Full Day Islamorada Tarpon and Redfish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour full day charter targets tarpon and redfish speciesProfessional captain provides gear, bait, and fish cleaning servicesSeventeenfoot flats boat accommodates up to four guests comfortably
When you're looking for a serious day of fishing in the Florida Keys, this eight-hour charter with Captain Jonathan delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Starting at first light around 7:00 AM, you'll have plenty of time to work the flats, channels, and backcountry waters where tarpon and redfish call home. The 17-foot Hoog flats boat is built for these shallow waters and handles up to four anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Everything you need is covered - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and your fishing license - plus Captain Jonathan will clean and fillet your keeper fish at the end of the day.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just as the bite gets good. With eight full hours, Captain Jonathan can take you to the prime spots that require a longer run, including deeper channels where tarpon stage and remote flats where big redfish patrol. The morning usually starts targeting whatever's most active - could be reds tailing in skinny water or tarpon rolling in the channels near the bridges. As the day progresses and conditions change, you'll move between different areas, adapting your approach based on tides, wind, and fish behavior. The extended time means you can really dial in your technique, whether you're sight-casting to cruising fish or working structure for snapper and snook. Water and ice are provided, but you'll want to pack a cooler with lunch and plenty of snacks since you'll be working up an appetite out there.
Islamorada's backcountry offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing in South Florida, and Captain Jonathan's approach changes throughout the day based on what's biting. For tarpon, you might be throwing live crabs or pinfish near bridge pilings, or sight-casting with DOA shrimp when you spot them rolling on the flats. Redfish often require a stealthier approach - poling quietly through shallow grass beds and making precise casts to fish that spook easily in clear water. The tackle is matched to each situation, from lighter spinning gear for snook around mangrove shorelines to heavier baitcasters when you're battling a 100-pound tarpon that wants to jump and run. Live bait is often the key, especially for the bigger fish, but artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons can be deadly when fish are actively feeding. The 17-foot Hoog's shallow draft lets you access areas that bigger boats can't reach, putting you on fish that don't see as much pressure.
Tarpon are the crown jewel of Islamorada fishing, and these silver kings put on a show like nothing else in the water. Most fish range from 80 to 150 pounds, though smaller "baby" tarpon in the 20 to 40-pound class are more common in the backcountry and actually fight harder pound-for-pound. Peak tarpon season runs from April through July when massive schools migrate through the Keys, but resident fish can be caught year-round in the right spots. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is the explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - these fish will clear the water multiple times during a fight, shaking their heads and gill-rattling to throw the hook. Even experienced anglers get their adrenaline pumping when a big tarpon crashes a bait.
Redfish are the other main target and offer a completely different but equally exciting experience. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20 to 35 inches in the backcountry, with the occasional bull red pushing 40 inches or more. Prime redfish season peaks in fall and early winter, but good numbers are around most of the year. What makes reds special is their shallow-water habits - you'll often see them "tailing" with their heads down feeding and tails sticking out of the water. The sight-fishing aspect is what hooks most anglers, requiring stealth and accuracy to get a bait in front of a feeding fish without spooking it. When hooked, redfish make powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight in the current.
Mutton snapper add excellent table fare to the mix and are surprisingly strong fighters for their size. Most run 2 to 8 pounds with the occasional double-digit fish around structure. They're most active during warmer months and are often caught while targeting other species around bridges and channels. Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are smaller but scrappy and great for consistent action when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. Snook round out the lineup and are true ambush predators that lurk around mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridges. They're most active in warmer water and put up a tremendous fight with explosive strikes and strong runs toward cover.
A full day on the water with Captain Jonathan gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Islamorada's backcountry has to offer. The extended time means you're not watching the clock when fish are biting, and you can really learn the techniques that make local guides successful. Whether you're after that first tarpon, looking to sight-cast to tailing redfish, or just want to load the cooler with snapper for dinner, this charter covers all the bases. Keep in mind there's a 14-day cancellation policy, so plan accordingly. The boat fills up fast during peak season, especially for full-day trips that offer this much fishing time and variety. Book your spot now and get ready for the kind of day that reminds you why the Florida Keys are considered some of the best inshore fishing waters in the world.
Captain Jonathan's 17' Hoog flats boat is built for serious tarpon and redfish action in Islamorada's shallow waters. This stable platform gets you into those hard-to-reach backcountry spots where the big fish hang out. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space without getting tangled up. The boat comes equipped with GPS to hit the hottest fishing grounds, a live bait well to keep your bait fresh and lively, plus an icebox for your catch and cold drinks. The shallow draft design lets you slide right over the flats where redfish cruise and into those deeper channels where tarpon roll. Captain Jonathan knows these waters like the back of his hand and will position you perfectly for that money shot when a 100-pound silver king comes up on your bait.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are perfect starter fish that'll keep everyone busy. Most run 1-3 pounds inshore, though you might hook into a 5-pounder if you're lucky. They've got that greyish-red color that shifts depending on bottom type and a dark stripe through the eye. These guys hang around docks, bridges, grass flats, and any kind of structure in 5-30 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What makes them great is they're scrappy little fighters and absolutely delicious - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also smart fish that'll test your skills. The key to success is keeping your presentation simple. Drop a live shrimp on a light weight near structure and let it sit still. Too much movement spooks them since they're opportunistic feeders that like to study their prey before striking.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are solid fighters that typically run 3-8 pounds around Islamorada, though bigger ones up to 20+ pounds show up on the reefs. You'll spot them by their olive coloring with blue streaks around the face and that distinctive black spot on their sides. These fish love structure - wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 80-200 feet of water. They feed day and night on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish, making them pretty cooperative when the bite's on. What makes them special is they're strong pullers that'll test your drag, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch out here. The meat is firm, white, and sweet. Here's a key tip: use the freshest bait you can get and let it drift naturally in the current with minimal weight. Once they grab it, they'll head straight for the bottom, so keep steady pressure and work them up slowly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect sight-fishing targets that cruise the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water. Most run 18-30 inches around here, with those distinctive black spots near the tail and copper-red backs. You'll find them tailing over grass beds, cruising oyster bars, and hanging around mangrove shorelines year-round. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is watching them hunt in skinny water where their backs stick out, plus they're bulldogs that'll make long runs on light tackle. They're also excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. These fish will eat almost anything - topwater plugs, soft plastics, spoons, and live shrimp all work great. Here's the trick: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going and let your bait sink to the bottom. They feed with their heads down, so get it in their path and be patient.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting inshore targets, running anywhere from slot-size 18-inchers up to 30+ pound brutes. These silver-sided beauties with the distinctive black lateral line love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They're ambush predators that'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live bait with serious attitude. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are warm. What guests love about snook fishing is the explosive strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and thrash like crazy when hooked. The fight's half the fun, but they're also excellent table fare with flaky white meat. During spawning season their fins turn bright yellow, which is pretty cool to see. My go-to tip: work your lure right along the mangrove edges where they hide, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are bony and you'll pull right through.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver kings that can stretch 6+ feet and weigh over 100 pounds. These prehistoric giants migrate through our waters from April through August, with peak action in May and June. You'll find them rolling in channels, along the flats edges, and near bridges in 3-15 feet of water. What makes tarpon legendary is their aerial shows - they'll jump 8-10 feet out of the water multiple times during a fight. Most folks aren't eating them due to the bony meat, so it's all about the thrill. A hooked tarpon will test every bit of your tackle and stamina with runs that can peel hundreds of yards of line. The sight of a school of tarpon rolling nearby gets everyone's heart pumping. Key tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line and prevents the hook from pulling out during those spectacular leaps.
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