Half Day To Full Day Season Trip | 22ft Pathfinder
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target tarpon, snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout inshore.Half to full-day trips in Ten Thousand Islands.Captain Bobby Johnson guides on 22ft Pathfinder boat.
Captain Bobby Johnson and his 22ft Pathfinder are your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. The Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park create a fishing paradise where pristine backcountry waters hold some serious gamefish. This isn't your typical charter - Bobby knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the patience to put both first-timers and seasoned anglers on fish. You'll be targeting the holy grail of Southwest Florida inshore fishing: tarpon, snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight these legendary fish.
Your day starts early with Captain Bobby, who'll have the Pathfinder rigged and ready to hunt down whatever's biting. The Ten Thousand Islands maze of mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats creates the perfect habitat for Florida's most sought-after gamefish. Bobby runs a clean operation - his 22ft Pathfinder handles these skinny waters like a dream, getting you into spots that bigger boats can't touch. The Everglades backcountry is wild and remote, so don't expect crowds or pressure from other boats. You'll spend your time sight fishing the flats, working structure around oyster bars, and maybe even poling through some technical mangrove country. Half-day trips give you a solid taste of what these waters offer, while full-day adventures let you really explore and target multiple species as conditions change throughout the day.
Captain Bobby keeps his tackle selection dialed in for these specific fisheries. You'll be throwing both live and artificial baits depending on what the fish want that day. Sight fishing with topwater plugs early in the morning can produce explosive strikes, while live shrimp and pinfish are deadly when worked around structure. The shallow waters mean you'll often be casting to fish you can actually see - there's nothing quite like watching a big red tailing in two feet of water. Bobby's got quality spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie reds to triple-digit tarpon. Don't worry about bringing your own setup unless you want to - his gear is maintained and matched perfectly to these conditions. Expect to do plenty of casting, so if you're not used to it, your arm might be a little sore the next day. The techniques vary with the tides and seasons, but Bobby adapts his approach based on current conditions and what's been producing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and any structure that provides shade and current breaks. They're incredibly line-shy and have razor-sharp gill plates that'll cut you off in a heartbeat if you're not careful. The best snook fishing typically happens during the warmer months, but they can be caught year-round in these protected waters. What makes them special is their fight - they'll jump, run for structure, and test every knot you tied. Plus, they're absolutely beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Most anglers consider landing a quality snook one of the highlights of Florida fishing.
Tarpon are simply legendary, and the Everglades region sees some fantastic fishing for these silver kings. These fish can live over 80 years and grow to massive sizes - even smaller tarpon in the 40-80 pound range will give you a workout you won't forget. They're famous for their acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system and your patience. Tarpon season typically peaks in late spring and early summer, but resident fish can be found year-round. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size - it's their prehistoric appearance and the way they'll launch completely out of the water when hooked. Most anglers practice catch and release with tarpon since they're primarily a sport fish.
Spotted seatrout are the bread and butter of many successful trips, and they're a blast to catch on light tackle. These fish school up over grass flats and around structure, making them relatively predictable targets when you know where to look. They have soft mouths, so you need to fight them carefully, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite and their beautiful spotted patterns. Trout fishing is often best during cooler months when they're more active in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare, so if you're looking to take some fish home, spotted trout are a great choice. Captain Bobby knows the seasonal movements of these fish and can put you on schools when conditions are right.
Redfish might be the most popular target species in these waters, and once you hook one, you'll understand why. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, with broad tails that'll make your reel scream. They're often found tailing in super shallow water, creating some of the most exciting sight fishing opportunities you'll find anywhere. Reds are pretty forgiving to catch - they're not as finicky as snook or as acrobatic as tarpon, but they make up for it with pure strength and determination. They're also great eating if you keep one within the slot limit. The Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands hold both juvenile reds in the shallows and bigger bull reds near passes and deeper water.
Captain Bobby Johnson has built his reputation by consistently putting anglers on fish while showing them some of Florida's most beautiful and pristine waters. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and the incredible fishery of the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades makes this a top-rated charter experience. Whether you choose a half-day trip to get a taste of the action or commit to a full day of serious fishing, you're in for something special. The intimate setting with just two anglers means you get personalized instruction and plenty of
Step aboard this well-equipped 2003 Pathfinder Bay Boat and get ready to chase Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout through the winding waters of Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park. This 22-foot center console runs on a reliable 200HP Yamaha that'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor keeps things stealthy when you're working shallow flats or sneaking up on feeding fish. With GPS navigation and radar onboard, Captain Bobby can find productive waters even when visibility gets sketchy. The fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish below, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida fishing days. Built for up to four anglers but limited to two guests for maximum comfort, this boat gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 20-28 inches in our shallow waters. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round. What hooks anglers is their bulldogging fight and how they'll crush topwater lures in skinny water. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't spooky but they're smart - they use that black spot to confuse predators. Local secret: look for "tailing" reds with their heads down feeding. Approach quietly and drop a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of where they're moving.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specs," are schooling fish that typically run 14-18 inches but can push 5 pounds. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit artificials and their decent fight on light tackle. They make excellent table fare with flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. During winter, they school up in deeper water and creek mouths. My local trick: work a soft plastic shrimp or DOA CAL jig slowly over grass beds, letting it flutter down into the holes. The bite is often subtle, so stay alert for that light tick.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, growing up to 4 feet but most run around 18-24 inches. These golden beauties with the distinctive black lateral line love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They're ambush predators that use those wide tails for lightning-fast strikes. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive fight and that satisfying head shake when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: cast soft plastics or live shrimp right up against structure - snook won't chase bait far, so get it within a foot of cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, with most fish running 80-100 pounds and 4-6 feet long. These prehistoric giants patrol shallow flats, deeper channels, and bridges throughout our area. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially on moving tides around new and full moons. What gets anglers hooked is watching a 100-pound fish launch 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat and importance to the ecosystem. The fight can last an hour with multiple jumps. Here's my go-to trick: when fishing live bait, use a 5/0 circle hook through a pinfish's nose and let it swim naturally in the current. Keep steady pressure but bow to the fish when it jumps to avoid pulling the hook.
Naples