Backcountry Flat Fishing in Islamorada
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Backcountry flat fishing targeting tarpon, bonefish, and permitSmall group charter accommodates up to two guests maximumExperienced guide provides access to productive Islamorada flats
Looking for a fishing trip that puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive shallow waters? This backcountry flat fishing charter out of Islamorada delivers exactly what serious anglers and families are after – a chance to work the flats where the fish actually live and feed. With Captain Billy B, you'll spend your day poling through crystal-clear shallows, sight fishing for species that'll test your skills and give you stories worth telling. Whether you're bringing your kids for their first real taste of flats fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some trophy species to your logbook, these waters consistently produce the kind of action that keeps people coming back season after season.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Billy at the dock while the morning air is still cool and the flats are just starting to come alive. This isn't your typical party boat experience – with just two anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and the captain's full attention on putting you on fish. The shallow draft boat gets you into skinny water where the big boats can't go, those backcountry spots where redfish cruise the edges and permit show up to feed on the incoming tide. You'll be working with light tackle and live bait most of the time, though don't be surprised if the captain breaks out some artificial lures when the fish are being picky. The pace here is different from offshore fishing – it's about reading the water, watching for movement, and making precise casts when the opportunity presents itself. Some days you'll be sight casting to fish you can actually see, other days you'll be working structure and drop-offs where experience and local knowledge make all the difference.
Flats fishing is all about finesse and the right approach for the conditions. Captain Billy runs his boat with a push pole in the skinny stuff, keeping noise to a minimum while you work prime feeding areas. You'll be using spinning gear mostly, 2500 to 4000 series reels spooled with 10-15 pound test, though he'll bump up the tackle if there's a chance at bigger fish like tarpon or cobia. Live shrimp is the go-to bait – it's hard to beat when you're working grass flats and oyster bars where these fish naturally feed. Cut bait comes into play for species like black drum and sheepshead that prefer something with more scent, and there are times when artificial lures like DOA shrimp or spoons will outproduce everything else. The key is staying versatile and reading what the fish want on any given day. Water depth ranges from two to eight feet mostly, crystal clear enough that polarized sunglasses aren't just helpful – they're essential. You'll learn to spot the subtle differences between a stingray and a redfish tail, how to identify the nervous water that gives away a school of fish, and why that dark patch on the bottom might actually be worth a cast.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter fish here, especially during the cooler months when they move into the backcountry in serious numbers. These fish hit hard and fast, often taking baits before you even know they're around. They'll run anywhere from 12 to 20 inches, perfect eating size, and they fight way above their weight class. Black Drum are the heavyweights of this fishery – when you hook into a big one in shallow water, you'll know it immediately. These fish can push 30 pounds or more, and they use every ounce of that weight to test your drag and your patience. They're bottom feeders by nature, so you'll often find them around oyster bars and structure where they can root around for crabs and mollusks. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their light bites and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They school up around structure during the winter months, and once you figure out their feeding pattern, you can often catch them two at a time. Redfish are what most anglers consider the prize catch – they fight hard, they're beautiful fish, and they're smart enough to keep you honest. In the backcountry, you'll find them cruising the grass flats and mangrove edges, often in small schools that'll keep you busy for hours. Permit are the holy grail for many flats anglers, notoriously difficult to catch but absolutely worth the effort when everything comes together. They're spooky, selective, and they'll humble even experienced anglers, but that's exactly what makes them so special when you finally connect.
Spanish Mackerel show up in good numbers from October through March, when cooler water temperatures bring them into the shallows to feed on glass minnows and small baitfish. These fish are pure aggression – they'll hit a moving bait with everything they've got, often jumping clear of the water multiple times during the fight. What makes them special is their willingness to bite almost anything, making them perfect for kids or anyone new to saltwater fishing. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters when prepared fresh.
Black Drum are year-round residents, but the big ones really shine during the winter months when they school up in deeper holes and around structure. These fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – 40-pound drum aren't uncommon in these waters. They're bottom feeders with powerful pharyngeal teeth that crush oysters and crabs, which means they'll give you a slow, steady fight that tests your equipment and your endurance. Many anglers specifically target drum because they're excellent table fare and provide that heavy-pulling fight that's different from faster, more acrobatic species.
Sheepshead are winter visitors that arrive in serious numbers from December through February, congregating around dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars. They're famous for their human-like teeth and their ability to pick baits clean without getting ho
Set out into Islamorada's pristine backcountry flats aboard our 2014 24' Ranger center console, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that cuts through shallow waters with ease. This sleek boat handles like a dream in the skinny water where tarpon, bonefish, and permit love to cruise. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking fish in inches of water, while our fish finder helps locate schools of Spanish mackerel and spotted sea trout. GPS and radar keep you on course whether you're threading through mangrove channels or running to productive fishing spots. The spacious layout gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast without getting tangled up, and the multimedia system adds some tunes between bites. Perfect for serious anglers targeting permit on the flats or families hoping to hook into ladyfish and sharks. This boat gets you into those shallow, crystal-clear waters where the best backcountry action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the flats - these gray bruisers with crushing jaws commonly run 15-30 pounds in our shallow waters. They love oyster bars, muddy bottoms, and creek mouths where they can crunch on crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up in good numbers. What guests love is the powerful, bulldogging fight they put up - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating too. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or peeler crab on a circle hook, and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady thump-thump-thump, that's a drum working your bait - let him eat it before setting the hook. Patience pays off with these guys.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - these tall, silver ghosts with sickle-shaped tails average 20-30 pounds and have eyes like golf balls that see everything. They cruise turtle grass flats and sandy areas in 2-6 feet of water, often showing their backs while rooting for crabs. Spring through fall offers the best shots, especially April through October during spawning season. What draws serious anglers is the challenge - they're incredibly spooky and selective feeders that test every skill you have. When you finally hook one, they make blistering runs that'll empty your reel. Live blue crab is the gold standard for bait. My tip: when you see a permit, get ahead of where he's going and drop that crab right in his path. Don't move it - just let it sit and pray.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our flats fishing - these copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots typically run 18-27 inches in the slot. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being prime time when they're most aggressive. What makes them special is that heart-stopping moment when you spot their wake on the flats, plus they fight hard and taste great. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. Here's what works: when sight-casting to tailing reds, lead them by about three feet and let your bait settle to the bottom. Don't move it until they're right on top - then give it just a slight twitch. Patience beats aggressive retrieves every time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the flats with their black stripes and human-like teeth - they typically run 2-5 pounds and are notorious bait thieves. You'll find them tight to any structure: docks, pilings, bridges, or oyster bars where they pick off barnacles and small crabs. Winter through spring is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love the challenge of outsmarting these finicky feeders, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch - sweet, flaky white meat that's worth the effort. The key is getting your bait right on the structure and feeling for that subtle tick-tick before they steal it. Use a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and when you feel any weight at all, set that hook hard and fast.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are built for speed - these silvery rockets with yellow spots can hit 18 mph and typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters. You'll find schools of them near the surface around grass flats, channel edges, and anywhere baitfish are thick. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are right. What makes them fun is that explosive strike when they slam a spoon or live shrimp - plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat perfect for the grill. Here's the trick: when you see birds working or bait jumping, get there fast but drift into position quietly. Cast past the school and retrieve back through it. Their sharp teeth will cut regular line, so use a short wire leader to save your lures.
Islamorada, FL