Waterboy Charters Half to Full Day Season Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half to fullday inshore fishing targeting four premier gamefish speciesCaptain Bobby Johnson guides trips through Ten Thousand Islands pristine watersMaximum two guests aboard 22ft Pathfinder for personalized fishing experience
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.
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.
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.
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.
Captain Bobby Johnson's Waterboy Charters offers something special – access to some of Florida's most pristine fishing grounds with
This 2003 Pathfinder 22-footer is built for serious fishing in the shallow waters around Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades backcountry. The center console design gives you 360-degree casting room while the 200HP Yamaha gets you to the hot spots quickly and quietly. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work those mangrove shorelines and grass flats where snook, redfish, tarpon, and spotted seatrout love to hunt. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into skinny water without spooking fish, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. GPS and radar keep you on track in the maze of islands and channels. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water chasing Florida's most prized gamefish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore gamefish - they're tough fighters, beautiful to look at, and great on the table. Most run 18-30 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water, often in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. You can fish for them year-round, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes redfish special is their power - they'll make long, bulldogging runs and really test your drag. They're also excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. The trick is to look for "tailing" fish - when you see their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp, make a quiet approach and cast ahead of where they're moving.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of the most reliable fish in these waters. They average 14-20 inches and have beautiful spotted sides that shimmer in the sun. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their excellent table quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids since they don't require heavy tackle. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over the grass beds. The cork creates noise that draws them in, and the natural presentation seals the deal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the smartest fish you'll encounter in these waters. They typically run 1-3 feet long with that signature black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them tucked under mangroves, around docks, and in creek mouths where fresh and salt water mix. They love structure and ambush points. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs toward cover. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when casting to mangroves, get your bait right up against the roots. Snook won't chase far, so precision beats power every time.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are what fishing dreams are made of. Most tarpon we hook run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet, though we see some real monsters pushing 200+. They cruise shallow flats, hang around bridges, and follow bait schools in 10-60 feet of water. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through our area. What sets tarpon apart is their raw power and aerial show - they'll jump 8 feet out of the water and strip line like nothing else. We don't keep them since they're bony and not great eating, but the fight alone is worth the trip. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during those spectacular jumps.
Naples