common snook

  4. Fri, Sep 25

    80

    5 PM

    Common snook

  5. Sat, Sep 26

    81

    6 PM

    Common snook

  6. Sun, Sep 27

    82

    11 AM

    Common snook

  7. Mon, Sep 28

    84

    7 AM

    Common snook

  8. Tue, Sep 29

    85

    7 AM

    Common snook

    Best day

  9. Wed, Sep 30

    82

    7 AM

    Common snook

  10. Thu, Oct 1

    82

    9 AM

    Common snook

  11. Fri, Oct 2

    82

    9 AM

    Common snook

  12. Sat, Oct 3

    80

    9 AM

    Common snook

  13. Sun, Oct 4

    78

    8 PM

    Common snook

  14. Mon, Oct 5

    82

    9 PM

    Common snook

Species · 20

Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.

78Great
Common snookCentropomus undecimalis · inshore

Peak season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Tue, Sep 29 at 7 AM (85)

76Great
Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshore

Peak season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 6 PM (81)

74Great
Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (78)

74Great
Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 10 PM (78)

71Great
Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 10 PM (75)

71Great
PermitTrachinotus falcatus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 5 PM (71)

68Great
Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (73)

68Great
Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottom

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 9 AM (74)

68Great
Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Tue, Sep 29 at 7 AM (75)

63Good
Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 18 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (66)

60Good
Gag grouperMycteroperca microlepis · offshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (67)

59Good
King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (67)

59Good
Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 6 PM (66)

57Good
CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Wed, Sep 23 at 9 AM (60)

57Good
Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (61)

57Good
Red grouperEpinephelus morio · offshore

Shoulder season, about 27 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (61)

57Good
Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 5 PM (61)

55Good
Florida pompanoTrachinotus carolinus · surf

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (72)

55Good
Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshore

Shoulder season, about 9 more weeks · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (60)

35Fair
SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshore

Off season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (56)

Named spots · 126

Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.

114 more spots, A to Z

Nearest tide stations

Fort MyersNOAA 872552017.6 mi

Regulations

FWC saltwater regulations Buy a Florida fishing license License types

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Sep 22, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

This bay system’s spots fall in Gulf (126 spots), Charlotte Harbor (red drum) (126 spots), Charlotte Harbor (snook) (126 spots) and Charlotte Harbor (seatrout) (126 spots).

Gulf state waters (Escambia through Collier counties) · FWC

Atlantic croakerRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

100 pounds per person per day. No minimum size. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gag grouperRetention open

2 per day (4 Gulf grouper combined) · Minimum 24 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Sep 30, 2026

Changes to closed on Oct 1, 2026

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Charter captain and crew bag limit is zero. No more than 4 grouper combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. FWC set the 2026 Gulf state waters gag season to September 1 through 30 by executive order, matching the federal season. Excludes Monroe County.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray triggerfishRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 15 in, fork length

Season: Aug 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Changes to closed on Jan 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Gulf season is March 1 through May 31 and August 1 through December 31. Federal waters can close early if the quota is met.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Gray Triggerfish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Greater amberjackRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 34 in, fork length

Season: Sep 1 to Oct 13, 2026

Changes to closed on Oct 14, 2026

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. FWC set the 2026 Gulf season to September 1 through October 13 by executive order, matching the federal season.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Amberjack · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

3 per day · Minimum 24 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line and spearing only. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: King Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red grouperRetention open

2 per day (4 Gulf grouper combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Charter captain and crew bag limit is zero in state waters. No more than 4 grouper combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open year-round in Gulf state waters. Federal waters close February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red snapper(private recreational)Retention open

2 per day (10 snapper combined) · Minimum 16 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Oct 4, 2026

Changes to closed on Oct 5, 2026

Applies to private recreational vessels in Florida Gulf state and federal waters, and to for-hire vessels without a federal permit in Gulf state waters only. Charter captain and crew bag limit is zero. Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. FWC sets this 2026 Gulf private recreational season for both Gulf state waters and Gulf federal waters off Florida.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

SnookCatch & release

No retention

Season: May 1 to Sep 30, 2026

Changes to retention open on Oct 1, 2026

Harvest is closed, but snook may be caught and released with a snook permit and a saltwater fishing license. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through September 30. Open March 1 through April 30 and October 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Statewide

Black drumRetention open

5 per day · Slot 14 to 24 in, total length. One fish over 24 inches allowed, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Black Drum · verified Sep 13, 2026

CobiaRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 36 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Cobia · verified Sep 13, 2026

Crevalle jackRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more. Crevalle jack is an unregulated species with this default limit. Hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets.

FWC Recreational Regulations: "Unregulated" Species · verified Sep 13, 2026

Florida pompanoRetention open

6 per day · Minimum 11 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, and beach or haul seine only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round in state and federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray snapperRetention open

5 per day (10 snapper combined) · Minimum 10 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Open year-round in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Federal waters have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish bag.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

PermitRetention open

2 per day · Slot 11 to 22 in, fork length. One fish over 22 inches allowed per person, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

No more than 2 permit over 22 inches per vessel. Hook and line only in state waters. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Outside the Special Permit Zone. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

SheepsheadRetention open

8 per day · Minimum 12 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

State rules extend into federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. A 50-fish vessel limit applies in March and April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Sheepshead · verified Sep 13, 2026

Southern flounderRetention open

5 per day · Minimum 14 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Oct 15, 2026

Same rules for Gulf, southern, summer and fringed flounder, in state and federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Closed every October 15 through November 30.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Flounder · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spanish mackerelRetention open

15 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, or spear. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spanish Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

TarponCatch & release

No retention

Season: No closed season on file

Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. Special gear rules apply year-round in Boca Grande Pass. Hook and line only. No snagging, snatch hooking, spearing, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Applies in state and federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Tarpon · verified Sep 13, 2026

Other Florida bay systems