4 Hour Everglades Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Fourhour backcountry fishing adventure in Ten Thousand IslandsCustom 18foot skiff navigates shallow Everglades waters comfortablyTarget snook and redfish with professional gear includedFour hours with Captain Vince in the Ten Thousand Islands backcountry isn't just another fishing trip—it's your chance to work some of South Florida's most productive waters from a boat that was built for this exact kind of fishing. His custom 18' East Cape skiff cuts through skinny water like butter while keeping you comfortable when the chop picks up. You'll have everything you need to fish: quality rods, reels, tackle, licenses, cold water, and ice. Just pack some snacks and drinks, and bring your game face. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or bringing the family out for their first taste of saltwater fishing, Vince tailors every trip to what you want to accomplish.
The Ten Thousand Islands backcountry is where serious anglers come to test their skills against fish that have seen every lure in the book. This maze of mangrove islands, oyster bars, and grass flats creates the perfect storm for ambush predators like snook and redfish. Captain Vince knows these waters like his own backyard—every creek mouth, every structure, every tide change that brings the fish up to feed. The East Cape skiff is the secret weapon here. It draws maybe eight inches of water, so you can slide right up into the mangroves where the big snook like to hide, or work the flats where redfish cruise in water so shallow their backs are showing. The ride stays smooth even when you're running between spots, and the casting deck gives you plenty of room to work a topwater plug or pitch a soft plastic into the shadows. Four hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and adapt to what the fish are doing that day.
Fishing the Everglades backcountry is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. Captain Vince comes loaded with everything from topwater plugs for those heart-stopping surface explosions to soft plastics for when the bite gets finicky. You might start the morning working live bait around structure, then switch to artificials when you find fish actively feeding on the flats. The shallow water means you're often sight fishing—actually watching redfish tail in two feet of water or spotting the wake of a cruising snook. The gear is perfectly matched to these conditions: medium-heavy rods with enough backbone to muscle fish away from structure, but light enough to feel every tap. Spinning reels loaded with braid give you the sensitivity to detect subtle bites and the strength to turn fish in tight quarters. When the tide's right, you might work the mangrove shorelines with weedless jigs, letting them fall into pockets where snook wait to ambush prey. Other times, you'll be on the flats with spoons or topwater, covering water to find active schools.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these backcountry waters hold some true giants. These fish are pure attitude—they hit hard, jump high, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. You'll find them tucked under mangrove overhangs during the day, then moving onto the flats to feed as the sun gets low. The best action typically runs from spring through fall, with the cooler months slowing things down but producing some of the biggest fish of the year. What makes snook so addictive is their unpredictability. One minute they're slamming topwater baits at first light, the next they want a slow-rolled soft plastic worked right along the bottom.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and the Ten Thousand Islands serve up some of the most consistent red fishing in Southwest Florida. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass beds and oyster bars, often in schools that'll make your heart race. They're less spooky than snook but just as hard fighting, using their broad shoulders to dig deep and test your drag. Peak season runs from late summer into winter, when the reds stack up in predictable areas. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class—nothing beats watching a school of slot reds work a flat in knee-deep water, then dropping a gold spoon right in their path.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're serious fighters that know how to use the structure to their advantage. These bottom huggers love oyster bars and rocky areas where they can crunch up crabs and shellfish. They're year-round residents that provide steady action when other species are being difficult. The bigger drums can really test your tackle, using their weight and the current to make long, powerful runs.
Sea trout are the perfect species for families and newer anglers because they're aggressive, relatively easy to catch, and excellent table fare. They school up over grass flats and sandy areas, hitting both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized specs to occasional gator trout that push the 20-inch mark.
Tarpon are the ultimate prize fish—silver kings that can turn a routine trip into the fishing story of a lifetime. While they're more of a bonus fish on these four-hour charters, the backcountry holds juvenile tarpon year-round and migrating adults during the warmer months. Even a 20-pound tarpon will give you a fight you'll never forget, with those trademark jumps and runs that separate them from every other fish that swims.
Captain Vince's four-hour Everglades fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for: access to premium fishing grounds, expert guidance, and a boat perfectly suited to these unique conditions. The intimate two-guest capacity means you get personalized attention and more shots at the best fishing spots. With all gear, licenses, and essentials included, you can focus on what matters most—making the most of your time on these legendary waters.
Your fishing charter runs on the 2025 East Cape EVO 18, an 18-foot skiff that's purpose-built for stalking fish in skinny water. This sleek boat draws just inches of water, letting you slip into backcountry spots where bigger boats can't reach. The 90HP Suzuki pushes you between fishing holes quickly while staying whisper-quiet when you need to sneak up on spooky redfish and snook. The shallow-draft hull cuts through chop smoothly, keeping you comfortable during the ride and stable when you're sight-casting to cruising fish. Modern electronics include GPS for navigating the maze of mangrove islands, VHF radio for safety, and a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh. Perfect for 1-3 anglers, this skiff gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines. The low profile and quiet operation make it ideal for pole-and-sight fishing the flats or working mangrove shorelines where fish are easily spooked.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 10-20 pounds but capable of much more. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars, creek mouths, and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. You'll recognize them by their dark, almost black coloration and the barbels under their chin. Spring months are prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure strength pulling against your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating too. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom near oyster beds. They're not fast, but when a big drum picks up your bait, you'll know it immediately.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of shallow water fishing here, and you'll know one by the distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-28 inches and love cruising the shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up. What makes reds so special is their versatility - they'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, live shrimp, and flies with equal enthusiasm. Plus they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The fight is strong and steady without the jumping, making them perfect for all skill levels. Watch for their copper-colored backs and that telltale black spot. Here's a local tip: look for "tailing" fish with their heads down feeding - approach quietly and cast just ahead of where they're moving.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are a staple of these grass flats. Most run 12-18 inches with beautiful spotted patterns along their sides. They love shallow seagrass beds, especially around creek edges and deeper potholes where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Cooler months see them schooling in slightly deeper water, while warmer weather finds them scattered across the flats. Trout are popular because they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and fun to catch. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or jerkbait slowly through the grass. The key is finding the right depth - they like grass but need some water to move in.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after fish in these waters, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches and love hiding around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. You'll spot them by that distinctive black lateral line running down their silver sides. They're most active during warmer months and around moving water - incoming tides are prime time. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and strong runs when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a tip that works well in the backcountry: cast your lure or bait right up against the mangrove roots where they're holding. Don't be shy about getting close to structure - that's where the snook live.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate backcountry showboat - these silver giants can reach 4-6 feet and put on aerial displays that'll leave you speechless. They patrol deeper channels, creek mouths, and areas where baitfish gather, often rolling at the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they're most active in these waters. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're catch-and-release only), but the pure adrenaline of hooking into a fish that can jump 8 feet out of the water. Their runs are long and powerful, testing both your tackle and patience. The fight can last 30 minutes or more on a good fish. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
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