Full-Day Backcountry Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Full-day private charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEight hours covering river, inshore, and backcountry watersMultiple techniques from fly fishing to trolling included
Looking for a fishing trip that covers all the bases? This 8-hour private backcountry charter gives you and one other angler the chance to explore multiple fishing environments in a single day. Starting at 8:00 AM, you'll work through river systems, inshore flats, nearshore waters, and backcountry spots that most anglers never see. At $500 for two people, you're getting serious bang for your buck – that's a full day on the water with a captain who knows where the fish are biting. The best part? If the weather doesn't cooperate or plans change, you can cancel up to three days out without penalty.
This isn't your typical half-day fishing trip where you hit one spot and call it good. Over eight hours, you'll move between different fishing environments depending on conditions, tides, and what's biting. The backcountry is where this trip really shines – shallow water flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that hold some serious fish. Your captain will read the water and adjust the game plan throughout the day. Early morning might find you working creek mouths for redfish, midday could mean hitting deeper holes for black drum, and the afternoon might wrap up with some light tackle action on the flats. The private setup means no fighting for rod space or dealing with other anglers' gear – just you, your fishing partner, and a captain focused on putting you on fish.
Versatility is the name of the game on this charter. You'll cycle through different techniques based on what you're targeting and where you're fishing. Bottom fishing works great when you're over structure looking for sheepshead or black drum – drop a Carolina rig with the right bait and let the fish come to you. Light tackle gets the nod on the flats where redfish and trout cruise in skinny water. If you're into fly fishing, bring your 8-weight – there's nothing like watching a red blow up on a well-placed clouser. Popping with topwater lures during the right conditions can produce some heart-stopping strikes, especially early and late in the day. When you move to deeper water or need to cover ground, trolling lets you search for fish while staying mobile. Heavy tackle comes into play if bigger fish show up or conditions get rough. The captain will have the right gear for each situation, but bringing your own favorite rods is always welcome.
The target species list reads like a backcountry angler's wish list. Black drum are the heavyweight champions of this fishery – these bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test your drag system. They love oyster bars and deeper holes, especially during moving water. Summer flounder provide excellent table fare and a good fight on light tackle. Look for them around sandy bottoms and channel edges where they ambush baitfish. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group – these bait thieves require patience and the right presentation around structure. Their crushing bite and zebra stripes make them a favorite target. Sea trout, particularly the bigger gator trout, patrol grass flats and drop-offs. They'll hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who like variety. Redfish are the stars of the show in backcountry waters. These copper-colored fighters cruise shallow flats, root around oyster bars, and provide some of the most visual fishing you'll find. A slot red on light tackle in two feet of water is pure fishing magic.
An 8-hour private charter covering multiple fishing environments for $500 is tough to beat, especially with the species diversity these waters offer. The flexible cancellation policy takes the risk out of booking, and the private setup means you're not sharing the experience with strangers. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water or someone wanting to maximize their time on a fishing trip, this backcountry adventure delivers. The combination of techniques, environments, and target species means there's always something happening. Book early – good captains and prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot.
Your fishing platform for the day is a reliable 20-foot Pro Sports flats boat that knows these backcountry waters inside and out. Built tough in 2000, this skiff cuts through shallow flats and narrow channels where the big reds and trout love to hide. The Yamaha 150HP pushes you at speeds up to 45 knots, getting you to those prime fishing spots fast and leaving more time with lines in the water. What makes this boat perfect for chasing fish is the wireless trolling motor – it lets you ghost into shallow areas without spooking whatever's feeding below. The GPS keeps you on track through winding creeks, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming underneath. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising redfish on the flats or working structure for sheepshead, this boat puts you right where you need to be. The spacious layout gives both anglers plenty of room to work their tackle without getting tangled up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and brackish waters where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is their incredible strength and that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with flaky white meat. Here's a pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't hesitate - set the hook hard because these fish have tough mouths and they'll drop your bait fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, with their copper-red backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall and spring give you the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special is their power and that heart-stopping moment when one explodes on a topwater lure in skinny water. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. The secret is being quiet and making long casts to avoid spouting them in shallow water. A gold spoon or soft plastic paddle tail worked slowly usually gets their attention.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as most folks call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots that love grass flats and shallow bays. They typically run 14-24 inches and are popular because they hit artificial lures aggressively and taste great on the table. These fish are most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit topwater plugs, creating explosive surface strikes that get your heart pumping. They have soft mouths though, so you need to play them carefully or they'll throw the hook. Look for them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and oyster bars. The key is using light tackle and working your lures slowly - a suspending twitch bait or soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork will usually do the trick.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most fish run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure covered in barnacles. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll drive you crazy until you figure them out. Winter and early spring are your best bet when they school up around structures to spawn. People love targeting them because they're excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean. The trick with sheepshead is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook the moment you feel weight. Use small pieces of fiddler crab or shrimp on a small hook, and don't be surprised when they steal your bait a few times before you connect.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged waiting to ambush baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches and make for some of the best eating you'll find. They're active predators despite their lazy appearance, chasing down everything from sand lance to small blues. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at hooking up. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and that sweet, flaky white meat that's tough to beat on the dinner table. They hang around sandy bottoms in bays and nearshore waters, often moving with the tides. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig tipped with squid or a live killifish, and always hook your baitfish through the lips so it swims naturally near the bottom where these guys are waiting.
Florida