3HR Everglades Kayak Fishing With Captain Jonathan
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Threehour kayak fishing charter through Florida Everglades mangrovesTarget oscar and bowfin while navigating pristine backcountry watersCaptain Jonathan leads intimate singleguest fishing adventures
Looking for a fishing adventure that's completely different from what you're used to? This 3-hour kayak fishing charter in the Florida Everglades puts you right in the middle of one of America's most unique fishing destinations. Captain Jonathan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll get you into spots where most anglers never cast a line. You'll paddle through narrow mangrove tunnels that open up into hidden pockets loaded with hungry fish, all while soaking in the wild beauty of this world-class ecosystem. It's just you and the captain on this trip, so you get his full attention and can fish at your own pace.
Captain Jonathan runs a top-rated operation that combines the stealth of kayak fishing with his deep knowledge of Everglades hotspots. You'll launch from a quiet access point and immediately feel like you've entered a different world. The paddle-in approach lets you slip into shallow backcountry areas where motorboats can't reach, giving you access to pristine fishing grounds that see very little pressure. The mangrove tunnels create natural highways between different fishing zones, and you'll be amazed at how quickly the scenery changes from tight, shaded waterways to wide-open flats. Don't worry if you're new to kayak fishing – Captain Jonathan will have you comfortable and confident within the first few minutes. The stable fishing kayaks make casting easy, and you'll appreciate how quietly you can move through the water without spooking the fish.
Captain Jonathan provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need for this backcountry adventure. He rigs everything based on what's been biting lately and adjusts techniques throughout the trip. You'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on the target species and conditions. In the mangrove areas, you'll work weedless soft plastics around structure, while the open water calls for different presentations. The beauty of kayak fishing is being able to change spots quickly when the action slows down. Captain Jonathan reads the water constantly, looking for signs of feeding fish, baitfish activity, and the subtle changes in water color that indicate productive areas. He'll teach you to recognize these signs too, so you'll become a better angler no matter where you fish. The lightweight tackle keeps things exciting – even smaller fish put up a great fight in these skinny waters.
Oscar are one of the most exciting catches you'll encounter on this trip. These colorful, hard-fighting fish are actually non-native cichlids that have made the Everglades their home, and they've become a customer favorite for good reason. Oscars typically run 1-3 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, with powerful runs and stubborn battles right to the kayak. They're most active during warmer months and love structure around mangrove roots and fallen trees. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – they'll slam lures with authority and provide non-stop action when you find a school.
Florida Gar are prehistoric-looking predators that give you a taste of what fishing was like millions of years ago. These long, lean fish can reach 2-4 feet in length and are ambush predators that lurk in shallow areas waiting for prey. The best time to target gar is during their spring spawning runs when they move into the shallows. They're exciting to catch because of their powerful jumps and their ability to throw hooks with their bony mouths. Captain Jonathan knows the specific areas where gar concentrate, and landing one of these ancient fighters is always a highlight of the trip.
Bowfin are another primitive species that call the Everglades home, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. These fish can grow quite large, with specimens over 5 pounds common in these waters. They're most active during cooler months and early morning hours, making them a great target for this charter. Bowfin are known for their incredible fighting ability and their habit of rolling and thrashing when brought to the kayak. They prefer areas with heavy cover and oxygen-rich water, which Captain Jonathan knows how to locate consistently.
Bluegill might seem ordinary compared to the other species, but the Everglades bluegill are special. They grow larger than their northern cousins and provide steady action when the bigger predators are being finicky. These panfish are perfect for warming up your casting arm and building confidence, especially if you're new to kayak fishing. They're most abundant during the spring bedding season when they move shallow and become very aggressive defending their nests.
Largemouth Bass in the Everglades are a different breed entirely. They've adapted to the unique environment and often have darker coloration and different feeding patterns than bass in other waters. While they don't grow as large as bass in other Florida lakes, they make up for it with their tenacity and the challenge of finding them in this vast wilderness. The best bass fishing typically happens during the cooler months when water levels drop and concentrate the fish in predictable areas that Captain Jonathan has mapped over years of fishing these waters.
This isn't your typical fishing charter – it's a chance to experience the Everglades the way few people ever do. Captain Jonathan's expertise, combined with the unique access that kayaks provide, creates fishing opportunities you simply can't get anywhere else. The intimate setting with just you and the captain means you'll learn more, catch more fish, and come away with a deeper appreciation for this renowned ecosystem. Whether you're an experienced angler looking for something new or someone who wants to try fishing in one of America's most famous wild places, this 3-hour adventure delivers. The trip fills up quickly, especially during the cooler months when fishing is at its peak, so don't wait to secure your date on the water.
Your fishing platform for this Everglades adventure is a 13-foot Native pedal kayak built in 2021, designed specifically for backcountry angling. This single-person craft gives you the perfect blend of stealth and mobility to access those hidden fishing spots where the big ones hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over productive water without spooking fish, while the GPS navigation ensures you never lose track of that honey hole where the oscars were biting. Whether you're working the mangrove edges or drifting open flats, this kayak puts you right at water level for an authentic Everglades fishing experience. The pedal drive leaves your hands free for casting and fighting fish, and when you need extra power to cover water or battle wind, just drop in the motor. Captain Jonathan knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have you positioned over bowfin beds and oscar territory in no time.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegills are the perfect fish for anyone wanting consistent action and great eating. These scrappy sunfish average 6-8 inches in our waters and travel in schools of 10-20, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. Look for them in shallow areas near docks, fallen logs, and weedy shorelines where they can hide and feed. Spring through early summer is peak time, especially during their spawning season when males show off bright orange bellies and become extra aggressive. What makes bluegills special is their willingness to bite and surprisingly strong fight for their size - they're perfect for kids but still fun for experienced anglers. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Everglades. Since they have small mouths, use small hooks with worms, crickets, or even bread. My favorite setup is a simple bobber rig with live worms fished right along the shoreline structure where they like to cruise and feed.
Amia CalvaBowfins are living fossils that put up one hell of a fight. These primitive fish average 18-24 inches (females get bigger at 30+ inches) and lurk in heavily vegetated wetlands, marshes, and slow-moving waters where most game fish can't survive. They're olive-green with that distinctive long dorsal fin and can breathe both air and water, making them perfect for our brackish areas. Night fishing produces the best results since they're nocturnal feeders, though dawn and dusk work too. What makes bowfins special is their raw fighting power - they'll give you a workout that rivals any bass. Males sport a yellow eyespot near their tail during breeding season. While they're bony and not the best eating, catching a "dinosaur fish" is a unique experience. Pro tip: use cut bluegill or live crayfish on heavy tackle. These aggressive predators will attack anything, so keep your hands clear when landing them - their teeth mean business.
Lepisosteus PlatyrhincusFlorida Gars are prehistoric-looking fish with that distinctive tweezer snout and olive-green coloring with dark spots. They typically run 20-30 inches and pack surprising power in shallow, weedy areas throughout the Everglades. You'll spot them hanging motionless in 4-10 feet of water around vegetation, canals, and muddy backwaters where they ambush prey. Their air bladder lets them survive in low-oxygen spots other fish can't handle. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and summer are prime when they're most active. What guests love is the aggressive strike and brutal fight - these things go absolutely wild when hooked. Their bony mouth makes hooksets tricky, so many guides use rope lures or treble hooks. Here's a local tip: look for areas where other anglers clean fish. Gars go crazy for the scraps and guts, giving you both great fishing spots and free bait to work with.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the kings of our freshwater game fish, averaging 12-24 inches with that famous oversized mouth that extends past their eyes. These ambush predators love our weedy shallows, fallen timber, and any structure they can use for cover. They're active year-round in Florida, but spring spawning season and fall cooling periods offer the hottest action. What makes bass fishing so addictive is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, dive, and test every knot you've tied. Plus, they're excellent table fare when handled properly. Bass hit everything from live shiners to plastic worms, but they're smart fish that require strategy. In our tannic Everglades waters, bright colors and noisy topwater lures work great. Here's my go-to technique: work soft plastics slowly around grass edges during early morning hours. Bass are attracted to red, so don't overlook red hooks or red-colored baits when the bite gets tough.
Astronotus OcellatusOscars are aggressive cichlids that average 10-12 inches but can hit 18+ pounds in our Everglades waters. These territorial predators come in stunning color varieties - tiger, red, green, and blue - making them exciting to spot. You'll find them cruising slowly near the bottom in canals, marsh areas, and around vegetation where they ambush smaller fish and crayfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps are warm. What makes oscars special is their intelligence and ferocious fight once hooked - they're incredibly strong for their size and will test your gear. They're also great table fare with chunky, tasty meat. My go-to trick is using live crickets or cut bait near structure during early morning hours. These fish aren't picky eaters, but they can play dead when threatened, so keep steady pressure and don't assume you've lost one if it suddenly goes limp.
Davie, FL, United States