Kayak Fishing Adventure in Southwest Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore kayak fishing in Everglades waters near FlamingoOld Town Predator PDL kayak with rigged tackle includedSolo fishing adventure with expert guide transportation
Picture yourself silently paddling through the mangrove-lined waters of Goodlands, Chokoloskee, and Flamingo—three of Southwest Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds. This solo kayak fishing trip puts you right in the thick of some of the best shallow water action the state has to offer. You'll be fishing from an Old Town Predator PDL, which is hands down one of the most stable and fishable kayaks on the market. The pedal drive system keeps your hands free for casting while you work the flats, backcountry creeks, and oyster bars where monster fish love to hide.
This is fishing the way it was meant to be—quiet, personal, and deadly effective. The Old Town Predator PDL gives you a serious advantage with its pedal-powered propulsion system, letting you position yourself perfectly for that ideal cast without spooking fish. Your rod and reel come rigged and ready, loaded with tackle that's proven to work in these waters. If you've got your own setup you prefer, no problem—we'll get it rigged with the right leaders and lures for the conditions. You'll have a personal flotation device, all the tackle you need, and transportation back to the launch when you're done. The beauty of kayak fishing is getting into spots where bigger boats can't go—those skinny water honey holes where the fish feel safe until your lure shows up.
The Predator PDL is built for serious anglers who want to fish, not just paddle around. The seat is comfortable enough for all-day trips, and the stability lets you stand up for sight fishing when conditions are right. We're talking about targeting structure like mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and grass flats where predator fish ambush their prey. You'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics worked slow along the bottom. The pedal drive means you can keep moving and covering water without making the splash and noise that comes with traditional paddling. This system really shines when you're fighting a fish—you can pedal backward to follow a running tarpon or snook without having to grab a paddle.
Great Snakehead are relatively new to Florida waters but they've made a serious impact. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight even harder, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. They love thick cover and ambush spots, making them perfect targets for kayak anglers who can get tight to structure. Peak action happens during warmer months when they're most active, and they'll absolutely destroy a topwater lure worked over their territory.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and this area is absolutely loaded with them. These fish are smart, strong, and incredibly fun to catch. They hang around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths, especially during moving tides. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temperatures are in their comfort zone. A hooked snook will head straight for cover, so you need to turn them quick—something the stable Predator PDL lets you do with confidence.
Tarpon fishing from a kayak is as exciting as it gets. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 10-20 pound class up to absolute giants pushing 100 pounds or more. The smaller tarpon are perfect kayak targets and they fight like fish twice their size. They're most active during warmer months and love to feed in the early morning and late afternoon. When a tarpon goes airborne next to your kayak, you'll understand why anglers travel from around the world to experience this fishery.
Striped Bass might seem out of place in Florida, but these fish show up seasonally and provide fantastic action when they're around. They school up and feed aggressively, often pushing baitfish to the surface in spectacular displays. They hit fast-moving lures and put up a solid fight with strong runs and head shakes that test your drag system.
Peacock Bass are exotic residents that have found a home in South Florida's freshwater systems. These colorful fighters are incredibly aggressive and will attack lures with reckless abandon. They prefer structure-rich areas and respond well to bright-colored lures worked with an erratic retrieve. Their fight is explosive but relatively short, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing from a kayak.
This kayak fishing adventure combines the best of Southwest Florida's inshore waters with top-notch equipment and local knowledge. You're getting access to fish-holding spots that most anglers never see, plus the gear and setup to make the most of every opportunity. The solo format means you're fishing at your own pace, spending time where the action is hottest. Whether you're after your first snook, looking to tangle with a tarpon, or hoping to add an exotic peacock bass to your list, these waters deliver the goods. The Old Town Predator PDL puts you in position to succeed, and the diverse fishery means there's always something biting. Book your trip and get ready to experience Florida inshore fishing the way the locals do it.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are strong, reliable fighters that show up throughout our waters. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, with those distinctive dark stripes running down their silver sides. They're structure-oriented, so we target them around drop-offs, channel edges, and anywhere current meets structure in 15-50 feet of water. They migrate through our area mainly in cooler months, making winter and early spring prime time. Anglers love them because they're powerful swimmers that make long runs, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters and will hit both live bait and lures. Best tip: fish the moving water during tide changes - that's when they feed most aggressively and you'll get the most consistent action.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what fishing dreams are made of. These giants average 80-150 pounds but can hit 200+ pounds and 6-7 feet long. We find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and along drop-offs in 10-40 feet of water. They migrate through our area May through September, with peak action in summer months. What makes tarpon special is their amazing jumps - they can leap 10 feet out of the water and will test every bit of your tackle and skill. It's pure catch-and-release since the meat isn't great, but landing one is a lifetime achievement. They're prehistoric fish that have been around 125 million years. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - keeps tension off and prevents them from throwing the hook.
Cichla OcellarisThese colorful South American natives are some of the most aggressive fish you'll find in Florida's freshwater canals. They typically run 12-18 inches and fight way above their weight class. Look for them in warm, slow-moving freshwater - canals, ponds, and creek backwaters with plenty of shade from bridges or overhanging trees. They can't handle cold water, so fishing is best spring through fall when temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and beautiful colors - bright yellows, greens, and that peacock-eye spot on their tail. They're like a largemouth bass with an attitude problem. Skip the plastic worms though - they won't touch them. My go-to trick is casting topwater lures tight to shaded structure during daylight hours when they're actively hunting.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the classic Florida inshore game fish that every angler wants to catch. They average 18-28 inches but can grow over 40 inches. Look for them around mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They love structure and ambush spots in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the full moon when they're most active. What guests love is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll put on a real show. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. My tip: work live bait or lures tight to structure and be ready for that initial run - they'll head straight back to cover.
Channa MaruliusThese invasive air-breathing fish are real fighters that'll surprise you with their power. Most run 12-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, but you might hook into something bigger. They hang around shallow freshwater areas with heavy cover - think mangrove edges, fallen trees, and thick vegetation where they ambush prey. Best fishing happens during warmer months from March through summer when they're more active. What makes them fun is their aggressive strikes and strong runs once hooked. They'll hit topwater lures hard, especially frogs and poppers early morning or late evening. Pro tip: use heavy braid and don't be afraid to work your lure right through the thickest cover - that's where the bigger ones hide. They fight like a bass on steroids.
West Palm Beach, FL