Full Day Fishing Trip in Everglades
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour Everglades fishing trip with Captain Bruce Pollock.Target Permit, Tarpon, Redfish, and Snook in shallow waters.All gear, bait, and licenses included for personalized experience.
When you're looking for world-class inshore fishing in South Florida, Captain Bruce Pollock's full-day Everglades adventure delivers exactly what serious anglers dream about. This isn't your typical charter boat experience – you'll be poling through skinny water in a specialized 10-inch draft skiff, accessing remote flats and backcountry spots that bigger boats can't even think about reaching. The Everglades backcountry around Islamorada holds some of the most productive shallow water fishing on the planet, and Captain Bruce knows every creek, flat, and mangrove shoreline where the fish hang out.
Your 8-hour private charter starts early, giving you the full day to work different areas as conditions and tides change. Captain Bruce tailors every trip based on your skill level, whether you're a seasoned fly angler looking to sight-cast to permit or a family group wanting to bend some rods on snook and redfish. The shallow-draft skiff lets you slide into places where tarpon roll in less than three feet of water, and where permit cruise sand flats so clear you can see their shadows from 100 yards away. You'll cover everything from open flats to narrow creeks threading through mangrove islands, with the captain constantly reading water conditions to put you on fish. All your gear comes included – rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and even your fishing license – so you just need to bring yourself, plenty of water, and maybe some snacks for the long day ahead.
Fishing the Everglades backcountry is all about stealth and precision. Captain Bruce uses a push pole to quietly position the skiff, keeping noise to a minimum while you cast to visible fish or likely holding spots. You'll learn sight-fishing techniques, watching for wakes, tails, and shadows that give away feeding fish. The captain switches between live bait and artificials depending on what's working – live shrimp and pilchards for permit and tarpon, while topwater plugs and soft plastics can absolutely destroy snook around structure. Water depth here runs from just inches to maybe eight feet, so every cast matters. The shallow flats heat up and cool down with tides and sun angle, moving baitfish and gamefish in predictable patterns that experienced guides like Captain Bruce read like a book. When fish are spooky, you'll make long, accurate casts. When they're feeding aggressively, you'll capitalize with multiple hookups.
Snook are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and these ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and creek mouths throughout this area. They average 20 to 30 inches but can push 40-plus, with powerful runs that'll test your drag system. Best fishing happens during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed heavily on baitfish. What makes snook special is their attitude – they hit hard, jump, and use every piece of structure to try breaking you off.
Tarpon bring the real fireworks to your day, especially from March through July when resident fish and migratory schools move through the backcountry. These silver kings range from 30-pound juveniles to 150-pound giants, all sharing that spectacular jumping ability that makes them legendary gamefish. Tarpon fishing requires patience and technique since they're notorious for throwing hooks, but when you land one after a 20-minute battle, you'll understand why anglers travel worldwide just for this experience.
Redfish cruise these flats year-round, with fall and winter being particularly productive for bigger bulls. Reds average 24 to 30 inches but grow much larger, and they're perfect for sight-fishing since they tail and push water in the shallows. They fight with steady, bulldogging power and rarely jump, but their stamina and ability to find structure makes every hookup exciting. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you keep a legal fish.
Permit represent the holy grail of flats fishing – spooky, selective, and absolutely beautiful fish that can humble even expert anglers. The Everglades holds some of Florida's best permit fishing, particularly on deeper sand flats and around coral heads. Most permit run 8 to 15 pounds, but their incredible speed and endurance make them pound-for-pound among the strongest fish you'll encounter. Landing a permit on any trip makes it memorable.
Yellowtail Amberjack show up around structure and deeper flats, especially during cooler months. These scrappy fighters average 15 to 25 inches and provide steady action when other species get finicky. They're aggressive feeders that readily take both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for keeping rods bent throughout the day.
Captain Bruce's full-day Everglades fishing adventure gives you access to some of Florida's most productive and pristine fishing waters. With a maximum of four anglers, you get personalized attention and instruction that makes every trip both educational and productive. The $30 Everglades National Park fee per boat is a small price for accessing this world-renowned fishery that many consider the crown jewel of shallow water fishing. Whether you're chasing a permit on fly, wanting to photograph a released tarpon, or just hoping to catch dinner, this top-rated charter delivers the complete Islamorada backcountry experience. Book early, especially during peak season, because dates with Captain Bruce fill up fast among repeat customers who know quality guiding when they find it.
This 24' Dorado motorboat is your ticket to the Everglades backcountry where the real fishing happens. Built specifically for these shallow waters with just a 10-inch draft, she'll get you into flats and creeks that bigger boats can't touch. The 200HP Mercury pushes her at 40 knots when you need to cover water fast, but she's rock-steady when you're working a school of permit or waiting for that tarpon to show. The GPS keeps you on track through the maze of mangrove channels, while the fish finder helps locate bait schools and structure. The live bait tank keeps your shrimp and pilchards lively, and there's plenty of ice storage for your catch and cold drinks. With space for up to 4 anglers, everyone gets room to cast without tangling lines. The shallow draft design means you can pole right up to those skinny-water spots where the big snook and reds like to hang out.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - extremely challenging but worth every cast. These tall, disc-shaped fish average 10-20 pounds and have incredible eyesight that can spot you from 100 yards away. They cruise shallow sand and grass flats, often in water so shallow their dorsal fins stick out. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially during their spawn from April to October. What makes permit special is they're notoriously difficult to fool - many consider them the toughest fish on the flats to catch consistently. When you do hook one, they make powerful runs and use their flat sides to really pull. They're decent eating but most folks release them for bragging rights. Live blue crabs are the gold standard bait, but crab-pattern flies work for fly fishing. Key tip: approach them from behind or at an angle, never head-on, and lead them by several feet with your cast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for our shallow water fishing, cruising flats in just 1-4 feet of water with their backs sometimes showing above the surface. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that distinctive copper-red coloring and black spot near the tail. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up and feed heavily. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat and strong, steady fight - they'll make long runs and really bend your rod. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. You can catch them on everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs and spoons. Local trick: look for "tailing" fish with their heads down feeding - approach quietly and drop your bait right in front of their nose.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after fish in our backcountry waters. These sleek predators typically run 18-30 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring that makes them easy to spot. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. They're temperature sensitive, so the best action happens during warmer months from May through September when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make strong runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent too, with firm white fillets that taste great grilled. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, cast your bait upcurrent and let it drift naturally past the cover. Snook are smart and spooky, so stealth and presentation matter more than the perfect lure.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our flats - massive silver fish that can reach 6 feet and 100-150 pounds, though the giants can top 200. These prehistoric fish love shallow water around channels, basins, and flats throughout our area. Peak season runs from April through July when they migrate through in large schools. What draws anglers from around the world is their aerial show - tarpon can jump 10 feet out of the water and make blistering runs that'll test every inch of your tackle. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the fight is pure adrenaline. Most folks target them on live bait like crabs, pinfish, or mullet, but they'll hit flies and artificials too. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them. This gives slack and prevents the hook from pulling out during their acrobatics.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail Amberjack aren't typically found in our shallow Everglades waters - they're more of a deeper water, offshore species that prefers rocky reefs and kelp beds. These powerful fish average 15-25 pounds but can reach over 40, with bright yellow fins that give them their name. They're primarily a Pacific Coast species, most common around California and Baja Mexico during warmer summer months. What makes yellowtails appealing to anglers is their incredible strength and speed - they'll make long, blistering runs that test heavy tackle. They're also excellent eating with firm, oily meat that's prized for sushi. Most anglers target them with live bait like sardines or mackerel around structure. Pro tip: when fighting one, don't horse them too hard or they'll break you off in the rocks - let them make their initial run, then work them up gradually with steady pressure.
Everglades