Full Day Everglades Fishing with Edge Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8-hour Everglades fishing adventure with Captain Bruce PollockTarget permit, tarpon, redfish, and snook in shallow backcountry watersAll gear, live bait, and fishing licenses included for groups
Captain Bruce Pollock knows the Everglades backcountry like his own backyard, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of Florida's most productive waters. This 8-hour private charter takes you deep into the shallow flats and winding creeks where trophy fish live, all from the comfort of a specialized 10-inch draft skiff that can slide into places bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to check permit off your bucket list or a family wanting to tangle with some feisty redfish, Captain Bruce tailors every trip to match your skill level and the day's conditions. You'll have up to 4 spots on the boat, making this perfect for couples, families, or small groups of fishing buddies who want a personalized Islamorada adventure.
Your day starts early in Islamorada, where Captain Bruce will have the skiff loaded with everything you need - quality tackle, fresh live bait, and all the gear required for targeting multiple species throughout the day. The beauty of fishing the Everglades is the diversity; one cast might bring a powerful tarpon to the surface while the next could have you battling a sneaky permit in knee-deep water. The shallow draft of the boat opens up miles of backcountry that stay off-limits to deeper hulled vessels, giving you access to pristine fishing grounds where the fish haven't seen much pressure. Captain Bruce reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to position you in the right spots at the right times. Some days that means poling quietly through turtle grass flats, other days it's positioning near creek mouths where baitfish get ambushed by hungry predators. The relaxed pace means there's time to learn, ask questions, and really soak in the unique ecosystem of the Everglades while you fish.
Fishing the Everglades backcountry requires finesse and local knowledge, which is exactly what Captain Bruce brings to every trip. You'll use a mix of techniques depending on what's biting - sight fishing with live pilchards for permit, throwing topwater plugs at rolling tarpon, or working soft plastics around mangrove shorelines for snook and redfish. The 10-inch draft skiff is the key to success here, allowing access to the skinny water flats where these fish feed and cruise. Captain Bruce will pole the boat silently into position, giving you clean shots at fish without spooking them. Live bait fishing with pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp produces consistent action, while artificial lures let you cover more water when fish are scattered. The boat comes equipped with quality spinning and conventional tackle appropriate for everything from 3-pound yellowtail to 100-pound tarpon. You'll fish everything from expansive grass flats dotted with sponges to narrow creeks lined with red mangroves, each offering different opportunities based on tide, time of day, and season. The $30 Everglades National Park fee gets you access to some of the most pristine and fish-rich waters in South Florida.
Snook are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and these ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and creek mouths throughout the backcountry. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish get pushed along the structure, and Captain Bruce knows exactly where to find them based on water temperature and season. Snook hit hard and fight dirty, using their razor-sharp gill plates and the nearest mangrove root to cut your line if you give them any slack. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, though you can find them year-round in the warmer backcountry waters.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the Everglades, and hooking into one of these prehistoric fish will test your tackle and your arms. These giants can range from 30-pound juveniles to 150-pound adults, and they're famous for their gill-rattling jumps and long, powerful runs. Spring and early summer bring the best tarpon fishing as schools move through the area during their annual migration. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's their age and the challenge they represent. These fish can live over 50 years, and landing one requires patience, proper technique, and a little luck.
Redfish cruise the shallow flats in small schools, their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots making them easy to spot in clear water. These bruisers average 5-10 pounds but can push into the teens, and they're known for long, bulldogging fights that will test your drag system. Redfish feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, making them willing to hit both live bait and artificials. They're year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species might be finicky.
Permit are considered the holy grail of flats fishing, and the Everglades holds some of the best permit fishing in the world. These spooky, intelligent fish cruise the flats in small groups, feeding on crabs and shrimp with their sensitive barbels. Landing a permit requires stealth, precision, and persistence - they're notorious for refusing perfectly presented baits for reasons only they understand. When you do connect with one, expect a fight that combines speed, power, and cunning as they try every trick to throw the hook.
Yellowtail Amberjack add some offshore excitement to your backcountry day, typically found around deeper holes and structure within the Everglades system. These colorful fighters hit hard and dive deep, using their broad sides to leverage against your rod. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the sight-fishing that dominates most of the day's action.
This top-rated Everglades fishing experience books up quickly, especially during
This 24-foot Dorado is your ticket to the Everglades backcountry, built specifically for navigating the shallow flats where trophy fish hide. With its 10-inch draft, this boat gets you into skinny water that bigger vessels can't reach - prime territory for stalking permit, tarpon, and redfish. The 200HP Mercury pushes you across open water at 40 knots, then throttles down for stealthy approaches in knee-deep flats. GPS keeps you on track through the maze of mangrove channels, while the fish finder reveals what's lurking below. The live bait tank keeps your offerings frisky, and the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Built to handle four anglers comfortably, this shallow-water machine is perfectly rigged for Captain Bruce's backcountry expertise.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - tall, disc-shaped fish with that distinctive sickle tail. Most run 15-25 pounds, but monsters over 40 pounds cruise these waters. They love sandy flats and turtle grass beds in 2-6 feet, often tailing while hunting crabs. Spring through fall is prime time, especially April through October during spawning season. What makes them legendary is how selective and spooky they are - many consider them the hardest gamefish to fool on the flats. They're decent eating but most folks release them for bragging rights. Those golf ball-sized eyes can rotate 360 degrees, so they see everything. The trick is presenting a perfect crab imitation right in their path and being ready to strip-set immediately when they tip down to eat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect sight-fishing targets on the shallow flats, often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. They average 20-30 inches but can grow to 40+ inches and 30 pounds. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They're active year-round here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching them tail and cruise the shallows - plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. That distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. Pro tip: approach them quietly from upwind and cast well ahead of where they're moving - they spook easily in shallow water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators that love cover - think mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big ones can push 40 inches and 20+ pounds. They're incredibly temperature sensitive, so they're most active when water temps are 70-85°F, typically spring through fall. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they slam your bait - they'll jump and make powerful runs toward structure. The meat is fantastic, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's the key: cast your bait upcurrent from where you see them and let it drift naturally into their strike zone. They're spooky, so keep noise to a minimum and make accurate casts the first time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of shallow water gamefish - massive silver fish that can reach 6-8 feet and 100-200 pounds. We find them rolling on the flats in 2-10 feet of water, especially around channels and drop-offs. Peak season runs May through July when they migrate through, but we see them year-round in South Florida. What draws people back is watching a 150-pound fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. They're terrible table fare with lots of bones, so it's all about the fight and the photo. The secret is keeping steady pressure without forcing them - let them tire themselves out with those jumps. Use circle hooks and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are hard-fighting pelagic fish that'll test your tackle and stamina. They typically run 15-25 pounds but can reach 40+ pounds and swim incredibly fast. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-150 feet of water. Summer months are best when they move inshore following baitfish. What anglers love is that initial screaming run - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. The meat is excellent, oily and rich, perfect for grilling or searing. They're strong swimmers that'll try to cut you off on structure, so heavy tackle is a must. Key tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them make their runs while gradually working them up and away from the bottom structure.
Everglades