Everglades City Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Full-day charter targets Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and SeatroutExpert guides provide live bait and artificial luresEight-hour trips accommodate up to three guests
Look, if you're serious about fishing the Everglades, you've come to the right place. Mike Merritt's Native Guide Service has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and our Everglades City charters are hands-down the best way to get into some serious action. We're talking about an 8-hour full-day adventure from 8 AM to 4 PM, where you'll have a real shot at Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Seatrout. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – we fish the prime season from July through December when these fish are most active, and our guides know exactly where to find them. At $900 for up to three people, you're getting world-class guiding in one of Florida's most renowned fisheries.
When you step aboard with us, you're getting the full Everglades experience. We launch right from Everglades City and head into the heart of Everglades National Park, where the backcountry opens up into a maze of mangrove creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats that hold some of the best fishing in South Florida. The scenery alone is worth the trip – think endless sawgrass, winding waterways, and wildlife everywhere you look. But we're not here for sightseeing; we're here to catch fish. Our guides have been working these waters long enough to read the tides, weather, and fish movement like a book. Every trip is different depending on conditions, but that's what keeps it interesting. One day we might be sight-fishing the flats, the next we could be working structure in deeper water. The fish dictate the game plan, and we adjust accordingly.
We fish both live bait and artificials, depending on what's working and what you prefer. Live bait – usually pilchards, pinfish, or shrimp – is deadly effective, especially when the fish are finicky or the water's a bit off-color. There's something about a live bait presentation that even pressured fish can't resist. On the artificial side, we're throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics when the bite gets tough. Spoons work great for Redfish, while Snook absolutely crush a well-presented jig. If you're new to artificial lures, don't worry – our guides will teach you the techniques that work in these specific waters. The key is matching your presentation to the conditions and the fish's mood, and that's where experience really pays off.
Snook are the kings of the Everglades backcountry, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – think mangrove overhangs, downed trees, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. They're incredibly aggressive when feeding but also incredibly spooky, so presentation is everything. Peak season runs from September through November when they're fattening up before winter. A good Everglades Snook will run 24-28 inches, though we see plenty of bigger fish. What makes them special is their fight – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. Plus, they're just beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line.
Redfish are the workhorses of our fishery and probably the most reliable target species we have. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats and mangrove shorelines, often in schools that'll get your heart racing. July through October is prime time, especially on the grass flats where you can sight-fish to individual fish or pods. Reds average 20-26 inches in our waters, and they fight like freight trains – long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're also pretty forgiving for newer anglers since they're less spooky than Snook and will eat a variety of baits.
Tarpon are the silver kings, and when they're around, everything else takes a backseat. These fish are pure power and acrobatics – we're talking about 80-150 pound fish that'll jump six feet out of the water when hooked. Summer months, especially July and August, bring resident Tarpon into the backcountry where they feed in the early morning and late afternoon. Fair warning: Tarpon fishing is addictive but also humbling. You might hook three and land none, but that one fish that stays buttoned up will be the fish story of your lifetime.
Seatrout round out our top-rated slam opportunities, especially during the cooler months from October through December. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy bottoms where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. They're excellent table fare and fight surprisingly well for their size. Most of our Seatrout run 14-18 inches, with some bigger gator trout mixed in. They're also great confidence builders – when other species get finicky, you can usually count on trout to keep the action going.
Here's the deal – good fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. We offer a customer-favorite refundable deposit policy up to seven days before your trip, so you can book worry-free knowing life happens. This is a full-day charter that covers a lot of water and targets multiple species, giving you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Everglades fish to your list or a family wanting to experience some of Florida's best fishing, this trip delivers. Our guides live and breathe these waters, and they're committed to putting you on fish while showing you why the Everglades is considered one of the world's premier fishing destinations. Don't wait – book your Everglades City fishing charter today and get ready for some serious action in America's most unique fishery.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see plenty of bigger "bull" reds. These fish love super shallow water, often cruising flats in 1-3 feet where you can see their backs. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. Anglers love reds because they're aggressive, make powerful runs, and taste great on the table. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and topwater plugs all work. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spoooking them in shallow water. Watch for "tailing" fish with their heads down feeding - that's your target.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, or seatrout as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and a great fish dinner. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches with some pushing 20+. They patrol grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water, especially around deeper cuts and edges. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up and feed heavily. 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're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom. Local secret: fish the deeper grass edges on moving water, especially during low light conditions. Their soft mouths mean steady pressure, not hard hooksets.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our favorite targets here in the Everglades - these sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line really know how to fight. Most run 18-28 inches, but we see plenty of 30+ inchers that'll test your drag. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. July through December is prime time when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and strong runs - plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. These fish are temperature sensitive, so focus your casts right along the mangrove edges where they ambush baitfish. Pro tip: when you hook one near structure, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from cover quickly.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what fishing dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters. Tarpon love the deeper channels, passes, and flats around the park, often rolling on the surface in 8-20 feet of water. Our season runs July through December when they're moving through in good numbers. What hooks people on tarpon fishing is watching a 100-pound fish launch 8 feet out of the water - their acrobatics are unmatched. They're catch-and-release only since the meat isn't great, but the fight is pure adrenaline. Look for them rolling or "daisy-chaining" in schools. Here's the key: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild jumps.
Everglades City, FL