2.0(1 Reviews)Beginner Fishing Charter in Islamorada
2.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter targeting tarpon and snookBeginner-friendly trip with expert Captain Cory Nelson guidanceAll fishing gear and hands-on instruction included
Looking to get your feet wet in the legendary fishing waters of Islamorada? This 4-hour inshore charter with Native Son Charters is built for anglers who want to experience the Florida Keys fishing scene without the intimidation factor. Captain Cory Nelson runs a laid-back operation that's perfect for first-timers, families, or anyone who prefers a shorter day on the water. You'll be targeting some of the most sought-after species in the backcountry – tarpon, snook, redfish, and more – all while staying close to shore in manageable waters.
This charter keeps things simple and focused. With a maximum of 2 anglers, you'll get plenty of personalized attention as you work the shallow flats and mangrove shorelines that make Islamorada famous. The boat stays in protected waters, so you won't deal with rough seas or long runs to fishing spots. Instead, you'll be casting to structure, working the grass flats, and learning to read the water like a local. All your tackle is provided, from rods and reels to bait and terminal gear. Captain Cory focuses on teaching proper techniques while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. Whether you've never held a fishing rod or just want to try something new, this trip is designed to build confidence on the water.
Inshore fishing in Islamorada is all about finesse and reading the environment. You'll be using light to medium tackle, typically spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test line. The captain will set you up with live bait like pilchards, pinfish, or shrimp, depending on what the fish are eating that day. Expect to do a mix of sight fishing and blind casting to likely structure. You might be pitching baits under mangrove overhangs for snook, working the edges of grass flats for redfish, or presenting crabs to tailing permit in skinny water. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast might produce a hard-fighting tarpon while the next brings up a crafty bonefish. Captain Cory will handle boat positioning and help with hook sets, giving you the best shot at success while learning proper fish handling techniques.
"Well unfortunately our experience with Capt Cory wasn't so good. We arrived at the marina at 6:40 and started looking for him and finally at 7:50 I went to the folks working at the. marina store and they called him. He pulls up in his boat right at 7am and has to then get bait at the marina. When we meet him he asks " What kind of fishing do we want to do today"? I responded with we want to do the fishing we signed up for on his website, which was backcountry sport fishing with fly rods. He indicated that I "picked" the wrong boat for the trip since we had 3 people. I told him I didn't have a boat option on the website just the number of people we could choose. I thought the whole intro was weird as we clearly picked out the trip we wanted and had 3 people listed. Well we learned lated in the trip that Cory doesn't read his emails from the website telling him what people have booked. So he didn't know we wanted backcountry, he didn't have fly fishing rods and he was late and didn't have bait. So as you can imagine, we didn't catch anything. We focused on Tarpon but I think we were too late to Tarpon fish as they are early eaters. He didn't have enough Bobers either and we met with another boat to pick some more up. We eventually went to a little lagoon on the Ocean side that was surrounded by private property, which I think was his last resort. Whether it was legal or not I am not sure. So we fished this little area for about 45 minutes and got a 4 bites but all 4 lines broke when dealing them into the boat. Capt Cory only had 20lb test line on our rods and he said it just wasn't enough to hole the Tarpon??? Nice Kid but needs to be organized and more professional." - david
Snook are the bread and butter of Islamorada's inshore scene, and for good reason. These ambush predators love to hang around structure – docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings – where they can dart out to nail unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk, making early morning charters particularly productive. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight. They'll jump, gill-rattle, and make screaming runs toward cover. Most snook in these waters run 18-28 inches, with the occasional slot-busting fish over 28 inches that you'll have to release. The best part? They're year-round residents, though summer months see the highest concentrations.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the flats, and even juvenile tarpon pack a serious punch. These fish are pure adrenaline – they'll jump repeatedly, sometimes going completely airborne six or seven times in a single fight. In Islamorada's backcountry, you'll typically encounter tarpon ranging from 10 pounds up to 80-pound fish, though most fall in the 20-40 pound range. They feed heavily on crabs, shrimp, and small fish, making them perfect targets for live bait fishing. Peak tarpon season runs from April through July, but resident fish are around year-round. What gets anglers hooked is that first jump – there's nothing quite like watching a 40-pound tarpon go completely vertical just 30 feet from the boat.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in shallow water. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats in small schools, often with their backs out of the water as
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of our shallow flats - silvery, torpedo-shaped speedsters that average 3-6 pounds around Islamorada. They cruise grass flats and sand areas in water so shallow you can barely float a boat, often with their tails breaking the surface while feeding. Year-round fishing is good here, but spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions and active fish. What hooks anglers is their blistering runs - hook a bonefish and it'll peel 100 yards of line in seconds. They're too bony to keep, so it's all about the sport. These fish have incredible eyesight and spook easily. The trick is spotting them first, then casting a small shrimp or crab pattern well ahead of their direction - lead them like a duck hunter and strip slowly until they notice your offering.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - tall, silver ghosts that'll test every bit of your skill. These disc-shaped fighters typically weigh 10-30 pounds and cruise our turtle grass flats and sandy areas in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best shots, especially on calm, sunny days when you can spot them easier. What makes permit special is they're incredibly picky eaters and spook at the slightest mistake, but hook one and they'll make blistering runs that'll empty your reel. They're decent eating but most folks release them. These fish have golf ball-sized eyes that see everything, so perfect presentation is crucial. The secret weapon is a live crab pitched well ahead of their path - they can't resist, but get too close with your cast and they'll bolt like they've been shocked.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for our shallow water fishing around Islamorada. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically run 18-30 inches and love cruising grass flats, mangrove edges, and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll often see their backs or tails breaking the surface as they feed. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love is their hard pull and determination - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle that'll test your drag. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild meat. They'll eat live shrimp, crabs, or artificial lures. The key is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish - they spook easily in shallow water, so patience and stealth pay off big time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're some of the best eating around. These crafty thieves typically run 2-5 pounds and love hanging around any structure - bridge pilings, docks, and rocky areas where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter months from December through March are prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait stealers with their human-like teeth, so landing one feels like outsmarting a pickpocket. The reward is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit live shrimp, fiddler crabs, or sand fleas. Here's the trick: use a tight drag and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll strip your bait clean if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Islamorada's shallow waters. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though bigger ones lurk in deeper channels. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They love structure and ambush prey with lightning-fast bursts. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're more active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try every trick to wrap your line around cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. Pro tip: cast live shrimp or pinfish tight to structure and be ready to horse them away from cover quickly once hooked.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish here in Islamorada - we're talking about silver giants that can reach 6 feet and 100+ pounds. These prehistoric fish cruise our flats, channels, and bridges in 5-30 feet of water, especially from April through July during their migration. What gets anglers hooked is their aerial show - they'll jump 8 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. The fight can last an hour with a big one. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating, but the experience is unmatched. You'll find them rolling on the surface early morning or late afternoon. My tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them - it gives slack and prevents the line from breaking on their gill plates.
2.0 out of 5.0Well unfortunately our experience with Capt Cory wasn't so good. We arrived at the marina at 6:40 and started looking for him and...
Bud N' Mary's Marina, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL, USA