Everglades Fly Fishing Charter with Captain Bella
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Target redfish, tarpon, snook, trout, and sheepshead on fliesCaptain Bella guides through Everglades and Ten Thousand IslandsFourhour backcountry charter accommodates two guests maximum
Picture yourself standing on the bow of a skiff, watching the morning mist rise off the backcountry flats while Captain Bella quietly poles through crystal-clear water. You're about to experience some of the most productive fishing grounds in South Florida, where world-class species cruise the shallows just waiting for the right presentation. This isn't your typical fishing trip – it's a chance to test your skills against some of the smartest fish in the Everglades, guided by someone who knows these waters like the back of her hand.
Your 4-hour charter starts early when the fish are most active and the flats come alive with feeding activity. Captain Bella will pick you up at one of the local launches, and from there, you'll head into the maze of mangrove creeks and shallow flats that make the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands so special. The boat holds just two anglers, which means personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. You'll be sight fishing most of the day – watching for wakes, tails, and shadows as fish patrol their territories. The water here ranges from gin-clear shallows where you can see bottom in three feet of water to deeper cuts where bigger fish stage before moving onto the flats. Captain Bella reads these waters like a book, positioning the boat perfectly for clean shots at cruising fish. The terrain changes constantly – one minute you're casting to a redfish tailing in turtle grass, the next you're working a mangrove shoreline for snook. It keeps you on your toes and makes every cast count.
This charter focuses exclusively on fly fishing, which is hands-down the most exciting way to target these species in shallow water. You'll primarily be using 8 and 9-weight rods with floating lines, though Captain Bella keeps sinking lines ready when fish are holding deeper. The flies change based on conditions and what's working – shrimp patterns, baitfish imitations, and crab flies are all in the rotation. If you're new to saltwater fly fishing, don't worry. Captain Bella will walk you through the casting techniques that work best out here, including how to handle wind and make quick, accurate presentations to moving fish. Sight casting is the name of the game, which means you need to be ready to cast quickly when a fish appears. The key is leading the fish properly and letting your fly sink to the right depth before starting your retrieve. Strip sets replace trout sets when you hook up – these fish have hard mouths and fight dirty. The drag on your reel will get a workout, especially if you hook into a tarpon or a big snook near structure.
Snook are the ultimate backcountry predator and a customer favorite for good reason. These fish are smart, aggressive, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line and golden flanks. They love structure – mangrove overhangs, downed trees, and creek mouths where they can ambush baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are in the sweet spot. A good snook will run 20-28 inches and fight like something twice its size, making blistering runs toward the nearest snag. What makes them special is their attitude – they'll crush a fly with authority, then immediately try to wrap you around the nearest root system.
Tarpon are the silver king of the Everglades, and even the juveniles you'll encounter here pack serious punch. These fish range from 20-60 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays when hooked. They show up in good numbers during warmer months, often rolling and feeding in pods along deeper edges. When a tarpon eats your fly, everything changes – they're capable of multiple jumps and runs that can empty your reel in seconds. The key is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to jump. Many anglers consider tarpon the ultimate fly rod fish, and after one fight, you'll understand why.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and they're perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats in schools, often with their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods. A typical Everglades red runs 18-27 inches and fights with pure power – no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that test your backing. What makes reds special is their predictability once you understand their patterns. They're willing biters when you put a fly in the right spot.
Sea trout are often overlooked, but they're actually one of the most fun species to target on fly. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods. A good trout will go 15-20 inches and fights with surprising spirit for their size. They're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for dinner. What makes sea trout appealing is their willingness to eat flies – they're less spooky than some other species and give beginners confidence.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group – these black-and-white striped fish are notorious for their light bites and quick reactions. They hang around structure, picking crabs and barnacles off pilings and rocks with their human-like teeth. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action when they school up for spawning. A nice sheepshead will weigh 2-4 pounds and requires finesse to hook consistently. What makes them exciting is the challenge – they'll test your reflexes and fly presentation skills like no other species out here.
The Everglades offers some of the most diverse and productive backcountry fishing in the world, and Captain Bella
Your 16-ft Hell's Bay Waterman cuts through the shallow waters of the Everglades like it was built for this exact purpose. This sleek 2007 motorboat runs on a reliable 50HP Tugatsu engine that'll push you up to 32 knots when you need to cover ground between fishing spots. The shallow draft design lets Captain Bella slip into those skinny water pockets where the big Redfish and Snook like to hide. GPS keeps you on track while navigating the maze of mangroves and oyster bars in Ten Thousand Islands. Perfect for two anglers who want to get serious about backcountry fly fishing without fighting for space. The boat handles chop well and runs quiet enough that you won't spook fish in those glassy morning conditions. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising Tarpon or working the grass flats for Sea Trout, this Waterman gives you the platform and performance to make the most of your four hours on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight fishing gold - bronze torpedoes with that signature black spot cruising shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water. They average 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, with slot fish being perfect for the table. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is watching them eat - you can see the whole thing happen in clear water. They fight like bulldogs, making long runs and never giving up easily. The meat has a sweet, mild flavor that's hard to beat. Trick of the trade: when you spot one tailing, lead it by 3 feet and let your crab fly sink to the bottom. Subtle strips work better than fast retrieves.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are perfect for fly fishing with their willingness to hit topwater patterns and their beautiful spotted sides. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, though big "gator trout" over 20 inches are real prizes. They love grass flats and shallow bays in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and current edges. Cooler months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their aggressive surface strikes at dawn and dusk - they'll blow up on poppers and create some real excitement. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating too. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're reliable and fun. My go-to trick: work the edges of grass beds with a shrimp pattern, and don't be afraid to fish at night with a small light.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, but what really gets people's attention are their human-like teeth. They average 2-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table with sweet, white meat. Find them around any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars - where they munch barnacles and crabs. Spring is best when they gather to spawn around passes and deeper structures. They're notorious bait thieves with soft bites, so you need to stay focused and set the hook fast. What's fun is the challenge - they're tricky to hook but fight hard once connected. Pro tip: use small hooks and fiddler crabs. Get your bait tight to the structure and feel for that subtle tick-tick-tick. When you feel weight, set it hard.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are aggressive predators that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish over 30 inches make your heart race. They're built for speed with that signature black lateral line and can change from male to female as they mature. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll jump and run for cover every time. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent table fare. My tip: cast right into the structure where you think you'll get snagged. That's exactly where they live, and you need to get your fly in there to get bit.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of saltwater fly fishing - silver rockets that can hit 6 feet and 100+ pounds. Most we catch run 60-80 pounds, but even smaller fish will test your tackle with their famous jumps and long runs. They patrol channels, basins, and flats in 2-15 feet of water, often rolling on the surface. May through September is prime time when they migrate through our waters. What hooks people is watching these giants eat your fly, then explode 8 feet out of the water. They're poor table fare, so we release them all. The fight can last an hour on lighter tackle. Local secret: when you see them rolling, don't cast right at them. Lead the school by 20 feet and strip fast - they'll turn and charge the fly.
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