Islamorada FL Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Halfday afternoon backcountry fishing charter in Islamorada watersAll fishing gear and equipment provided by experienced captainSmall group experience accommodating maximum two guests
Picture yourself casting lines in some of the most productive backcountry waters Florida has to offer, where the afternoon sun creates perfect fishing conditions and the crowds have already headed home. Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters delivers exactly that – a half-day afternoon adventure that puts you right where the fish are biting. With just two anglers maximum, you're getting the personalized attention that makes all the difference between stories about the one that got away and photos of your actual catch. The captain handles all the gear and tackle while you focus on what matters most: getting hooked up with some of the Keys' most sought-after gamefish.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience. We're talking about accessing those skinny water spots where the big boats can't go – the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and creek mouths where snook lurk in the shadows and redfish cruise the shallows. The afternoon timing is strategic here in Islamorada. While morning charters battle boat traffic and weekend warriors, you'll be sliding into prime feeding zones just as the fish start getting active for their evening hunt. The smaller group size means you're not waiting your turn to fish the hot spot – when we find them, you're both working the water immediately. Your captain knows these backcountry channels like his own backyard, reading the tides and wind to put you on fish consistently. The boat stays stocked with quality tackle matched to what we're targeting, from live bait rigs for snook to topwater plugs that drive tarpon crazy. You just need to bring your appetite – literally. Pack whatever food and drinks keep you happy because we've got everything else dialed in.
Fishing Islamorada's backcountry means adapting your approach to shallow water gamefish that spook easily and fight dirty. We're using light to medium tackle that lets you feel every head shake while still having enough backbone to turn a fish away from structure. Live pilchards and pinfish are the go-to baits here – nothing beats a frisky pilchard under a popping cork when sea trout are schooled up, or a well-placed pinfish near a mangrove root system where snook stage their ambushes. Artificial lures play a huge role too, especially when the bite gets finicky. Soft plastics on jigheads work magic on grass flats, while topwater plugs during low light periods can trigger explosive strikes from tarpon and barracuda. The key to backcountry success is reading the water – understanding how current flows through cuts, where baitfish concentrate, and how structure holds fish. Your captain positions the boat to give you clean casting angles while staying far enough away to avoid spooking fish in these shallow zones. Sight fishing opportunities pop up regularly, especially for redfish and barracuda cruising the flats with their backs out of water.
Snook are the crown jewel of Islamorada backcountry fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove edges, bridge pilings, and creek mouths where they can dart out to crush unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during moving tides, particularly the last two hours of incoming and first hour of outgoing. What makes snook so addictive is their attitude – they hit hard, jump high, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. The slot size fish here typically run 24 to 28 inches, perfect eating size that also puts up a memorable fight on appropriate tackle.
Tarpon fishing in the backcountry offers a completely different vibe than offshore tarpon action. These fish range from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 20 to 40 pounds up to mature fish pushing triple digits. They love shallow basins connected to deeper water, especially areas with good current flow and bait concentrations. When a tarpon eats your offering, you know it immediately – the surface explosion followed by multiple jumps creates memories that last forever. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly strong, making runs that test your drag and stamina. Peak tarpon activity happens during warmer months, but resident fish provide action year-round in the right conditions.
Sea trout might not get the glamour headlines, but they're absolutely essential to a successful backcountry trip. These spotted beauties school up over grass beds and sandy areas, often in large numbers that keep rods bent consistently. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to catch once you locate a school, making them perfect for building confidence and keeping the action steady. Sea trout respond well to live bait presentations and soft plastic jigs, hitting with a distinctive tap-tap-tap that experienced anglers recognize immediately. They're most productive during cooler months but available year-round.
Redfish are the ultimate sight fishing target in Islamorada's shallows. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise grass flats and mangrove shorelines, often with their backs partially visible above the surface. Watching a red inhale your bait in crystal clear water never gets old, and their powerful runs toward structure keep things interesting. Reds are notorious for their stubborn fighting style – they don't jump like tarpon or run like kingfish, but they use their broad sides and determination to wage war in close quarters. They're legal to harvest within slot limits and make outstanding table fare when prepared fresh.
Great barracuda add serious excitement to any backcountry trip with their lightning-fast strikes and razor-sharp teeth. These predators patrol flats edges and deeper channels, always ready to destroy whatever looks like an easy meal. Barracuda hits are violent and immediate – there's no subtlety when a four-foot cuda decides your lure looks tasty. They're incredible jumpers with a nasty habit of throwing hooks, so keeping steady pressure without giving them slack becomes critical. While not typically kept for eating due to potential ciguatera concerns, they provide pure adrenaline rushes that balance out the more technical
Step aboard our beautifully restored 16' Hewes Bonefisher skiff, a classic choice for exploring Islamorada's backcountry waters. This legendary flats boat accommodates up to 2 anglers and runs on a reliable 90 HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. The shallow draft design lets us slip into skinny water where the big tarpon, bonefish, and permit like to hang out. We've equipped her with modern GPS and fish finder technology to locate the best spots, plus VHF radio for safety. The onboard live well keeps your catch fresh, while the icebox has plenty of room for your snacks and cold drinks. Built for the flats but tough enough for deeper waters, this skiff is your ticket to some serious fishing action in the Florida Keys backcountry.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the speed demons of our flats and reefs around Islamorada. These silver torpedoes typically run 2-4 feet long with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, reef edges, and around structure in 5-50 feet of water. They're year-round residents but most active during warmer months. What guests love is their lightning-fast strike and initial run - they'll hit at 35 mph and strip line like crazy. While not great eating due to occasional toxins, they're pure adrenaline on light tackle. Their curious nature means they'll often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Here's the key: use shiny lures like spoons or tube lures and retrieve them fast with an erratic action. When they follow without biting, speed up even more - that trigger their predatory instincts and forces a strike.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are a sight-fishing favorite on our shallow flats around Islamorada. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and sport distinctive black spots near their tails. You'll spot them tailing in water so shallow their backs show, usually over mud and grass flats from 6 inches to 4 feet deep. They're year-round residents but easier to target during cooler months when they school up. What makes reds special is watching them eat - they'll crush topwater plugs in explosive strikes that'll make you jump. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, sweet meat. The fight is strong but steady, perfect for all skill levels. Here's my go-to strategy: look for areas where the grass meets sand or mud. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle to the bottom - reds are head-down feeders and that natural presentation gets them every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a bread-and-butter fish around Islamorada's grass flats. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional catches hitting 5+ pounds. Look for them over seagrass beds in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months from October through April, and love to feed at dawn and dusk. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids since they bite readily and don't fight too hard. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastics. Let it sit for 30 seconds between pops - specks often hit on the pause when the bait's falling.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Islamorada's mangroves and shallow flats. These golden, sleek fish typically run 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. You'll find them hanging around dock pilings, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths in water from 2-15 feet deep. They love structure and ambush spots. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they're more active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover when hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your bait or lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the cover rather than straight at it - snook are spooky and this approach gets more strikes.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what fishing dreams are made of here in Islamorada. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet, though we see monsters pushing 200+ pounds. Tarpon cruise our shallow flats, channels, and deeper holes around bridges in 5-60 feet of water. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through the Keys, with July being prime time. What hooks anglers is their raw power - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and make screaming runs that'll test your tackle and patience. Most folks release them since the meat isn't great, but landing one is a lifetime achievement. The fight can last an hour or more on big fish. Here's the trick: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps that'll get your heart racing.
Islamorada