Full-Day Everglades Flats Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fullday charter targets redfish, snook, and tarpon in pristine waters.Maverick Mirage boat accesses shallow flats at top Everglades locations.Twoangler capacity ensures personalized fishing in rich fisheries.
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a specialized flats boat, rod in hand, scanning crystal-clear water that's barely knee-deep for the telltale signs of feeding fish. That's exactly what you'll get with Florida Flats Fishing Adventures' full-day charter through the legendary Everglades. This isn't your typical deep-sea fishing trip – we're talking about sight fishing in some of the most pristine shallow waters Florida has to offer, where every cast could connect you with a trophy redfish, snook, or tarpon. You'll spend eight solid hours exploring world-class fishing spots like Flamingo, Chokoloskee, and the productive waters around Everglades Holiday Park, all while riding in our top-rated Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S that can literally float in a puddle.
Your day kicks off early – and trust me, that's when the magic happens. We'll meet at the launch and get you set up in the Maverick Mirage, a flats boat that's become the customer favorite for good reason. This shallow-draft skiff is built specifically for navigating the skinny water where big fish love to feed. The boat draws less than 10 inches, meaning we can pole into backcountry areas that bigger boats simply can't reach. You and your fishing partner will have plenty of room to cast without getting tangled up, and the raised casting platform gives you the perfect vantage point to spot fish cruising the flats. The Everglades backcountry is unlike anywhere else – imagine endless mangrove shorelines, grass flats that stretch to the horizon, and water so clear you can see a quarter on the bottom in three feet of water. We'll spend the day moving between different types of structure, from oyster bars where redfish love to root around, to deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish, to the flats where tarpon roll and feed.
Flats fishing is all about stealth, precision, and reading the water – it's fishing at its most pure form. We'll be sight casting most of the day, which means spotting fish before we cast to them. I'll position the boat using a push pole to keep things quiet, while you scan the water for wakes, tails, or the dark shadows of cruising fish. When we spot a target, it's all about making an accurate cast and working the bait naturally. We'll primarily use live shrimp, pinfish, and artificial lures like DOA shrimp and soft plastics that mimic the crabs and baitfish these predators are hunting. The key is presentation – these fish see a lot of pressure, so your bait needs to look completely natural. Sometimes we'll anchor up on productive structure and wait for the fish to come to us, especially during tide changes when the water movement triggers feeding activity. Other times, we'll pole the flats looking for tailing redfish or cruising snook. Each spot requires a different approach, and part of what makes this charter so renowned is adapting our techniques to match what the fish are doing on any given day.
The Everglades is home to some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species, and each one offers its own unique challenge and reward. Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing – these copper-colored bruisers are built for shallow water and put up one hell of a fight. You'll find them in schools on the flats or singles cruising the mangrove shorelines. Reds in the 20 to 30-inch range are common, with the occasional oversized "bull" red pushing 40 inches or more. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – once hooked, they'll make powerful runs and use their broad shoulders to try and break you off on structure. Snook are the glamour species of South Florida flats fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided predators are ambush feeders that love to hang around structure like mangrove roots, docks, and oyster bars. They're extremely temperature sensitive, so timing and season matter. During warmer months, snook are incredibly aggressive and will absolutely crush a well-presented bait. Their gill-rattling jumps and line-burning runs make them a customer favorite. A slot-sized snook between 28 and 32 inches is perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger breeder fish over 35 inches provide world-class sport fishing action. Tarpon are the silver kings of the flats, and hooking one is something you'll never forget. These prehistoric fish can grow over 100 pounds and are famous for their aerial acrobatics when hooked. In the Everglades, we typically target juvenile tarpon in the 20 to 60-pound range, though occasionally a true giant will show up. Tarpon fishing requires patience – they can be incredibly picky about bait presentation and often follow a lure for dozens of yards before deciding to eat. But when they do commit, hold on tight. Their jumping ability is legendary, and a hooked tarpon will often leap completely out of the water multiple times during the fight.
This full-day Everglades flats fishing charter delivers everything serious anglers are looking for – access to pristine fishing grounds, a specialized boat designed for shallow water, and the chance to target three of Florida's most prized inshore species. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to test your skills against some of the smartest fish in Florida, or someone who wants to experience sight fishing for the first time, this trip offers the perfect combination of challenge and opportunity. The Everglades backcountry is truly one of the last wild places in South Florida, and exploring it from the deck of a flats boat with rod in hand is an experience that keeps anglers coming back year after
The Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S is built for serious flats fishing in the Everglades' backcountry. This specialized skiff floats in under 6 inches of water, letting you reach those shallow spots where redfish, snook, and tarpon love to feed. The boat's shallow draft design means you can pole into skinny water with stealth and precision – perfect for sight fishing without spooking your target. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space while staying dry and comfortable. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during long days on the water. Whether you're working the flats around Flamingo or sneaking through the maze of mangroves near Chokoloskee, this boat gets you where the fish are hiding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing - reliable, fun to catch, and great on the table. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range from 20-30 inches in our waters. They cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, and love oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy bottoms where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter are peak times when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes redfish so popular is their steady, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat both live bait and artificials. They're also some of the best eating fish around - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. Here's an insider tip: look for nervous water or mud clouds on the flats - that's redfish feeding. Approach quietly and cast ahead of where they're moving, not right on top of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most rewarding fish to target in the Everglades. These sleek predators with that signature black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around downed trees, and near creek mouths where they ambush prey. They love moving water and structure - anywhere baitfish get funneled through. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when working mangroves, cast your lure past the structure and work it back along the edge rather than right into the roots. Snook often sit just outside waiting to pounce.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate challenge fish - think of them as the "silver kings" of the flats. These prehistoric giants commonly run 80-150 pounds and can stretch over 6 feet. They roam shallow waters, channels, and deeper cuts throughout the Everglades, often rolling on the surface to breathe air. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What draws anglers back is their raw power and aerial displays - once hooked, they'll launch themselves completely out of the water multiple times. It's pure adrenaline. While most folks release them (they're bony and not great eating), the fight alone is worth it. Pro tip: keep constant pressure but don't over-tighten your drag. When they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
Davie, FL, United States