5.0(2 Reviews)Everglades Backcountry Explorer: Extended Angling
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour Everglades fishing adventure targeting snapper, grouper, and snookExplore crystalclear Keys waters and wild backcountry flats fishingProfessional charter accommodates four guests with all skill levels welcome
Picture this: six hours on the water with Captain Drew from Local Grown Charters, working the legendary flats and backcountry of the Everglades and Florida Keys. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a full day of serious fishing, where you'll have time to really dial in on different species and techniques. From the crystal-clear shallows where redfish cruise in plain sight to the deeper patch reefs where grouper and snapper stack up, this extended trip gives you the best of both worlds. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to put some serious fish in the boat, Captain Drew knows how to read the water and put you on the bite.
When you step aboard with Local Grown Charters, you're getting more than just a boat ride to fishing spots. Captain Drew's approach is all about adapting to what the fish are doing that day. Some mornings, we'll start shallow in the backcountry, poling the flats for tailing redfish and snook tucked up under the mangroves. The Everglades backcountry is like a maze of creeks, cuts, and shallow bays that most people never see. It's wild back there - you might spot a manatee rolling nearby or watch a great blue heron stalking baitfish in knee-deep water. When the flats fishing slows down or if conditions call for it, we'll run out to the patch reefs where the bottom drops to 15-20 feet and the current brings in bigger players like grouper, snapper, and barracuda. This six-hour window means we're not rushing from spot to spot. Instead, we can really work an area when the fish are biting, or move around until we find where they're holding that day. The boat maxes out at four anglers, so everyone gets plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Captain Drew runs a top-rated flats boat that's perfect for the shallow-water work we'll be doing in the backcountry. When we're sight-fishing for reds and snook in two feet of water, he'll get up on the poling platform and quietly push us into casting range. You'll be throwing live shrimp, pinfish, or artificial lures depending on what's working. For the reef fishing, we switch gears completely - dropping live bait or jigs down to the bottom where grouper and snapper are waiting. Drew keeps all the tackle organized and the lines working. As one customer put it, he's constantly "keeping the lines untangled, unsnagged, soaking, and with fresh bait." That's the difference between a good guide and a great one. He's not just driving the boat; he's actively managing every rod so you spend more time fighting fish instead of dealing with tangles and snags. The gear is all taken care of - quality rods and reels spooled with the right line weights for each situation. Tackle, bait, and ice are included, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe a cooler if you want to take some fillets home.
"Captain "Drew" is a great guide. He was responsive to our needs, helpful, hardworking, knowledgeable, patient, and was even an accomplished multitasker. I went out with my wife and 3 kids. He kept the lines untangled, unsnagged, soaking, and with fresh bait. Definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a solid guide in the area!" - KYLE
"Excellent trip. Excellent dinner recommendation." - Deanna
Redfish are the crown jewel of Everglades flats fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow backcountry where they cruise the edges of mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Reds in this area typically run 18-28 inches, with some real bulls pushing into the slot and beyond. They're most active during moving tides, especially on the incoming when baitfish get pushed up into the shallows. What makes redfish so exciting is that you can often see them before you cast - watching their backs break the surface or their tails waving as they root around in the grass. They fight hard and dirty, using their broad sides to pull drag and trying to wrap you around every piece of structure they can find.
Snook are the other premier target in the backcountry, and they're absolute ambush predators. These fish love to hang under overhanging mangroves, around dock pilings, or anywhere there's current and shade. They're most active during the warmer months, from spring through fall, and they absolutely hammer live bait. A good snook will run anywhere from 20-35 inches, and they're known for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked. The strike is often explosive - they'll crush a live shrimp or pilchard without hesitation. What makes snook fishing so addictive is the precision required. You need to get your bait right in the strike zone, often within inches of structure, and be ready for that aggressive hit.
Grey snapper are the bread and butter of the patch reef fishing. These guys school up over hard bottom and coral heads, and when you find them, you can usually catch several before they wise up. They're excellent table fare and great fighters for their size, typically running 12-18 inches in this area. Snapper are smart fish that require fresh bait and light leaders. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but a good captain can find them throughout the day by moving around different reef sections.
Red grouper are the heavyweight champions of the patch reefs. These bottom-
The 2018 Pathfinder 24-footer is built for serious Everglades fishing, powered by a 300hp Yamaha that'll get you to the flats fast and quiet when you need it. This boat handles the shallow backcountry waters like a dream, perfect for stalking snook and redfish in those skinny spots where the big ones hide. The GPS keeps you on track through the maze of mangroves, while the fish finder helps locate structure and bait schools around the patch reefs. Radar comes in handy when afternoon storms roll in or early morning fog settles over the water. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures without tangling lines, plus storage for all your tackle and the cooler. The shallow draft design lets you slip into backcountry spots that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to prime fishing grounds where grouper, snapper, and inshore species are waiting.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - aggressive, powerful fish that average 12-24 inches but can hit 4 feet and 60 pounds. You'll find them in schools around grass beds, sandy bays, and shallow reefs, often pushing baitfish to the surface while birds dive from above. They're most active in warmer months, but we see them year-round. What guests love is their raw power and willingness to hit almost anything that moves fast. They'll bend your rod and test your drag like few other fish their size. While not the best eating, they're pure adrenaline on the line. Here's the trick: when you see birds working, cast past the school and rip your lure back through fast - these guys love the chase and won't hesitate to hammer a moving target.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the speedsters of our waters, averaging 2-4 feet but capable of hitting 6 feet and serious weight. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, reef edges, and anywhere baitfish congregate. They're year-round residents with spring and summer being most productive. What makes them exciting is their lightning-fast strikes and initial runs that'll smoke your drag - they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. While not great table fare due to potential ciguatera, they're pure excitement on the line. They hunt by sight and are naturally curious, often following lures before striking. The key is using wire leader since their teeth will cut through mono instantly. When you see one following your lure, speed up your retrieve and be ready - that strike will come out of nowhere and nearly rip the rod from your hands.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangroves as we call them, are smart fish that keep you honest. Most run 10-14 inches inshore, but the bigger ones near reefs and deeper structure can hit 3-4 pounds. They love hanging around docks, mangroves, and rocky bottom in 10-40 feet of water. Best fishing happens at night when they come out to feed, though dawn and dusk can be productive too. What makes them fun is they're picky eaters with great eyesight - you need to be sneaky with your presentation. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's what works: use live shrimp on a light leader, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Too much movement and they'll swim away, but get it right and they can't resist.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are bottom dwellers that make great reef targets, averaging 5-10 pounds but capable of hitting 20-30 pounds in deeper water. You'll find them around patch reefs, ledges, and rocky bottom in 20-100 feet, though we catch plenty in shallower structure too. They're year-round residents, with cooler months often producing the biggest fish. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - they'll head straight for the bottom and test your tackle. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish out there with firm, white meat that's perfect for grouper sandwiches. The downside is they're tough fighters that know every hole and crevice on the reef. Best strategy is to use heavy enough tackle to turn them quickly, and don't give them an inch once hooked - they'll wrap you around the structure faster than you can blink if you're not ready.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 20-35 inches with that signature black eyespot near the tail. They love cruising 1-4 foot flats around oyster bars and grass beds, especially on incoming tides. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but we catch them year-round in these warmer waters. What makes them special is that shallow-water sight fishing - watching their copper backs cruise the flats gets your heart pumping every time. They fight hard with strong runs, and the meat is excellent table fare with a light, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead and let your bait settle - they spook easy but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable fight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are our most dependable grass flat fish, typically running 14-20 inches with beautiful golden spots along their silver sides. They love shallow grass beds and sandy potholes, especially during warmer months when they're most active. Dawn, dusk, and night fishing produce the best results. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - soft, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for beginners since they're not too picky about presentation. The trick is not to overcook them since the meat is delicate. For catching them, work the grass flats with topwater plugs early and late, or use live shrimp under a popping cork during the day. Just remember to handle them gently - their mouths are soft and they don't fight as hard as other species, so light tackle works best.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are our premium inshore gamefish, averaging 18-24 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped forehead. They're structure lovers, hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. Summer months are prime time, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. Anglers go crazy for snook because they're smart, strong fighters that'll jump and make blistering runs toward cover. Plus, the meat is absolutely fantastic - firm, white, and sweet. They're like the bass of saltwater but way more challenging. My go-to tip: work your lure slow around structure during dawn or dusk, and when you hook one, keep steady pressure to prevent them from cutting you off on those oyster bars or mangrove roots they love to run to.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast-moving schooling fish that average 1-2 feet and 2-3 pounds, with distinctive yellow spots along their silver sides. They roam open water flats, nearshore reefs, and around structure where baitfish gather. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active, often feeding near the surface in large schools. What anglers love is their speed and acrobatics - they'll make long runs and jump when hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The challenge is finding the schools since they move constantly following bait. Once you locate them, the action can be non-stop. Pro tip: when you see birds working the surface, get there fast and cast small spoons or jigs through the school. Work them quickly since these fish love a fast-moving target, and don't be surprised when multiple fish follow your lure.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver kings that can reach 6-8 feet and over 200 pounds, though most we see run 80-150 pounds. They cruise the deeper channels around the keys and backcountry flats from April through August, rolling on the surface and giving themselves away. What makes them legendary is their aerial show once hooked - these fish can jump 10 feet out of the water and will test every knot you tied. It's all about the fight since most folks release them (the meat's full of bones anyway). Peak season is late spring through summer when they migrate through our waters. The secret is patience and perfect timing - when you see one rolling, lead them with your cast and strip that fly or bait right past their nose. Once you hook up, hold on tight because you're in for the fight of your life.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain "Drew" is a great guide. He was responsive to our needs, helpful, hardworking, knowledgeable, patient, and was even an ac...
Excellent trip. Excellent dinner recommendation.
Key Largo, FL