Everglades Freshwater Fishing & Wildlife Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour photography expedition through Florida Everglades freshwater ecosystemFocus on alligators, turtles, and diverse bird species photographySmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Look, I'll be straight with you – this isn't your typical fishing charter. While we're known for putting anglers on trophy bass and snook, this 4-hour trip through the Everglades freshwater ecosystem is something special. You'll be working the same productive waters where we guide serious fishermen, but with cameras instead of rods. The wildlife action here is off the charts, and you'll get to photograph the same gators, birds, and natural scenes that make the Everglades one of Florida's top-rated fishing destinations. Bring your own camera gear and get ready for some incredible shots in waters that have been producing both fish and wildlife encounters for decades.
We launch from Everglades Holiday Park, the same spot where charter boats head out daily for world-class freshwater fishing. The beauty of this trip is we're taking you to the prime fishing spots – but instead of casting lines, you'll be capturing shots of the wildlife that makes these waters so productive. We'll cruise through the same channels and backwaters where largemouth bass hide under cypress roots and where wading birds work the shallows for baitfish. The boat stays quiet, just like when we're stalking fish, so you can get those up-close shots without spooking anything. This is a small group deal – just 2 people max – so there's plenty of room to move around and set up your shots. No crowds, no rushing, just you and some of the most photogenic wildlife in Florida.
The Everglades freshwater system is a maze of channels, grass flats, and tree lines that takes years to learn properly. As your guide, I know every bend and backwater that holds wildlife, the same way I know where the fish stack up during different seasons. We'll be running shallow draft boats that can slip into tight spots where the big tour boats can't go. The technique here is all about reading the water – looking for bird activity, watching for gator sign, and knowing which areas produce the best light for photography at different times of day. Early morning and late afternoon are prime time, just like fishing. The water levels change with the seasons, and I adjust our route based on current conditions to put you in front of the most active wildlife. You'll want to bring polarized lenses for your camera work – they cut through the water glare just like they do for spotting fish.
American Alligators are the stars of this show, and trust me, the Everglades has some monsters. These prehistoric predators can reach 12+ feet in the prime fishing areas we frequent, and they're most active during the warmer months from April through October. What makes photographing them here special is they're completely wild – not the lazy, fed gators you see at tourist spots. They hunt the same waters where we catch bass, and their behavior is fascinating to watch and capture. Early morning is when you'll catch them cruising the surface or basking on logs.
Great Blue Herons work these waters like professional anglers, and they're everywhere in the Everglades ecosystem. Standing 4+ feet tall with a 6-foot wingspan, they're incredible subjects when they're hunting. Spring through early summer is peak nesting season, so you'll see the most activity then. These birds know where the fish are, and I often follow their movements when I'm guiding fishing trips. They're patient hunters, and if you stay quiet, you can capture some amazing shots of them striking at prey.
Florida Softshell Turtles are common in the freshwater areas we fish, often seen basking on logs or cruising near the surface. They can grow over a foot long and are surprisingly fast in the water. The unique thing about photographing them here is you'll catch them in their natural hunting behavior – they're ambush predators just like the bass that live in the same waters. Best shots come during the warmer months when they're most active near the surface.
This trip fills up fast, especially during the cooler months when both the fishing and wildlife photography conditions are at their best. The same weather patterns that bring in great fishing also create perfect conditions for wildlife activity and clear shots. You're getting access to waters that most people only see from the main tourist routes, guided by someone who spends 200+ days a year on these waters. No meals are included, so pack some snacks and plenty of water – Florida sun reflects hard off the water. The small group size means personalized attention and the flexibility to chase the action when we find it. Ready to see the Everglades the way the fish do? Let's get you booked.
The 2000 Back Country Phantom 161 is your ticket to prime fishing spots deep in the Everglades freshwater system. This lightweight flats boat cuts through shallow waters where bigger vessels can't reach, getting you close to those hidden pockets where bass and snook like to hang out. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure or stalking fish in skinny water - no engine noise to spook what you're after. With GPS navigation, you'll mark productive spots and find your way back to honey holes session after session. The VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and weather updates while you're out on the water. Built for serious anglers who want mobility without sacrificing deck space, this boat handles the unique challenges of Everglades fishing perfectly. Whether you're casting into mangrove pockets or drifting grass flats, the Phantom 161 puts you exactly where the fish are.
Miami, FL