Flamingo Everglades Fly & Light Tackle Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, tarpon, redfish, and sea trout in pristine waters.Fish endless grass flats and scenic mangrove islands.Choose half or full day adventure departing from Flamingo park.
When you're looking for world-class inshore fishing in South Florida, the Flamingo Everglades delivers everything you've heard about and more. This isn't your typical charter – you'll be working some of the most productive flats and mangrove shorelines in the country, where snook, tarpon, redfish, black drum, and sea trout cruise year-round. What makes this spot special is the variety of water you can fish in a single day. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds on crystal-clear flats, the next you're working darker water around mangrove cuts where big snook like to ambush baitfish. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but when you start hooking up with quality fish, you'll understand why so many anglers consider this area a must-fish destination.
Your day kicks off at either the backcountry or Florida Bay boat ramp at Flamingo Everglades park, depending on wind conditions and what species we're targeting. The beauty of this fishery is having options – if the wind's howling from the southeast, we can duck into protected backcountry spots where snook and black drum hang out. If conditions are calm, we'll head to the expansive grass flats where redfish and sea trout feed. This is sight fishing at its finest, so bring your polarized sunglasses and be ready to make accurate casts when I call out targets. The water clarity here can be outstanding, especially on the bay side, giving you shots at fish you can actually see. We'll spend the day moving between different zones, reading water conditions, and adapting our approach based on what the fish are doing. Whether you choose the half-day or full-day option, expect to cover plenty of water and learn why this area has such a reputation among serious inshore anglers.
We fish both fly and spinning gear depending on your preference and skill level. For fly fishing, I typically rig 8 and 9-weight rods with floating lines, though we'll have intermediate lines ready if we need to get flies down deeper around structure. Fly selection varies with conditions, but you can count on throwing plenty of Clouser minnows, shrimp patterns, and crab flies. The spinning tackle is equally dialed in – mostly 2500 and 3000 series reels spooled with 15-20lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Lure choice depends on what we're seeing, but soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs, and suspending twitch baits all have their moments here. The grass flats require weedless presentations, so we use a lot of paddle tails rigged on heavy jig heads or weighted hooks. Around the mangroves, we'll throw more traditional jigs and live bait when regulations allow. I provide all rods, reels, tackle, and flies – you just need to bring yourself and a cooler with drinks and snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
Snook are the crown jewel of this fishery and what most anglers dream about hooking. These fish love structure and ambush points, so we'll work mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars where they set up to feed. Snook are incredibly aggressive when they're feeding but can be finicky when they're not, making them a challenging and rewarding target. They hit hard and jump when hooked, plus they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Redfish might be the most reliable species we target, and for good reason – they're here in numbers and relatively predictable once you understand their patterns. These copper-colored fighters cruise the grass flats looking for crabs and small fish, often with their backs or tails showing above the surface. A properly presented crab fly or soft plastic can trigger explosive strikes from fish ranging from slot-size to oversized bulls. Reds fight differently than snook – they're bulldogs that use their broad sides to pull hard and stay deep. You'll find them most active during moving water, especially around the edges of flats where deeper water meets the shallows.
Tarpon fishing in the Everglades is legendary, and while we're targeting smaller resident fish rather than the massive migratory tarpon, these 20-80 pound fish still provide world-class action. They're here year-round but most active during warmer months when they're feeding heavily on glass minnows and crabs. What makes tarpon special is obvious the first time one clears the water – they're spectacular jumpers and incredibly strong for their size. Even a 30-pound tarpon can wear you out on light tackle, and they have a habit of throwing hooks during their aerial displays, keeping every fight interesting until the fish is released.
Black drum don't get the respect they deserve, but they're fantastic light tackle fish that can really test your drag system. These bottom feeders love oyster bars and muddy areas where they root around for crabs and mollusks. They're not the prettiest fish in the water, but what they lack in looks they make up for in pulling power. Larger drum can be tough to turn, especially around structure, and they're surprisingly good eating if you keep smaller ones. Look for them in slightly deeper water adjacent to the flats, particularly around hard bottom areas where shellfish concentrate.
Sea trout round out our target species list and they're perfect for anglers who want consistent action. These spotted fighters are aggressive feeders that hit a variety of lures and flies, making them ideal for beginners or anyone looking to stay busy between shots at larger species. They school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, often betraying their presence with surface activity when they're feeding on glass minnows. Trout fight well for their size and are excellent table fare, so
Get ready to fish the legendary waters of Flamingo Everglades aboard our nimble 18-foot Hell's Bay Skiff. This 2009 shallow-draft beauty was built for navigating the backcountry flats and mangrove creeks where trophy snook, tarpon, and redfish lurk. With its lightweight design and quiet poling platform, you'll slip into skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach. The GPS keeps you on course through the maze of islands while you cast to rolling tarpon or sight-fish cruising reds on the grass flats. Whether we launch from the backcountry ramp or Florida Bay side, this skiff handles the choppy bay waters and shallow backcountry with ease. Perfect for light tackle fishing, you'll have room to fight fish without feeling cramped. The low profile keeps you under the radar of spooky fish while providing excellent casting angles to mangrove edges and oyster bars where the big ones hide.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, often weighing 15-40 pounds with some monsters pushing 60+ pounds. These dark, humpbacked fish have crushing jaws perfect for munching oysters and crabs on the bottom. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is 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 flashy jumps, just pure bulldogging strength that'll test your tackle. Smaller fish under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh cut crab or shrimp on a circle hook, and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady tap-tap-tap, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of shallow water fishing here, typically running 18-30 inches with that distinctive black spot near the tail. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them tailing on grass flats, around oyster bars, and cruising mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They feed year-round but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight in shallow water. Plus, slot-sized fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're perfect for sight fishing when conditions are calm. Here's what works: when you spot a tailing red, cast your spoon or soft plastic well past the fish and work it back slowly. They're not as spooky as snook but a sloppy cast will send them running.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them, are perfect light tackle fish running 12-20 inches with occasional 3-4 pounders. These spotted beauties have soft mouths and fight with quick runs and head shakes. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and current edges. They bite year-round here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Early morning and evening low-light periods are prime time. Guests love trout because they're aggressive feeders, great on the table with sweet, flaky white meat, and perfect for beginners to learn on. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in and the setup keeps your bait in the strike zone over the grass.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most popular targets in the Everglades, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with their distinct black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though you might hook into a real trophy. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and keep you on your toes. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Here's a local tip: when you see snook cruising the shallows, cast your lure well ahead of them and let it sink before starting your retrieve. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a fight to remember.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate game fish - these silver giants can reach 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though we see fish up to 200+ pounds in these waters. They cruise the deeper channels, grass flats edges, and around the keys in 6-30 feet of water. May through August is prime season when they migrate through, with early morning and evening providing the best action. What makes tarpon fishing special is their aerial show - once hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony, strong-tasting meat, but the fight is what you're after anyway. These ancient fish can live 50+ years, so we treat them with respect. My key tip: keep steady pressure but bow to the fish when it jumps - give it slack or that big head shake will snap your line every time.
Jupiter