Key Largo Full Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day targeting Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook inshoreEight hours exploring flats, mangroves, and channels around Key LargoAll gear included with experienced captain sharing local knowledge
When you want to seriously fish the flats around Key Largo, you need time on your side. This full-day charter gives you eight solid hours to work the best inshore waters in the Upper Keys, targeting the holy grail of flats species—Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Snook, and Redfish. With Back Bone Charters, you're not just getting a boat ride; you're getting decades of local knowledge and the flexibility to adapt as conditions change throughout the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler chasing your first Grand Slam or bringing the family for their first taste of Florida Keys fishing, this trip delivers the time and expertise needed to make it happen.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how you want it in the Keys. The morning bite is often the best bite, especially when you're after spooky flats fish that get lockjaw once the sun climbs high. Your captain will read the conditions—wind, tide, water clarity—and make the call on where to start. Maybe it's the oceanside flats for bones, or perhaps the backcountry mangroves where big snook lurk in the shadows. With eight hours at your disposal, there's no rush. If the first spot isn't producing, you move. If the fish are biting, you stay put and capitalize. That's the beauty of a full-day trip—you can follow the fish and the conditions instead of watching the clock. The boat accommodates up to two guests, so you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. All tackle is provided, from light spinning gear for bones to heavier setups for tarpon, but feel free to bring your own favorite rods if you prefer.
Key Largo's inshore fishing is all about variety, and your captain will switch techniques as the day unfolds. On the flats, it's sight fishing with live shrimp, crabs, or perfectly presented flies if you're into the long rod. You'll pole quietly across turtle grass beds and sandy bottoms, scanning for tailing bones or rolling tarpon. In the mangroves and channels, the approach changes completely—casting live pilchards under overhanging branches for snook or working the edges where permit cruise looking for crabs. The water here ranges from knee-deep flats where you can see every shell on the bottom to deeper channels and cuts that hold bigger fish. Your captain knows every productive spot within range—the flats that fire up on incoming tides, the mangrove pockets that always seem to hold snook, and the deeper basins where tarpon stage before moving shallow. The skiff is designed for this kind of fishing, with a shallow draft that lets you access water other boats can't reach and a quiet poling platform that won't spook fish in skinny water.
Bonefish are the bread and butter of Keys flats fishing, and Key Largo has some of the most consistent bone fishing in South Florida. These silver bullets average 3-8 pounds here, with the occasional double-digit fish showing up to make your day. Bones are most active on moving water—incoming tides bring them onto the flats to feed, and they're easiest to spot when they're tailing in shallow water. What makes them special is the challenge; they're incredibly spooky and require precise casting and presentation. When you hook one, that first run will strip line off your reel like nothing you've felt before.
Tarpon fishing peaks from March through July, when these silver kings migrate through the Keys in massive numbers. The fish you'll encounter range from 20-pound "baby" tarpon in the backcountry to 100-pound giants on the oceanside flats. Tarpon are pure adrenaline—they jump repeatedly when hooked, often throwing the hook in spectacular fashion. Even a smaller tarpon will test your tackle and your patience, but landing one is a memory that lasts forever. The key is keeping steady pressure and hoping they don't jump toward the boat.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and Key Largo offers some of the best permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fighters are notoriously difficult to hook, with a well-deserved reputation for being extremely selective about what they eat. Most permit here run 8-20 pounds, and they're most commonly found cruising the edges of flats or working over coral heads and wrecks. They love live crabs above all else, but getting them to actually eat is the challenge. When you do connect with a permit, they make powerful runs and use their body shape to pull like a freight train.
Snook are the perfect ambush predator, lurking around mangrove shorelines, docks, and structure throughout the backcountry. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but in the deeper mangrove creeks, you can catch them all day long. Key Largo snook typically range from 18-35 inches, and they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the backcountry. They'll absolutely crush a live pilchard or pinfish, and their gill-rattling strikes are addictive. The slot limit keeps things interesting—they have to be between 28-32 inches to keep, so you'll release plenty of fish while searching for that perfect slot snook.
Redfish complete the inshore slam and are some of the most reliable biters you'll encounter. Key Largo reds typically run 18-27 inches, with their distinctive copper sides and black spots making them easy to identify. They're often found tailing on shallow flats, rooting around in the grass for crabs and shrimp. Reds aren't as spooky as bones or permit, so they're perfect for newer anglers or when the bite gets tough. They fight hard and steady, making multiple runs before coming to the boat. The best part about redfish is their willingness to eat—they'll take live b
Your fishing machine for the day is a brand new 2025 Ocean Bay 18.6, powered by a reliable 2024 Yamaha 115 SHO that'll get you to those prime fishing spots quickly and quietly. This nimble 18-footer is perfect for navigating Key Largo's shallow flats where the bonefish cruise and slipping into tight mangrove channels where snook love to ambush bait. The boat's shallow draft lets your captain access backcountry waters that bigger vessels can't reach, opening up more fishing opportunities throughout your 8-hour adventure. With GPS navigation on board, you'll efficiently move between productive areas as conditions change. The layout gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats for permit or working the channels for tarpon, this boat handles beautifully in Key Largo's varied inshore waters and gives you the platform you need for a successful day on the water.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "grey ghosts" of the flats, averaging 3-6 pounds with silver sides that reflect the bottom like mirrors. They feed in 6 inches to 4 feet of water on grass flats and sand bars, often with their tails breaking the surface while rooting for crabs and shrimp. Low tide is prime time when they move onto the shallow flats to feed. What hooks people is their speed - they'll rip 100 yards of line in seconds once hooked, earning their nickname for good reason. They're catch-and-release since they're too bony to eat well. The secret is spotting their shadows or nervous water before they see you. When you find tailing fish, cast 10 feet ahead of their nose and strip slowly - too close and they'll bolt for deep water instantly.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - tall, silver, disc-shaped fish that average 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+. They cruise sand flats and turtle grass beds in 2-8 feet, often in small groups. Those massive eyes can spot you from 100 yards away, making them extremely spooky. April through October gives you the best shots when they're spawning and more aggressive. What draws people to them is the challenge - they're notoriously picky eaters and will test your casting accuracy and patience. Most anglers consider landing one a career milestone. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard for bait, but the trick is getting within 50 feet without spooking them. Move slow, cast ahead of their path, and be ready to wait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish cruise the shallow grass flats and oyster bars in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs exposed. They average 24-32 inches around here and are built like copper-colored bulldozers with that signature black spot near the tail. Fall and winter are our best months when they school up in big numbers. Guests love them because they eat almost anything you throw at them and make strong, steady runs when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The spots fool predators into attacking the wrong end, giving them a chance to escape. My advice: look for nervous water or copper flashes on the flats, and don't be afraid to throw topwater plugs early morning - the strikes are explosive.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators that hang around mangroves, docks, and bridges in 2-6 feet of water. Most run 18-30 inches, but we see plenty in the 3-4 foot range that'll test your drag. They've got that distinctive black lateral line and golden color that makes them easy to spot. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the full and new moons when they're more active. What guests love is their explosive strike and the way they'll jump and bulldoze toward cover once hooked. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Pro tip: when casting to structure, get your lure as close as possible - snook won't chase baits very far, so accuracy beats speed every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of these waters, averaging 80-120 pounds but capable of reaching over 200. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and sometimes right up on the flats in 4-10 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially May through July when they're moving through in big numbers. What makes them special is their aerial show - these fish can jump 8 feet out of the water and will test every knot you've got with runs that peel 100+ yards of line. Most folks release them since the meat is bony and tough. The key is keeping steady pressure without pulling too hard when they jump - bow to the fish and let them tire themselves out. Patience wins with these giants.
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