Islamorada, FL 6 Hour Trip (AM/PM)
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour backcountry fishing charter targeting multiple speciesCaptain Bryan provides all gear, bait, and fishing licensesSmall group experience accommodating maximum two guests
Picture yourself casting lines in some of Florida's most productive backcountry waters, where crystal-clear flats meet mangrove shorelines and trophy fish lurk in every shadow. Captain Bryan of Fishing With Captain Brian knows these Islamorada waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll have you talking for years. This isn't your average charter – it's a genuine backcountry adventure where you'll target five different species that call these waters home. With everything from gear to licenses covered, all you need to bring is your appetite for action and maybe a cooler for your catch.
Captain Bryan runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – exactly what you want in a backcountry guide. You'll be fishing from a boat that's built for these shallow waters, letting you get into spots where the big boats can't follow. The morning trips kick off early when the water's still cool and fish are actively feeding, while afternoon charters take advantage of moving tides and changing light conditions. Either way, you're looking at six solid hours of fishing time. The boat's equipped with everything you need – spinning gear, fly rods if that's your style, fresh bait, and all the terminal tackle. Captain Bryan handles the license paperwork too, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. At the end of the day, he'll clean your catch right there at the dock.
Islamorada's backcountry fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Bryan switches between live bait fishing around structure, sight casting to cruising fish on the flats, and working the mangrove edges where predators ambush their prey. You might be throwing live shrimp under a dock one minute, then sight fishing with artificials on a sandy flat the next. The water clarity here is phenomenal – on calm days, you can spot fish from 100 yards away. Captain Bryan keeps both conventional and fly fishing setups rigged and ready, so whether you're a spin fisherman or prefer throwing flies, he's got you covered. The key to success in these waters is staying quiet, making accurate casts, and being ready when fish move through. Polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential – Captain Bryan can point out fish all day, but being able to see them yourself makes all the difference.
Snook: These ambush predators are the bread and butter of Islamorada backcountry fishing. They love hanging around dock lights, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can surprise their next meal. Snook are incredibly structure-oriented, so you'll be making precise casts to tight spots. They hit hard and fight even harder, often jumping and running toward whatever cover they can find. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavily before cooler weather slows them down. The slot limit keeps things interesting – you're looking for fish between 28 and 33 inches, and trust me, you'll know when you hook a keeper.
Grey Snapper (Mangrove Snapper): Don't let their size fool you – these fish are scrappy fighters with serious attitude. They're year-round residents around any kind of structure, from docks to rock piles to mangrove roots. What makes them fun is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, but they're also smart enough to test your skills. They'll pick up a bait, run with it, then drop it if something doesn't feel right. The bigger ones are surprisingly strong fighters that'll make multiple runs before giving up. Captain Bryan targets them with light tackle, making every fish feel like a trophy.
Tarpon: The silver king needs no introduction – these are the fish that put Islamorada on the map. Juvenile tarpon in the 20 to 60-pound range cruise the backcountry year-round, while the giants show up during their famous spring and summer migration. Even the smaller ones are absolute powerhouses that'll test your tackle and your arms. They jump like crazy, throwing hooks with aerial acrobatics that'll leave you speechless. What's special about backcountry tarpon fishing is the intimate setting – instead of fighting crowds on the Atlantic side, you're hooking silver kings in quiet mangrove creeks where every jump echoes off the water.
Redfish: Reds are the perfect backcountry species – they live in shallow water, eat aggressively, and fight like trucks. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats and mangrove edges, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Sight fishing for reds is addictive – you'll see their distinctive tails and dorsal fins cutting through shallow water long before you make your cast. They're not subtle when they eat, either. When a redfish takes your bait, you'll know it immediately. Fall is prime time when they school up in serious numbers, but Captain Bryan finds them year-round in his favorite spots.
Tripletail: These are the wildcards that make every trip interesting. Tripletail are masters of disguise, floating on their sides near floating debris, channel markers, or crab traps where they look exactly like floating leaves. They're incredibly strong fighters that don't give up easily, and their habit of jumping when hooked keeps things exciting. What makes them special is how hard they can be to spot – Captain Bryan has trained his eye to pick them out of their surroundings, but even experienced anglers can look right past them. When you do connect with one, get ready for a battle. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to eat their catch.
Captain Bryan's Islam
You'll be fishing aboard a top-of-the-line Yellowfin bay boat that's built for serious anglers targeting the productive backcountry waters around Islamorada. This isn't just any fishing boat - it's loaded with premium equipment including a second station specifically designed for sight fishing those shallow flats where tarpon, bonefish, and permit cruise. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you need to sneak up on spooky fish, while the fish finder helps locate schools in deeper channels. Captain Bryan has this rig dialed in with GPS navigation, VHF radio, and a multimedia system for the full experience. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. Whether you're working the grass beds for snook or stalking the flats for that silver king, this boat gives you the perfect platform to fish the legendary waters of the Florida Keys backcountry.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as most locals call them, are smart fish that'll test your patience and skills. Around here, we typically catch them in the 12-16 inch range weighing 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love docks, mangroves, and rocky bottom in 5-30 feet of water. These fish are active year-round in our warm waters, but summer months really fire them up. What guests love about mangrove snappers is they're scrappy fighters for their size and absolutely delicious - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since the action stays steady. Pro tip: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let your bait hit bottom, then reel up just a foot. They're spooky, so keep noise to a minimum and don't overwork the bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down one of the most fun species we target on these flats. Most of our fish run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that classic copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. We catch them year-round, but fall and winter months are prime time when they school up. What makes redfish great is they eat just about anything, fight hard, and taste fantastic with mild, sweet meat. They're perfect for sight-fishing too, which gets everyone excited when you can actually see the fish before you cast. Here's my tip: look for muddy water or "nervous water" on calm days - that usually means reds are feeding and rooting around in the shallows.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of my favorite species to target around Islamorada's mangroves and shallow flats. These sleek silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook into bigger ones pushing 35+ inches. They love hanging around structure - docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings - where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and powerful runs once hooked, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when casting to mangroves, place your lure right against the roots and let it sink a few seconds before starting your retrieve. Snook sit tight to cover and won't chase baits very far.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what most anglers dream about when they book a trip to Islamorada. These prehistoric giants typically range from 60-150 pounds around here, with some monsters pushing 200+. We find them rolling in channels, along the flats edges, and around bridges in 6-40 feet of water. Peak season runs May through August when big schools migrate through, but we see them year-round. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't just their size - it's those jaw-dropping jumps and blistering runs that'll test your tackle and your nerves. Fair warning: they're catch-and-release only and not good eating anyway due to all the bones. My go-to advice: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular aerial displays.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of those unique species that really surprises people - they look like a floating leaf until they're hooked, then they turn into acrobatic fighters. Most run 15-25 inches and 3-8 pounds around here. We find them floating near the surface around weed lines, debris, and structure in 10-50 feet of water. Summer through fall is prime time, especially July and August. What guests love about tripletail is they're sight-fishing targets that fight way above their weight class with jumping and strong runs. Plus they're outstanding table fare - some say better than snapper or grouper. The tricky part is they spook easily, so stealth is key. My advice: when you spot one floating, cast well past it and work your bait back slowly. Let the fish find your offering rather than dropping it right on their head and spooking them.
Islamorada, FL