Full Day Family Fishing in Chokoloskee Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, snook, and tarponFamily-friendly experience with stable boats and all gear providedEight hours exploring Chokoloskee and Everglades National Park waters
There's something special about watching your kids fight their first redfish or seeing your spouse smile when they hook into a snook. Capt. Ward Michaels has been putting families on fish in these Chokoloskee waters for years, and he knows exactly how to make sure everyone from grandpa to the youngest angler has a blast. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's eight solid hours of exploring some of South Florida's most productive inshore waters, where the Everglades meet the Gulf and the fishing is as good as it gets. You'll be targeting redfish, snook, sea trout, and if we're lucky, maybe even a tarpon will crash the party.
Ward runs a top-rated operation with three different boats depending on your group size and the day's conditions. The 21-foot Hewes Redfisher is his go-to for families who want plenty of room to move around, while the 17.8-foot Hells Bay gets you into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to cruise. Sometimes he'll take the 16-foot Lowe Roughneck when we need to get really shallow or navigate tight mangrove creeks. All three boats are stable platforms perfect for kids and beginners, with plenty of casting room and comfortable seating. The trip starts early – usually around sunrise – when the water is calm and the fish are most active. Ward provides all the tackle, bait, and gear you'll need, so just bring yourself, some snacks, and plenty of sunscreen. The waters around Chokoloskee and into Everglades National Park offer endless variety, from grass flats where redfish tail in just inches of water to deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish.
Ward keeps things simple but effective, using light spinning tackle that's perfect for the whole family. Most of the day you'll be sight fishing with live bait – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp – though he's always got some artificial lures ready when the fish are being picky. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety of techniques you'll learn. One minute you're quietly poling across a grass flat looking for tailing redfish, the next you're casting to mangrove shorelines where snook hide in the shadows. Ward's a patient teacher who'll show you how to read the water, spot fish, and make the right presentation. The tackle is sized perfectly for these species – not too heavy that it takes the fun out of the fight, but strong enough to handle a bull red or a slot snook. He keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, so there's no downtime re-rigging when someone breaks off or loses a hook. Circle hooks are the standard here, especially in the park waters, and Ward knows all the regulations to keep you legal and the fishery healthy.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Chokoloskee fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are abundant year-round, with the best action typically in the cooler months from November through April. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in schools, tailing in super shallow water, or lurking around oyster bars and mangrove edges. Reds here range from schoolie fish around 18-22 inches up to bull reds pushing 35 inches or more. What makes them so much fun is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – they'll make long runs and dig hard toward structure. Kids love them because they're not too finicky about presentations, and once hooked, they stay hooked.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish, and the waters around Chokoloskee hold some real trophies. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around docks, mangrove overhangs, and creek mouths where they can ambush prey. The best snook fishing happens during the warmer months from May through September, though you can catch them year-round. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and run straight toward the nearest snag. Ward knows every productive snook hole in the area, from the residential canals of Chokoloskee to the remote backcountry creeks where 30-inch fish lurk in the shadows.
Sea trout might not get the respect of reds and snook, but they're fantastic fish for families because they bite consistently and fight hard for their size. The grass flats around Chokoloskee are perfect trout habitat, and you'll often catch them while targeting other species. Spring and fall offer the best trout action, with fish ranging from schoolie specks up to gator trout over 20 inches. They're great fish for beginners because they're not too picky about bait presentation, and their soft bite teaches new anglers to feel what's happening at the end of their line.
Tarpon are the bonus fish that can turn a good day into a legendary one. While not the primary target, the waters around Chokoloskee see tarpon from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from juvenile tarpon in the creeks to 100-plus pound giants rolling in the deeper basins. Even a small tarpon will test your skills and equipment, and watching one jump is something your family will talk about for years. Ward knows when and where to find them, whether it's baby tarpon in the backcountry or larger fish along the coastal waters.
At $850 for up to four anglers, this eight-hour family adventure offers serious value for a world-class fishing experience. Ward's reputation for putting families on fish while keeping everyone safe and comfortable is well-earned, and his boats book up quickly during peak season. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or looking to reconnect with nature as a family, these Chokoloskee waters offer the perfect backdrop. The memories you'll
The 21' Hewes Redfisher is built specifically for serious inshore fishing in Chokoloskee's shallow backcountry waters. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 250, this boat delivers smooth, quiet runs to prime fishing spots while maintaining the stability you need when fighting redfish and snook in tight quarters. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast without crowding your fishing partner, and the shallow draft lets Captain Ward access those hard-to-reach flats where the big fish hide. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working structure for snook, this boat handles like a dream and keeps you comfortable during long days on the water. Perfect for fly fishing or conventional tackle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here. They average 20-30 inches and love cruising the shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for that copper-bronze color and the distinctive black spot near the tail. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best fishing when they're most active. What guests love about reds is their strong, steady fight and willingness to eat just about anything. Plus, they make excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. My go-to technique is sight fishing with topwater plugs early morning - watching a red explode on a surface lure never gets old.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are perfect family fish - they're willing biters and great eating. Most run 14-20 inches, with that beautiful silver body covered in black spots. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're feeding actively. Winter months are prime time here since they school up in deeper holes. What makes trout fishing fun is they hit both live bait and artificials eagerly, so everyone gets action. The meat is white and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Pro tip: work a popping cork with live shrimp over those grass beds. The noise draws them in, and that steady pop-pop rhythm triggers strikes.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of my favorite fish to target in these waters. They typically run 1-3 feet long and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. You'll find them in both salt and fresh water since they move freely between the two. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and that distinctive black lateral line running down their side. They're smart fish that require some finesse - my tip is to work your lure slowly along structure and be ready for that sudden hit. The fight is worth it, and they make great table fare too.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what we call our occasional bonus fish out here. Most tarpon we see run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though they can get much bigger. These prehistoric giants love our deeper channels and passes, especially during their spring and summer migrations. What guests remember most is watching one of these monsters launch 10 feet out of the water - pure athleticism. They're tough to land since those jumps help them throw hooks, but that's part of the challenge. We typically find them in 10-30 feet of water around structure. My advice when you hook one: keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Most folks release them since the meat is pretty bony, but the memories last forever.
Chokoloskee, FL