Half Day Everglades Fishing - Redfish & Snook
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Halfday backcountry fishing targeting redfish, snook, and tarponAll fishing gear and licenses included for hasslefree experienceSmall group capacity of two guests ensures personalized guidance
Picture this: you're cruising through the shallow waters around Naples at sunrise, watching the mangroves come alive as your guide poles you into prime fishing spots most people never see. This half-day trip combines the best of both worlds - the productive waters near Naples and the wild backcountry of Everglades National Park. You'll target some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species while soaking in scenery that hasn't changed in centuries. With all gear and licenses included, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat and creating memories that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over.
Your morning starts with a strategy session as your guide reads the conditions and plans your route. We're talking about covering serious ground here - from the productive flats around Naples where redfish cruise in skinny water, to the remote backcountry of Everglades National Park where snook ambush bait along the mangrove edges. The beauty of this trip is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in two feet of water, the next you're working a topwater plug along a creek mouth hoping for an explosive snook strike. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish based on tide, weather, and what's been biting lately. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and snacks - we've got the rest covered with top-quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven local favorites.
This isn't your typical party boat fishing - we're talking about technical inshore angling that requires finesse and local knowledge. Your guide will have you rigged with everything from live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout to artificial baits that trigger aggressive strikes from snook and redfish. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs at first light, or presenting live bait in the current. The shallow water means we're often sight-fishing, so polarized sunglasses are a must. Your guide will coach you through proper casting techniques and help you read the water - spotting nervous bait, finding the drop-offs where tarpon roll, and identifying the subtle current breaks where predators wait in ambush. The boat is set up specifically for this type of fishing with a shallow draft, quiet trolling motor, and elevated casting platform that gives you the perfect vantage point.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats year-round, often in schools that'll get your heart racing. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie reds around 18-24 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag and your patience. What makes redfish so special here is the sight-fishing opportunities - watching a red's tail break the surface as it feeds headdown in the grass is pure magic. They're aggressive feeders but can be finicky about presentation, making each hookup feel earned.
Snook fishing in the Everglades is legendary for a reason. These ambush predators love structure - mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish against cover. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the best action often happening during moving water. Snook are known for their acrobatic fights and gill-rattling jumps, plus they're one of the best eating fish in these waters. A slot-sized snook between 28-32 inches is the perfect combination of fight and table fare.
Tarpon sightings add serious excitement to any trip, especially during the spring and summer months when these silver kings move through the area. While landing a full-sized tarpon on light tackle is a rare treat, juvenile tarpon in the 20-50 pound range are regular visitors to the backcountry. Even a small tarpon will give you a fight you won't forget, with their signature jumps and powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills.
Spotted sea trout are often the trip-savers when other species are being stubborn. These beautiful fish are abundant year-round but really shine during cooler months when they school up over grass flats and around deeper holes. They're aggressive strikers and excellent table fare, making them a favorite among guides when clients want to ensure they're taking fish home for dinner.
Black drum round out the target list as the heavyweight champions of the flats. These bottom-feeders can reach impressive sizes and provide bulldogging fights that'll test your endurance. They're most active during cooler months and are often caught while targeting other species, making them a welcome bonus catch that adds variety to your fish box.
Half-day trips like this book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot and the weather is perfect. You're getting access to some of the most productive and scenic fishing waters in South Florida, guided by someone who lives and breathes these flats every day. With gear, licenses, and local expertise all included, this trip removes every barrier between you and world-class fishing. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, fill the cooler with dinner, or just spend a morning in one of Florida's most beautiful wild places, this is your chance. The deposit is non-refundable for a reason - prime dates disappear quickly and guides need to plan their schedules around committed anglers. Book now and get ready for the kind of fishing that makes Florida famous.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a classic 18' Hell's Bay Skiff, built tough in 2002 and powered by a reliable 60HP Mercury Racing engine that'll get you moving at 33 knots across Naples waters. This shallow-draft boat is perfect for sneaking into those backcountry spots where redfish and snook like to hide. The GPS keeps you on track while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and drum in the Everglades maze of channels and flats. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and personalized attention from your guide. The skiff's low profile design lets you slip into skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to prime fishing areas where tarpon roll and snook ambush baitfish along mangrove edges.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of the flats - thick, powerful fish that'll give you a real workout. Most run 5-30 pounds, but we see some giants pushing 50+ pounds in deeper water. They love oyster beds, muddy bottoms, and anywhere they can crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure muscle pulling drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The big ones get tough and are better released. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig. Drop it right on the bottom near oyster bars and wait for that telltale thump-thump as they pick it up and move off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing around Naples and the Everglades. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spot near the tail typically run 18-32 inches and 3-15 pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime, but they bite year-round down here. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight in shallow water. Plus, the slot-sized ones (18-27 inches) are fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. They're not picky eaters, but they can be spooky in thin water. My favorite approach is sight-casting with topwater plugs or soft plastics. When you see that wake or copper flash, make your cast ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some bigger ones hitting 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around sandy potholes and drop-offs. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall provide the hottest action. Trout are great for beginners because they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild when fresh. They're also pretty to look at with those distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. Night fishing under lights can be fantastic too. Here's a local secret: use a popping cork with a shrimp or soft plastic about 18 inches below. Work it over the grass flats and listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Naples and the Everglades. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though we occasionally see monsters pushing 4 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local trick: when you're working mangroves, cast your lure or bait right up against the roots and let it fall naturally. That's where the big ones are waiting.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida - pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. Most of what we see run 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, but 200+ pounders show up regularly. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and passes throughout our area. Late spring through summer is peak season, especially May through July. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 6 feet out of the water repeatedly. They're built for speed and acrobatics - it's a spectacle you'll never forget. We don't keep them since the meat isn't great, but the fight is legendary. These fish can live 50+ years, so that big girl you're battling might be older than you. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook.
Everglades