8hr Flamingo Everglades Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday charter targets snook, redfish, tarpon in Everglades backcountryPrivate 17' Maverick skiff accommodates two guests maximumAll tackle, licenses, and refreshments included with booking
This full-day fishing charter takes you deep into the legendary backcountry waters of Flamingo in Everglades National Park, where world-class inshore species roam the mangrove creeks and shallow flats. You'll spend eight solid hours on the water targeting snook, redfish, tarpon, seatrout, and cobia from a top-rated 17' Maverick skiff that's built for these shallow waters. With just two anglers max, this private trip gives you the flexibility to follow the fish and really dial in on productive spots without dealing with crowds or rushed schedules.
Your captain will pick you up at first light when the fishing is prime and the backcountry is just waking up. The 17' Maverick skiff with its Yamaha 70hp engine is the perfect platform for this kind of fishing – it drafts shallow enough to get into those skinny water honey holes where big fish feed, but it's stable enough for comfortable casting all day long. You'll cover a lot of water during these eight hours, from narrow mangrove tunnels where snook ambush bait to expansive grass flats where redfish cruise in packs. The Everglades backcountry changes with every tide, so your captain will read the water and adjust the game plan throughout the day. All your tackle, licenses, cooler with ice, and water are handled, so you can focus purely on fishing. This trip works great for seasoned anglers who want to target specific species, but it's also perfect if you're newer to inshore fishing and want to learn sight casting and reading water.
Most of your fishing will be sight casting on the flats and along mangrove shorelines where you can actually see fish before you cast to them. Your captain will pole the skiff into position while you stand on the casting deck, watching for shadows, wakes, and nervous water that give away feeding fish. You'll be using both live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. When tarpon are rolling, you might switch to live pilchards or crabs. For snook tucked up in the mangroves, a well-placed DOA shrimp or topwater plug often does the trick. Redfish love to cruise the shallow flats where you can see their copper backs and black-spotted tails as they root around for crabs and shrimp. The key to success out here is being patient, making accurate casts, and letting your captain position the boat properly – these fish are easily spooked in the clear, shallow water.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these backcountry waters hold some genuine giants. They love to hang around structure like downed trees, dock pilings, and mangrove overhangs where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during the warmer months when they're most active. A 20-pound snook will give you an absolute battle on light tackle, making blistering runs and trying to cut you off in the mangroves. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters when they're in season.
Redfish are customer favorites because they're aggressive feeders and put up a serious fight pound-for-pound. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats in schools, especially during moving tides. Fall and winter months are outstanding for reds, when cooler water temperatures get them really fired up. A slot-sized red around 27 inches will bend your rod in half and make multiple runs before you can get it to the boat. They're also beautiful fish with those distinctive black spots along their sides.
Tarpon are the most exciting fish you'll encounter out here – these silver kings can jump six feet out of the water and strip 100 yards of line in seconds. Baby tarpon in the 20-40 pound range are common in the backcountry creeks and canals, while the big fish move through in spring and early summer. Even a small tarpon will test your skills and your equipment. They're catch and release only, but landing one is something you'll remember for years.
Sea trout are abundant throughout the grass flats and are perfect for anglers learning the ropes. They hit artificials readily and are great table fare when they're the right size. Look for them over sandy bottom mixed with grass beds, especially during cooler months. A speckled trout hitting a topwater plug in shallow water is pure excitement, and they often travel in schools so you can catch multiple fish from the same spot.
Cobia show up seasonally and are a real bonus fish when you find them. These brown sharks of the flats are curious and aggressive, often following stingrays around the shallow water looking for an easy meal. They're excellent eating and strong fighters that will test your drag system. Spring migration brings the best cobia action, when they're moving through the backcountry in good numbers.
Eight hours in the Everglades backcountry gives you the time to really explore this world-class fishery and target multiple species as conditions change throughout the day. Whether you're after a personal best snook, want to sight cast to tailing redfish, or hope to battle your first tarpon, this charter puts you in the right place with the right equipment and expertise. The Maverick skiff gets you into waters that bigger boats can't reach, and your captain's local knowledge of tides, seasons, and fish behavior makes all the difference. With everything included and space for just two anglers, this is the perfect way to experience what makes Flamingo fishing so renowned among serious inshore anglers.
The 17' Maverick skiff cuts through Flamingo's shallow backcountry like it was built for it – because it was. With a Yamaha 70hp pushing you through skinny water where bigger boats can't go, you'll slip into those hidden pockets where snook ambush baitfish and redfish cruise the flats. The shallow draft design gets you right up on the mangrove edges where tarpon roll and seatrout hang in the shadows. Clean, open deck space gives you room to make those sight casts without tangling lines, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish. GPS and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish, plus there's an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those long summer days. All the tackle, licenses, ice, and water are sorted – just bring yourself and get ready to work some of the best backcountry fishing Florida has to offer.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these powerful fish average 30-50 pounds and can top 100 pounds in deeper water. They're loners, cruising around structure, buoys, and channel edges in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best fishing as they move through our area heading to spawn. What sets cobia apart is their incredible table quality - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They're also fantastic fighters, making long, powerful runs. Most of the time you'll spot them swimming just under the surface, which makes for exciting sight-fishing. They'll eat almost anything - bucktail jigs, crankbaits, even topwater plugs. Local secret: when you see one, don't get too excited and cast right at it. Lead them by 10-20 feet and work your lure into their path.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight-fishing gold in the Everglades - these copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in water so thin their backs sometimes break the surface. Most reds we catch run 20-30 inches, with slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches being perfect for the cooler. They love oyster bars, mangrove edges, and muddy flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter offer the best action when they school up, but you can find them year-round. What makes reds special is their powerful, sustained runs and that distinctive black spot near their tail. They're also outstanding eating with firm, mild flesh. Here's my go-to strategy: look for "muds" - cloudy water where they're feeding on the bottom. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to their level.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most rewarding fish to target in the Everglades backcountry. These golden beauties typically run 18-28 inches and love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. You'll recognize them by that distinctive black lateral line running down their side. They're active year-round here, but spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try every trick to wrap you around the nearest mangrove root. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the mangroves. Snook sit tight to cover, so get that bait right in their kitchen.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - these silver kings can reach 6-8 feet and weigh over 200 pounds, though most we see run 80-150 pounds. They cruise the deeper channels and basins throughout the Everglades, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. What draws anglers back is their aerial show - when hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, throwing their whole body out of the water trying to shake the hook. They're not great eating due to their bony structure, so most folks release them for the experience. Here's the key: when you see one jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This gives slack and prevents the line from snapping during their acrobatics.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are reliable year-round targets in the Everglades grass flats. Most run 14-20 inches with a sweet spot around 16-18 inches for keepers. Look for them over sandy grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially where there's good tidal flow. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. Trout hit soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp with enthusiasm. They're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. The fight isn't their strong suit - they're more about the numbers and the eating. Pro tip: work your lure slowly over the grass beds and watch for that telltale "thump" bite rather than a hard strike. Set the hook gently since their mouths are soft.
Homestead, FL