Half Day Fishing Trip in Everglades
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private halfday inshore fishing targeting permit and tarponAccess shallow flats and backcountry waters with specialized skiffAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included onboard
Captain Bruce Pollock knows the Everglades like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of the most productive backcountry waters in Florida. This top-rated half-day charter takes you into shallow flats and skinny water spots that most boats can't reach, giving you access to pristine fishing grounds with way less pressure. You'll spend four hours working the mangroves, grass beds, and channels where snook, tarpon, redfish, and permit call home. Bruce keeps things laid-back but productive, adjusting the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this world-class Everglades experience delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep you coming back.
You'll be fishing from Bruce's 24-foot Dorado, a shallow-draft skiff that's perfect for navigating the maze of creeks, potholes, and flats that make the Everglades so special. The boat draws just inches of water, which means Bruce can pole you into backcountry spots where bigger boats fear to tread. This is sight fishing at its finest – you'll be looking for tailing redfish, rolling tarpon, and cruising permit in crystal-clear water that's often knee-deep or less. The pace is relaxed but focused, with plenty of time to soak in the scenery between casts. Bruce customizes every trip based on your skill level, so beginners get patient instruction while experienced anglers can push their limits. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are covered, plus Bruce brings ice-cold water to keep you comfortable. Just remember there's a $30 Everglades National Park fee per boat that covers your access to these protected waters.
Bruce comes loaded with top-shelf spinning and conventional tackle matched to whatever species are active. You'll be throwing live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp, plus working artificial lures when the fish are aggressive. Sight casting is the name of the game here – Bruce will pole the skiff into position while you get ready to make that perfect presentation to a cruising fish. The shallow water means you'll often see your target before you cast, which makes every hookup that much more exciting. Light tackle is the way to go in these gin-clear flats, typically 15-20 pound test that gives fish a fighting chance while still having enough backbone for bigger tarpon and snook. Bruce knows when to switch tactics too – if the fish are spooky on top, he'll have you working the deeper edges and channels with live bait under a cork or bounced along the bottom.
Snook are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and these ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines and creek mouths. They're incredibly aggressive when feeding, exploding on topwater lures and live bait with jaw-rattling strikes. Snook fight dirty too, making powerful runs toward structure where they can cut you off. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized specimens to trophy 30-plus inchers that'll test your drag and your patience.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the backcountry, and even juvenile tarpon in the 20-80 pound range will give you a workout you won't forget. These fish are pure aerial acrobatics, launching themselves clear out of the water when hooked and shaking their heads like they're trying to throw a bucking bronco. The Everglades holds tarpon year-round, but late spring through summer brings the best numbers as fish move through the backcountry to spawn. Watch for rolling fish on calm days – that's your cue to get a live bait in the water fast.
Redfish are built for these shallow flats, with their copper-colored backs helping them blend into the grass beds where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. These fish are notorious for their bulldogging fights, making long, powerful runs that'll have your reel screaming. Reds are cooperative most of the year, but fall brings some of the best action as they school up in deeper water preparing for their offshore spawning runs. A tailing redfish in skinny water is one of sight fishing's greatest thrills.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and the Everglades holds some of the best permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fighters are incredibly spooky and selective, often requiring perfect presentations with live crabs or shrimp to get a bite. They're strong fish too, capable of long runs that'll take you well into your backing. Spring brings the most consistent permit action, though dedicated anglers target them year-round. Landing your first permit is a milestone that every serious angler should experience.
Yellowtail amberjack bring some serious muscle to the party, especially around the deeper channels and bridges where they ambush baitfish. These fish fight like freight trains, making powerful runs toward structure where they can break you off if you're not careful. They're also great table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers looking to take home some fresh fish. Summer months offer the most consistent yellowtail action, though they can be caught year-round in the right spots.
This renowned half-day charter with Captain Bruce gives you everything you need for an authentic Everglades fishing adventure. Four hours is perfect for getting a taste of what makes this fishery so special without wearing yourself out in the Florida sun. You'll fish waters that most tourists never see, guided by someone who's spent decades learning these flats and channels. The combination of Bruce's local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to skinny water makes this trip a best bet for anglers serious about experiencing world-class inshore fishing. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons
Your fishing platform for this Everglades adventure is a 24-foot Dorado motorboat, perfectly designed for backcountry angling where the big fish hide. This shallow-draft boat gets you into skinny water spots that larger vessels can't touch, powered by a reliable 200HP Mercury that cruises at 40 knots to cover serious ground between fishing holes. The stable platform comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or waiting for that tarpon to explode on your fly. Essential gear includes GPS navigation to mark productive spots, a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh. The live bait tank ensures your pilchards and shrimp stay lively, giving you the best shot at fooling those wary Everglades gamefish. Built tough for Florida's backcountry conditions, this boat puts you in prime position for permit, tarpon, snook, and reds.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - challenging, beautiful, and incredibly rewarding when everything comes together. These disc-shaped silver fish average 8-15 pounds in our waters, with their tall profile making them easy to spot on shallow flats. They cruise sand and grass flats in 2-4 feet of water, often around channel edges and drop-offs. Spring through fall gives us the best shot, especially during warmer months when they're more active. What makes permit special is their intelligence and pickiness - they have incredible eyesight and spook easily, making them a true test of angling skill. They're strong fighters that make long, powerful runs. The meat is excellent, though most get released due to their challenging nature. Live crabs are the gold standard bait, but here's my secret: when you spot a permit, cast well ahead and let your crab sit motionless on the bottom until the fish finds it naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of Everglades fishing and perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-30 inches in the backcountry, with some slot fish hitting 27 inches. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is their willingness to eat and the way they fight - strong, bulldogging runs that'll bend your rod. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Redfish aren't too picky about lures, but topwater plugs in skinny water create explosive strikes. My go-to technique is sight-fishing with a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp - cast ahead of cruising fish and work it slow across their path.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most rewarding fish to target in the Everglades backcountry. These sleek predators with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk around structure. You'll find them hunting along mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars in both salt and brackish water. They're ambush feeders that love cover, so we work the edges where they wait for baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around new and full moons when they get active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs toward cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when working mangroves, cast your lure past the structure and retrieve it right along the edge where the shade meets sunlight.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what dreams are made of out here. These prehistoric giants average 80-120 pounds in our waters, but we see fish pushing 150-200 pounds regularly. Tarpon patrol the deeper channels, basins, and edges of the flats, especially early morning and late afternoon. They move through our area year-round, but prime time is April through July when they're most active and feeding. What hooks anglers is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself completely out of the water - sometimes multiple times during a fight. They're pure athletes with stamina that'll test your arms and drag system. We practice catch and release since their meat is bony and not great eating. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure without over-cranking the drag. When a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the hook from pulling out during those aerial displays.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail amberjack are powerful fighters that'll give you a real workout when we find them around deeper structure. These golden-finned speedsters typically run 15-25 pounds in our area, though 40-pounders show up occasionally. Look for them near wrecks, reefs, and rock piles in 60-150 feet of water where they hunt baitfish and squid. Summer months are best when warmer water brings them closer to shore, but we catch them year-round. Anglers love the challenge - yellowtails are incredibly strong swimmers that make long, powerful runs and fight all the way to the boat. They're also excellent eating with firm, oily meat that's prized for sushi. These fish aren't shy about hitting lures, but live bait works best. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the structure - they'll wrap your line around rocks or coral and break you off in a heartbeat.
Everglades