5.0(1 Reviews)Everglades City Fishing: Full Day Adventures
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday fishing adventures lasting 6 to 8 hoursTarget tarpon, snook, redfish, and speckled troutExpertguided trips accommodating up to 3 guests
When you're ready to get serious about fishing the Everglades, ARF Charters delivers the kind of full-day trips that separate the weekend warriors from the real deal. Captain DJ runs 6 and 8-hour charters out of Everglades City, putting you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. This isn't your typical tourist ride – it's a proper fishing trip where you'll work the backcountry flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars that hold the fish locals have been targeting for generations. With only three anglers max per trip, you get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make these waters legendary.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain DJ at the dock in Everglades City before the sun gets too high. The 6-hour trip gives you solid fishing time without wearing you out, perfect for targeting the bread-and-butter species like snook, redfish, and trout. But if you want to really explore what these waters can offer, the 8-hour option opens up different zones and lets you adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. You'll fish everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper pockets where trout stack up during moving tides. The boat's rigged with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. Captain DJ knows when to move and when to stay put, reading the water like a book and putting you on fish when they're feeding. The pace stays relaxed but focused – no rushing between spots, just methodical fishing in places that consistently produce.
This is all about light tackle inshore fishing, using the right presentations to match what the fish are doing. You'll throw live bait on spinning reels when the bite calls for it – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp are staples that work year-round in these waters. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially when fish are active and you want to cover water fast. Soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs during low light, and spoons when you need to reach fish in current. Captain DJ carries a full spread of tackle suited for everything from 15-inch trout to bull redfish that'll test your drag system. The key is matching your approach to the conditions – sight fishing when the water's clear and fish are tailing, blind casting structure when they're holding tight to cover. You'll learn to read the signs: nervous baitfish, diving birds, and subtle water movement that shows where predators are working. The Everglades backcountry demands patience and precision, but when you dial in the right technique for the conditions, the action can be fast and furious.
"I have been on a lot of different fishing trips but this one with Captain DJ was one of the best I have been on! I would highly recommend Captain DJ. He was great with my 6 year old son." - Matt
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these waters hold some of the best populations in Florida. They're ambush predators that love structure – mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. Summer months bring peak action when snook move shallow to feed, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. A solid snook here runs 24 to 30 inches, with fish over the slot providing serious fights on light tackle. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in the mangroves if you don't control the fight. The satisfaction of landing a keeper snook in their home waters never gets old.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, are scrappy fighters that test your finesse skills. They're smart fish that inspect baits carefully, especially the bigger ones that hang around deeper structure. These waters produce snapper from small schoolies up to genuine 16-inch slabs that fight way above their weight class. They bite best on moving water, particularly around oyster bars and creek mouths where current brings food. Summer and fall offer the most consistent action, but winter can surprise you with quality fish if you target the right depths. Their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits makes them a favorite for anglers who like variety in their presentations.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge every angler should experience, with their notorious light bite and crushing power once hooked. The Everglades' abundant oyster structure creates perfect habitat for these black-and-white striped fighters. They feed on crustaceans and mollusks, using pharyngeal teeth to crush shells with ease. Winter months from December through March offer peak sheepshead fishing when they school up for spawning. A quality sheepshead here runs 12 to 16 inches, with occasional giants pushing 18-plus. They require sharp hooks, sensitive tackle, and quick reflexes to detect their subtle taps. Once you master the sheepshead bite, you've earned serious angler credibility.
Sea trout, particularly speckled trout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep action steady throughout your trip. They school over grass flats and sand pockets, feeding aggressively when conditions align. These waters produce trout from schoolie size up to genuine 20-inch "gator" trout that locals prize. Cold fronts concentrate trout in deeper water, while warm, stable weather spreads them across the flats. They're excellent targets for artificial lures, responding well to soft plastics, topwater plugs, and suspending baits. Trout fishing here teaches you to read water depth, grass density, and tidal movement – skills that translate to targeting other species.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, combining size, fight, and feeding aggression in one bronze package. The Everglades
Hit the productive Everglades waters aboard our 2021 23' C-Hawk bay boat, powered by a reliable 225HP Honda that'll get you to the fish fast at 45 knots. This modern fishing machine comes equipped with everything serious anglers need - GPS to navigate the maze of mangrove channels, radar for those foggy mornings, and a fish finder to locate schools of Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish. The spacious layout comfortably fishes up to 3 guests, with an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 6-8 hour trips. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working deeper holes for Trout and Drum, this shallow-draft bay boat handles the backcountry flats and open waters with equal confidence. Built for Florida's inshore fishing conditions, she's your ticket to some of the best fishing the Everglades has to offer.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as we call them locally, are smart little fighters that'll keep you on your toes. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, though the deeper water occasionally gives up bigger ones. You'll find them around docks, bridges, and any structure with good cover - they're opportunistic feeders that like to stay hidden during the day and hunt at night. The cooler months from fall through early spring tend to produce the best action when they're more active. What guests love about these fish is their sneaky nature and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're notorious bait thieves, so here's the trick: use a 4/0 hook with fresh shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. When you feel that subtle tap, don't hesitate - set the hook immediately.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers will test your drag system. Around here, slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also get into oversized bulls pushing 30-40 inches. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water on grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall and winter bring the best opportunities when they school up and cruise the flats. What makes reds special is that explosive strike and bulldog fight, plus that distinctive black spot near the tail. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. The spotted tail makes them easy to identify, and they'll eat almost anything you throw at them. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast ahead of where they're moving and work your bait slowly back to them. Gold spoons and topwater plugs drive them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of these grass flats and one of the most reliable fish we target. They typically run 14-20 inches with those beautiful spots covering their silver sides. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats, especially in 2-4 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, with cooler months bringing bigger schools into deeper channels. What anglers love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make great table fare with tender, flaky meat. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're plentiful and fun on light tackle. The key to consistent trout fishing is working the grass edges at dawn and dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. Keep it about 18 inches under the cork and make subtle pops - when that cork disappears, you've got one.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the fish world with those black and white stripes, and they're some of the trickiest fish you'll encounter. Most range from 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but big ones can hit 20 pounds. Look for them around any structure - docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings are prime spots. They feed on crabs, barnacles, and shrimp with those human-like teeth. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What makes them fun to target is the challenge - they're notorious bait stealers and picky eaters, but once hooked, they put up a solid fight. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white meat. Here's my go-to method: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking at the bait, set the hook hard and fast.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after fish in these waters, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-36 inches around here, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and won't venture far from cover. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make several strong runs before giving up. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure or live bait right up against the mangroves where most people won't go. That's where the big ones hide, waiting to pounce.
5.0 out of 5.0I have been on a lot of different fishing trips but this one with Captain DJ was one of the best I have been on! I would highly re...
Everglades