Full Day Trophy Hunt in Chokoloskee Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour guided fishing trip targeting Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish.Professionalgrade boats designed for shallow water fishing performance.Expert captain with extensive Everglades National Park knowledge.
If you're serious about putting bend in your rod and want to fish some of Florida's most productive waters, Captain Ward Michaels has the trip for you. This isn't your weekend warrior adventure – we're talking eight solid hours targeting the big four that make Chokoloskee and the Everglades legendary among serious anglers. Redfish, snook, tarpon, and sea trout call these waters home, and Ward knows exactly where to find them. At $850 for two anglers, you're getting access to world-class fishing grounds that most folks only dream about, plus the kind of local knowledge that takes decades to build.
This full-day charter puts you in the heart of some of the most diverse inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast. We're launching early to maximize your time where it counts – in the backcountry creeks, around the mangrove islands, and along the grass flats where trophy fish patrol. Captain Ward runs a tight operation with three different boats depending on conditions and your target species. The 21-foot Hewes Redfisher handles bigger water when we're chasing tarpon in the passes, while the 17.8-foot Hells Bay gets you into skinny water where the big reds and snook like to hide. For ultra-shallow work, the 16-foot Lowe Roughneck can float in barely enough water to cover your boot tops. Each boat comes rigged with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got preferences. We can accommodate up to four anglers, though two is the sweet spot for covering water efficiently and giving everyone plenty of room to work a fish.
The beauty of fishing Chokoloskee lies in the variety of approaches that work here. Depending on the tide, season, and what's feeding, we might be sight-casting to tailing reds on the flats, working topwater plugs along mangrove shorelines for snook, or live-baiting creek mouths where tarpon roll through on moving water. Ward's approach is strategic – he reads the water conditions, checks the wind, and adjusts the game plan to put you on fish. Artificial lures dominate most of the fishing here, from soft plastics and spoons for redfish to plugs and jigs for snook. When tarpon are the target, we'll switch to heavier tackle and either live bait or large swimbaits depending on what they're eating. The shallow-draft boats let us access areas where bigger charter boats can't reach, giving you shots at fish that see less pressure. Polarized sunglasses are essential – half the game here is spotting fish before they spot you.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. They average 20 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and over-slot bulls that'll take you into your backing. Fall through spring offers the best action, when reds school up on the flats and feed aggressively on mullet and crabs. What makes them so addictive is how they eat – whether it's a subtle sip of a soft plastic or a violent explosion on a topwater, every hookup gets your heart racing. The shallow water means you'll see most of the fight, watching these powerful fish make blistering runs across turtle grass beds.
Snook fishing in Chokoloskee is as good as it gets anywhere in Florida. These ambush predators hang around structure – mangrove roots, downed trees, creek bends – waiting to hammer baitfish. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to find the nearest snag when hooked. The slot limit keeps things interesting, and the 28 to 32-inch fish common in these waters are prime specimens. Summer months during the closed season offer catch-and-release action, while the open seasons let you take home a dinner that's tough to beat. Snook are moody – they might crush anything you throw at them one day and completely ignore perfect presentations the next.
Tarpon turn every angler into a kid again, and the Everglades serve as both nursery and highway for these silver kings. The juvenile tarpon in the backcountry range from 10 to 40 pounds – perfect for light tackle and absolutely explosive fights. They jump repeatedly, often clearing the water completely, and they're strong enough to straighten hooks and snap lines if you're not careful. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, when schools of tarpon flood the area during their spawning migration. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly powerful, and landing one on light tackle in shallow water is a test of angling skill that many consider the ultimate inshore challenge.
Sea trout round out the grand slam possibilities, and while they might not have the raw power of the other species, they make up for it in numbers and eating quality. The grass flats around Chokoloskee hold good populations of trout, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper potholes and channels. They're excellent on light tackle, and their subtle bite teaches you to pay attention to your lure. A good day might produce dozens of trout in the 14 to 18-inch range, with occasional gator trout pushing 20 inches or better. They're also among the best eating fish in these waters, making them a favorite target when you want to combine great fishing with a fresh dinner.
Captain Ward's full-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. Eight hours on the water with a top-rated guide who knows these waters like his backyard doesn't come along every day. Whether you're looking to check species off your bucket list, test your skills against some of Florida's most challenging inshore fish, or just spend a day in some of
Step aboard the 21' Hewes Redfisher and get ready to work the flats like a pro. This boat's built specifically for serious inshore fishing in Chokoloskee's challenging backcountry waters. The Yamaha 250 delivers quiet, efficient power to get you into prime fishing spots without spooking the fish. What sets this rig apart is its rock-solid stability when you're casting to tailing redfish or working structure for snook. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to move around and fight fish properly, while the shallow draft lets Capt. Ward slide into skinny water where the big ones hide. Every detail on this Redfisher is designed for one thing – putting you on fish and keeping you there all day long.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing - copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 18-27 inches, perfect slot-size fish that fight like crazy and eat great. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is how visual the fishing gets - you can often see them tailing or cruising in skinny water before you cast. They're strong fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Here's my local secret: look for muddy water on the flats - that's redfish rooting around for crabs and shrimp. Cast just ahead of the mud trail and let your bait settle to the bottom where they're feeding.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with spotted sides and a delicate build. Most run 12-18 inches, but we get some nice "gator trout" over 20 inches on deeper grass flats. They love shallow bays and grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them special is their soft bite - you have to stay alert or you'll miss them. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to tip: use lighter tackle and smaller baits. A popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below works magic. Fish it slow - trout aren't aggressive biters, so patience pays off when targeting these finicky but rewarding fish.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in Chokoloskee - sleek, golden fish with that signature black lateral line running down their sides. Most run between 18-24 inches, but we see plenty of bigger ones pushing 30+ inches in the right spots. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where the current brings them baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on moving water during dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll use every bit of cover to try shaking your hook. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you're working mangrove shorelines, cast your bait right into the roots and let it drift with the current. Snook ambush from the shadows, so get that lure as close to cover as you dare.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the true giants of our waters - silver-sided fish that can reach 6+ feet and 150+ pounds, though most we hook run 60-100 pounds. They cruise the backcountry channels, flats edges, and passes, especially during the warmer months from April through October. What draws anglers from around the world is that first jump - when a tarpon comes out of the water gill-rattling and tail-walking, you'll understand why they're called the "silver king." They're pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. The fight can last an hour or more with multiple jumps and long runs. We practice catch and release since their meat is bony and not great eating anyway. Best tip I can share: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward the water. This gives them slack and keeps your line from snapping on those violent head shakes.
Chokoloskee, FL