Everglades Fishing Charters with Mike Merritt
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full-day Everglades fishing charter targets four premier speciesExpert guides provide live bait and artificial lure techniquesEight-hour adventures accommodate maximum three guests per trip
When you're looking for world-class fishing in one of Florida's most legendary waters, Mike Merritt's Native Guide Service delivers exactly what serious anglers crave. Our full-day Everglades fishing charters put you right in the heart of where trophy fish live, feed, and fight. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about an 8-hour adventure that targets four of South Florida's most prized species in their prime habitat. With over two decades guiding these waters, I know exactly where to find the fish when conditions are right, and I'll share every trick I've learned along the way.
Your day starts early – and trust me, that's when the magic happens. We'll launch from Everglades City and head into the maze of mangrove creeks, grass flats, and backcountry waters that make this fishery so special. The beauty of fishing here is the variety – one cast you're working a topwater plug along a mangrove shoreline for snook, the next you're sight-casting to a laid-up tarpon in crystal clear water. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but when you add world-class fishing to pristine wilderness, you've got something really special. Our boats are equipped with everything you need, from Penn reels to a cooler full of ice. Just bring yourself, some snacks, and plenty of sunscreen – January through June can still serve up some serious Florida sun. With a maximum of three anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without crowding each other.
We fish smart in the Everglades, adapting our approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Some days we're throwing live pilchards under docks for snook, other times we're working DOA shrimp on the grass flats for redfish and trout. Artificial lures shine here too – spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs all have their moments when conditions line up right. I keep a variety of tackle rigged and ready, from 15-pound spinning setups for trout and reds to 30-pound gear when we're chasing tarpon. The key in these waters is reading the signs – bird activity, bait movement, tide flow, and structure. I'll show you how to spot productive water and explain why certain techniques work better in different situations. Whether you're a fly angler wanting to throw streamers at rolling tarpon or a conventional tackle enthusiast looking to perfect your jig presentation, we'll dial in the right approach for the conditions we're facing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, creek mouths where current meets calm water. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and gill-rattling jumps, plus they're just beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. January through March is prime time when they're fattening up after the spawn, often hanging in deeper holes during cooler mornings before moving shallow to feed. A 28-inch snook will give you a fight you won't forget, and slots over 30 inches become the stuff of fishing stories for years.
Tarpon fishing in the Everglades is as good as it gets anywhere in Florida. From February through May, these silver kings move through our waters in impressive numbers, ranging from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class to mature adults pushing triple digits. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their aerial show. When a 60-pound tarpon goes airborne six feet from your boat, shaking its head and rattling its gills, you understand why anglers travel from around the world for this experience. They're also incredibly strong, capable of long powerful runs that'll test your drag system and your patience.
Redfish are the workhorses of our fishery – reliable, aggressive, and always ready to eat. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where they root around for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so appealing is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they fight with bulldog determination once hooked. During our January to June season, you'll find them in schools on the flats during incoming tides, often with their backs out of the water as they feed. A 25-inch red will peel drag and make several strong runs before coming to the net.
Sea trout complete our Grand Slam possibilities and they're often the most cooperative species we target. These spotted beauties love grass flats, especially areas with good current flow and clean water. They're primarily sight feeders, making them perfect for light tackle fishing with live shrimp or small jigs. Trout are also excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot limits. The best part about trout fishing is the numbers – when you find a school of quality fish, you can often catch several before they move on. A 20-inch speckled trout on light tackle provides excellent sport and some of the best eating you'll find in saltwater.
This top-rated charter books up quickly, especially during our prime season from January through June when all four species are most active. At $1000 for a full day accommodating up to three anglers, you're getting exceptional value for eight hours of guided fishing in one of America's most renowned fisheries. Mike Merritt's Native Guide Service has been putting clients on fish in these waters for over 20 years, and that experience shows in every aspect of your trip. From reading water conditions to knowing exactly which baits work best on any given day, you're fishing with someone who truly knows these waters. Don't wait until the last minute – the best dates fill up fast, and you don't
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are absolute favorites out here - bronze-colored beauties with those distinctive black spots near their tails. Most of our reds run 18-28 inches, perfect slot-size fish that fight hard and taste great. They love super shallow water, often so skinny their backs show above the surface. Look for them tailing on mud flats, around oyster bars, and cruising mangrove shorelines. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their bulldogging fight style. January through June is prime time when they're active and feeding heavily. They're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Here's the key: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly back toward them. They spook easily in shallow water, so stealth and accurate casting make all the difference.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are one of the most reliable fish in our waters. They average 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with beautiful spotted patterns along their silver sides. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and in deeper channels, especially during our cooler months from January to June. They're excellent eating - white, flaky meat with a mild flavor that's perfect for the dinner table. What guests love is they're willing biters and put up a decent scrap for their size. They school up in winter, making for fast action when you locate them. Local trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in from a distance, and that setup keeps your bait in the strike zone perfectly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in the Everglades. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though we occasionally hook into bigger specimens. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and structure in both salt and brackish water. What makes them special is they're ambush predators with serious speed - when one hits your lure, you'll know it. They're fantastic table fare too, with white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. January through June is prime time since they're more active in cooler water. Here's a local tip: work your lures slow along the mangrove edges at first light or dusk. Snook are temperature-sensitive, so focus on deeper pockets when it's cool and shallow flats when it warms up.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, and hooking one is something you'll never forget. These prehistoric giants typically run 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our area, though they can get much bigger. We find them rolling in the deeper channels, around structure, and cruising the flats during our season. What sets tarpon apart is their famous jumping ability - they'll launch 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. They're pure sport fish since the meat isn't great eating, but the fight is legendary. Spring through early summer is peak season when they migrate through. Most folks practice catch and release. Pro tip: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It prevents the line from snapping tight and gives you a better chance of staying connected during those wild aerial shows.
Everglades City, FL