Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Target tarpon, redfish, permit, and bonefish in backcountry watersProfessional equipment and expert guidance provided for two guestsFlexible charter durations of four, six, or eight hours available
The Florida Keys backcountry is where serious anglers come to test their skills against some of the most coveted fish in shallow water. With Gregis Charters, you'll slip into the maze of mangrove creeks, crystal-clear flats, and hidden pockets where trophy fish prowl year-round. Choose from 4, 6, or 8-hour trips starting at 7 a.m. – we'll handle the gear and guidance while you focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and game face for a day that'll remind you why the Keys are legendary among anglers.
Your morning kicks off early when the water's glass-calm and the fish are most active. We'll launch from the marina and head straight to the backcountry flats where the action happens. This isn't deep-sea fishing – we're talking skinny water, sight fishing, and heart-pounding moments when you spot a tailing redfish or cruising tarpon. The boat stays quiet as we pole through the shallows, keeping our eyes peeled for nervous water, fins, and shadows that give away our targets. With only two anglers max, you'll get plenty of casting opportunities and personalized coaching to dial in your technique. The backcountry changes with the tides, so we adapt our spots throughout the day to stay on the fish.
We fish light tackle in the backcountry – think 8 to 12-weight fly rods and spinning gear loaded with 10-15 lb test. The shallow water means stealth is everything, so we use a flats boat designed to run skinny and pole silently through the mangroves. Live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp work magic here, but artificial lures shine too. Soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs can trigger explosive strikes when worked through the right structure. Fly fishing is huge in these waters – nothing beats the satisfaction of laying a perfect cast to a tailing bone or permit. We'll match your tackle to the conditions and target species, adjusting leaders and lures as we move between different zones throughout the trip.
Snook are the kings of the mangroves, lurking in the shadows waiting to ambush baitfish. These aggressive predators average 5-15 pounds but can push 20-plus when you find the big girls. They love structure – docks, mangrove roots, and oyster bars are prime real estate. Snook hit hard and fight dirty, making blistering runs toward cover to break you off. Peak season runs May through September, but you'll find them year-round in the backcountry. What makes them special is their attitude – snook fishing is all about precision casting and quick reflexes.
Tarpon earn their "silver king" nickname through sheer power and aerial displays. In the backcountry, we target juvenile tarpon from 10-60 pounds that roll and feed in the deeper channels and basins. These fish jump repeatedly when hooked, gill-rattling and throwing the hook if you're not careful. Summer months bring the best tarpon action, but smaller fish provide steady action year-round. Landing a tarpon on light tackle is a rite of passage – they'll test every knot and push your drag to the limit.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout the day. They school up over grass flats and around structure, hitting live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm. These spotted beauties average 1-3 pounds with occasional "gator" trout pushing 5-plus. They're most active during cooler months from October through March. Trout are perfect for beginners but still provide plenty of excitement when you hook into a big one. They're also excellent table fare if you want to keep a few for dinner.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising the flats with their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots. These drum average 5-15 pounds in the backcountry and fight like trucks once hooked. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs and tails exposed – we call this "tailing." They're year-round residents but peak during fall and winter months. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight that'll put serious bend in your rod.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – silver, spooky, and incredibly challenging to hook. These wary fish average 2-6 pounds but make up for size with speed and intelligence. Bones are notorious for their blazing runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. They're most active during warmer months and feed in very shallow water, often just inches deep. Catching a bonefish on fly or ultra-light tackle is considered the pinnacle of flats fishing – they'll humble even experienced anglers with their keen eyesight and selective feeding.
The Florida Keys backcountry delivers world-class fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Whether you're chasing your first tarpon jump, perfecting your sight-casting skills, or just want to spend a day surrounded by pristine waters and abundant fish, Gregis Charters puts you in the right spots at the right times. With flexible trip lengths and top-rated equipment provided, all that's left is booking your dates and getting ready for some of the best shallow-water fishing on the planet. The fish are waiting – let's go find them.
This 17-foot Maverick flats boat is your ticket to the shallow backcountry waters where trophy fish hide. Built in 2013 and powered by a reliable 70HP Yamaha, she'll get you to those hard-to-reach spots at up to 45 knots while running whisper-quiet in skinny water. Perfect for stalking redfish, snook, and permit in the mangroves or chasing tarpon and bonefish across the flats. The shallow draft design lets you slip into water barely deep enough to float, putting you right where the fish feed. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus GPS to mark those honey holes, you and one fishing buddy can spend the day working prime backcountry spots that bigger boats simply can't access. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or waiting for that silver king to roll, this nimble flats boat puts you in perfect position for some serious Florida Keys fishing action.
Albula VulpesThe "gray ghost" is the holy grail of flats fishing, averaging 16-30 inches and 4-8 pounds. These silver torpedos cruise turtle grass flats in 6 inches to 4 feet of water, using their cone-shaped snouts to root out crabs and shrimp. Incoming tides bring the best opportunities when they move up to feed. What makes bones legendary is their blazing 100-yard runs at 30 mph - pure excitement on light tackle. They're catch-and-release due to excessive bones. The trick is spotting them before they see you. Look for nervous water, tails, or dark shadows moving across the flats. Cast your small jig or fly 6 feet ahead of cruising fish and strip it slowly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish patrol our shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often so shallow their backs show above the surface. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches, with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and that powerful, line-stripping run when hooked. They're also top-notch table fare with firm, mild flesh. The key is staying quiet - they spook easily in skinny water. When you spot tailing fish, cast your gold spoon or live shrimp 10 feet past them and work it back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable targets, running 14-24 inches with plenty of spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Dawn and dusk are prime time, but they bite all day. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. Anglers love them because they're aggressive feeders, great fighters for their size, and excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp or jig head slowly along the bottom near grass beds. When you feel that subtle tick, set the hook immediately.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in 1-10 feet of water. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish can hit 40+ inches. 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 explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try every trick to wrap you around mangroves or pilings. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's the key: cast your live shrimp or snook jig just upcurrent of the structure, not right into it. Let it drift naturally past their hideout - that's when they'll nail it.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" averages 80-100 pounds but can push 200+ pounds and 6+ feet long. These giants cruise our flats, channels, and bridge areas in 6-40 feet of water. Peak season runs May through July when they migrate through, but we see them most months. What hooks every angler is watching a 150-pound fish rocket 8 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. They're catch-and-release only due to their bony meat and conservation status. The fight can last an hour on big fish. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps slack in the line so they can't throw the hook on their aerial show.
Tavernier, FL