10,000 Islands Extended Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour extended charter targets redfish, snook, and trout inshoreHonors military members, first responders, and public service personnelExplores 10,000 Islands backcountry with twoguest capacity maximum
There's something special about having six full hours to work the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper cuts of the 10,000 Islands. This extended inshore fishing charter gives us the time to really dial in on what's biting and explore multiple spots as the tides shift. We're talking about some of the most productive backcountry waters in Southwest Florida, where snook, redfish, tarpon, and tripletail call home. With just two anglers aboard, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
The 10,000 Islands isn't just a catchy name – this maze of mangrove islands, oyster bars, and grass flats stretches for miles along Florida's southwest coast. We'll spend our six hours working through this productive ecosystem, adjusting our game plan based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Early morning might find us sight-fishing the flats for tailing redfish, while the afternoon could have us working mangrove pockets where snook love to ambush baitfish. The beauty of the extended trip is we're not rushed – if we find a hot bite, we can stay on it. If conditions change, we've got time to relocate and try different techniques. This charter particularly honors our military members, first responders, and public service personnel, recognizing their dedication while providing them with a top-rated fishing experience they deserve.
Inshore fishing in the 10,000 Islands requires finesse and adaptability. We'll be using medium-light spinning tackle spooled with 15-20 pound braided line for sensitivity and casting distance. Depending on what we're targeting, we'll rig everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads for working the grass flats. When we're sight-fishing for redfish, expect to throw weedless spoons and paddle tail plastics into skinny water. For snook around structure, we might switch to live pilchards or pinfish, free-lining them near mangrove edges or docks. The key is reading the water – looking for current breaks, baitfish activity, and structure that holds fish. With the extended time frame, we can cover more water types, from shallow flats where you can see bottom in two feet of water to deeper channels and passes where tarpon roll and tripletail hang around markers.
Snook are the glamour fish of Southwest Florida inshore waters, and the 10,000 Islands holds some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure – think mangrove overhangs, docks, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. Snook are temperature-sensitive, so they're most active when water temps are between 70-85 degrees. What makes them exciting to catch is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight. They'll jump, make long runs, and use their razor-sharp gill plates to try cutting your line. The slot limit keeps things interesting too – we're looking for fish between 28-33 inches, which puts most keepers in that sweet 5-8 pound range that fights like they're twice that size.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and they're active year-round in these waters. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. What's really exciting is sight-fishing for reds – watching them cruise or tail in shallow water, then making that perfect cast ahead of their path. Redfish between 18-27 inches are slot-legal, but even the oversized bulls we release provide world-class fights. They're bulldogs that use their broad shoulders to make powerful runs, often heading straight for the nearest structure to try breaking you off. Peak times are during moving tides when they're actively feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
Tarpon fishing in the 10,000 Islands ranges from juvenile fish in the backcountry to massive adults in the passes. The juveniles – what we call "baby tarpon" though they can still reach 40-50 pounds – are active year-round in the deeper creeks and channels. These silver kings are pure adrenaline, jumping repeatedly and making screaming runs that test your drag system. Adult tarpon show up during their annual migration, typically May through August, offering shots at fish over 100 pounds. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size and acrobatics – it's their prehistoric nature. These fish can live over 80 years and breathe air, making them true survivors.
Tripletail are the oddball species that many anglers haven't heard of, but they're becoming a customer favorite. These flat, almost disc-shaped fish hang around floating debris, markers, and crab trap buoys. They're ambush predators that float on their sides, mimicking dead leaves or debris. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – they might completely ignore your bait or absolutely crush it. Tripletail are excellent table fare and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size, using their flat profile to leverage against the current. Peak season runs from April through September, and they're one of those species that makes the extended charter valuable since we have time to check multiple markers and floating debris fields.
Six hours in the 10,000 Islands gives you the real inshore fishing experience – time to work different spots, adjust to changing conditions, and really get into the rhythm of reading the water. Whether you're a military member, first responder, or just someone who appreciates quality time on the water, this charter delivers the goods. The small group size means personalized instruction if you're learning, or the freedom to fish your style if you're experienced. A2 Fishing Charters knows these waters inside and out, and with the extende
Your fishing machine for the 10,000 Islands backcountry is this sweet 2020 Pathfinder bay boat with A2 Fishing Charters. The 250HP Yamaha SHO gets you to the honey holes fast, hitting 65 knots when you need to beat other boats to prime redfish flats or snook ambush points. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking spooky trout in skinny water or working mangrove shorelines where big snook hide. You've got a fish finder to mark structure and bait schools, GPS to navigate the maze of islands and channels, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. There's even a head onboard for convenience. Built for just 2 anglers, so you'll have plenty of casting room and personalized attention from your captain while exploring the legendary fishing grounds where the Everglades meet the Gulf.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here in the 10,000 Islands. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches and make for some of the most reliable action you'll find. They cruise the flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars in water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best fishing, but they bite year-round when conditions are right. What guests love about reds is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad tails to maximum advantage. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to technique is working a gold spoon or soft plastic along the edges of grass flats during moving water - redfish can't resist that flash and vibration.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are hands down one of the most sought-after gamefish in the 10,000 Islands. These sleek, golden-bodied fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook monsters pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in water anywhere from 2-15 feet deep. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and strong runs - they'll test your drag and jump clear out of the water. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: cast your live shrimp or soft plastic just upcurrent from structure and let it drift naturally into the strike zone - snook are ambush predators and won't chase a meal very far.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver lightning that can grow over 6 feet and 200 pounds, though most we hook are in the 80-150 pound range. These ancient fish cruise our shallow flats, channels, and passes in 3-20 feet of water, especially during late spring through summer when they migrate through Southwest Florida. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll launch 10 feet out of the water and put on a jumping display you'll never forget. Their runs are long and powerful, easily peeling off hundreds of yards of line. While catch-and-release only due to their bony meat and conservation status, the fight alone makes it worthwhile. Key tip: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip directly at them - it gives slack and prevents the hook from pulling out during their acrobatic display.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest sight-fishing targets - these oddball fish look like floating leaves until they turn sideways and show their true colors. Most run 15-25 inches and 5-15 pounds, with their round, compressed bodies and three-lobed tail design. They hang around floating debris, channel markers, and weed lines in 10-40 feet of water, often laying on their sides to mimic drifting vegetation. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our nearshore waters. What makes them special is their sneaky nature and surprising fight - they're more acrobatic than you'd expect for such a chunky fish. The meat rivals grouper or snapper, making them a prized catch for the dinner table. Best approach is to spot them first, then cast well past and work your bait slowly toward them - get too close too fast and they'll spook into the depths.
Everglades City, FL, United States