Full Day Beginner Fishing in Everglades
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Eight-hour guided fishing adventure targeting redfish and snook speciesBeginner-focused instruction with all equipment and licenses provided includedPeaceful Everglades flats and mangrove waters exploration experience
Picture yourself gliding through mirror-calm waters surrounded by endless mangroves, rod in hand, learning from one of South Florida's most patient guides. Mark Cherney's full-day fishing adventure in Everglades National Park isn't just another charter—it's your gateway into the legendary backcountry fishery that's made anglers famous. Whether you've never held a fishing rod or you're looking to sharpen your skills in world-class waters, this 8-hour journey delivers everything you need for success without the intimidation factor.
Your day starts early with Mark, who knows these waters like the back of his hand after years of guiding in the 'Glades. You'll spend eight solid hours exploring the maze of mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars that make this place a fishing paradise. The beauty of this trip is Mark's teaching approach—he breaks down everything from basic casting mechanics to reading water structure, making sure you're comfortable before moving to the next skill. You'll work primarily the shallow flats where redfish cruise and the mangrove edges where snook ambush baitfish. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with sawgrass prairies stretching to the horizon and wildlife everywhere you look. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and snacks—Mark provides all rods, reels, tackle, and even handles your fishing license. The intimate two-person capacity means you get personalized attention and plenty of rod time throughout the day.
Mark specializes in two proven approaches that work magic in Everglades waters. On the fly fishing side, you'll learn to cast lightweight rods with streamers and shrimp patterns that drive these fish crazy. The sight fishing opportunities here are legendary—watching a redfish eat your fly in two feet of crystal-clear water never gets old. If fly fishing feels overwhelming at first, no problem. Mark's light tackle setups using spinning gear and live bait will have you hooked up quickly while you build confidence. Think 2500-series reels spooled with 15-pound braid, paired with 7-foot medium-action rods that can handle everything from schoolie snook to bull redfish. You'll fish everything from DOA shrimp under popping corks to spoons worked through moving water. The key in these backcountry areas is staying quiet and making accurate casts to structure—skills Mark teaches through hands-on practice, not long lectures.
The Everglades holds some of South Florida's most sought-after inshore species, each offering its own brand of excitement. Redfish are the bread and butter here, cruising the flats in schools and providing spectacular sight fishing opportunities. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-26 inches and fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing your drag system. Fall through spring offers the best redfish action when they're actively feeding in preparation for their spawning runs. Snook represent the ultimate backcountry prize—ambush predators that lurk around mangrove roots and oyster bars, ready to destroy whatever crosses their path. They're incredibly structure-oriented and explosive fighters, often jumping multiple times when hooked. The slot-size fish here run 24-32 inches and peak during warmer months when they're most active. Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're legitimate heavyweights that test your tackle and patience. These bottom-feeders love crab patterns and can reach impressive sizes in the nutrient-rich Everglades waters. Tarpon show up seasonally, offering heart-stopping jumps and runs that create lifelong memories—even the juveniles here put on aerial displays that'll leave you shaking. Crevalle jack round out the mix as aggressive fighters that hit hard and pull even harder, perfect for building confidence and keeping the action steady throughout your day.
This top-rated beginner trip fills up quickly, especially during peak season when conditions are most favorable. Mark's patient teaching style and the Everglades' forgiving learning environment create the perfect combination for building lasting fishing skills. You'll leave with practical knowledge, improved casting technique, and hopefully some great fish photos. The fact that everything's included—gear, license, instruction—removes all the barriers that keep people from trying this amazing fishery. Whether you're visiting South Florida or you're a local who's always wanted to explore the backcountry, this customer favorite delivers an authentic Everglades fishing experience that hooks beginners for life. Book now and discover why anglers travel from around the world to fish these legendary waters.
Perfect for exploring the shallow waters and mangrove-lined flats of the Everglades, this 18' Hell's Bay Boatworks skiff gets you into prime fishing spots that bigger boats can't reach. Built for backcountry fishing, the lightweight design pairs with a reliable 60HP Mercury Racing engine to cruise at 33 knots between fishing holes. The GPS keeps you on track through winding channels while the fish finder helps locate redfish, snook, and tarpon hiding in the grass flats. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. This classic skiff design handles the skinny water like a dream, letting you pole into those secret spots where the big fish hang out. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working the mangrove shorelines, this boat puts you right where the action is.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the gentle giants of our flats - big, powerful fish that can weigh anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds out here. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love oyster beds and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're perfect for beginners because they fight hard but steady - no crazy jumps, just a solid, determined pull that'll wear you out. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare too. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season - that's how they got their name. My go-to trick is using fresh crab on the bottom near oyster bars, and don't be surprised if it takes a while - drum fishing teaches patience.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our waters - thick, muscular fish that'll give you an arm-burning fight. They typically run 5-15 pounds but don't let the size fool you - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish around. Look for diving birds to find schools of jacks pushing baitfish to the surface in open water or around structure. They're aggressive feeders year-round but really fire up during warmer months. What makes them exciting is their willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them and their relentless pulling power once hooked. They're not great table fare but perfect for sport. When you find a school feeding, work fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs - they can disappear as quickly as they showed up. Keep that drag loose or they'll break you off on the first run.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Everglades trips - bronze-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most range 20-30 inches and put up a fantastic fight with strong runs and head shakes. They love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-2 feet where you can see their backs breaking the surface. These fish are built for the flats life, cruising oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines hunting crabs and shrimp. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. Guests love them because they're aggressive feeders, great fighters, and make excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Watch for "tailing" redfish - when you see those tails waving above water, they're feeding head-down and won't see you coming.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in the Everglades - sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook into some real bruisers over 3 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure where they can ambush baitfish. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're more active, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're also pretty temperature sensitive, so we target them in the deeper channels during cooler periods. Pro tip: keep your bait right along the mangrove edge where they're waiting - they won't chase it far from cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - massive silver rockets that can stretch 4-6 feet and weigh 80-150 pounds. These prehistoric giants cruise our shallow flats and channels, especially during late spring through summer when they migrate through South Florida. What sets them apart is their spectacular acrobatics - when hooked, they'll launch completely out of the water in a series of jumps that'll leave you speechless. Most anglers practice catch-and-release since they're not great eating and are crucial to our ecosystem. They're surprisingly smart too, often following specific routes through the backcountry. The key to success is staying patient and quiet when you spot a school - they spook easily. Once you hook one, keep that rod tip down during the jumps or they'll throw the hook every time.
Everglades