4hr Flamingo Everglades Eco Tour
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour scenic eco tour through Flamingo Everglades backcountry watersShallowdraft skiff accesses remote mangrove areas with wildlife viewingFishing licenses and equipment included for optional angling opportunities
Looking for a fishing trip that's perfect for beginners, families, or anyone who wants to experience the legendary Flamingo Everglades backcountry? This 4-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of one of Florida's most productive inshore fisheries. You'll cruise through shallow mangrove creeks and flats aboard a nimble 17' Maverick skiff, accessing skinny water spots that bigger boats simply can't reach. With space for just two anglers, this intimate charter gives you personalized attention while you cast for some of the most sought-after species in South Florida waters. Your captain provides all the essentials - cooler, ice, water, and fishing licenses - so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
The Flamingo Everglades backcountry is a maze of mangrove islands, shallow flats, and winding creeks that create the perfect nursery for gamefish. Your Yamaha 70hp engine runs whisper-quiet, letting you sneak up on feeding fish without spooking them. The shallow draft design means you'll pole through water that's barely knee-deep, sight-fishing for tailing redfish and cruising tarpon. Between fishing spots, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins playing in the wake, gentle manatees surfacing nearby, and an incredible variety of wading birds stalking the shallows. The mangrove tunnels create natural highways through this pristine ecosystem, and your experienced captain knows exactly where the fish like to hang out during different tides and times of day. This top-rated charter balances serious fishing opportunities with wildlife viewing, making it ideal for mixed groups where some folks want to fish hard while others prefer to soak in the scenery.
Inshore fishing in the Everglades is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll primarily use live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards, though artificial lures shine when fish are actively feeding on the surface. Light spinning tackle is the go-to setup here - it gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites while providing enough backbone to handle bigger fish. Your captain will rig you up with circle hooks to ensure clean releases and help with conservation efforts in this protected fishery. Depending on conditions, you might find yourself sight-casting to cruising fish on the flats, drifting live bait along mangrove edges, or working topwater plugs over grass beds. The key is staying mobile - if one spot isn't producing, there are dozens of productive areas within a short boat ride. Polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential for spotting fish in the clear water, and your guide will position the boat to give you the best casting angles while managing wind and current.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and the Everglades backcountry holds some of the best permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fighters are notorious for their wariness and explosive runs when hooked. They cruise the turtle grass flats in small schools, often tailing as they root for crabs. Spring and fall offer the most consistent permit action, with fish ranging from 15 to 30 pounds. What makes catching a permit so special isn't just their fighting ability - it's the technical challenge of the presentation and the fact that many accomplished anglers fish for years before landing their first one.
Peacock Bass might seem out of place in a saltwater environment, but they've established themselves in the freshwater canals and ponds throughout the area. These colorful South American natives are aggressive predators that crush topwater lures and small jigs. Winter months bring the best peacock bass fishing when water temperatures cool slightly. They typically run 2 to 6 pounds but make up for their size with spectacular aerial displays and bulldog fights. Anglers love them because they're willing biters that provide consistent action when other species are being finicky.
Cobia are the submarines of the flats - these brown, shark-like fish cruise just below the surface and provide some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities in the Everglades. Spring migration brings schools of cobia through the area, with fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds. They're curious by nature and will often approach the boat to investigate, giving skilled anglers a chance to present live bait or large jigs. When hooked, cobia make powerful runs and use their broad tails to wage war against your drag system.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats - these silvery speedsters blend perfectly with the sandy bottom and can disappear in an instant when spooked. The Everglades backcountry offers world-class bonefishing, particularly in the winter months when fish school up in larger numbers. Most bones here run 3 to 8 pounds, though double-digit fish cruise these waters regularly. What makes bonefish so addictive is the combination of sight-fishing challenges and their legendary runs - when a good bone takes off, it can peel 100 yards of line in seconds.
Largemouth Bass thrive in the freshwater areas where you might not expect to find them this far south. The cooling months from December through March bring the most consistent bass action as fish become more active in the slightly cooler water. These Everglades bass are scrappy fighters that love to ambush prey around structure like fallen trees and grass edges. They typically run 2 to 6 pounds but provide excellent action on light tackle, especially for anglers who want to try something different from the typical saltwater species.
This customer favorite charter books up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. With space for only two guests, you're getting a premium, personalized experience that larger boats simply can't match. The combination of world-class fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing makes this the perfect introduction to Evergl
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a spotless 17' Maverick skiff powered by a dependable Yamaha 70hp engine – perfect for navigating the shallow backcountry waters around Flamingo. This shallow-draft boat gets you into prime fishing spots that bigger vessels can't touch, from hidden mangrove creeks to productive flats where snook and redfish cruise. The open deck gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to cast without getting tangled up, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish in skinny water. GPS navigation and fish finder help locate the best structure and schools, and there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. All safety gear, cooler, ice, and water are provided, plus fishing licenses if you want to wet a line between wildlife watching. Whether you're targeting backcountry species or just enjoying the ride through pristine Everglades waters, this setup handles it all with room for two anglers max.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the ultimate flats challenge - silvery torpedoes that average 3-8 pounds but feel twice as big when they run. They cruise grass flats and sandy bottoms in water so shallow you can barely float over them, sometimes just inches deep. Look for them "tailing" - digging for crabs and shrimp with their tails breaking the surface. Incoming tides bring the best action as they move onto the flats to feed. What hooks people is that first run - these fish hit 30 mph instantly and won't stop for 100 yards. They're called "gray ghosts" for good reason, blending perfectly with the bottom. Too bony to eat, so it's all about the sport. My best advice: when you see tailers, approach from downwind and cast your shrimp or small crab 10 feet ahead of where they're heading, not where they are.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like underwater bulldozers - big, brown, and powerful. Most run 20-40 pounds but can hit 100+, living up to 12 years. They're loners that cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30 feet or less, though you'll sometimes spot them deeper around offshore rigs. Often mistaken for sharks because of that single dorsal fin. Spring migration from March to June is when they're most active, moving through our waters to spawn. Guests love cobia for two reasons: they're phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat, and they fight like freight trains once hooked. These fish are curious and will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. Here's the trick - bucktail jigs work great, but when you see one cruising, cast well ahead and let the jig sink naturally. They'll usually investigate anything that moves.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the bread and butter of freshwater fishing - green to olive-colored bruisers that average 2-5 pounds but can push 10+ in good water. They love cover like fallen trees, thick weeds, and undercut banks where they can ambush prey. You'll find them in the park's quieter canals and ponds, especially around vegetation and structure. They're most active during spring spawning season and again in fall, but you can catch them year-round if you adjust your approach. What people love is their attitude - they'll hit hard and jump, putting on a real show. Plus, they're decent eating when taken from clean water. The bite really turns on early morning and late evening. Here's a guide secret: throw a weedless plastic worm into the thickest cover you can find and work it slow - that's where the big ones hide.
Cichla OcellarisPeacock bass aren't true bass but they fight twice as hard. These colorful freshwater bulldies average 2-4 pounds with that distinctive black eyespot on their tail. You'll find them in the park's canals and quieter backwaters where the current slows down - they love structure like fallen trees, bridges, and thick vegetation. They're aggressive daytime hunters that can't handle water below 60 degrees, so warmer months from March through October are prime time. What guests love is their attitude - they'll slam topwater lures and put up a serious scrap for their size. Plus, they're beautiful fish with those bright yellows and greens. My local tip: forget the plastic worms these guys hate them. Throw a gold spoon or live shiner around any shaded structure and hold on tight.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the ghosts of the flats - silvery, disc-shaped fish that average 20-30 pounds but can push 50+. They cruise shallow grass beds and sandy bottoms, often in just 2-3 feet of water despite their tall profile. These fish have incredible eyesight with golf ball-sized eyes that rotate nearly 360 degrees, making them extremely wary. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're spawning and more active. What makes permit special is the challenge - they're notoriously difficult to fool and will test your patience. When hooked, they make powerful runs that'll have your drag screaming. Blue crabs are the go-to bait, but here's a local trick: watch for their dark shadows "tailing" in skinny water, then present your crab well ahead of their path and let it sit motionless on the bottom.
Homestead, FL