Full Day Islamorada Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Full-day backcountry fishing adventure in legendary Islamorada watersSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximumEight-hour charter exploring pristine Florida Bay fishing grounds
If you're serious about fishing Florida's legendary waters, this 8-hour backcountry charter with Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters is exactly what you've been looking for. We're talking about a full day on some of the most productive flats and channels around Islamorada and Florida Bay - the kind of waters that made the Upper Keys famous among anglers worldwide. This isn't a rushed half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With eight solid hours on the water, you'll have the time to really work the flats, adjust techniques, and make the most of whatever Mother Nature serves up that day.
This is backcountry fishing at its finest, and we're keeping it intimate with just two anglers per trip. You'll be working the shallow flats and mangrove-lined channels where the big fish come to feed, using sight-fishing techniques that'll test your skills and reward your patience. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is that we can cover serious ground - from the gin-clear flats where you'll sight-cast to tailing redfish, to the deeper channels where tarpon roll and snook ambush baitfish. Florida Bay's massive ecosystem means we're never locked into one spot, and your captain will read the conditions, tides, and fish behavior to put you on the best action of the day. Expect to spend time poling the skinny water, making precise casts, and experiencing that heart-stopping moment when a fish appears in your sights.
We're talking about classic backcountry techniques here - sight-fishing with live bait, artificial lures, and fly fishing when conditions are right. Your captain will have the boat rigged with everything you need, from spinning tackle loaded with DOA shrimp and spoons to fly rods ready for that perfect shot at a cruising permit. The waters around Islamorada offer incredible variety - one minute you're working a grass flat in two feet of water, the next you're drifting a channel edge where the bottom drops to fifteen feet. Tides are everything out here, and with eight hours to work with, we can time our moves to hit different spots as the water rises and falls. Early morning might find us on the flats as the sun comes up and fish start moving, while midday could have us working mangrove shorelines where snook hold tight to structure.
Snook are the bread and butter of backcountry fishing around here, and these waters hold some real quality fish. They're ambush predators that love structure - think mangrove roots, channel edges, and dock pilings. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them, especially during the warmer months when they're active and feeding aggressively. A good snook will test your drag and make several powerful runs before you get it to the boat. What makes them special is their attitude - they hit hard, jump, and never give up easy. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloration.
Tarpon fishing in these waters is legendary, and for good reason. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 10-30 pound class up to monsters pushing triple digits. Peak season runs from April through July, but you'll find fish here year-round. When a tarpon takes your bait, everything changes - they'll launch themselves completely out of the water multiple times, and the fight can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. The backcountry tarpon are often more aggressive than their deeper-water cousins, and watching one crash your topwater plug in three feet of clear water is something you'll never forget.
Redfish are probably the most reliable target in Florida Bay, and these copper-colored bruisers are perfect for sight-fishing. They'll cruise the flats in singles, doubles, or small schools, often with their backs and tails visible above the surface. Peak times are during moving tides when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp. A quality red will typically run 18-27 inches and put up a bulldogging fight that's all power and determination. What's great about reds is their willingness to eat - they'll take live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and flies with equal enthusiasm.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and these waters hold some of the best opportunities in Florida to tangle with one. They're incredibly spooky and selective, often requiring perfect presentations and a lot of patience. Most permit here run 8-20 pounds, with the occasional larger fish pushing 30. They're primarily a spring through fall target, with peak activity during the warmer months. Permit have this habit of appearing when you least expect them and disappearing just as quickly. Landing one is considered a major achievement among serious flats anglers, and their powerful runs and acrobatic fights make every encounter memorable.
Great Barracuda add serious excitement to any backcountry trip, and these waters are full of them. They're aggressive predators that will absolutely demolish a well-presented lure or fly, often launching themselves clear of the water when hooked. Barracuda here typically range from 5-25 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 40. They're year-round residents but are most active during warmer months. What makes cuda fishing so addictive is their explosive strikes and blistering runs - they're like underwater missiles with teeth. Plus, they're excellent targets for fly fishing and light tackle work.
Eight hours on the water with access to some of Florida's most productive backcountry fishing grounds - that's what this trip delivers. Whether you're after your first tarpon, hoping to sight-cast to tailing reds, or trying to check a permit off your bucket list, these waters and this amount of time give you the best possible shot at success. The intimate setting with
You'll be fishing from a beautifully restored 16' Hewes Bonefisher skiff, a classic shallow-water boat that's perfect for working the flats and backcountry waters around Islamorada. This nimble skiff handles like a dream with its 90 HP Yamaha outboard, getting you to those prime fishing spots quickly and quietly. The boat comes loaded with modern electronics including GPS, fish finder, and VHF radio to keep you connected and on the fish. There's a live well to keep your catch fresh, plus an icebox for cold drinks and snacks during those long days on the water. Built for two anglers, this Bonefisher gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish on the flats or drifting the channels for snook and tarpon, this boat will get you there in comfort and style.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the perfect fish when you want fast action and a good fight. These toothy predators typically run 2-4 feet long with that unmistakable torpedo shape. We find them around reefs, wrecks, and open water from the surface down to about 30 feet. They're year-round residents here, but summer months bring the biggest ones. What guests enjoy is their aggressive nature - they'll hit lures hard and put up a spirited fight with short, powerful runs. While they're edible, most people release them due to occasional ciguatera concerns. Their curiosity makes them easy to hook, but watch those teeth when landing one. They're naturally attracted to shiny objects and movement. Pro tip: use a wire leader and fast-moving lures like spoons or tube lures. Retrieve quickly with an erratic action - barracuda can't resist chasing something that looks like it's trying to escape.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - they'll test every skill you have. These disc-shaped fish typically weigh 10-30 pounds with that distinctive tall, compressed body. We hunt them on shallow sand and grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, often around wrecks and structures too. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially April to October. What makes permit special is their incredible wariness - they have golf ball-sized eyes that see everything. Most anglers never land one, which makes them the ultimate challenge. They're strong fighters and excellent eating, but it's really about the pursuit. The magic moment is watching one tip down to grab a crab. Here's the deal: use live blue crabs and approach permit like you're hunting ghosts. Stay quiet, make long casts, and be ready to wait. Their reputation for difficulty isn't hype - they're genuinely tough.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers who love sight fishing in skinny water. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds around here. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their signature feature. We find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water on grass flats, around oyster bars, and in backcountry creeks. They bite year-round, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching redfish cruise the shallows with their backs out of the water, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They fight hard too, making strong runs and using their broad sides against you. Local secret: when you see a redfish tailing, cast well ahead of where it's headed and let your bait sit motionless. They spook easily in shallow water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most prized gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators average 1-3 feet but can reach over 4 feet. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so we fish tight to cover. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs toward structure. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing mangroves, cast your lure right into the roots and work it out slowly. Snook ambush from the shadows, so don't be afraid to get that bait right where it looks impossible to fish.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish here in Islamorada. These silver kings average 80-100 pounds but can hit 200+ pounds and 6+ feet. You'll find them rolling on the flats in 2-8 feet of water, around deeper channels, and near bridges. Peak season runs May through July when they migrate through, but we catch them year-round. What hooks anglers is watching these giants jump 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. They're strictly catch-and-release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is legendary. A hooked tarpon will make multiple jumps and long runs that can last an hour. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward it. This prevents the line from going tight and breaking when they crash back down. It takes practice but saves a lot of heartbreak.
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