Half-Day Everglades & Intracoastal Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Target snook, tarpon, redfish in Everglades and Intracoastal watersExpert captain provides tackle, bait, and guidance for all skill levelsSpecialized shallowwater boat accommodates up to two guests maximum
You're looking at one of Fort Lauderdale's top-rated fishing charters, and Captain Steve Purser knows these waters like the back of his hand. This 4-hour adventure takes you through some of South Florida's most productive fishing grounds – from the legendary Everglades National Park to the structure-rich Intracoastal Waterway. Whether you've been chasing fish for decades or just picked up your first rod, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The best part? You're doing it all from a Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S, one of the finest shallow-water boats ever built.
This charter hits the sweet spot between variety and productivity. You'll start early, making the most of those prime morning hours when fish are actively feeding. Captain Steve runs a tight operation – everything from premium tackle to fresh bait is handled, plus you've got a cooler stocked with ice and water to keep you comfortable. The Maverick Mirage isn't just any flats boat; this 17-foot precision machine can sneak into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, putting you right on top of fish that rarely see pressure. Expect to cover serious ground, from the pristine backcountry of the Everglades to the productive channels and docks of the Intracoastal. The trip keeps just two anglers max, so you're getting personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities. Don't worry about experience level – Captain Steve reads the water and adjusts techniques to match your skills, whether you're learning to sight-cast or perfecting your presentation to spooky fish.
Flats fishing is all about stealth, precision, and reading the water. On the Maverick Mirage, you'll experience true shallow-water fishing – we're talking about stalking fish in 6 inches to 3 feet of water where every cast counts. The boat's draft allows access to areas where gamefish come to feed, and the elevated poling platform gives Captain Steve the perfect vantage point to spot fish and position you for the best shots. You'll work with both live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. Live shrimp and pilchards are deadly on these flats, especially when sight-casting to cruising redfish and snook. For artificial enthusiasts, expect to throw soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons – all techniques that really shine in shallow water. The Intracoastal portions of the trip open up different opportunities, with deeper channels, dock lines, and structure that hold different fish. Here, you might work jigs along drop-offs or cast to mangrove edges where ambush predators wait. Captain Steve carries top-shelf tackle from respected brands, so you're fishing with gear that can handle everything from schoolie trout to monster tarpon.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Florida inshore fishing, and these waters hold some real bruisers. These ambush predators love structure – think mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and creek mouths where they can surprise baitfish. Snook are incredibly temperature sensitive, with the best action typically from late spring through early fall when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes them so addictive to catch is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight. A good snook will make multiple runs, often jumping and gill-rattling to throw the hook. The slot limit keeps things interesting too – you're looking for fish between 28 and 33 inches, which means you'll encounter plenty of over and under-slot fish that keep you sharp.
Tarpon fishing here is world-class, especially during the spring and summer months when these silver kings migrate through South Florida waters. Baby tarpon in the 10-40 pound range are year-round residents in the backcountry, while the big girls (we're talking 80-200 pounds) show up from April through July. There's nothing quite like the first time a tarpon goes airborne – they're pure silver lightning, shaking their heads and throwing spray everywhere. Even smaller tarpon will test your skills with their acrobatic displays and surprising strength. The key is keeping steady pressure without overplaying them, especially in the shallows where they can really use their jumping ability.
Redfish have earned their reputation as one of the most reliable gamefish in these waters. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the flats year-round, often in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Reds are known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights – they don't jump like tarpon, but they'll peel drag and use every bit of structure to their advantage. Fall months are phenomenal for big bull reds, while spring and summer offer consistent action with slot-sized fish. What really gets anglers fired up is sight-casting to tailing reds – watching that copper tail wave above the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Spotted weakfish, also called spotted seatrout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep the action consistent throughout the trip. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and yellow mouths are found over grass flats and around structure. They're particularly active during moving tides and low-light periods. Trout have a delicate mouth, so they require a lighter touch, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite artificials. The bigger "gator trout" over 20 inches are prized catches, and the grass flats between the Everglades and Intracoastal hold some real specimens. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, making them a customer favorite for those looking to take dinner home.
This charter combines everything that makes South Florida fishing special – diverse species, pristine waters, and expert guidance from someone who lives an
Your fishing platform for this Fort Lauderdale adventure is the Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-S – a specialized flats boat engineered for getting into those skinny water spots where the fish hide. This lightweight skiff floats in under 6 inches of water, letting you pole silently through the shallows of the Everglades and Intracoastal without spooking your targets. The shallow-draft design keeps you dry and stable while casting to snook, redfish, and tarpon in water so thin other boats can't reach. Built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 4-hour hunt, and the open deck layout gives you plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for stalking wary fish in backcountry creeks and grass flats where stealth makes all the difference.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are perfect for sight fishing on the flats. They typically run 20-30 inches and have that copper-bronze color with distinctive black spots near the tail. You'll spot them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up. Anglers love redfish because they eat almost anything and put up a strong, bulldogging fight without jumping. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: look for "tailing" reds with their heads down feeding and tails up. Approach quietly and cast a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of where they're moving. The strike is usually immediate and aggressive.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of my favorite fish to target in these waters. They average 1-2 feet but can reach over 4 feet, with that signature black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them hugging mangroves, docks, and structure in both salt and brackish water - they love ambush spots in shallow areas. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around structure, cast past it and work your lure back through the strike zone. Snook are cover-oriented and will dart out to grab bait, so patience and precise casting pay off.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted seatrout are a staple on our flats and grass beds. Most run 12-16 inches, though we catch some beauties over 20 inches with those distinctive spots along their silver sides. They hang around seagrass beds, sandy bottoms, and shallow bays in 2-15 feet of water. Warmer months bring the best fishing as they move into the shallows to feed. Trout are popular because they're aggressive feeders, great for beginners, and make excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're ambush predators that hit fast and fight with quick head shakes. Here's what works: use light tackle and retrieve your bait slowly until you see them coming, then speed up slightly to trigger the strike. Their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure without yanking - that's how you lose them at the boat.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what fishing dreams are made of. Most tarpon we see range 80-100 pounds, but giants over 200 pounds cruise these waters. They move through our flats, channels, and deeper holes, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through South Florida. What hooks anglers is their raw power and aerial displays - a hooked tarpon can jump 10 feet out of the water and make blistering runs. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat and importance to our fishery. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure without over-fighting them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook. Live bait works great, but watching a 150-pound fish crush a topwater plug in shallow water is pure magic.
Davie, FL, United States