5.0(1 Reviews)Everglades Fishing Charter for Heroes
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Exclusive 4hour Everglades fishing trip for veterans and first respondersInshore fishing experience accommodating up to 3 guests maximumFlexible departure times available between 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM
As a veteran myself, I understand the weight of service and the healing power of quiet water. That's exactly why ARF Charters created this special 4-hour fishing experience exclusively for veterans and first responders. Consider it our way of saying thanks to the folks who've given everything for the rest of us. You'll launch into the peaceful backcountry of Everglades National Park, where the only sounds are gentle waves lapping against the hull and maybe the splash of a redfish chasing bait. Pick any departure time between 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM that works for your schedule, and we'll handle the rest. Whether you're a weekend warrior with a tackle box full of stories or someone who's never held a rod, this trip is designed to give you exactly what you need – space to breathe, quality time on the water, and maybe a few fish stories to take home.
The moment you step aboard, you'll feel the difference between this trip and your typical charter. There's no rush, no pressure to fill a cooler, and definitely no judgment if you'd rather just soak up the Florida sun while sharing stories with fellow service members. We fish the protected waters inside Everglades National Park, which means calmer conditions and better opportunities to actually enjoy the experience. The mangrove shorelines and grass flats create perfect hunting grounds for our target species, while the scenery gives you that genuine "Old Florida" feeling that's getting harder to find. You'll have room for up to three anglers on this trip, making it perfect for bringing along a buddy or family member who deserves some quality time on the water. The beauty of inshore fishing in the Everglades is that every cast holds potential – you never know if that next retrieve will bring in a chunky snook or a bull redfish that'll test your drag system.
We keep the gear simple but effective, just the way inshore fishing should be. You'll work with medium-action spinning rods paired with reels that can handle the occasional big fish without being overkill for the smaller stuff. Live bait is king in these waters, and we'll have plenty of pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp to keep you armed throughout the trip. When the live bait bite slows down, we'll switch to artificials – soft plastics work magic around structure, while topwater plugs can create some heart-stopping strikes during the right conditions. Most of our fishing happens in 2-6 feet of water, which means you can actually see the fish you're targeting and watch the whole fight play out. We'll work the mangrove edges where snook love to ambush prey, drift the grass flats for sea trout, and hit the deeper pockets where black drum like to hang out. The technique changes based on what's biting, but the approach stays the same – methodical, patient, and focused on putting you on fish rather than just burning through spots.
Here's what fellow anglers are saying about their time with ARF Charters: "This is the best captain in the area. He's wonderful with kids, patient, and truly knows his business." - Ralph
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators hang tight to structure, waiting for the perfect moment to explode on your bait. They're incredibly smart fish that'll test both your technique and your patience. Spring through fall offers the best snook action, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook special is their fight – they'll run hard, jump if they can, and use every mangrove root and oyster bar to try cutting your line. Landing a slot-sized snook is like earning a badge of honor in Florida inshore fishing.
Grey snapper might not have the flash of other species, but they make up for it with pure determination and excellent table fare. These reef dwellers move into the backcountry during warmer months, and they're absolute suckers for live shrimp bounced along the bottom. What's fun about grey snapper is their schooling behavior – where you find one, you'll usually find more. They're perfect for newer anglers because they bite aggressively and don't require complex techniques, but they're still smart enough to keep experienced fishermen on their toes.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, and catching one is like hooking into a freight train with fins. These bottom feeders love crabs and shrimp, and they use their powerful bodies to dig for food in sandy areas and around structure. Winter months bring the big black drum into shallow water, with fish pushing 20-30 pounds not uncommon. What makes them special is their incredible strength – they won't jump or run like other species, but they'll pull steady and hard until your arms start burning. It's a battle of endurance that always leaves you grinning.
Sea trout are the perfect species for building confidence on the water. They're willing biters that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them ideal for trying different techniques. Spring and fall offer peak sea trout fishing, when cooler water temps get them feeding aggressively across the grass flats. They're beautiful fish with distinctive spots and a soft mouth that requires gentle handling. What anglers love about sea trout is their predictability – find the right depth and structure, and you can usually count on steady action throughout the trip.
Redfish are pure Florida magic, and they're the reason many anglers become obsessed with inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallows year-round, and spotting their distinctive black spots cruising the flats never gets old. What makes redfish special is their versatility – they'll eat live bait, artificials, cut bait, and just about anything else you throw their way. They fight hard but fair, making powerful runs without the crazy
The 2021 23' C-Hawk bay boat is perfectly designed for navigating the shallow waters and hidden fishing spots throughout Everglades National Park. Powered by a reliable 225HP Honda engine, this modern fishing machine cuts through the water at speeds up to 45 knots, getting you to prime fishing locations quickly so you can spend more time with your line in the water. The spacious deck accommodates up to 3 anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. An onboard fish finder helps locate schools of snook, redfish, and tarpon lurking in the grass flats and mangrove channels, while the GPS navigation system ensures we can return to those secret honey holes that produce the best catches. The radar comes in handy during those early morning trips when fog rolls across the bay. Keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold in the built-in icebox throughout your 4-hour adventure on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of much more. These powerful fish have crushing jaws designed for oysters and crabs, and they'll use every ounce of that strength when hooked. You'll find them on muddy flats, around oyster beds, and near structure in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is the fight they put up and their unique feeding behavior as they root around the bottom. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating. My advice: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. Black drum are methodical feeders, so give them time to pick up your bait before setting the hook.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as most folks call them, are smart fish that'll keep you on your toes. Most run 10-14 inches and about 1-2 pounds, though deeper water can produce bigger ones. They hang around structure - docks, mangroves, rock piles, anywhere they can ambush prey. These guys are opportunistic feeders that come alive at night, but you can catch them during the day if you're patient. What guests love is they're both challenging and rewarding - they're cautious biters but fight well for their size, plus they make fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. The trick with mangrove snappers is to keep your bait still once it hits bottom. They're suspicious of anything moving too much, so let that live shrimp just sit there and wait for them to commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of shallow water fishing here in the Everglades. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and are famous for that black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats looking for crabs and baitfish. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter bring the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their power and the visual excitement of sight fishing in skinny water. They're also excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. My go-to technique: look for tailing fish in the shallows and cast a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of their path. Keep your distance and make accurate casts - spook one and the whole school disappears.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of Everglades fishing, running 14-24 inches and putting up a scrappy fight on light tackle. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow water, especially during low light conditions. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around seagrass beds where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round here. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent eating with tender, white meat. The key is not to overcook them since the flesh is delicate. Best tip I can share: work your lure slowly along the grass edges and be ready - trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them in. A popping cork with live shrimp works magic.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after fish in the Everglades, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 1-3 feet long 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 moving water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make runs toward cover that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky. Here's a tip: cast your lure or live bait right to the edge of the mangroves and let it drift naturally with the current. Snook are ambush feeders, so patience pays off.
5.0 out of 5.0This is the best captain in the area. He's wonderful with kids, patient, and truly knows his business.
Everglades