3/4 Day Everglades Flats Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour flats fishing charter targets snook, redfish, and tarpon.Maverick Mirage boat designed for precision shallow water navigation.All tackle, ice, and water provided with expert captain guidance.
If you're looking to get serious about flats fishing, Captain Steve Purser's 6-hour charter in the Everglades is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – Steve knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish in some of the most productive shallow water fisheries in South Florida. You'll be fishing prime spots around Flamingo, Alligator Alley, and Chokoloskee, targeting the big three that every angler dreams about: snook, redfish, and tarpon. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives and breathes saltwater fishing, this charter delivers the goods with professional guidance and top-shelf equipment.
Captain Steve runs his operation aboard a Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S, and if you know flats boats, you know this is the real deal. This skiff is purpose-built for skinny water fishing – we're talking about getting into places where most boats can't even think about going. The shallow draft design lets Steve pole you into backcountry spots where the fish haven't seen a lure all week. You'll spend your day working the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars that make the Everglades such a legendary fishery. Steve provides all the tackle you'll need, plus he keeps the cooler stocked with ice and water so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The beauty of this charter is that it works for everyone. New to flats fishing? Steve will teach you how to read the water and spot fish. Been doing this for years? He'll put you on the kind of fish that'll have you talking about this trip for months.
Flats fishing is all about stealth and precision, and that's where the Maverick really shines. Steve will either run the trolling motor in deeper pockets or pole the boat in ultra-shallow areas, keeping noise to a minimum so you don't spook the fish. Most of your fishing will be sight casting – Steve spots the fish, points them out, and you make the cast. It's fishing at its purest form, requiring quick reflexes and accurate casting. You'll be throwing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Popular choices include DOA shrimp, topwater plugs, gold spoons, and live pilchards or pinfish. The tackle setup is typically spinning gear in the 2500-4000 size range spooled with 10-15 pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader. Steve's got everything dialed in, but if you have your own gear and want to bring it, that's perfectly fine too. The key to success out here is staying quiet, making good casts, and being ready when Steve says "fish on the flat at 2 o'clock."
Snook are the bread and butter of Everglades flats fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove roots, dock pilings, and creek mouths where they can surprise their next meal. In the Everglades, snook typically run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 18-20 inches up to true giants pushing 35+ inches and 15+ pounds. The best action usually happens during moving water – either incoming or outgoing tide – when baitfish are getting pushed around. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights, often trying to wrap your line around the nearest mangrove root. What makes them special is their unpredictability; they might crush a topwater plug at sunrise or sip a live shrimp like a trout in the afternoon.
Redfish are another world-class target that calls the Everglades home year-round. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats in small schools, and watching them cruise in 18 inches of crystal-clear water never gets old. Reds in this area typically range from 20-30 inches, with plenty of upper-slot and overslot fish that'll test your drag system. They're much more predictable feeders than snook, making them perfect for anglers still learning to sight cast. Redfish are famous for their powerful runs and their ability to use their broad tails and body shape to leverage against you in shallow water. Fall and winter months are particularly good for big reds, when they're fattening up and feeding aggressively on crabs and shrimp.
Tarpon fishing in the Everglades is something every serious angler needs to experience at least once. While the famous tarpon runs happen during spring and early summer, resident fish and smaller tarpon are around much of the year. These fish range from juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound class up to adult fish that can exceed 100 pounds. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is the visual aspect – seeing a 6-foot silver fish roll on the surface 60 feet away, then watching it eat your bait is pure adrenaline. Tarpon are legendary for their aerial displays, often jumping multiple times and throwing hooks with their gill-rattling headshakes. Even the smaller fish will give you a workout, and landing a tarpon on the flats is a badge of honor that sticks with you forever.
Captain Steve's 6-hour Everglades charter represents some of the best flats fishing value you'll find in South Florida. With the Maverick Mirage, professional tackle, and Steve's local knowledge, you're getting everything you need for a top-rated fishing experience. The 2-angler capacity means you'll get plenty of individual attention and maximize your time on the water. Since no fishing license is required and all the essential gear is provided, all you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and your camera for the
The Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S is your ticket to reaching fish where bigger boats can't go. This shallow-water specialist draws less than 6 inches, letting you pole into skinny flats where snook and redfish hide. Built for stealth and precision, it keeps you dry and stable while working the grass beds and mangrove shorelines of the Everglades. The spacious casting deck gives you room to fight tarpon, while the onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Perfect for two anglers who want to get serious about sight fishing in Florida's backcountry. This boat gets you closer to the action without spooking fish in crystal-clear shallows.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect target for our shallow water fishing, and they're what many folks fall in love with first. These copper-colored beauties typically range 20-32 inches and are built like tanks. You'll spot them tailing in knee-deep water over grass flats and around oyster bars, often so shallow their backs break the surface. Look for that telltale black spot near the tail. They feed year-round here, but fall and winter offer some of the best sight fishing when the water cools and clears up. Reds are bulldogs that make long, powerful runs and don't give up easy. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key to success is staying quiet and making accurate casts - these fish spook easily in shallow water. My advice: when you see one with its head down feeding, cast 3-4 feet past it and work your bait right into its path.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after species here in the Everglades. These sleek fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we see plenty pushing 40+ inches around the mangroves and creek mouths. They love structure - docks, fallen trees, oyster bars - anywhere they can ambush bait. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, from ankle-deep flats to deeper channels. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover the second they feel the hook. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you see one cruising the shallows, cast well ahead of where it's headed and let your lure sink before starting your retrieve.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters and pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Most fish we see here run 60-120 pounds, though giants over 200 show up regularly. They cruise the deeper channels and basins around the backcountry, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're moving through our area. What hooks anglers is that first jump - watching a 6-foot fish launch itself completely out of the water never gets old. They're acrobatic fighters that can jump a dozen times during the battle. While most folks release them for conservation, the real reward is the fight itself. Pro tip: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This gives slack and prevents the tarpon from throwing the hook during those spectacular leaps. Keep steady pressure but let them run when they want to.
Davie, FL, United States