Waterboy Charters Half to Full Day Season Trip
Captain Bobby Johnson runs one of the top-rated charter operations in Southwest Florida, and his 22-foot Pathfinder is perfectly rigged for tackling the legendary fishing grounds of Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – Bobby knows every oyster bar, mangrove creek, and grass flat from Chokoloskee to Flamingo, and he's spent decades perfecting his approach to the "Grand Slam" species that make this area famous. Whether you're looking at a quick half-day session or want to commit to a full day of serious fishing, you'll be targeting Florida's most sought-after inshore gamefish in water that's as pristine as it gets.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early with Captain Bobby, who'll pick you and one other angler up at the dock with his Pathfinder loaded and ready. The 22-footer handles these shallow waters like a dream, letting you slip into spots that bigger boats can't touch. You'll be fishing a mix of structure – from the deeper channels where tarpon roll to the skinny flats where redfish cruise with their backs out of the water. Bobby's been guiding these waters for years, so he reads the tides, wind, and seasonal patterns like a book. Some days you'll be sight-fishing in gin-clear water, other times you'll be working the mangrove edges where snook ambush baitfish. The beauty of this fishery is its variety – one cast might be a topwater explosion from a big trout, the next could be a tarpon that takes you into your backing. Pack light since it's just two anglers, but Bobby's got all the tackle you need, from live bait rigs to artificials that match whatever's happening that day.
Techniques and Prime Spots
The Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades backcountry demand specific techniques, and Bobby's got them all dialed in. You'll be throwing everything from live pilchards under popping corks to working soft plastics through the grass. When the tarpon are rolling, expect to pitch crabs or threadfins to fish that can easily push 100 pounds. For snook, it's all about presentation along the mangrove shorelines – Bobby knows which trees hold fish during different tide phases. Redfish here love to tail in the shallows, especially around oyster bars and creek mouths, so you'll get plenty of sight-fishing opportunities with gold spoons and paddle tails. The spotted seatrout action often happens over grass flats where Bobby will position you to work topwater plugs during low light or suspending baits when the sun gets high. His Pathfinder's shallow draft means you can fish water that's barely knee-deep, getting into areas where these fish feel safe and feed aggressively. The boat's rigged with a Minn Kota for silent approaches and has plenty of rod storage for quick tackle changes when the bite shifts.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Tarpon are the crown jewel of this fishery, and the Everglades backcountry holds some serious fish. These silver kings can show up year-round, but peak season runs from March through July when they're staging for their spawning runs. A typical backcountry tarpon here ranges from 40 to 120 pounds, and they're notorious for their acrobatic fights in shallow water. What makes catching them here special is the setting – you're battling these prehistoric gamefish surrounded by pristine wilderness, with nothing but mangroves and sky for miles. They're ambush feeders that love to lay up in deep holes and creek bends, then explode when the right bait drifts by.
Snook fishing in the Everglades is world-class, period. These fish thrive in the brackish water mix where freshwater from the Glades meets the Gulf. They're structure-oriented predators that love to hang tight to mangrove roots, fallen trees, and dock pilings. Peak snook action happens during the warmer months, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. A good Everglades snook runs 24 to 30 inches, with plenty of slot-busters mixed in. They're known for their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs toward structure, so you need to horse them out quick. The best part about snook fishing here is the visual aspect – you can often see them shadowing your bait before they strike.
Spotted seatrout are the bread-and-butter species that keep your rod bent throughout the day. The grass flats and potholes around Ten Thousand Islands hold massive schools of these fish, especially from fall through spring. They're feeding machines that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of any skill level. A quality trout here runs 18 to 24 inches, with gator trout over 25 inches always a possibility. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, but Bobby knows how to find them during midday by working deeper grass edges and channel drop-offs.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in these waters, and the Everglades population is as healthy as you'll find anywhere. These copper-colored bulldogs love the shallow flats and oyster bars, often feeding in water so skinny their backs show. Peak redfish action runs from September through November when they school up for their spawning runs, but singles and small groups feed aggressively year-round. Most reds here run 22 to 28 inches, with the occasional oversized bull pushing 35-plus inches. They're known for their powerful initial runs and stubborn fights, plus they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Bobby Johnson's Waterboy Charters offers something special – access to some of Florida's most pristine fishing grounds with