Full Day Backcountry Fishing in Islamorada
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Fullday backcountry fishing targeting tarpon, bonefish, snook, and permitPrivate charter on 2025 18' Beavertail flats boat with expert guideAll licenses, gear, and techniques included with free 7day cancellation
When you're ready to fish some of the best backcountry waters in the Florida Keys, this 8-hour charter with Hooligan Sportfishing puts you right where the action is. We're talking about the shallow flats and winding mangrove channels around Islamorada—prime habitat for some of the most sought-after inshore species in South Florida. You'll spend the day aboard a brand-new 2025 18' Beavertail flats boat, perfectly designed for getting into those skinny water spots where the big fish live. With just you and one other angler, this private charter gives you the flexibility to target whatever's biting and adjust tactics on the fly.
Your day starts early when you meet your guide at the dock in Islamorada. The 18-foot Beavertail is an angler's dream—shallow draft, quiet, and stable enough to handle whatever the backcountry throws at you. The 115HP Mercury gets you to the fishing grounds fast, but more importantly, it can push through skinny water without spooking fish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats off Snake Creek to the mangrove cuts that hold snook and tarpon. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to move around and find the bite. If the tarpon aren't rolling on the first flat, no problem—there's always another spot to try. The boat comes loaded with top-shelf tackle, all your licenses are covered, and you'll have everything from spinning gear to fly rods ready to go.
Backcountry fishing is all about versatility, and this trip covers the full spectrum of techniques. Light tackle spinning is the bread and butter—perfect for sight fishing to cruising tarpon or working jigs around mangrove roots for snook. When you spot a laid-up tarpon or a tailing permit, your guide will position the boat for the perfect cast. Fly fishing opportunities are everywhere if that's your thing, especially when fish are up shallow and feeding aggressively. Jigging works great around structure and drop-offs where crevalle jacks and barracuda patrol. The key is matching your approach to the conditions and what the fish are doing. Your guide reads the water constantly—watching for nervous baitfish, birds working, or the telltale push of water that means game fish are feeding. The gear is all tournament-quality stuff, from the reels to the leaders, because when you hook a 100-pound tarpon, you want equipment that can handle the fight.
Snook are the bread and butter of Islamorada backcountry fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they can dart out to grab passing baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during the warmer months when they're most active. A big snook will test your drag and use every trick in the book—jumping, running toward structure, and gill-rattling like crazy. What makes them so addictive is their explosive strike and the way they fight dirty, always looking for something to wrap your line around.
Tarpon fishing around Islamorada is world-class, period. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound range up to giants pushing 150 pounds or more. The backcountry holds fish year-round, but the bite really turns on from April through July when migratory schools move through. Watching a tarpon eat your bait is pure adrenaline—that massive mouth opening up, the crash of water, and then all hell breaks loose. They jump like they're trying to shake the ocean off their backs, and a big fish can put you in the backing faster than you think possible. Even a smaller tarpon will give you a 20-minute fight you'll never forget.
Sea trout might not be the flashiest species, but they're one of the most reliable fish in these waters. They love grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during moving tides when baitfish get stirred up. Specks hit topwater plugs with authority and are perfect targets when you're looking to put some action on the scoreboard. They're also excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few for dinner. The bite stays consistent most of the year, making them a great backup option when the more glamorous species aren't cooperating.
Great barracuda are the speed demons of the flats, and hooking one is like tying into a torpedo. These fish cruise the edges of grass beds looking for easy meals, and they'll absolutely destroy a well-placed tube lure or fly. Cuda can hit 40 mph when they want to, and their initial run is something you have to experience to believe. They're also notorious for their aerial displays—jumping and tail-walking when they realize they're hooked. Just watch those teeth when bringing one to the boat.
Crevalle jacks are pure muscle wrapped in silver scales. These fish travel in schools and fight way above their weight class, pulling drag and making runs that'll leave your arms burning. They're aggressive feeders that will hit everything from jigs to topwater plugs, and once you hook into a school, the action can be fast and furious. Jack crevalle aren't much for eating, but they'll give you a workout that'll have you talking about it for months.
This full-day backcountry adventure gives you the complete Islamorada fishing experience without any of the hassles. Your guide handles all the details—gear, licenses, local knowledge—while you focus on what matters most: catching fish and making memories. The free cancellation policy up to 7 days out takes the pressure off planning, and with only two anglers max, you're getting personalized attention you won't fin
This 18' 2025 Beavertail flats boat is your ticket to serious backcountry action in Islamorada's shallow waters. With a 115HP Mercury pushing you up to 50 knots, you'll cover plenty of water chasing tarpon, bonefish, snook, and permit through the mangrove maze. The shallow draft design gets you into skinny water where the big fish hide, while staying stable enough for accurate casts. GPS navigation keeps you on the fish, and the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Built for up to 3 anglers, this boat handles light tackle, spinning gear, jigging, and fly fishing with ease. Whether you're poling the flats at first light or working creek mouths at sunset, this Beavertail puts you exactly where you need to be for that shot at a grand slam.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - all muscle and attitude packed into a 3-5 pound package, though some reach 20+ pounds. These brassy-colored fighters school up over grass beds, around structure, and anywhere they can corner baitfish. Look for diving birds - that's your jackpot sign. They're here year-round but most active in warmer months when bait is thick. What makes jacks special isn't the eating (they're pretty fishy) but the fight. Pound for pound, they're among the strongest fish in these waters, making long runs and using that slab-sided body to pull hard. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're aggressive and relatively easy to hook. Watch for that sweet watermelon smell when schools are feeding. My tip: cast past the school and retrieve fast with erratic action. Jacks can't resist chasing something that looks panicked.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the speed demons of the backcountry - reaching 35 mph and growing up to 5 feet around here. You'll spot them patrolling flats edges, channel mouths, and anywhere baitfish gather. They're ambush predators with razor teeth and an attitude to match. Year-round fishing is good, but they're most active during warmer months when bait is abundant. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight with surprising power for their size, and provide great photo opportunities with those impressive teeth. They're also curious fish that'll often follow your boat or check out shiny lures. While not typically kept for eating due to ciguatera concerns in larger fish, the fight is pure entertainment. Here's the trick: use wire leader and retrieve your lure fast - really fast. When a cuda follows, speed up even more. Their predatory instincts can't resist something trying to escape.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a great light tackle species that fights well and eats even better. Most run 12-18 inches with some pushing 20-plus. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and edges where the bottom changes. They're most active during cooler months here in South Florida, from fall through early spring. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit artificial lures and the sweet, delicate meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with numbers - when you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: use a popping cork with a shrimp or soft plastic underneath. Work it slow over the grass beds, and when you hear that distinctive "pop-whoosh" of a trout hitting topwater, you'll be hooked on this fishery.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular backcountry targets, and for good reason. These golden beauties with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches around Islamorada, though bigger ones are out there. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around docks, and in the deeper cuts between flats. They love structure and ambush points. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides when they get aggressive. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover the second they feel the hook. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: work your bait slow along the mangrove edge, then speed it up when a snook follows. That sudden change in pace often triggers the strike.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what most anglers dream about when they think Florida Keys fishing. These massive fish can reach 6-8 feet and over 100 pounds, though we see plenty in the 40-80 pound range that'll still test your tackle. Around Islamorada, tarpon cruise the deeper channels, basin edges, and flats depending on tide and season. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're most active in our waters. What draws people to tarpon isn't the eating - they're catch and release - it's the raw power and aerial show. When hooked, they'll leap repeatedly, trying to throw the hook with violent head shakes. The fight can last an hour on bigger fish. My advice: keep steady pressure but don't horse them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents break-offs during those wild leaps.
Islamorada