Rate Card ID: 107

Key Largo inshore fishing charter boat targeting snook and redfish in shallow waters

Rate Card ID: 107

5.0(22 Reviews)

Fish Hidden Backcountry Waters That Bigger Boats Can't Reach

Local Grown Charters Captain: Andrew Atwill

Backcountry Snook & Redfish Adventure

5.0(22 reviews)

Key Largo, FL

Private Trip

Inshore Fishing

Top Rated

Most Reviewed

What you will be catching:

About This Trip:

Target snook, redfish, and sea trout in Key Largo waters
Fast-paced 2-hour inshore fishing with expert captains
Accommodates up to 4 guests for family-friendly adventure

Backcountry Fishing Action

"Mahi mahi catch displayed on fishing boat in Key Largo FL waters"

"Mahi mahi catch on fishing charter in Key Largo FL"

"Two mahi mahi fish caught during deep sea fishing trip in Key Largo Florida"

"Mahi mahi fishing catch displayed on boat deck in Key Largo FL waters"

"Great barracuda caught fishing in Key Largo FL waters"

"Mahi mahi catch from fishing trip in Key Largo FL waters"

"Large mahi mahi fish catch displayed in Key Largo FL after successful fishing trip"

"Large mahi mahi fish displayed on fishing boat in Key Largo FL"

"Fresh caught mahi mahi fish displayed on boat deck in Key Largo Florida"

Backcountry Snook & Redfish Adventure

Looking for fast action and bent rods in the Florida Keys? This 2-hour inshore fishing trip with Local Grown Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers crave – nonstop fishing in Key Largo's legendary backcountry waters. Captain Andrew knows these flats and mangrove shorelines like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the moment you leave the dock. Whether you're chasing that first snook of your life or you're a seasoned angler wanting to add some Keys species to your logbook, this trip packs maximum fishing into every minute on the water.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Andrew runs a tight ship when it comes to fishing efficiency. The moment you step aboard, he's already reading the conditions – wind, tide, water temperature – and plotting the best spots to put you on fish. This isn't a leisurely cruise; it's a focused fishing mission through Key Largo's most productive inshore waters. You'll hit multiple spots during your 2-hour window, targeting structure along mangrove islands, grass flats, and channel edges where snook, redfish, and sea trout love to ambush baitfish. The boat holds up to 4 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families or small groups who want personalized attention from the captain. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from rods and reels to fresh bait and terminal tackle. Captain Andrew and his crew keep your lines in the water and hooks baited, so you spend more time fighting fish than rigging lines.

Backcountry Fishing Tactics

The beauty of Key Largo's backcountry lies in its diversity of fishing opportunities within a short boat ride. Captain Andrew employs various techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely start with live bait fishing around mangrove edges and docks, where snook and redfish lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce. The captain uses light tackle – typically spinning gear with 15-20 pound test – that gives you maximum fight from these hard-pulling inshore species. When the bite slows in one area, Andrew quickly relocates to keep the action going. This might mean switching from live shrimp around structure to casting artificials over grass flats, or moving from shallow water to deeper channel edges where sea trout school up. The backcountry's protected waters mean you'll stay comfortable even on breezy days, and the scenic mangrove tunnels and crystal-clear flats provide a stunning backdrop while you wait for the next strike.

Customer Stories

"The trip was really good. The captain kept moves us very fast from a couple spots that were not hitting well. He did a good job of finding the fish, and helped show us how to best catch them. We had a few kids on the boat and they had a great time too!" - Devin

"Captain Andrew was great, we only booked the 2 hour tour but were able to catch several fish to take home, including a 4.5 ft Barracuda, which was fun to catch." - Mario

"Drew was a great captain! We had a great time with some beginners who were hesitant to come. Drew was great helping all of us and we had a great time. Only regret was not doing a longer trip! It's gorgeous out there and the fish were biting! Highly recommend using Local Grown of you want to go on a fishing trip." - Ben

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook are the crown jewel of Florida Keys inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators can reach 40+ inches and fight like nothing else in shallow water. They love hanging around mangrove edges, docks, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. The best part about snook fishing in Key Largo's backcountry is the visual aspect – you'll often see them lying in the shadows before you cast. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, though Captain Andrew knows how to find them throughout the day.

Redfish, or "reds" as locals call them, are another bucket-list species that patrol these waters year-round. These copper-colored bulldogs average 18-27 inches in the backcountry and will test your drag system with powerful runs toward structure. They cruise grass flats and mangrove shorelines in small schools, often with their backs out of water as they root for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year.

Sea trout might not win beauty contests, but they're willing biters that keep your rod bent when other species are finicky. These spotted fighters inhabit grass flats and sand holes throughout the backcountry, often schooling up in good numbers. They hit both live bait and artificials aggressively, making them perfect for beginning anglers to build confidence while experienced fishermen appreciate their steady action.

Grey snapper bring both fight and flavor to your cooler. These smart, structure-oriented fish require finesse and proper presentation, but reward successful anglers with excellent table fare. In Key Largo's backcountry, they're often found around docks, channel markers, and rocky areas where they can quickly escape to cover after grabbing a meal.

Permit are the holy grail for many inshore anglers – a challenging species that tests your skills and patience. These disc-shaped fighters cruise grass flats and sandy areas, spooking easily but providing world-class fights when hooked. Even experienced guides get excited when a permit shows up, as they're notoriously difficult to hook and even harder to land.

Crevalle jack round out the target species list with pure, raw power. These aggressive predators school up and attack baitfish with reckless abandon. When you hook

Vehicle

Pathfinder

Your backcountry fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 2018 Pathfinder, a 24-foot powerhouse built for Key Largo's inshore waters. With a 300hp Yamaha pushing you to the fish at up to 52 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of room to fight those feisty snook and redfish without bumping elbows. Our GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. When the morning fog rolls in, the radar ensures safe navigation through the backcountry channels. This setup is perfect for targeting the shallow flats where big snook ambush baitfish and redfish cruise the grass beds. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those secret spots where the biggest fish hide.

Length

24 ft

Capacity

6 passengers

Engines

Type

Boat

Features:

GPS navigation system
Radar for low-visibility conditions
Fish finder for locating targets

Target Species

Caranx Hippos

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - aggressive, powerful fish that'll give you an arm-burning fight every single time. These brassy-colored bruisers typically run 3-8 pounds inshore, with golden sides and that unmistakable blunt head. They travel in schools and love chasing baitfish around grass flats, channels, and anywhere there's current. You can fish for them year-round, but summer months when baitfish are thick really turn them on. What guests love about jacks is their sheer aggression - they'll absolutely crush topwater lures and fight like fish twice their size. They're not great table fare, but they're perfect for catch-and-release fun. Look for diving birds as your best indicator - jacks push bait to the surface and create a feeding frenzy. Here's my tip: cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures past the school and retrieve them quickly. Jacks love the chase and rarely turn down a fast-moving meal.

Lutjanus Griseus

Grey Snapper

Grey snappers, or mangrove snappers as we call them locally, are some of the smartest fish you'll encounter in these waters. They typically run 12-16 inches inshore, with their greyish-red color and that distinctive dark stripe across the eye. These opportunistic feeders love structure - docks, mangroves, rock piles, anywhere they can ambush prey. They're most active during low light conditions, especially at night when they really turn on. What guests love about snappers is they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also great for kids since they bite consistently once you find them. The key with snappers is patience - they're spooky and will inspect your bait. Use live shrimp on a light leader, let it sit still near the bottom, and resist the urge to move it around too much. Less is more with these crafty fish.

Trachinotus Falcatus

Permit

Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing - challenging, smart, and absolutely beautiful fish that'll test every bit of your angling skill. These silver, disc-shaped fish typically run 15-25 pounds and have incredible eyesight that can spot you from a long way off. They cruise shallow sand and grass flats, often in water so thin you'd think it's too shallow for such tall fish. Peak season runs April through October when they're spawning, but we see them year-round in South Florida. What makes permit special is their reputation as one of the hardest fish to fool - they're extremely spooky and selective. When you do hook one, they make blistering runs that'll empty your reel in seconds. Live crabs are the gold standard for bait, but they're tough to keep happy. Here's the secret: approach them from downwind, make long, quiet casts, and whatever you do, don't move when they're inspecting your bait.

Sciaenops Ocellatus

Redfish

Redfish are the bread and butter of our backcountry fishing here in Key Largo. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots are incredibly fun to target in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. They typically range from 18-27 inches inshore, and they're powerful fighters that'll make long runs when hooked. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What guests love most is watching them tail in shallow water and making those sight-casting shots. They're also excellent eating when kept within slot limits. Redfish aren't too picky about lures - gold spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs all work great. Here's my go-to tip: when you see one tailing, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait sit motionless until the fish gets close.

Salmo Trutta

Sea Trout

Sea trout, or speckled trout, are perfect for our backcountry adventures - they're aggressive, fight well, and bite consistently throughout the year. Most run 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides that shimmer in the sun. They love grass flats and shallow bays where they can cruise and hunt baitfish. Cooler months often provide the best action when they school up in deeper pockets. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing quite like that surface explosion. They're also great eating with tender, mild flesh that's perfect for the dinner table. Trout respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them ideal for all skill levels. Pro tip: work your lures with an erratic retrieve - stop and go, twitching it like a wounded baitfish. They can't resist that injured action.

Centropomus Undecimalis

Snook

Snook are one of the most prized inshore fish around Key Largo, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure where they can surprise their prey. You'll typically catch them between 18-28 inches, though bigger ones are always possible. They're incredibly strong fighters with those wide tails giving them serious power in short bursts. Best fishing happens around dawn and dusk, especially during warmer months when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around structure, cast past it and work your lure back through the strike zone. Snook often hit right at the edge of cover, so be ready for that sudden thump.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on this inshore fishing trip to Key Largo with up to 4 guests, you'll want to prepare for a full-day adventure on the water. Since no meals are included according to the trip details, be sure to bring plenty of food and drinks to keep your energy up during this action-packed experience. The trip takes place on a motorboat in scenic inshore waters, so consider bringing sun protection like sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Since this is designed as fast-paced fishing fun with nonstop action, you may want to bring a cooler for any fish you catch and comfortable clothing that can get wet. The trip is suitable for families, friends, or solo anglers, so pack accordingly based on your group's needs. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture your catches of snook, sea trout, grey snapper, and other target species during this 2-hour adventure with Local Grown Charters' expert captains.

Guest Reviews

5.0 out of 5.0

22 Reviews

Devin Messing

April 9, 2025

The trip was really good. The captain kept moves us very fast from a couple spots that were not hitting well. He did a good job of...

Robin Bradford

June 5, 2025

Great trip! Captain Andrew was very accommodating for our schedule.

Mario Miranda

December 8, 2025