Everglades Fishing with Captain Martin C.
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for Snook, Tarpon, Trout, and Redfish year-roundSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests per tripWildlife viewing includes alligators, crocodiles, and diverse bird species
Just an hour from Miami's concrete jungle lies one of the planet's most productive fishing grounds. The Everglades isn't just another fishing spot – it's 1.5 million acres of twisted mangrove creeks, shallow flats, and hidden ponds where some of Florida's most prized gamefish call home. Captain Martin C. has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the snook hide during cold fronts and which grass flats hold the biggest reds. This isn't your typical charter boat experience either – with just two anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with photos or going home with fish stories that'll last a lifetime.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Martin at one of the park's launch points before the sun climbs too high. The Everglades fishing game is all about timing and stealth – you'll be poling through skinny water that's barely knee-deep, sight-casting to fish you can actually see cruising the flats. This is light tackle country, so leave your heavy ocean gear at home. We're talking 15-20 pound test, spinning reels, and lures that won't spook fish in gin-clear water. The maze of creeks and backcountry ponds means you're constantly moving, reading water, and adapting your approach. One minute you're working a mangrove shoreline for snook, the next you're stalking tailing redfish on an oyster bar. Between fishing spots, keep your eyes peeled for manatees, dolphins, and the occasional crocodile sunning itself on a mudbank. The wildlife viewing alone is worth the trip, but when you combine it with world-class fishing, you've got something special.
Everglades fishing is all about finesse and presentation. Captain Martin specializes in sight fishing – spotting fish before they spot you, then making the perfect cast to get their attention. Live bait works great here, especially pilchards and shrimp, but artificial lures often outproduce naturals when worked correctly. Soft plastics on jig heads are the bread and butter, bounced along grass beds and oyster bars where redfish and trout feed. For snook around the mangroves, topwater plugs during low light periods create explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. The key is staying quiet – these fish are spooky in shallow water, so Captain Martin uses a push pole instead of the outboard whenever possible. You'll learn to cast accurately and quickly since these opportunities don't last long. Miss your shot at a 30-inch snook, and it might disappear into the mangroves before you can reload. The gear stays light but effective – 7-foot medium action rods paired with 2500-series reels give you the backbone to turn fish away from structure while still feeling every bump and tap.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove overhangs and creek mouths, waiting to demolish anything that looks like an easy meal. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll make multiple runs toward structure, testing both your drag settings and your nerves. Most Everglades snook run between 20-28 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 30-plus-inch beast that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. They're most active during moving water – incoming or outgoing tides – and early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn't beating down. What makes snook special isn't just their fighting ability, it's their attitude. They hit hard, jump often, and never give up easily.
Tarpon might be the most exciting fish you'll encounter, especially the juvenile "baby" tarpon that frequent the backcountry. These silver rockets range from 10-40 pounds in the Everglades system, and pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish in Florida waters. When a tarpon eats your lure, get ready for an aerial show that'll leave you breathless. They jump repeatedly, often throwing the hook in spectacular fashion, which is why landing one feels like such an accomplishment. Peak tarpon season runs from April through July, but you can find them year-round in the deeper creeks and channels. The best part about Everglades tarpon fishing is the visual aspect – you'll often see them rolling on the surface before you cast, giving you a target to aim for.
Sea trout are the most reliable catch in the park, especially on grass flats where they feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. While they might not have the raw power of snook or the acrobatics of tarpon, trout make up for it with consistency and excellent table fare. Most run 14-18 inches, perfect for the frying pan, though larger "gator" trout over 20 inches show up regularly. They respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. Cold fronts actually improve trout fishing as they stack up in deeper holes and creek bends, feeding aggressively before the weather changes.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats, and sight-fishing for them ranks among the most exciting angling experiences anywhere. These copper-colored fighters love shallow oyster bars and grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp, often with their tails sticking out of the water. A good Everglades red runs 20-27 inches and fights like a fish twice its size, making long, powerful runs that test your equipment. They're less spooky than snook but more aggressive than trout, often eating lures with reckless abandon once they decide to feed. The slot-limit reds are perfect eating, while the bigger bulls (over 27 inches) provide arm-burning fights that'll leave you sore the next day.
This well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to exploring the legendary fishing grounds of the Everglades backcountry. Built for serious anglers, she features a wireless trolling motor that lets you ghost through shallow flats without spooking the snook and redfish lurking in these pristine waters. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of trout and tarpon, while GPS navigation keeps you on course through the maze of mangrove creeks. An ice box ensures your catch stays fresh during those long days chasing gamefish. Perfect for two anglers who want to experience world-class light tackle fishing in one of Florida's most diverse ecosystems. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working the edges for hungry snook, this boat handles the shallow Everglades waters like a dream while keeping you comfortable throughout your fishing adventure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the workhorses of our flats - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that average 20-28 inches and 5-8 pounds. They cruise super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing, around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long, powerful runs across the flats. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. You'll often sight-fish them in clear water, which adds to the excitement. The key to success is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. My favorite technique is tossing a gold spoon or soft plastic jig past a moving redfish, then working it back into their path. They can't resist that flash and movement.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect light tackle fish that run 14-20 inches on average, with some nice ones pushing 24-26 inches. You'll spot them by their silver sides covered in distinct black spots and that soft mouth that requires a gentle touch. They love grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Cool weather from fall through early spring concentrates them in deeper holes and channels. Trout are popular because they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and aggressive feeders. My go-to trick is working soft plastic shrimp or grubs slowly along the bottom near grass beds. Keep your drag light though - their soft mouths tear easily, so let them run and tire themselves out rather than horsing them in.
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. They typically run 18-24 inches, though we catch some real bruisers pushing 3-4 feet. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. They're structure-oriented fish, so look for them near downed trees and undercut banks. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: when casting to mangroves, get your lure right up against the roots. Snook won't chase bait far from cover, so accuracy beats distance every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of the Everglades - true bucket list fish that can reach 6-8 feet and over 200 pounds, though most we see run 4-5 feet and 80-120 pounds. These prehistoric giants roam our shallow flats, channels, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through our waters, with late spring and early summer being prime time. What draws anglers from around the world is their legendary jumping ability - they can launch 10 feet out of the water and swim 35 mph. The fight is pure adrenaline, often lasting an hour or more. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the experience is unmatched. Here's an insider tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This keeps tension off the line and prevents the hook from pulling out during those spectacular aerial displays.
Key Biscayne, FL