Waterboy Charters Everglades City Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, tarpon, redfish in Ten Thousand Islands watersCaptain Slade provides tackle, license, and bottled water includedShallow Sport boat accommodates two guests for personalized experience
Captain Slade Johnson knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish in the legendary Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park. This isn't your typical charter – it's a personalized fishing experience where you'll target some of South Florida's most prized gamefish in waters that have been producing trophy catches for generations. With trips running anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, you've got the flexibility to choose an adventure that fits your schedule while maximizing your time on the water.
You'll be fishing from an 18-foot Shallow Sport, which is absolutely perfect for navigating the skinny waters and backcountry flats that make this area so special. Captain Slade keeps his groups small – just two anglers max – so you're getting that VIP treatment every single trip. The boat draws minimal water, meaning you can slip into those hidden spots where the big snook and redfish like to hang out, places that bigger boats simply can't reach. Everything's included in your trip: all the tackle you'll need, fishing license, and ice-cold bottled water to keep you hydrated under that Florida sun. Just grab your hat, slather on some sunscreen, and get ready to bend some rods.
The Ten Thousand Islands region is a maze of mangrove creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats that create the perfect habitat for inshore gamefish. Captain Slade runs a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. You might find yourself casting live shrimp under the mangroves for snook, working soft plastics over grass beds for sea trout, or sight-fishing to tailing redfish in super shallow water. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – one minute you're working a deep channel edge for black drum, the next you're poling through knee-deep water looking for cruising tarpon. The shallow draft of the Shallow Sport means you can follow the fish wherever they want to go, from the deep passes to the shallowest flats.
Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and these waters hold some absolute giants. These ambush predators love hanging around structure – downed trees, dock pilings, and mangrove overhangs. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but in the cooler months, you can find them feeding throughout the day. What makes snook so special is their fighting ability; they'll jump, run, and try every trick in the book to throw your hook. The slot limit keeps things interesting, and releasing a big breeder snook never gets old.
Grey snapper might not be the flashiest fish in these waters, but they're some of the best eating you'll find. These guys school up around structure and can provide non-stop action when you find them. They're smart, though – light leaders and small hooks are often the key to success. During summer months, they move into deeper water, but fall and winter bring them back into the shallows where they're more accessible to light tackle anglers.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, and the Everglades produce some monsters. These fish can push 40-50 pounds, and when they decide to run, they'll test your drag and your patience. They're bottom feeders, so you'll typically fish for them with crabs or cut bait near oyster bars and channel edges. The best part about black drum fishing is that it's productive year-round, though spring brings the biggest specimens as they move in to spawn.
Tarpon are pure magic on light tackle. The Everglades see both resident fish and migrating giants, depending on the season. Even a 50-pound tarpon will give you the fight of a lifetime, jumping repeatedly and making blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. Spring through fall is prime time, with the bigger migratory fish showing up in late spring and summer. There's nothing quite like watching a silver king explode out of the water with your line attached.
Redfish are probably the most reliable target in these waters, and they're a blast to catch. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, often in very shallow water where you can sight-fish to them. They're aggressive feeders and will eat everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. Fall and winter are particularly good times to target big schools of reds, and there's nothing like watching a red drum blow up on a topwater lure in two feet of water.
Captain Slade's been guiding these waters for years, and his local knowledge is what separates a good day from a great day. The combination of his expertise, the perfect boat for these waters, and some of the best inshore fishing in Florida makes this a top-rated choice for anyone serious about their fishing. Whether you're looking for a quick half-day trip to scratch that fishing itch or a full-day adventure to really explore what these waters have to offer, Waterboy Charters delivers. The Everglades backcountry isn't going anywhere, but the fish are always moving – so grab your spot and get ready to experience some world-class inshore fishing with one of the area's most trusted captains.
Captain Slade's 18-foot Shallow Sport Classic is your ticket to the productive waters around Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park. This restored 2007 center console runs on a dependable 115HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish at 35 knots, then quiet down with the wireless trolling motor when you're working structure for snook and redfish. The boat's shallow draft design lets you slip into backcountry spots where tarpon roll and spotted sea trout feed. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh, GPS to mark productive spots, and a fish finder to locate baitfish schools, you're set up for success. Built for two anglers plus the captain, there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines while targeting grey snapper around mangrove edges or black drum on the flats.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that can really test your tackle. We typically catch them from 5-20 pounds, though the bigger ones over 30 pounds show up regularly in deeper water. They love oyster bars, muddy bottoms, and areas with good current flow, usually in 3-12 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate. What guests enjoy most is their strong, steady fight - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones make excellent table fare, but the big ones are better released since the meat gets tough. These bottom feeders have crushing jaws perfect for eating crabs and oysters. Best tip I can share: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom with just enough weight to hold. When you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let that drag work.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as locals call them, are smart fish that keep anglers on their toes. Most of what we catch runs 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for the dinner table. They hang around docks, mangroves, and rocky structure in 3-15 feet of water. These fish are opportunistic feeders that get more active at night, but we have good success during the day too. People love targeting them because they're excellent eating - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also pretty fighters for their size. The challenge is they're cautious biters, so you need to be patient. Here's a local trick: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Don't jerk when you feel the bite - let them take it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most exciting fish to target in our shallow waters. Most of ours run 20-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, with those distinctive black spots near the tail. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges - often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter are prime when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and strong fights, plus they're outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. You'll often see them tailing or pushing wakes in the shallows, which makes for exciting sight fishing. Here's a guide secret: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit motionless - they spook easily but can't resist an easy meal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in the Ten Thousand Islands. These sleek fish typically run 18-24 inches, though we catch plenty in the 28-30 inch range that really put up a fight. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush prey. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, usually in depths from 2-8 feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around moving tides. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and jumping ability - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky when prepared right. Pro tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back alongside the mangroves - snook are ambush predators and like to attack from cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - nothing prepares you for seeing a 100-pound silver king launch itself 6 feet out of the water. We typically encounter fish from 50-150 pounds, though giants over 200 pounds cruise these waters too. They frequent channels, bridges, and deeper holes around 10-30 feet, but also patrol shallow flats during certain tides. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - most folks release them - but the pure adrenaline of that first jump and the long, tough fight that follows. These prehistoric fish can live 50+ years and swim up to 35 mph. My advice: use live bait like crabs or pinfish, keep steady pressure but don't overtighten your drag, and when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip to prevent them from throwing the hook.
Naples