Full-Day Prime Fishing Adventure in Flamingo
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing adventure in Flamingo watersTarget snook, redfish, permit, tarpon in pristine flatsAll licenses, gear, and bait included for groups
Captain Ariel Sport Fishing Charters & Marine Survey has put together something special for serious anglers looking to work the flats and mangroves around Flamingo. This full-day charter takes you into some of the most productive inshore waters in Florida, where the fish are plentiful and the action stays hot from sunrise to sunset. You'll be fishing pristine backcountry spots that hold everything from aggressive snook to silver kings, with all your gear, bait, and licenses taken care of. With space for up to four anglers, this trip gives you plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without crowding each other.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Ariel at the marina, where you'll load up with everything needed for a productive day of inshore fishing. The boat heads out into the maze of mangrove creeks and shallow flats that make Flamingo famous among saltwater anglers. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – you'll be working structure, reading water, and adapting your approach as conditions change throughout the day. The backcountry around here offers incredible variety, from crystal-clear flats where you can sight-fish cruising reds to deep mangrove cuts that hold big snook. Captain Ariel knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether they're feeding on the surface or hugging the bottom. The pristine environment means healthy fish populations and exciting action that keeps even experienced anglers on their toes.
This charter covers all the bases when it comes to inshore fishing techniques. You'll be working live bait around structure for snook and redfish, casting artificials to cruising tarpon, and presenting crabs to permit on the flats. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning and conventional tackle suited for the species you're targeting, plus a selection of live and cut baits that produce consistently in these waters. Captain Ariel will have you fishing everything from shallow grass flats in two feet of water to deeper channels and creek mouths where big fish ambush baitfish. The key to success here is reading the tides and understanding how fish move through this backcountry system. You might start the morning working mangrove shorelines with topwater plugs, then switch to live pinfish around oyster bars as the tide changes. The variety keeps things interesting and gives everyone on board chances to connect with different species using different approaches.
Florida Pompano are one of the most prized catches in these waters, and for good reason. These silver bullets are incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag and your patience. Pompano typically run between two and five pounds around Flamingo, but don't let the size fool you – they fight like fish twice their weight. Spring and fall offer the best pompano action when schools move through the area feeding on sand fleas and small crabs. What makes pompano so special is their combination of fight and flavor – many anglers consider them the best eating fish in Florida waters.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species get finicky. These fish are smart and structure-oriented, hanging around dock pilings, mangrove roots, and rocky areas where they ambush small baitfish. They typically range from one to four pounds in the backcountry, with the occasional larger fish pushing six or seven pounds. Snapper fishing requires patience and finesse – they'll inspect your bait carefully before committing, and they're quick to drop it if something doesn't feel right. The reward is worth the effort though, as few fish provide more consistent action or better table fare.
Tarpon are the kings of inshore fishing, and the waters around Flamingo hold good numbers of juvenile tarpon year-round. These silver kings range from twenty to eighty pounds in the backcountry, providing heart-stopping jumps and long, powerful runs that will leave your arms aching. Summer months bring the best tarpon fishing when fish stack up in deeper holes and creek mouths. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is the visual aspect – you'll often see fish rolling on the surface or cruising in clear water before you cast to them. The fight is legendary, with multiple jumps and bulldogging runs that can last twenty minutes or more.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Flamingo inshore fishing, with healthy populations of slot-sized fish plus plenty of oversized bulls that will challenge your tackle. Reds typically range from eighteen to forty inches, with the sweet spot being fish in the twenty to twenty-eight inch range that fight hard but aren't too big for the dinner table. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and structure, making them perfect targets for sight fishing on the flats. Fall and winter provide peak redfish action when fish school up in large numbers. The combination of aggressive strikes, strong fights, and excellent eating makes redfish a favorite among both novice and expert anglers.
Great Barracuda add an element of excitement to any inshore trip with their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. These toothy predators cruise the flats and edges looking for easy meals, and they're not shy about attacking lures or baits. Barracuda in these waters typically run from five to twenty pounds, with the occasional monster pushing thirty pounds or more. They're incredibly fast and will make blistering runs that can empty your spool in seconds. Spring and summer offer the most consistent barracuda action when fish are actively feeding in shallow water. While they're not typically kept for the table, barracuda provide some of the most exciting fishing available in the backcountry.
This full-day adventure with Captain Ariel Sport Fishing Charters gives you the best chance to experience world-class inshore fishing in one of Florida's most productive fisheries. The combination of expert guidance, quality equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds makes
Get ready to hit the flats around Flamingo aboard this sharp 2021 Pan motorboat! With a reliable 150 HP Yamaha pushing you to speeds of 38 mph, you'll cover serious water targeting Snook, Redfish, Permit, and Tarpon in those productive mangroves. The onboard fish finder and GPS keep you on the fish while the built-in bait tank ensures your live bait stays fresh all day. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat gets you to the hot spots fast and keeps you comfortable while you work the pristine backcountry waters. Everything's included - license, gear, and bait - so just bring your appetite for some world-class inshore action. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising Permit or working the mangrove edges for heavyweight Snook, this setup delivers the speed and fishability to make the most of Flamingo's legendary fishing opportunities.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are one of the most sought-after fish around Flamingo's flats. These silver beauties with yellow fins typically run 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally see them pushing 8-9 pounds. They're built flat and thin, which helps them slip through shallow water to hunt crabs, shrimp, and small fish. You'll find them cruising sandy bottoms and grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially during summer and fall when they're most active. What makes pompano special is their incredible fight for their size - they pull hard and make long runs. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with sweet, buttery meat that's prized in restaurants. Here's a local tip: use small hooks and live shrimp or sand fleas. When you see them tailing in shallow water, cast ahead of the school and let your bait settle naturally on the bottom.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are the speed demons of our waters and always provide an exciting fight. These torpedo-shaped predators average 2-4 feet but can reach 6 feet and over 40 pounds. With their razor-sharp teeth and 35 mph burst speed, they're impressive hunters. You'll find them around coral heads, grass flats edges, and anywhere baitfish are schooling, typically in 5-20 feet of water. They're active year-round but spring and summer bring the biggest ones close to shore. What guests love is their explosive strike and wild initial runs - they'll scream drag and sometimes jump. While we don't typically keep them for eating due to ciguatoxin concerns, the fight alone makes them worthwhile targets. They hunt by sight and are curious, often following lures before striking. Pro tip: use wire leaders and fast-moving lures like spoons or tubes. When they follow without biting, speed up your retrieve - it triggers their predatory instinct.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snappers, or Mangrove Snappers as locals call them, are some of the smartest fish in these waters. They average 1-2 pounds inshore, but we've seen them hit 4-5 pounds around deeper structure. These copper-red fish love hanging around mangrove roots, docks, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. They're most active at night and during dawn or dusk, making early morning and evening trips productive. What guests love about them is the challenge - they're extremely cautious and will inspect your bait before committing. When they do bite, they fight hard and dive straight for cover. The reward is excellent eating with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Keep movement minimal - these fish spook easily from too much action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Flamingo flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots average 5-15 pounds, with slot-size fish being most common. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them rooting around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight. They'll crush topwater lures and make powerful runs toward structure. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. The sight-fishing aspect gets people hooked - watching a red's wake as it pushes water in 18 inches is pure excitement. My tip: look for nervous water and birds working. When you spot tailing reds, approach quietly and cast beyond them, then work your bait back through their path.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of Flamingo's waters and pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These silver giants typically range 80-150 pounds around here, though we see monsters over 200 pounds during peak season. They cruise the deeper channels and flats edges, often rolling on the surface to breathe air. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating - we release these ancient fish - it's the fight. They'll jump 6-8 feet out of the water and can run for hundreds of yards at 35 mph. The aerial show alone is worth the trip. We find them in 4-15 feet of water around structure and current breaks. Local secret: when you see them rolling, don't cast right at them. Lead the school by 20-30 feet with live bait and let it drift into their path naturally.
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