Family Everglades Backcountry Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour guided fishing charter through Everglades backcountry watersLight tackle targeting Snook, Redfish, Tarpon in shallow mangrove channelsAll equipment and fishing licenses included for two guests
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your kids to fishing or just want a laid-back day on the water? This 6-hour family-friendly charter through Everglades National Park's backcountry is exactly what you need. We'll cruise the calm mangrove channels and shallow flats where the water's protected and the fishing is fantastic. With space for up to two guests, this intimate trip lets me focus on making sure everyone has a great time – whether you're a first-timer or someone who's been fishing for years. All your gear, bait, and licenses are covered, so you can just show up ready to fish.
We'll spend our day exploring the famous Wilderness Trail, where the water stays calm and clear – perfect for families with kids who might get seasick on rougher waters. The shallow mangrove creeks and grass flats we'll fish are like nature's own aquarium, teeming with life and absolutely gorgeous to boot. You'll see herons, ospreys, maybe even a dolphin or manatee while we're moving between spots. The beauty of backcountry fishing here is that we can adjust our approach based on who's on board. Got a young angler? We'll focus on easier catches and shorter fights. Experienced fisher in the group? I'll put you on some bigger targets that'll test your skills. The water rarely gets deeper than a few feet in most spots, so you can actually watch the fish swimming around – it's pretty cool when you see a big snook cruise right up to your bait.
We fish with light spinning gear that's easy for everyone to handle, including kids. No heavy conventional reels or complicated setups – just smooth, responsive rods that let you feel every bite and fight. I'll have live shrimp, pilchards, and some top-quality artificials ready depending on what the fish are hitting that day. We'll do a mix of sight fishing (where you can actually see the fish before you cast) and working structure like oyster bars and mangrove edges where fish like to ambush prey. The shallow water means we can pole or drift quietly into position without spooking anything. I'll teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and make accurate casts to tight spots under overhanging branches. If someone hooks up with a big tarpon or snook, don't worry – I'll coach you through the whole fight and make sure you get some great photos before we release it.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush predators that love hanging around mangrove roots and dock pilings. They're incredibly smart fish that can be picky about what they eat, making them a fun challenge. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at snook, and when you hook one, get ready for some serious runs and gill-rattling jumps. Kids love them because they fight hard but aren't so big they can't handle the battle.
Redfish, or "reds" as we call them, are probably the most reliable catch out here. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spots near their tails are perfect for families because they'll eat almost anything and put up a great fight without being overwhelming. You'll find them cruising the shallow flats in schools, sometimes with their backs actually out of the water. Fall and winter are prime time for big reds, but honestly, we catch them year-round. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters if you decide to keep a few for dinner.
Tarpon are the reason many anglers become obsessed with Florida fishing. Even the smaller "baby" tarpon we catch in the backcountry (usually 20-50 pounds) are absolute athletes that'll jump clean out of the water multiple times during the fight. These prehistoric-looking silver kings can live over 50 years and grow to massive sizes. Summer months bring the best tarpon action, but we see them throughout the warmer months. Fair warning – once you hook your first tarpon, you'll be planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Goliath Grouper are the gentle giants of these waters. These massive fish, which can weigh several hundred pounds, hang around structure in deeper channels and under bridges. While they're protected and must be released immediately, hooking into one is like being connected to a freight train. They don't jump like tarpon, but they'll use their incredible strength to try to get back to their hole. Kids get a huge kick out of seeing these dinosaur-like fish up close before we release them. Best fishing for goliaths happens during the summer months when they're most active.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for it with pure fighting spirit. These yellow-tinted scrappy fish travel in schools and will hit almost any lure or bait you throw at them. They're perfect for kids or beginning anglers because they're aggressive biters and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them year-round in the backcountry, often mixed in with other species around bait schools. When you hook a jack, expect a bulldogging fight with powerful runs that'll test your drag system.
This family-friendly charter fills up fast, especially during the cooler months when the fishing is hot and the weather's perfect. With just two guest spots available, you'll get personalized attention that bigger boats simply can't offer. I'll work with your family's skill level and interests to make sure everyone goes home with great memories and hopefully some fish stories to tell. The Everglades backcountry offers some of the most diverse fishing in Florida, and there's no better way to experience it than with a guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Don't wait – the fish are biting, and your family adventure
Perfect for navigating the shallow backcountry waters of the Everglades, this nimble Maverick HPX 17' gets you into those hidden fishing spots where the big ones hide. The Yamaha 70 provides reliable power to cover water quickly, while the wireless Mikita trolling motor lets us slip silently through mangrove channels without spooking fish. Built-in GPS keeps us on track through the maze of waterways, and the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish that attract snook, redfish, and tarpon. The live well keeps your catch fresh, and with space for two anglers, there's plenty of room to fish comfortably without getting tangled lines. This boat's shallow draft design is ideal for the skinny water fishing that makes Everglades backcountry so special.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our backcountry waters and will give you an arm-burning fight. These brassy-colored fish typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the bigger ones can reach 40+ pounds. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often found around grass beds and structure. Year-round fishing is good, but warmer months see more consistent action when baitfish are abundant. What makes jacks exciting is their raw power - pound for pound, they're one of the strongest fish we catch. They school up and attack baitfish aggressively, creating surface commotion that's easy to spot. The meat is decent but a bit strong-flavored, so many folks release them. Look for diving birds - that's usually jacks pushing baitfish to the surface. When you find a school, cast past them and retrieve fast. They love the chase and will hammer a moving lure.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the giants of our shallow waters - these massive fish can reach 6-8 feet and several hundred pounds. In the Everglades, we find them around deep holes, ledges, and structure in 20-60 feet of water, though juveniles hang in the mangroves. They're curious fish that aren't spooked easily, making them exciting to target year-round, with warmer months being most productive. What guests love is the sheer power - when a goliath hits, it's like hooking into a freight train. That first run will test every piece of your gear. They're strictly catch-and-release due to conservation efforts, but the photo opportunities are amazing. These prehistoric-looking fish can live over 50 years. My advice: use heavy tackle and be ready for that initial surge. Keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure where they'll break you off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for our shallow water fishing adventures and great for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-30 inches in our area. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action when they school up and feed heavily. Redfish are popular because they fight hard with strong runs and are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're not picky eaters, making them forgiving for beginners. Watch for "tailing" fish - when you see their tails sticking up while they root for crabs in the shallows, cast quietly ahead of them and let your bait settle to the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in the Everglades backcountry. These sleek silver fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook into trophy-size specimens over 30 inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and structure in 2-6 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. The cooler months from October through March are prime time when they're more active and feeding aggressively. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag and give kids a real thrill. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the mangroves and work it back slowly along the edge. Snook often follow before striking, so don't give up if you see one tracking your bait.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters and absolutely spectacular to catch. Most of the ones we hook in the backcountry run 40-80 pounds and 4-5 feet long, though giants over 100 pounds cruise these flats. They prefer shallow water around 3-15 feet deep, especially near channels and grass flats where baitfish gather. Spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through in large schools. What makes tarpon fishing so special is their aerial show - these fish can jump 10 feet out of the water multiple times during a fight. The battles are long and demanding, often lasting 30 minutes or more. They're primarily catch-and-release since the meat isn't great due to lots of small bones. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow your rod toward the fish to create slack line. This prevents them from throwing the hook during their acrobatics.
Everglades