Islamorada Fishing Charter: Tarpon & Bottom Fish
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday charter targets tarpon, snook, redfish, and bottom fishCaptain Cory Nelson provides gear, bait, licenses, and expert guidanceSmall group experience accommodates up to three guests maximum
If you're looking for a solid day of fishing in one of Florida's most productive waters, Captain Cory Nelson's got you covered. This 8-hour Islamorada charter puts you right in the heart of the Florida Keys' best fishing grounds, where tarpon roll on the flats and bottom fish stack up around structure. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. Whether you're bringing the family for their first Keys experience or you're a seasoned angler chasing that next personal best, this trip delivers the goods.
Captain Cory runs a tight ship with space for up to three anglers, keeping things personal and productive. You'll launch from Islamorada's protected waters and head out to target whatever's biting best that day. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility – you can chase tarpon in the morning when they're active, then switch gears to work structure for grouper and snapper when the silver kings get finicky. Cory knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing techniques that'll make you a better angler. Expect hands-on instruction, especially if you're new to Keys fishing or want to dial in your technique for specific species.
This charter covers the full spectrum of inshore and nearshore fishing techniques. For tarpon, you'll likely be sight fishing with live bait or working with artificial lures around bridges and channels where these giants like to stage. When targeting bottom species like grouper and snapper, expect to drop baits around ledges, wrecks, and rocky structure where these fish hold. Captain Cory provides quality tackle matched to the quarry – lighter spinning gear for the finesse work on bonefish and sea trout, and heavier conventional setups when you're pulling fish up from the depths. Live bait is often the ticket here, with pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp being local favorites, though don't be surprised if Cory breaks out some productive artificials when conditions are right.
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of Islamorada waters, and for good reason. These silver-sided bruisers can exceed 100 pounds and provide fights that'll test both your tackle and your endurance. Peak season runs from April through July, when migrating tarpon stack up in channels and around bridges. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their acrobatics. When hooked, they'll launch themselves clear out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. The trick with tarpon is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to run and jump.
Sea trout might not have the tarpon's flash, but they're bread-and-butter fish that consistently produce action. These speckled beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes, typically running 2-4 pounds with occasional larger specimens. They're most active during cooler months and around dawn and dusk. What anglers love about sea trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for practicing different techniques.
Lemon sharks bring serious power to the equation, often running 4-6 feet in these waters. They're year-round residents but particularly active in warmer months around flats and mangrove edges. What makes lemon sharks exciting is their strength and endurance – they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag settings. Plus, they're relatively easy to handle for photos before release.
Bull sharks are the heavy hitters of the shark world in these parts, known for their aggressive nature and incredible power. These apex predators can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels, and when one takes your bait, you'll know it immediately. Their broad heads and muscular bodies make them incredible fighters, often exceeding 6 feet in local waters.
Bonefish represent the technical side of Keys fishing. These spooky, silver ghosts cruise shallow flats in water so clear you can watch the whole fight unfold. They're typically 3-8 pounds but punch well above their weight class with blazing fast runs across the flats. Bonefish fishing is all about stealth and precision – perfect casts, quiet approaches, and hair-trigger hook sets when they finally eat.
Mutton snapper round out the target list as one of the tastiest catches you can bring home. These colorful bottom dwellers typically run 2-8 pounds around structure and ledges. They're year-round residents but particularly active during warmer months. What makes muttons special is their combination of fight and flavor – they'll give you a good scrap on the way up, then provide excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within regulations.
Captain Cory Nelson's Islamorada charter offers the complete Keys fishing experience without the hassle of planning gear, licenses, or logistics. With targeted techniques for both glamour species like tarpon and reliable producers like snapper and sea trout, this 8-hour trip maximizes your time on productive water. The personal attention that comes with a 3-angler maximum ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time and instruction. Ready to experience world-class Keys fishing with a captain who knows how to put you on fish? Book your spot with Native Son Charters and get ready for a day of fishing you'll be talking about long after you're back on the dock.
The 18' Hell's Bay Marquesa is built for serious fishing in the shallow waters around Islamorada. This nimble skiff draws just inches of water, letting Captain Cory slip into backcountry spots where tarpon roll and snook hunt the mangrove edges. The Yamaha F115 pushes her up to 40 knots when you need to cover water fast, but the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when stalking spooky fish on the flats. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to work without crowding each other during the fight. The live bait tank keeps your pilchards frisky, while the GPS helps mark productive bottom spots for grouper and snapper. When the fishing slows, you've got snorkeling and spearfishing gear aboard to explore the reefs. This boat handles everything from sight-casting to tarpon in knee-deep water to dropping baits on offshore structure.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats - silvery, torpedo-shaped fish that average 6-8 pounds but can reach 16. These spooky fish cruise grass flats in just inches of water, tailing while they root for crabs and shrimp. Best fishing happens on incoming tides when they move shallow to feed, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes bonefishing addictive is the sight-fishing challenge and their blazing speed - they'll peel 100+ yards of line in seconds. It's all about the hunt and the run since they're too bony to eat well. Spring through fall offers the best action in our clear, shallow waters. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of moving fish. My advice: when you spot a tailing bone, cast your shrimp or crab pattern well beyond them and work it back slowly into their path.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the ultimate adrenaline rush - thick-bodied predators that can hit 8-12 feet and 300+ pounds. These gray bruisers patrol our shallow waters year-round but are most active in warmer months. You'll find them around structure, bridges, and even in brackish creeks since they can handle freshwater. What makes bulls special is their raw power and aggressive strikes. They'll test every knot and your nerves too. We target them for the pure challenge - it's all catch and release since they're apex predators. The fight is what counts, not the table fare. Summer evenings with moving tides are prime time. Here's my secret: fresh eel makes the best bait due to its high oil content and tough skin. It stays on the hook and puts out serious scent in the water column.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are one of our most exciting nearshore targets, running 6-10 feet and putting up serious fights. These yellow-tinted predators cruise shallow flats and mangrove creeks, especially during warmer months from April through October. They love areas with sandy bottoms near structure where they hunt for stingrays, crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag and endurance. Plus, they're surprisingly acrobatic for a shark, often jumping when first hooked. We always practice catch and release with these magnificent fish. The thrill is all about the battle, not the meal. My go-to technique: use fresh cut bait on a circle hook and let it sit on the bottom near mangrove edges during moving tides.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are some of our best-eating fish, with their distinctive pinkish color and blue facial markings. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some beautiful 25+ inch fish pushing 10+ pounds. They hang around reef structure, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 20-100 feet of water. Spring and summer are peak seasons when they move inshore to spawn. What guests love is their strong fight for a snapper and that sweet, white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. They're smarter than most snappers though, so presentation matters. Fresh bait and light weights work best since they're line-shy. During spawning season, they'll come up in the water column for flies and jigs. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and lead them away from structure quickly - they'll try to cut you off on the reef every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable inshore species. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice 4-5 pounders. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Best fishing happens at dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up in deeper channels. Guests love them because they fight well for their size and make excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp. The noise draws them in from distance, and that natural presentation seals the deal.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Islamorada - massive fish that can reach 6+ feet and 200+ pounds. These prehistoric giants migrate through our waters from spring through fall, with peak action in May and June. You'll find them rolling in the deeper channels around the bridges and along the edge of Florida Bay's grass flats. What makes tarpon special is their aerial show - when hooked, they'll jump 10 feet out of the water trying to throw the hook. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating. The fight alone is worth it though - pure adrenaline for 30-60 minutes. My tip: when you see one jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It gives them slack so they can't use their weight against the hook.
Bud N' Mary's Marina, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL, USA