Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip in Everglades
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Eighthour advanced fishing trip targeting redfish, snook, and tarponExpert guide leads technical casting in remote Everglades backcountryAll gear and licenses included for twoangler maximum groups
When you're ready to take your angling to the next level, there's no better proving ground than the Everglades backcountry. This isn't your typical charter where you sit back and wait for fish to bite – this is 8 hours of serious fishing with Captain Mark Cherney, targeting some of Florida's most challenging species in waters that'll test every skill you've built over the years. We're talking about stalking redfish in skinny water, sight-casting to laid-up snook, and maybe even getting a crack at tarpon if conditions line up right. This world-class experience is built for anglers who know the difference between fishing and catching, and who want to push their limits in one of the most pristine fisheries left in the country.
Mark's been working these waters for years, and he knows every cut, flat, and honey hole worth your time. You'll launch early and head straight into the maze of mangroves and backcountry flats where the big fish live. This isn't about covering water fast – it's about reading conditions, understanding tides, and making precise presentations when opportunities show up. The boat stays quiet, movements stay deliberate, and every cast counts. You'll be working both fly and light tackle depending on what the fish are telling us, switching between techniques as conditions change throughout the day. The Everglades doesn't give up its fish easy, but that's exactly why seasoned anglers keep coming back. When you connect with a bull red or a slot snook in these waters, you've earned every second of that fight.
We've got all the gear dialed in, from 8-weight fly rods rigged with intermediate lines to spinning setups loaded with 20-pound braid. You're welcome to bring your own sticks if you've got preferences – most serious anglers do. We'll be sight-casting to tailing fish, working topwater plugs through mangrove pockets, and dropping live bait in deeper cuts when the bite calls for it. The key out here is versatility and precision. You might be throwing a spoon at cruising jacks one minute, then switching to a weedless jig for snook tucked under overhanging branches the next. Mark's got the local knowledge to put you on fish, but success comes down to your ability to make accurate casts under pressure and fight fish in tight quarters. The backcountry doesn't forgive sloppy presentations or weak hooksets.
The Everglades backcountry holds some of Florida's most sought-after species, and each one brings its own challenges. Redfish are the bread and butter out here – these copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, with bigger bulls showing up in cooler months. They're spooky in shallow water but fight like freight trains once hooked, using their broad tails and the current to test your drag system. Snook are the technical challenge most anglers crave, hiding under mangrove overhangs and around structure where one wrong cast ends in a break-off. They're ambush predators with razor-sharp gill plates, so you better have your drag set right and know how to keep them out of cover. Tarpon show up seasonally and turn every hookup into a rodeo – even the smaller resident fish will clear the water multiple times and test everything about your setup. Black drum are the bulldogs of the backcountry, using their bulk to wage wars of attrition in deeper holes. Crevalle jacks might not win beauty contests, but they'll smoke drag and give you an arm workout that'll remind you why you lift weights in the off-season.
If you're serious about your fishing and ready for a challenge that'll push your skills, this trip delivers exactly what advanced anglers are looking for. Eight hours with Mark in the Everglades backcountry isn't just about catching fish – it's about understanding what separates good anglers from great ones. You'll leave with a deeper appreciation for reading water, better casting accuracy, and stories that'll last a lifetime. The Everglades has been humbling anglers for decades, but it also rewards those who come prepared and stay focused. Book your dates now and get ready to fish some of the most pristine backcountry water Florida has to offer. Just remember – this isn't a leisurely day on the water. This is advanced angling at its finest, and the fish won't make it easy on you.
Your fishing platform for this advanced Everglades adventure is an 18-foot Hell's Bay Boatworks skiff, purpose-built for serious backcountry angling. This 2002 craft pairs classic shallow-water design with modern performance—its 60HP Mercury Racing engine pushes you to remote fishing spots at 33 knots, then runs whisper-quiet through skinny water where trophy fish feed. The Hell's Bay's legendary shallow draft gets you into places bigger boats can't reach: tight mangrove tunnels, grass flats barely knee-deep, and hidden pockets where Redfish tail and Snook ambush bait. GPS navigation keeps you oriented in the maze of backcountry channels, while the fish finder reveals structure and movement below the surface. Built for two anglers max, this skiff gives you plenty of casting room on the wide deck without bumping elbows. The clean layout lets you work flies and light tackle with precision—essential when sight-fishing spooky targets in crystal-clear shallows. Every detail serves the fishing: rod storage, tackle organization, and stable footing for those critical shots at cruising Tarpon or laid-up Snook.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - thick, powerful fish with crushing jaws built for eating crabs and oysters. Most weigh 5-30 pounds, but the old bulls can hit 50+ and will test your back. You'll find them on oyster bars, mud flats, and around structure in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear them drumming underwater. Guests love the strong, steady pull and the challenge of sight-casting to tailing fish. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough. Pro tip: use fresh cut crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom. When they take it, let them run before setting the hook - they need to get it down.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the backcountry - brassy, aggressive fish that travel in schools and fight way above their weight class. Most run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but they'll bend your rod like a much bigger fish. Look for them busting bait on the surface, often with birds diving overhead. They hit both shallow flats and deeper channels, and they're not picky about seasons - always ready to eat. Guests love their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights, plus that unique watermelon smell when you find a feeding school. They're not great table fare, but pure fun on light tackle. Pro tip: when you see birds working, cast past the school and burn your lure back through them fast - jacks love the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bullies of the shallows, easily spotted by those black spots near their tails. Most run 20-32 inches and 5-15 pounds, though the slot fish around 27 inches are perfect. You'll find them tailing on grass flats, cruising oyster bars, and hanging around docks in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime, especially on moving tides. What guests love? They eat everything, fight hard, and taste great - mild, sweet meat that's perfect grilled. They're not too spooky either, making them ideal for sight-casting practice. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or copper flashes on the flats. When you spot them, lead the school by 10 feet with a gold spoon and retrieve just fast enough to stay ahead.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ghosts of the mangroves - sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big girls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure - docks, mangrove roots, oyster bars - anywhere they can ambush bait. Spring through fall are prime, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn and get aggressive. What makes them special? They fight dirty, using that structure to break you off, and they're incredibly smart. Plus, smaller ones eat fantastic - white, flaky meat. Here's the key: snook are ambush predators, so work your lure slow along the edges of cover, not through it. They'll dart out to hit it.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - massive, prehistoric fish that can grow 6+ feet and weigh over 100 pounds. Most we see run 80-150 pounds and when they jump, it's pure magic. They roam shallow flats, bridges, and deeper channels from spring through summer, with May-July being peak season. What sets them apart? Those aerial shows - they'll jump 8-10 times trying to throw the hook. Most anglers don't eat them due to the bones, so it's all about the fight and bragging rights. They're incredibly smart and spook easy, so precise casting is everything. Here's my secret: when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward them. Keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild jumps.
Everglades