Seafoam Charters Everglades City FL | 3 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Three-hour inshore fishing trips target snook, tarpon, and redfishCaptain Slade guides both beginners and experienced anglers effectivelySmall group experience accommodates maximum two guests per charter
Captain Slade knows these Everglades waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. When you book a 3-hour trip with Seafoam Charters out of Everglades City, you're not just getting another cookie-cutter fishing charter – you're getting access to some of Florida's most productive inshore waters with a captain who lives and breathes this fishery. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or a seasoned angler wanting to dial in your technique, these pristine backcountry waters deliver the goods. The best part? With just 2 anglers max per trip, you get personalized attention that bigger boats simply can't offer.
Your morning or afternoon starts at the docks in Everglades City, where Captain Slade will have everything rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of fishing these Everglades backcountry waters is the sheer variety – one minute you're working oyster bars for redfish, the next you're sight-casting to cruising tarpon in crystal-clear shallows. The intimate 2-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod time or waiting your turn to work that perfect piece of structure. Captain Slade tailors each trip to current conditions and what's biting, so you might find yourself drifting grass flats, working mangrove shorelines, or positioning on deeper holes where the big fish stack up. The scenery alone is worth the trip – this is Old Florida at its finest, with endless mangrove tunnels, shallow flats that stretch to the horizon, and wildlife that'll have you reaching for your phone between casts.
Captain Slade runs a variety of techniques depending on what's happening that day. Live bait fishing is king out here – nothing beats a frisky pilchard or pinfish when snook are posted up under the mangroves. You'll also get dialed in on artificial presentations that really produce in these waters. Soft plastics worked slow along the bottom are deadly for black drum, while topwater plugs thrown tight to structure can trigger explosive strikes from snook and tarpon. The boat's equipped with quality spinning gear that's perfectly matched to these species, though experienced anglers are welcome to bring their own setups. GPS marks years in the making put you on productive ledges, grass patches, and creek mouths where baitfish concentrate and predators follow. Captain Slade reads water conditions like a book – tide, wind, and temperature all factor into where you'll spend your time, and his local knowledge means you're always fishing the most productive water available.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these waters hold some absolute giants. They're ambush predators that love structure – think mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and oyster bars. Best action typically comes during moving water, especially on the falling tide when baitfish get pushed out of the shallows. What makes snook so special is their fight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make powerful runs that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with summer months producing the biggest specimens.
Grey snapper might not have the size of other species, but they make up for it in numbers and table fare. These opportunistic feeders school up around structure and will absolutely hammer live bait presentations. They're year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species are finicky. What anglers love about grey snapper is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality – few fish taste better fresh from these pristine waters.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the flats, with fish pushing 40+ pounds cruising these shallows. They're bottom feeders that root around oyster bars and grass flats looking for crabs and shellfish. The fight is all about power – no jumps or flashy runs, just steady, bulldogging strength that'll wear you down. Spring months are prime time when big schools move into shallow water to spawn, creating some of the most consistent fishing of the year.
Tarpon are simply legendary, and the Everglades serve as a major corridor for these silver kings. From juvenile fish in the backcountry to mature adults pushing 100+ pounds, these waters offer shots at tarpon year-round. What makes them special is the aerial display – multiple jumps are common, and watching a 6-foot tarpon launch itself completely out of the water never gets old. Peak season runs May through August, but resident fish provide action throughout the cooler months.
Redfish are perfectly built for these shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines. Their copper-colored bodies and distinctive black spots make them easy to identify, and their powerful runs are legendary among inshore anglers. What's really exciting is the sight-fishing opportunities – watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it roots around in skinny water, then making the perfect cast. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit both live and artificial baits, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
A 3-hour trip with Captain Slade gives you a real taste of what makes Everglades City fishing so special. You're getting quality over quantity – personalized instruction, prime fishing spots, and the chance to target multiple species in some of Florida's most beautiful waters. The intimate boat size means you're not just another number, and Captain Slade's local expertise puts you on fish that bigger, less experienced operations simply can't match. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, put together a mixed bag for the dinner table, or just spend a few hours in one of the most pristine fisheries left in Florida, this trip delivers. Book your morning or afternoon slot and get ready to see
Captain Slade's 18-foot Shallow Sport skiff cuts through Everglades waters like it was built for these flats – because it pretty much was. This 2007 beauty got a full makeover in 2017, and now she's dialed in perfectly for chasing snook, redfish, and tarpon in the skinny water around Everglades City. The 115HP Suzuki pushes you where you need to go, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking fish on the flats. GPS keeps you on track, the fish finder shows what's swimming below, and there's an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. VHF radio keeps you connected to the fleet. Built for up to three people but fishing just two guests per trip, so you've got plenty of elbow room to work your lines and land whatever decides to bite.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that'll give you a serious workout. Most of what we catch runs 10-25 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into a 40-pounder that'll test your arms. They love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they can crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. You'll hear them before you see them - they make drumming sounds that actually carry through the water. What makes them special is that pure, stubborn fight. No jumps or fancy moves, just raw power and determination. The smaller ones make good eating, but we usually release the big breeders. The trick with drum is getting your bait right on the bottom and using fresh crab when possible - they can smell a stale bait from way off and they're surprisingly picky for such a tough-looking fish.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as we call them locally, are smart fish that'll test your patience and skill. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we see some pushing 5-6 pounds around deeper structure. They hang around docks, mangrove roots, and rocky areas in 5-25 feet of water. These guys are active year-round but bite best during warmer months and around dawn or dusk since they're primarily nocturnal feeders. What guests love about them is the challenge - they're extremely wary and will inspect your bait carefully before committing. Once hooked, they make a strong initial run and their excellent table fare makes them worth the effort. The white, flaky meat has great flavor. Here's the key: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let your bait sit still on the bottom. Too much movement will spook them, so patience is everything with these fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore gamefish - aggressive, beautiful, and found in water so shallow their backs stick out. Most run 18-27 inches with that classic copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed heavily. What guests love is the sight fishing - watching their wake as they push through skinny water, then the explosive strike when they hit your lure. They fight hard with strong runs and that famous head-shaking bulldogging style. Plus they're excellent eating with sweet, firm white meat. The secret is approaching them quietly and making accurate casts ahead of their path. Spook one and the whole school disappears. Topwater lures at dawn create heart-stopping strikes, but gold spoons work all day long.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most prized catches in these waters, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook into bigger specimens. They love structure - mangroves, docks, creek mouths - anywhere they can ambush baitfish. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, especially around oyster bars and grass flats in 2-8 feet of depth. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent too, with a clean, mild flavor that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when you hook one near structure, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from cover quickly - they'll head straight for the nearest snag if you give them slack.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver dynamite that can grow over 100 pounds and leap 6 feet out of the water. Most of what we see runs 40-80 pounds and 4-5 feet long. They cruise the channels, hang around bridges, and move through the backcountry passes, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating - they're catch and release only - but the fight of a lifetime. When one goes airborne, shaking its massive head and gill plates, it's something you'll never forget. They're ancient fish with serious attitude and the strength to back it up. The key is keeping your rod tip down when they jump - "bow to the king" we say - because if you keep pressure on them when they're in the air, that hook will come flying back at you. Patience and smooth drag are everything with these fish.
Everglades City, FL