Islamorada, FL 6 Hour Trip (AM/PM)
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Six-hour backcountry fishing charter in productive Islamorada watersAll equipment, bait, licenses, and catch cleaning includedSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
There's something special about fishing the flats and backcountry waters around Islamorada that keeps anglers coming back year after year. When you book this 6-hour charter with Captain Bryan from Fishing With Captain Brian, you're not just getting a fishing trip – you're getting access to some of the most productive waters in the Florida Keys. Whether you choose the morning bite or prefer the afternoon action, these waters hold world-class gamefish that'll test your skills and leave you with stories to tell for years.
Captain Bryan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the experience to put you on fish whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler. This customer favorite charter runs for a solid 6 hours, giving you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques as conditions change throughout the day. The backcountry around Islamorada offers everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where tarpon roll. You'll be fishing from a boat that's perfectly set up for the backcountry – shallow draft, quiet, and equipped with everything you need including top-rated gear, fresh bait, and fly fishing equipment if that's your style. Captain Bryan handles your Florida fishing license and will clean your catch at the end of the day, so all you need to focus on is hooking up and having a good time. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and won't be competing with a crowd for the best spots on the boat.
The beauty of fishing Islamorada's backcountry is the variety of techniques you'll use throughout the day. Captain Bryan comes prepared with both conventional and fly fishing setups, so whether you want to throw live bait on spinning gear or challenge yourself with a fly rod, he's got you covered. Sight fishing is huge here – you'll spend time poling the flats looking for tailing redfish, cruising snook, and the occasional tripletail hanging around structure. When the fish are deeper or more scattered, you might switch to drift fishing or anchoring up on productive spots. The gear provided is well-maintained and appropriate for the species you're targeting. Light tackle keeps the fight fun, but it's heavy enough to handle the bigger fish these waters are known for. Live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp are staples, but artificial lures and flies work great too, especially when fish are actively feeding. Captain Bryan reads the water conditions, tides, and weather to adjust techniques throughout the trip, which is why his charters consistently produce fish even when conditions aren't perfect.
Snook are the bread and butter of backcountry fishing here, and Islamorada's population is as healthy as you'll find anywhere in Florida. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, and channel edges where they can hide and strike at passing baitfish. Snook are most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, which is why both morning and afternoon trips can be productive. They fight hard with explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps, and their distinctive black lateral line makes them one of the most recognizable gamefish in Florida. The slot limit keeps the fishery strong, and a good day can produce multiple fish in the 24-28 inch range that are perfect for the dinner table.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species are finicky. They're structure-oriented fish that hang around docks, bridges, and rocky areas throughout the backcountry. Don't let their smaller size fool you – these fish are scrappy fighters and incredibly wary, making them a favorite target for light tackle enthusiasts. They'll eat live bait, cut bait, and small jigs, but getting them to bite often requires finesse and the right presentation. Grey snapper are excellent table fare and there's no closed season, making them a reliable target any time of year.
Tarpon fishing in Islamorada is legendary, and even on a backcountry trip, you've got a shot at hooking into the silver king. These prehistoric giants can show up anywhere from the shallow flats to deeper channels, especially during their spring and summer migration. Juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range are common in the backcountry year-round, while the big fish – 100 pounds and up – are more seasonal. When you hook a tarpon, everything else stops. Their aerial displays and bulldog fights are what fishing dreams are made of, and Captain Bryan knows the spots where they like to hang out. Most tarpon are released, as they're primarily a sport fish, but the experience of fighting one is something you'll never forget.
Redfish are perfectly suited to Islamorada's shallow backcountry waters, and they're one of the most exciting fish to target on sight. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish, often giving themselves away by tailing or pushing water in the shallows. Reds are aggressive feeders and strong fighters, making long runs when hooked. The best fishing is often in water so shallow you can see their backs, which makes for heart-pounding visual fishing. Fall and winter months are prime time for big redfish, but you can catch them year-round in these waters. They're also excellent eating, though many anglers choose to release the bigger breeding fish.
Tripletail might be the most unique fish you'll encounter on this trip. These odd-looking fish have a habit of floating on their sides near structure, looking like floating debris until you get close. They're ambush predators that feed on small fish and crabs, and they're surprisingly strong fighters for their stocky build. Tripletail are most common during the warmer months around buoys, channel markers, and floating grass lines. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's
Step aboard this top-tier Yellowfin bay boat and get ready to chase fish through Islamorada's legendary backcountry waters. This isn't your average fishing platform – it's packed with serious angling equipment including a second station specifically designed for sight fishing those shallow flats where tarpon and bonefish cruise. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking spooky fish, while the advanced fish finder helps locate schools in deeper channels. Captain Bryan has this 2-person vessel dialed in with GPS navigation to hit the hottest spots and VHF radio for safety on the water. Whether you're casting flies at rolling tarpon or working live bait around mangrove cuts, this setup gives you the edge in Florida's most productive fishing grounds. All your gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning are covered – just bring yourself and get ready to work some of the best backcountry fishing Florida has to offer.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as we call them locally, are smart little fighters that'll keep you honest. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds around the flats, but we find bigger ones near deeper structure and wrecks. They hang out around mangroves, docks, and rocky areas in 5-30 feet of water. Summer through fall gives us the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about these fish is their excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that tastes amazing. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. Here's the key to catching them: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a few cranks. No fancy movements - they're opportunistic and prefer a natural presentation. Once you feel that tap, don't jerk - just start reeling steadily.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore species - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and the fact you can sight-fish for them in skinny water. They're also excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. The visual aspect gets people hooked - watching a red's back out of the water as it feeds is something else. Pro tip: when you spot a tailing red, cast 10 feet past it and work your bait slowly toward the fish. They spook easily if you land right on top of them. Gold spoons and live shrimp work magic.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets here in the Keys. These silver rockets typically run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook into 40+ inch bruisers. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridges in 2-8 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. The cooler months from October through March offer the best action when they're more active and feeding heavily. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and aerial shows - they'll jump and thrash like crazy once hooked. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around structure, cast your bait past the target and work it back slowly. Snook are spooky and will bolt if you drop bait right on their heads. Patience pays off with these fish.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters and the fish that put Islamorada on the map. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds but can push 200+. We find them rolling in channels, around bridges, and on the flats in 3-20 feet of water. Prime season runs May through August when they migrate through our area in huge numbers. What makes tarpon fishing special is the jumps - they'll launch 6-10 feet out of the water and run line like freight trains. Most folks fish them for the thrill since they're tough eating with lots of bones. The fight can last an hour on bigger fish. Here's what I tell first-timers: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip at them. This keeps slack in the line so they can't use the jump to throw the hook. It takes practice, but it's the difference between landing one and watching it swim away.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - oddball fish that look like floating debris until they strike. They average 15-25 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we catch some pushing 20 pounds. These fish float near the surface around weed lines, crab trap floats, and structure from shallow water out to 50 feet. Summer through early fall is peak season when they're most active in our area. What's cool about tripletail is they're sight-fishing targets that fight way above their weight class - very acrobatic for such a chunky fish. The meat is outstanding too, similar to grouper or snapper. Here's the secret: when you spot one lying on its side looking like a leaf, don't cast right at it. Cast 20 feet away and slowly work your bait toward the fish. They're ambush predators and spook easily, but if you're patient, they'll nail a live shrimp or small jig.
Islamorada, FL