Family BackCountry Fishing Adventures in the Everglades
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Fullday private charter targeting Redfish, Snook, and Sea TroutKidfocused trip with Captain Natalio's 20+ years local experienceStable 18' flats boat accommodates families with children ages 6+
Picture this: you're drifting through the quiet backcountry waters of the Everglades at sunrise, your kids wide-eyed as a massive redfish cruises just beneath the surface. Captain Natalio Gomez has been making these moments happen for families for over two decades, and his kid-focused approach turns first-time anglers into lifelong fishing enthusiasts. This isn't just another charter – it's a full-day private adventure designed specifically for young anglers and their families, where education meets excitement in one of Florida's most famous fishing destinations.
We launch early when the Everglades are at their best – cooler air, calmer water, and fish that are actively feeding. Captain Natalio's 18-foot Action Craft flats boat is perfect for families, offering stability and a quiet ride that won't spook the fish or overwhelm nervous kids. The shallow draft lets us slip into those honey holes where redfish and snook love to hang out, while the spacious deck gives everyone room to move around safely. You'll spend the day exploring different fishing spots, from grassy flats where sea trout patrol to mangrove shorelines that hide hungry snook. Between fishing action, Captain Natalio keeps kids engaged by pointing out dolphins, manatees, and the incredible bird life that makes the Everglades famous. This trip accommodates up to three guests, keeping the experience intimate and allowing for plenty of one-on-one instruction. The pace stays relaxed – no pressure, just pure fun on the water with a captain who genuinely loves sharing his backyard with young anglers.
We keep things simple and effective with light spinning tackle that's perfectly sized for kids' hands and strength. Captain Natalio provides all the gear, from appropriately sized rods to tackle boxes full of proven baits. You'll learn the art of sight fishing – spotting fish in shallow water and making precise casts to feeding redfish and snook. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic for sea trout, while soft plastic baits bounced along the bottom attract hungry redfish. The captain teaches proper casting techniques, how to feel a bite, and most importantly, how to fight a fish without losing it. Artificial lures like spoons and jigs come into play when the fish are aggressive, giving kids the satisfaction of fooling a fish with the right presentation. Everything happens in skinny water, typically two to four feet deep, where you can actually see the fish you're targeting. This visual element keeps young anglers engaged even during slower periods, as there's always something to watch in these productive Everglades waters.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these ambush predators love hanging around mangrove roots and oyster bars where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during cooler months from October through April, though you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook special is their attitude – they hit hard, jump high, and put up a fight that gets kids hooting and hollering. Plus, their distinctive black lateral line and golden sides make for great photos. These fish can range from schoolie-size 18-inchers perfect for young anglers up to slot-sized specimens that'll test everyone's skills.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, relatively easy to hook, and absolutely perfect for kids learning the ropes. They cruise the flats in schools, often with their backs out of the water, creating those heart-stopping sight fishing opportunities. Reds feed year-round but are most cooperative during fall and winter months when cooler water temps get them moving. What kids love most is watching these fish "tail" – digging in the grass with their heads down and tails waving above the surface like flags. A 20-inch red on light tackle will give any young angler a workout they'll never forget.
Sea trout might not be the flashiest fish in the Everglades, but they're absolutely perfect for building young anglers' confidence. These spotted beauties are plentiful, willing biters that respond well to live shrimp and small jigs. They typically run 14 to 18 inches in these waters, making them manageable for kids while still providing good action. Trout love grass flats adjacent to deeper channels, and they're most active during moving tides. What makes them special for family trips is their predictability – when you find one, there are usually more nearby, leading to steady action that keeps everyone engaged.
Tarpon represent the ultimate prize in these waters, even the smaller "baby" tarpon that frequent the Everglades backcountry. These silver rockets can range from 10 to 40 pounds in the areas we fish, and when one explodes on your bait and starts jumping, it creates memories that last a lifetime. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round in the right spots. Captain Natalio knows the channels and basins where these fish congregate, and landing one on light tackle is like hooking a freight train with an attitude. Even a small tarpon will test every knot and technique you've learned.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that make every trip special – odd-looking but delicious fighters that float near crab trap buoys and channel markers like leaves in the current. They're not always around, but when conditions are right, these ambush predators provide some of the most exciting fishing in the Everglades. What makes them perfect for kids is their unique appearance and curious nature. They'll often follow a lure for several feet before deciding to strike, giving young anglers time to get excited and prepare for the fight.
This top-rated family fishing experience combines everything that makes the Everglades special – world-
Your family fishing adventure starts aboard our custom 18-foot Action Craft flats boat, built specifically for navigating the shallow waters and narrow channels of the Everglades backcountry. This stable, quiet platform is perfect for kids learning to cast and fight their first redfish or snook. The Mercury 150 four-stroke engine gets us to prime fishing spots efficiently while staying whisper-quiet when we're working the flats. The boat's shallow draft design lets us slip into secluded mangrove creeks and grass flats where the fish hide, while the spacious deck gives young anglers plenty of room to move around safely. Our Spot Lock trolling motor holds position silently over productive water, so kids can focus on their technique without worrying about boat positioning. The large livewell keeps any catches healthy for photos before release. Everything's organized for family comfort - rod holders keep gear secure, the Yeti cooler maintains cold drinks and snacks throughout the day, and dry storage protects phones and cameras from splashes. The Lowrance fish finder with satellite mapping helps locate structure and baitfish while ensuring safe navigation through the maze of Everglades waterways. VHF radio keeps us connected, and the wireless trolling motor means we can approach spooked fish without engine noise.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down the best fish for kids - they're cooperative, fight hard, and that distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and really pull drag. We target them in super shallow water, often just 1-3 feet around oyster bars and grass flats. You'll actually see their copper backs and tails sticking out of the water when they're feeding. They bite year-round but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. Families love sight-casting to them - it's like hunting with a fishing rod. They're also great eating with firm, mild meat. Pro tip: when you see a redfish tailing, cast well past them and work your bait back slowly - spook them and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are perfect for young anglers - they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds with beautiful spotted sides. We find them over grass flats and around drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water, especially early morning and late afternoon. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. Kids love them because they hit soft plastics and live shrimp with enthusiasm, and they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The key is using light jigs and bouncing them just above the grass - trout suspend in the water column and like that subtle action. Work the bait slowly and they'll usually hit on the fall.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of my favorite fish to target with families - they're aggressive, put up a great fight, and kids love their distinctive black lateral line. Most run 18-24 inches here, though we occasionally hook into bigger ones. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They're ambush predators that love structure, so we cast shrimp or small jigs near cover and let them come to us. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are warm. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll jump and throw the hook if you get too aggressive with the drag.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our waters - these silver giants can reach 6+ feet and 200+ pounds, though most we see run 50-80 pounds. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 5-15 feet of water. Peak season runs May through September when they're here spawning. What makes them special is their aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water trying to shake your hook. Kids and parents get equally excited watching these prehistoric fish launch themselves skyward. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating and live 50+ years. My advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it keeps slack in the line so they can't throw the hook as easily.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest sight-fishing targets - these quirky fish float on their sides near the surface, looking like floating debris until you get close. They average 18 inches and 2-5 pounds with a unique body shape that gives them three distinct tail-like fins. We find them around weed lines, crab trap floats, and channel markers in 5-20 feet of water. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active near shore. Kids get a kick out of their weird behavior and strong fight for their size. They're also fantastic eating - some say better than snapper. The trick is being sneaky: cast past them and slowly work your shrimp or jig toward them. Get too close too fast and they'll vanish like ghosts.
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