Full Day Islamorada Tarpon and Redfish Charter
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques and Tackle
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.
Top Catches This Season
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.
Time to Book Your Spot
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.