Full Day Family Fishing Trip In Chokoloskee, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targets redfish, snook, and troutFamilyfriendly charter accommodates up to 4 guests safelyAll fishing equipment and bait included with captain
Looking for a fishing adventure the whole family can enjoy? Captain Ward Michaels has you covered with this top-rated 8-hour inshore fishing trip that's perfect for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Operating out of Chokoloskee, you'll be fishing some of the most productive waters in South Florida, including the pristine backcountry of Everglades National Park. This isn't your typical crowded charter - Ward focuses on creating a relaxed, educational experience where kids and adults alike can learn proper fishing techniques while targeting some of the area's most sought-after gamefish.
Your day starts early from Chokoloskee, where you'll meet Captain Ward and get familiar with your fishing platform for the day. Depending on conditions and group size, you'll be aboard either a spacious 21-foot Hewes Redfisher, a shallow-running 17.8-foot Hells Bay, or a stable 16-foot Lowe Roughneck. All three boats are specifically chosen for their stability and comfort - crucial when you've got kids on board who are learning to cast and fight fish. The Hewes Redfisher is particularly popular with families thanks to its roomy cockpit and excellent sight-fishing capabilities. Ward provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for smaller hands to medium-action rods that can handle the bigger fish you might encounter. Live bait, artificial lures, and all terminal tackle are included, so you can focus on fishing rather than rigging lines.
The waters around Chokoloskee and Everglades National Park offer some of the most diverse inshore fishing in Florida. You'll be working everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper mangrove shorelines where snook ambush baitfish. Ward employs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. Sight-fishing is huge here - there's nothing like watching a kid's face light up when they see their first tailing redfish. You'll also do plenty of casting to structure, working live shrimp or pinfish around oyster bars and mangrove roots where snook love to hide. When the tide is right, you might find yourself drifting grass flats with soft plastics, feeling for that telltale thump of a sea trout. The beauty of this fishery is its variety - if one technique isn't producing, Ward knows a dozen others to try. The shallow-draft boats allow access to areas larger vessels can't reach, giving you shots at fish in pristine, undisturbed environments.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Chokoloskee fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are found year-round in the area's shallow flats and mangrove creeks. They're perfect for families because they fight hard but aren't too overwhelming for younger anglers. Reds typically range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized "bull" red that'll test everyone's mettle. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures all work. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class, especially during cooler months when schools of reds cruise the flats in gin-clear water.
Snook fishing around Chokoloskee is legendary among inshore anglers. These ambush predators lurk around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and creek mouths, waiting to slam unsuspecting baitfish. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - expect jumps, head shakes, and powerful runs toward structure. Peak snook fishing typically occurs during warmer months, though they can be caught year-round. What makes snook fishing so addictive is their finicky nature - they can be incredibly picky one day and eat everything in sight the next. Ward knows all the local honey holes where these silver-sided gamefish congregate.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another customer favorite that's perfect for family trips. These spotted beauties are excellent table fare and relatively easy for kids to handle. They typically hang out over grass flats and sandy bottoms, making them accessible targets throughout the day. Trout fishing peaks during spring and fall months when water temperatures are ideal, but you can find them year-round in deeper holes and channels. They respond well to live shrimp under popping corks - a technique that's easy for beginners to master and produces consistent action.
While not guaranteed, the possibility of hooking into a Tarpon adds serious excitement to every trip. These "silver kings" are the holy grail of inshore fishing, capable of growing over 100 pounds and launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. Juvenile tarpon in the 20-50 pound range are more common in the backcountry waters you'll be fishing. They're most active during warmer months and are often found rolling in deeper channels or around creek mouths. Even a small tarpon provides a fight you'll never forget - their gill-rattling jumps and bulldog runs will test both your tackle and your nerves.
At $850 for up to two guests with room for four total, this full-day adventure offers outstanding value for a premium fishing experience. Captain Ward's reputation for putting families on fish while maintaining a safe, educational environment makes this one of the most sought-after charters in the area. The combination of top-quality boats, expert local knowledge, and access to some of Florida's most pristine fishing grounds creates memories that'll last a lifetime. Don't wait - the best dates fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons. Whether you're introducing kids to the sport or looking for a relaxing day away from the crowds, this Chokoloskee fishing trip delivers the perfect blend of
The 21' Hewes Redfisher is your ticket to some serious backcountry fishing in Chokoloskee's shallow waters. This boat was built specifically for the flats - stable enough for kids to cast comfortably, yet nimble enough to slip into those skinny water spots where the big redfish hang out. The Yamaha 250 gets you there fast and quiet, which matters when you're sneaking up on spook-prone snook and sea trout. With plenty of deck space for up to 2 anglers to move around and cast without tangling lines, you'll have room to work those grass flats and mangrove edges properly. The shallow draft design lets Captain Ward tuck into backcountry spots that bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish are feeding in Everglades National Park waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our flats fishing. Most run 20-30 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What guests love most is sight fishing - watching these copper-colored fish cruise the shallows and making that perfect cast. They're strong fighters that use their broad tails to make powerful runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of where they're moving. Once hooked, they'll head straight for the nearest structure, so be ready to apply pressure and turn them.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect family fish. They typically run 14-20 inches and have beautiful spotted sides that shimmer in the sun. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially where there's good current flow. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them great for beginners is their willingness to bite - they'll hit live shrimp, jigs, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. The fight is spirited but manageable, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Early morning and evening produce the most action. My go-to tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and that suspended shrimp is hard to resist.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the most fun fish to target in these waters. They usually run 18-30 inches and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure where they can ambush baitfish. These golden-colored fish with that distinctive black lateral line are notorious for their explosive strikes and strong runs. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, especially around creek mouths and shallow flats. Spring through fall gives you the best action, particularly around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their fight - they'll jump, run, and use every bit of cover to try and break you off. Plus, they're great eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one near structure, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from cover quick, or they'll wrap you up every time.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king - that's what we call tarpon around here, and for good reason. These prehistoric fish average 80-100 pounds but can push 200+ pounds. They roam our shallow flats, channels, and passes, usually in 3-15 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through. What draws people from around the world is their aerial show - a hooked tarpon will jump 6-8 feet out of the water multiple times. It's pure adrenaline. They're not great eating due to their bony meat, so it's all about the fight and photos. These fish are smart and spooky, so quiet approaches work best. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook. Most tarpon are lost during those jumps.
Chokoloskee, FL