World Class Redfish & Snook Fishing in Chokoloskee
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour guided trips target tarpon, snook, redfish, and troutProfessional captain provides all gear, rods, and bait includedMultiple boat options accommodate up to four anglers maximum
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer, Captain Ward Michaels knows exactly where to take you. Based out of Chokoloskee, this top-rated guide has been putting anglers on fish in the legendary waters of Everglades National Park for years. This isn't your typical dock fishing – we're talking about getting into the heart of the backcountry where the big reds cruise the flats and snook ambush baitfish in the mangrove creeks.
Your four-hour adventure starts early when the fish are most active and the flats are alive with feeding activity. Captain Ward runs a professional operation with three different boats depending on conditions and group size – the 21' Hewes Redfisher for open water stability, the 17.8' Hells Bay for skinny water access, or the 16' Lowe Roughneck for tight creek work. Each boat is rigged specifically for sight fishing and fly fishing, with elevated casting platforms and all the gear you need. Don't worry about bringing tackle – rods, reels, flies, and live bait are all included. The captain reads water conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working the grass flats on an incoming tide or sneaking into creek mouths during the falling water. You'll learn to spot fish, understand tidal movements, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
The Chokoloskee and Everglades system offers incredible variety in just one trip. We'll work everything from crystal-clear turtle grass flats where you can sight cast to cruising redfish, to dark tannin creeks where snook stack up in ambush points. Fly fishing is king here – the shallow water and spooky fish make it perfect for presenting flies quietly and accurately. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish is equally productive, especially when fish are holding deep or the wind picks up. You'll learn to read the water, looking for nervous baitfish, mud trails from feeding reds, and the subtle pushes that give away a big fish's location. The boats are equipped with shallow water anchors and push poles for working the skinny stuff, plus all the safety gear required for Everglades National Park. Captain Ward adapts techniques to your skill level – beginners get hands-on instruction while experienced anglers can focus on advanced presentations and reading water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs average 20-30 inches in these waters, with plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches that'll test your drag and your arms. Reds feed year-round here, but fall and winter months are prime time when they school up on the flats. What makes them special is how they feed – you'll see their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around in the grass, giving you perfect sight fishing opportunities. The fight is pure power, and they use the shallow water to their advantage.
Snook are the glamour fish of the backcountry, and these waters hold some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – mangrove overhangs, creek bends, and dock pilings where they can blast out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. They're incredibly line-shy and require precise presentations, but when you hook one, that gill-rattling jump and bulldogging run is pure magic. Best fishing is during warmer months when they're most active, though winter can produce some monster fish if you know where to look.
Tarpon are what fishing dreams are made of, and juvenile tarpon in the 20-60 pound range are common in the backcountry creeks and basins. These silver kings are pure acrobatics – multiple jumps, long runs, and enough attitude to humble any angler. They're most active during the warmer months, especially summer when they flood into the backcountry to feed. Landing one on fly tackle is a badge of honor that'll have you planning your return trip before you even get back to the dock.
Sea Trout round out the slam potential and are often the most cooperative fish on the flats. These spotted beauties love grass flats and are aggressive feeders, making them perfect for building confidence and keeping the action steady. They hit topwater flies and lures with enthusiasm, and while they might not have the raw power of a redfish, their willingness to eat makes them customer favorites, especially for newer anglers learning the ropes.
At $600 for two anglers, this half-day trip delivers world-class fishing in one of Florida's most renowned fisheries. You can add up to two more anglers for just $50 each, making it a great value for small groups. Captain Ward's local knowledge and professional approach have made this a customer favorite, and his boats book up quickly during peak season. The Everglades backcountry offers fishing that's hard to find anywhere else – crystal clear flats, abundant wildlife, and fish that'll challenge your skills and reward your patience. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or trying to complete a backcountry slam, this is the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The combination of expert guiding, top-notch equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds makes this trip a smart choice for anyone serious about inshore fishing.
The 21' Hewes Redfisher cuts through Chokoloskee's shallow backcountry like it was built for these exact waters. With a reliable Yamaha 250 pushing you across the flats, you'll reach prime redfish and snook spots quickly and quietly. This boat's low profile and stable platform make it perfect for sight fishing in skinny water where the big fish cruise. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work a fly rod or cast lures without feeling cramped. Captain Ward knows these Everglades waters inside and out, and this Redfisher gets you to those hidden honey holes where tarpon roll and snook ambush bait along the mangrove edges. Built tough for Florida's inshore fishing, this boat handles everything from glass-calm mornings to afternoon chop.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great eating. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with those distinctive black spots near their tails. They cruise super shallow flats - sometimes with their backs out of the water - along with oyster bars and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter bring the best numbers as they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll test your tackle. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish in these waters. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish - they spook easily in shallow water. Look for nervous baitfish, muddy water from their feeding, or their tails waving above the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a bread-and-butter species that'll keep your rod bent all day. Most run 12-20 inches with nice ones hitting 24+ inches and 4-5 pounds. They love grass flats, sandy potholes, and channel edges in 2-8 feet of water. Fall through spring is our best season, especially on cooler mornings and evenings when they're actively feeding. Trout are popular because they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. The key here is working soft plastics or live shrimp slowly along the bottom near grass beds. During winter, they move to deeper holes and channels, so don't be afraid to fish 10-15 feet when it's cold.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in Chokoloskee waters. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we catch some real slabs pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where the current brings them easy meals. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, usually in 2-6 feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook so special is their aggressive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag and jump like crazy. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure or fly just inside the mangrove shade line where they ambush baitfish. Keep it quiet and make accurate casts - spook one and the whole school disappears.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate trophy fish in these Everglades waters - nothing compares to watching a 100-pound silver king launch itself 6 feet out of the water. Most of our fish run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though we see some real giants over 200. They cruise the deeper channels, basins, and flats edges in 6-15 feet of water. May through September is prime time, especially on the warmer days when they're rolling on the surface. What hooks anglers is their pure athleticism - multiple jumps, long runs, and battles that can last an hour. They're not great eating due to bony meat, so it's all about the fight and photos. My best advice: when one jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish. This prevents the line from breaking on a tight connection during their aerial show. Most lost tarpon are due to keeping tension during jumps.
Chokoloskee, FL