Everglades Wilderness Trail Backcountry Fishing
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Fourhour backcountry fishing adventure in Everglades wilderness areasTarget snook, redfish, tarpon through shallow mangrove channelsAll fishing equipment and tackle provided for two guests
Looking for some serious backcountry action? This 4-hour guided fishing adventure takes you deep into Everglades National Park's legendary Wilderness Trail, where crystal-clear channels wind through towering mangroves and world-class gamefish rule the shallows. You'll be targeting trophy Snook, hard-fighting Redfish, explosive Tarpon, and scrappy Spotted Seatrout in waters that most anglers only dream about. With all rods, reels, tackle, and bait provided, you just need to bring your A-game and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience. We're talking real backcountry fishing where you'll navigate skinny water channels barely deep enough to float your skiff, cast to structure that hasn't seen pressure in weeks, and sight-fish to shadows cruising the mangrove edges. The Wilderness Trail system offers miles of pristine flats, hidden pockets, and creek mouths where big fish feel safe to feed. You'll learn to read the water like a local, spot the subtle signs that scream "fish here," and master the art of quiet approaches that separate successful anglers from those who go home empty-handed. The intimate 2-guest maximum keeps things personal and ensures you get plenty of rod time without fighting crowds or competing for the best spots.
We fish light tackle here – think 7-8 foot spinning rods matched with 3000-4000 series reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid. The shallow water and structure demand finesse, so you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics when the bite gets tough. Live bait is king in these waters, and we'll have fresh shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish ready to go. You'll master the art of freelining baits along mangrove shorelines, working jigs through oyster bars, and presenting lures to laid-up fish in gin-clear water. The poling platform gives us the stealth advantage, letting us ghost into skinny spots where bigger boats fear to tread. When conditions are right, we'll sight-cast to cruising fish – there's nothing quite like watching a big Redfish turn and crush your bait in two feet of crystal-clear water.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these ambush predators know how to use structure to their advantage. They'll pin baitfish against mangrove roots, lurk under overhanging branches, and explode from the shadows when you least expect it. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, when cooler water temps push them into the backcountry creeks. A 28-inch Snook will test your drag and your nerve as it rockets toward the nearest snag. What makes them special? That gill-rattling jump and the way they use every piece of cover to try breaking you off.
Goliath Grouper encounters are pure adrenaline, even though these gentle giants are catch-and-release only. These prehistoric beasts can push 400+ pounds and will absolutely humble your tackle if you're not ready. Summer months bring the best opportunities as they move into shallower water to spawn. The fight is all about brute strength – no fancy runs or jumps, just raw power that'll make your arms burn. Seeing one of these dinosaurs cruise the flats is a bucket-list moment that reminds you why the Everglades ecosystem is so special.
Tarpon season runs hot from April through August, when these silver kings patrol the backcountry in pods of 5-50 fish. A 60-pound Tarpon will give you a 20-minute workout you won't forget, with aerial displays that defy physics and runs that'll empty your spool faster than you can blink. They're notorious for throwing hooks, so every fish to the boat feels like a victory. The sight of a school rolling on the surface gets every angler's heart racing – it's pure fishing magic.
Redfish are the backbone of Everglades fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like fish twice their size. They're year-round residents that love shallow oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove creeks. A slot-sized Red will make multiple screaming runs and use that broad tail to bulldoze you around. What anglers love most is their predictability – find the right structure and tide, and you'll usually find fish. Plus, they're excellent table fare when you decide to keep one for dinner.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll teach you to respect 20-pound fish in a hurry. These golden torpedoes hunt in schools and fight like they're three times their actual size. Summer brings the biggest concentrations as they chase baitfish through the backcountry. A 15-pound Jack will test every knot and connection on your rig while putting a serious bend in your rod. They're the perfect species for kids or anyone who wants constant action without worrying about technique.
The Everglades Wilderness Trail isn't going anywhere, but prime dates with top-rated guides like ours fill up fast. This customer favorite trip combines world-class fishing with the kind of pristine wilderness experience that's becoming harder to find. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add new species to your list or someone who just wants to experience Florida's most famous fishing destination, this backcountry adventure delivers memories that'll last a lifetime. The fish are biting, the calendar is filling up, and your best fishing day of the year is just a phone call away.
Navigate the shallow waters and winding mangrove channels of Everglades National Park aboard our versatile Maverick HPX 17' flats boat. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 70 outboard and equipped with a wireless Mmikita trolling motor, this craft moves silently through backcountry waters where Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Spotted Seatrout lurk. The quiet trolling motor lets you slip into tight spots without spooking fish, while our GPS keeps you on track through the maze of channels. The onboard fish finder reveals what's swimming below, and the live well keeps your catch fresh. Built for shallow-water fishing, this boat gets you into productive areas other vessels can't reach. Perfect for two anglers ready to work the flats and mangrove shorelines where trophy fish feed.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bulldogs of the flats - averaging 3-8 pounds but fighting like fish twice their size. They roam grass beds and channels, often in schools that push baitfish to the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign. They're here year-round but really turn on during warmer months when bait is thick. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature and that never-quit attitude once hooked. They'll hit topwater plugs, spoons, or live bait with authority. Not the best table fare, but pure sport. Here's the trick: when you find a school feeding on top, cast beyond them and retrieve fast. They love the chase, and that quick movement triggers their predatory instincts better than a slow presentation.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants can hit 400+ pounds and live around structure in 20-60 feet, though juveniles hang in the mangroves. Remember, these are protected - catch and release only. What draws people is that first powerful run when you hook one. They'll try to get back to their hole, so you need heavy tackle and quick action. We see them year-round, but late summer is prime time. The fight is usually short but intense - that initial pull can surprise you. They're curious fish and not shy, so they'll often come investigate bait. Here's the key: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough out that you can pull them away before they break you off on the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect shallow water target, cruising flats in just 1-3 feet where you can often see their backs or tails. They average 20-30 inches in the backcountry and have that distinctive black spot near the tail. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love them because they eat well, fight hard, and you can sight-fish them in skinny water. They're not picky eaters and will hit topwater, soft plastics, or live shrimp. The meat is excellent - mild and flaky. Pro tip: look for muddy water or nervous baitfish - that usually means reds are feeding nearby. Cast past them and work your bait back through their path rather than dropping it right on their heads.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are perfect ambush predators that love hanging around mangrove shorelines and structure in the backcountry. Most run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty in that slot size range. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes them special is that powerful strike and the way they'll dart for cover once hooked. They're also hermaphroditic - larger ones are usually females. For eating, they're hard to beat with white, flaky meat. My go-to tip: work your lure parallel to mangrove edges rather than casting directly at them. Snook will come out to grab it, and you won't get wrapped up in the roots on the fight.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" puts on a show like no other fish - jumping 6-8 feet out of the water when hooked. Most backcountry fish run 40-100 pounds, and they frequent shallow channels and basin edges around the mangroves. Late spring through summer is peak season, especially on the warmer days. What guests love is the aerial display and that initial powerful run. They're not great eating due to all the bones, so it's all about the fight. These prehistoric fish can live 50+ years and tolerate low oxygen by gulping air at the surface. My tip: keep steady pressure but don't horse them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook during those wild acrobatics.
Everglades