Key Largo Back Country Fishing 6 Hours
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour private charter targeting redfish, snook, and tarponAccess remote backcountry waters with stronger, more active fishAll tackle included with guidance for any skill level
If you're looking to get away from the tourist boats and really dial into what makes Key Largo fishing special, this 6-hour back country charter is where you want to be. Back Bone Charters knows these shallow flats and mangrove cuts like the back of their hand, and with a full half-day on the water, you've got serious time to work the best spots. We're talking about protected waters where the fish haven't seen every lure in the tackle box, and your captain can adjust the game plan based on what's happening that day. Whether you're after that first bonefish on fly or hoping to wrestle with a tarpon that'll test your drag, this trip gives you the time and space to make it happen.
Six hours in the back country means your captain can really show you around. We'll start early to beat the heat and hit the prime feeding times when fish are most active. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility - if the snook aren't cooperating in the first spot, we've got time to run to three or four different areas until we find what's biting. You'll be fishing skinny water where sight fishing is king, so polarized sunglasses are a must. The flats here range from ankle-deep turtle grass beds perfect for tailing redfish to deeper potholes where tarpon like to hang out. Your guide will position the boat with the trolling motor, keeping things quiet so we don't spook fish in water so clear you can count their spots. This isn't about quantity - it's about quality fishing in some of the most beautiful water you'll ever see, with mangrove islands and crystal-clear flats stretching as far as you can see.
Back country fishing is all about stealth and precision. Your captain will have the boat rigged with spinning gear loaded with 10-15 lb test for most situations, plus fly rods if that's your preference. We'll be working live shrimp under popping corks for trout and redfish, throwing topwater plugs at first light when the snook are aggressive, and switching to jigs or soft plastics when we need to work structure or deeper cuts. The key here is reading the water - your guide will teach you to spot nervous water, look for laid-up tarpon, and identify the subtle push of a redfish moving through shallow grass. Circle hooks are standard to protect the fishery, and we'll be using barbless hooks on some species. The tackle is matched to the fish size we're expecting, because a 100-pound tarpon on light gear is a completely different fight than the same fish on heavy tackle. Everything's provided, but if you've got a lucky lure or fly rod you can't fish without, bring it along.
Snook are the kings of structure fishing here, and Key Largo's back country is loaded with the mangrove shorelines and creek mouths they love. These fish are ambush predators that sit in shade waiting for baitfish to get careless. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the full moons when they're thinking about spawning. A good slot snook will run 24-32 inches and fight like they're twice that size, making blistering runs toward the nearest mangrove root they can wrap you around. What makes them special is how smart they are - you get one shot at a good fish before they shut down, so that first cast better count.
Tarpon in the back country are a different animal than the big rollers you see offshore. These fish range from 30-80 pounds and use the shallow water to their advantage, making impossible runs in water barely deep enough to cover their backs. They show up consistently from April through October, with peak action in late spring when the water warms up. The visual aspect is what hooks people - seeing a 6-foot silver fish cruising in 3 feet of water, getting a perfect cast in front of it, and watching it eat never gets old. Even a small tarpon will jump 6-8 times and test every knot on your rig.
Redfish are the bread and butter of back country fishing because they're here year-round and always hungry. Key Largo reds average 18-27 inches, with bigger breeding fish moving through in fall and winter. They'll eat almost anything you throw at them, but the real fun is sight fishing to tailing fish in the shallows. When a red is rooting around in turtle grass with its tail sticking out of the water, you know exactly where to put your bait. These fish are bulldogs that use their broad shoulders to pull hard and steady, and they're perfect for beginners who want to feel a real fight without worrying about the fish jumping off.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing - spooky, selective, and absolutely gorgeous fish that will humble even experienced anglers. Key Largo's back country holds some of the most consistent permit fishing in the Keys, especially around the deeper sand flats and coral heads. These fish cruise in small groups or singles, their black-tipped dorsal and anal fins cutting the surface as they hunt for crabs. A permit eat is subtle - often just a slight direction change as they pick up your crab or shrimp. But when you hook one, you'll know immediately. They make screaming runs that can take 100 yards of line in seconds, and landing one is a legitimate bragging-rights accomplishment that many anglers chase for years.
Bonefish are what put the Keys on the flats fishing map, and these back country areas hold some beautiful fish in the 3-6 pound range. They travel in schools across the flats, heads down, tails up, rooting for shrimp and crabs in the soft bottom. The trick is getting close enough for a good cast without spooking the whole school. Bonefish have eyes like telescopes and will bolt at the first sign of trouble, taking every other fish in the area with them. When you hook one,
Your floating fishing platform for this 6-hour back country adventure is a brand new 2025 Ocean Bay 18.6, powered by a reliable 2024 Yamaha 115 SHO outboard that'll get you to those hidden fishing spots around Key Largo's back waters. This nimble 18-footer draws shallow and runs quiet - perfect for sneaking up on spooky redfish and permit in skinny water without spooking them. The GPS navigation keeps your captain on track to productive flats and mangrove edges where snook, bonefish, and tarpon like to hang out. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The shallow draft design lets you access those protected back country areas where the bigger fish feel safe, away from boat traffic and noise. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working structure for snook, this boat handles the technical fishing that makes Key Largo's back waters so productive.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "grey ghosts" of the flats - silvery, torpedo-shaped fish that blend perfectly with sandy bottoms. Most run 3-8 pounds and 16-30 inches, moving in small schools across shallow grass and sand flats. You'll spot them in 6 inches to 4 feet of water, often "tailing" when feeding with their tails breaking the surface. They bite year-round but winter and spring offer the most consistent fishing. What makes bones special is their blazing speed - once hooked, they'll peel off 100+ yards in seconds at 30 mph. It's pure excitement on light tackle. They're bony and not great eating, so most get released. The challenge is spotting them and making precise casts without spooking the school. My tip: watch for nervous water or mud clouds where they're feeding, then cast shrimp or small jigs to the edges and work them slowly.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - notoriously difficult but worth every effort. These disc-shaped fish average 15-25 pounds and have those distinctive tall bodies that seem too big for shallow water. They cruise sand and grass flats in 2-6 feet, often in small groups. April through October is your best shot when they're spawning and more active. What draws anglers to permit is the challenge - they have amazing eyesight and spook at the slightest mistake. Landing one is a real achievement that many consider the toughest catch in the flats. They're decent eating but most folks release them. Live crabs are the gold standard bait, though crab imitations work too. Here's the secret: approach permit slowly and cast well ahead of them. They're curious but cautious, so let the bait sit still until they investigate.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great table fare. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the best fishing when they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, steady fight. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. The trick with redfish is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. They spook easily in skinny water, so keep your distance and let the bait do the work.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most rewarding fish to target in our back country waters. These sleek predators average 18-30 inches but can push 4 feet when you get into the bigger ones. They hang around mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and structure in 2-8 feet of water. The distinct black lateral line makes them easy to spot. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: cast your bait just past the mangrove edge and work it back slowly. Snook love to ambush from cover, so patience pays off when you're working those tight spots.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate back country challenge - these silver kings average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and along current edges in 10-30 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially during spawning season when they gather in good numbers. What gets people hooked on tarpon is watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. They're built for speed and can rip line off your reel at 35 mph. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure without over-fighting them. Here's what works: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook.
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