Miyoshi Price
•7/15/2026
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK)— A beloved fishing spot in Charlotte County is now off limits, and local anglers are not happy about it.
The Florida Department of Transportation put up signs banning fishing on a bridge walkway after receiving complaints about dead bait, fish remains, blood on the walkway, rodents and fishing gear blocking the shared path used by walkers, runners and cyclists.
FDOT told WINK News that state law allows the agency to ban fishing when conditions become a safety hazard.
Fishin' Frank's owner Frank Hommema says he understands the concerns but believes most anglers are respectful.
"Most people there, when they're fishing, they move their stuff in, let the people go by, and they're good people. They're nice. But there's always a small percentage that isn't," Hommema said.
Hommema says the agency should have taken a different approach instead of a full ban.
"What should have happened is they should have put up big fines for blocking the sidewalk for leaving a mess. There was no reason to kick the fishermen out," Hommema said.
He also pushed back on the decision to shut down a spot that has long been part of Charlotte County's culture.
"I just think it's a shame when you have to be ignorant enough where the only thought in your head is, 'Let's shut it down.' We should be able to do better than that," Hommema said.
The timing makes things harder for local anglers. Several county fishing piers remain closed following hurricanes Helene and Milton, with rebuilding expected to take months or even years.
"Instead of punishing the jerks for what they do, they punish everybody. So we're all kicked off. It's not fair," Hommema said.
