Full Day Everglades Backcountry Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Private fullday fishing charter in Everglades backcountry watersSmall group experience with maximum three guests per tripEarly morning departure exploring diverse ecosystems and wildlife
There's something magical about pushing into the Everglades backcountry at first light, when the water's still as glass and the wildlife is just starting to wake up. This isn't your typical near-shore fishing trip – we're talking about a full day deep in one of Florida's most productive and diverse fisheries. You'll spend the entire day exploring hidden creeks, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where trophy fish have been feeding undisturbed for decades. With room for up to three anglers, this private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace and target the species you're most excited to catch. Whether you're a seasoned saltwater angler or looking to check some bucket-list fish off your list, the Everglades backcountry delivers action that keeps you coming back year after year.
Your day starts early – we're talking 7 AM or sunrise departure, because that's when the fish are most active in these waters. The Everglades backcountry is a maze of shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove creeks that requires local knowledge to navigate safely. You'll be fishing water that ranges from knee-deep grass flats where redfish cruise in plain sight, to deeper channels where tarpon roll on the surface. The beauty of a full-day charter is that we can move with the tides and target different species as conditions change throughout the day. Morning might find us sight-fishing the flats, while afternoon could have us working structure for tripletail or targeting snook along the mangrove edges. The diversity here is what makes the Everglades special – you never know what's going to hit your line next. Pack sun protection, bring your camera, and be ready for a workout because these fish don't give up easy.
Everglades fishing is all about versatility and reading the water. We'll be using medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from 20-inch snook to 100-pound tarpon. Live bait is king out here – we're talking pilchards, pinfish, and mullet that we'll either catch fresh or pick up on the way out. Artificial lures play a huge role too, especially topwater plugs for early morning snook action and soft plastics for working the grass flats. The technique changes with the target species and conditions. Sight-fishing requires stealth and precise casting, while working the mangroves means getting your bait tight to structure without hanging up. Tarpon fishing might have us anchored up and waiting with live bait, or sight-casting to rolling fish. The shallow water means we'll be using a flats boat that can get into skinny areas where the big fish feel safe. Your guide knows how to read the tides, wind, and water conditions to put you on fish all day long.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they can surprise their prey. A good snook will run anywhere from 24 to 35 inches, with fish over 30 inches being real trophies. They're most active during warmer months and around the new and full moon phases when they move into shallow water to feed. What makes snook so exciting is their explosive strike and their ability to jump and run when hooked. They're also notoriously finicky eaters, which makes landing a nice one feel like you've really accomplished something.
Tarpon are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These silver kings can range from 50 to over 150 pounds in Everglades waters, and they're famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. Spring through fall is prime tarpon season, with the biggest fish showing up during their annual migration. What gets anglers hooked on tarpon fishing is the visual aspect – you'll often see them rolling on the surface before you cast, and watching a 100-pound fish clear the water six feet in the air never gets old. They're catch-and-release fish that fight harder and longer than almost anything else you'll encounter in these waters.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of tarpon or snook, but they're fantastic eating and fight well for their size. These spotted beauties love grass flats and are often the most consistent biters when other species are being finicky. Most trout run 14 to 20 inches, with anything over 20 inches being a really nice fish. They're active year-round but tend to bite best during moving tides. Trout are perfect for anglers who want steady action and a fish fry at the end of the day.
Redfish are the perfect sight-fishing target. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in small schools, often with their backs out of the water. A typical Everglades red runs 22 to 28 inches and will make multiple strong runs when hooked. They're active year-round but are especially fun during cooler months when they school up in large numbers. The visual aspect of watching a red track down your lure in two feet of clear water is what keeps anglers coming back to the flats.
Tripletail are the wildcards of Everglades fishing. These odd-looking fish hang around floating debris, channel markers, and crab traps, often floating on their sides like a dead leaf. They're ambush predators that can grow quite large – a 10-pound tripletail is a real trophy. They're not always easy to find, but when you locate them, they usually bite well. Tripletail are excellent eating and provide a unique fishing experience that you won't get in many other places.
The Everglades backcountry offers some of the most diverse and productive fishing in South Florida
Your fishing platform for this full-day Everglades adventure is an 18-foot Action Craft flats boat, built specifically for Florida's shallow backcountry waters. This stable, quiet ride runs on a fuel-efficient Mercury 150 four-stroke that won't spook the fish you're targeting. The boat's designed for serious anglers with a large livewell to keep your catch fresh, multiple rod holders, and a Yeti cooler stocked with ice for drinks and bait. Navigate safely through the maze of mangroves and flats using the Lowrance GPS with detailed satellite mapping, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position silently over feeding fish. The integrated fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. With room for up to three guests, dry storage for gear, and VHF radio for safety, this setup gets you deep into prime Everglades fishing grounds where tarpon, snook, and redfish cruise the shallows.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our shallow water fishing, typically running 18-30 inches with that copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, hunting crabs and shrimp around oyster bars and mangrove edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round in 6 inches to 4 feet of water. What gets people hooked is their powerful runs and how they'll eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts - these fish are spooky in shallow water. Look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast well ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of backcountry fishing here, averaging 14-20 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials and they make excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Best technique is working the grass edges with soft plastics or topwater plugs early morning. Pro tip: when you catch one, work that same area thoroughly - they often travel in schools.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the Everglades' premier gamefish, running 18-48 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. These ambush predators love structure - mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best action when water stays above 68°F. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight in tight quarters. Plus they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. During spawning season (May-September), look for them around new and full moons near passes where they gather. My tip: cast past the mangroves and work your lure parallel to the shoreline - they hit as it passes their hideout.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what fishing dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters. They patrol shallow flats, deeper channels, and creek mouths from spring through fall, with peak season May through July during spawning. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump 8-10 feet trying to throw the hook. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, but the fight is legendary. We find them rolling on the surface in early morning or cruising the flats on moving water. The key is getting your bait in front of a moving school without spooking them - lead the fish by 10 feet and let them come to you.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - they look like a floating leaf until they attack your bait. These chunky fish average 2-8 pounds and have an odd habit of lying on their side near debris, channel markers, or weed lines. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our area. Despite their stocky build, they're surprisingly acrobatic fighters and make excellent table fare - firm white meat that rivals grouper or snapper. They're ambush feeders, so sight fishing is the game. We'll cruise the backcountry looking for them near floating grass or structure in 5-15 feet of water. The secret is casting well past them and slowly working your bait into their strike zone - spook them once and they're gone.
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