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Expert-Guided Everglades Backcountry Fishing Trip

  • Published Date: October 18, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Everglades
  • $450 - $800 price range

Summary

Get ready for an exciting 4-hour fishing adventure in the heart of Everglades National Park. You'll head out on the Wilderness Trail, weaving through shallow channels and mangrove-lined waterways in search of prized catches like Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Spotted Seatrout. Your experienced guide from Glades & Gills knows all the best spots and will set you up with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided. This backcountry trip is perfect for anglers looking to explore the unique ecosystem of the Everglades while targeting some of Florida's most sought-after game fish. With a small group size of just two guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and hands-on fishing time. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to saltwater fishing, this guided trip offers a great way to experience the wild beauty of the Everglades and test your skills against some hard-fighting fish.
Expert-Guided Everglades Backcountry Fishing Trip

Backcountry Catches

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A scenic view of Ochopee, Florida. Fishing rod and tackle in the foreground.

Flying Silver King! - Ochopee, FL.

Snook fish caught while fishing in Everglades City

Took a Snook! - Ochopee, FL.

Tarpon caught while fishing in Everglades City

Tarpon Trophy! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler enjoying a day of fishing in FL

Tarpon Day - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in FL

Red Drum Reeled In! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in Ochopee

Brown Marbled Grouper - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in Ochopee

Snook Time! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in the scenic Ochopee, Florida

Meaty Grouper for Dinner! - Ochopee, FL.

A person fishing for a snook in Ochopee

Big Snook! - Ochopee, FL.

A permit fish caught while fishing in Ochopee

Clean Permit Reeled In - Ochopee, FL.

A scenic view of Ochopee, Florida. Fishing rod and tackle in the foreground.

Flying Silver King! - Ochopee, FL.

Snook fish caught while fishing in Everglades City

Took a Snook! - Ochopee, FL.

Tarpon caught while fishing in Everglades City

Tarpon Trophy! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler enjoying a day of fishing in FL

Tarpon Day - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in FL

Red Drum Reeled In! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in Ochopee

Brown Marbled Grouper - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in Ochopee

Snook Time! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler fishing in the scenic Ochopee, Florida

Meaty Grouper for Dinner! - Ochopee, FL.

A person fishing for a snook in Ochopee

Big Snook! - Ochopee, FL.

A permit fish caught while fishing in Ochopee

Clean Permit Reeled In - Ochopee, FL.

A scenic view of Ochopee, Florida. Fishing rod and tackle in the foreground.

Flying Silver King! - Ochopee, FL.

Snook fish caught while fishing in Everglades City

Took a Snook! - Ochopee, FL.

Tarpon caught while fishing in Everglades City

Tarpon Trophy! - Ochopee, FL.

Angler enjoying a day of fishing in FL

Tarpon Day - Ochopee, FL.

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Everglades Wilderness Trail: A Backcountry Angler's Dream

Get ready to wet a line in one of Florida's most iconic fishing spots. Our 4-hour guided trip takes you deep into the heart of Everglades National Park, where the fish are big and the scenery's even bigger. We're talking world-class inshore action for some of the most sought-after gamefish in the Sunshine State. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, this trip's got something for everyone. So grab your hat and sunscreen – we're headed to the backcountry!

What's the Deal?

Picture this: You're gliding through narrow mangrove tunnels, the only sound is your guide quietly poling the skiff through gin-clear shallows. Suddenly, you spot a monster snook lazily finning in the shadows. Your heart starts racing as you make the perfect cast... This is what fishing the Everglades Wilderness Trail is all about. We'll spend 4 hours exploring some of the most productive waters in the park, targeting everything from bull redfish to high-flying tarpon. Don't sweat the gear – we've got top-notch rods, reels, and tackle all ready to go. Just bring your A-game and be ready for some serious rod-bending action.

Skinny Water Savvy

Fishing the backcountry isn't your average day on the water. We're talking technical, shallow-water fishing that'll test your skills and reward you with some of the best inshore action around. We'll be sight-fishing whenever possible, which means spotting fish and making pinpoint casts. Don't worry if you're new to this – your guide will show you the ropes. We'll use a mix of artificial lures and live bait, depending on what's working best that day. Expect to throw soft plastics, topwater plugs, and maybe even fly if that's your thing. The key here is stealth and accuracy – these fish didn't get big by being dumb!

Top Catches This Season

The Everglades have been on fire lately. We've been putting clients on some absolute studs. Just last week, Tom from Michigan landed a 42-inch snook that nearly spooled him. Sarah and her dad got into a school of redfish so thick you could've walked across their backs. And don't even get me started on the tarpon – when they're rolling, it's like the water's boiling. Every trip's different, but that's the beauty of fishing the Glades – you never know what you might hook into next.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook: The crown jewel of inshore fishing. These bucket-mouthed predators love to ambush bait around mangrove roots and oyster bars. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps that'll have you hollering. Spring and fall are prime time, but we catch 'em year-round. Nothing beats the feeling of a big snook crushing a topwater lure at first light.

Goliath Grouper: The gentle giants of the Everglades. These massive fish can grow over 800 pounds and are catch-and-release only. We usually find them around deep holes and structure. Hooking one is like trying to stop a freight train – it's all about having the right gear and technique. While we can't keep 'em, the photo ops are worth their weight in gold.

Tarpon: The silver king. These prehistoric beasts are why many anglers make the pilgrimage to Florida. Known for their spectacular leaps and long, dogged fights, hooking a tarpon is only half the battle. We see the biggest numbers from April through June, but resident fish stick around all year. Be ready for the fish of a lifetime – tarpon over 100 pounds aren't uncommon here.

Redfish: The reliable rockstar of the flats. These copper-colored beauties are a blast on light tackle and love to tail in shallow water, making them perfect for sight-fishing. We catch them year-round, but fall is particularly good when they school up. There's nothing quite like watching a big red crush a well-placed fly in skinny water.

Crevalle Jack: The bullies of the backcountry. These hard-fighting fish will test your drag and your biceps. They often hunt in wolf packs, creating exciting topwater blowups. While they're not known for their table fare, pound-for-pound, jacks are some of the strongest fish you'll tangle with in the Everglades.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Look, I could go on all day about the fishing, but it's more than just that. It's the way the mist rises off the water at dawn. It's seeing a family of manatees lumber by your boat. It's watching an osprey dive and snag a mullet right in front of you. The Everglades is a special place, and fishing here is as much about the experience as it is about what's on the end of your line. Every trip is different, and that's what keeps folks coming back year after year. Whether you're looking to check some bucket list species off your list or just want to disconnect and enjoy some world-class fishing, this trip's got you covered.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, let's cut to the chase. If you're itching to get out on the water and experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer, it's time to lock in your date. Our Everglades Wilderness Trail trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. We keep groups small – just you and one other angler – to make sure you get the most out of your time on the water. Remember, all the gear's provided, so all you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe a cooler for your catch if you're planning on keeping fish).

Don't let another season slip by without crossing this off your bucket list. The fish are biting, the weather's perfect, and we've got a spot on the boat with your name on it. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call, shoot us an email, or hit that 'Book Now' button. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you're hooked up to the fish of a lifetime in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Let's make it happen – see you on the water!

Learn more about the animals

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the flats, packing a serious punch for their size. These golden bruisers usually run 3-15 pounds, but can get up to 60. You'll spot them busting bait on the surface or hanging around structure in both inshore and nearshore waters. They're around year-round but really fire up in summer. Anglers love jacks for their aggressive strikes and bulldog fighting style. They're not great eating, but the sheer fun factor makes up for it. Live bait works well, but artificials are a blast too. Here's a tip: when you see birds diving, there's a good chance jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast a topwater plug into the fray and hang on tight - these fish hit like a freight train.

Crevalle Jack

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper live up to their name, reaching lengths of 8 feet and weights over 800 pounds. These massive fish hang out near reefs, shipwrecks, and other underwater structures in depths from 15 to 150 feet. They're most active during summer spawning season. Anglers target them for the sheer thrill of hooking into something so huge. Fair warning though - landing one is a real workout. These grouper are catch-and-release only, so we use heavy tackle to minimize fight time. Live bait like blue runners or ladyfish works best. My go-to rig is an 8/0 circle hook on 400-pound leader. When you feel that telltale thump, get ready for an epic battle against one of the ocean's true giants.

Goliath Grouper

Redfish

Redfish are a staple in the Everglades backcountry, known for their copper color and signature tail spot. Most run 18-27 inches, but trophy "bull reds" can top 40 inches. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising mangrove shorelines, especially on rising tides. Fall is prime time as they school up before spawning. Anglers love redfish for their hard pulls and excellent table fare. They'll hit just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures all work well. Here's a local trick: look for wakes or "nervous water" to spot cruising reds in skinny water. When you see them, a well-placed gold spoon often does the trick. Just be ready for a good fight when that line goes tight.

Redfish

Snook

Snook are a prized catch in the Everglades, known for their hard-fighting spirit and tasty meat. These sleek predators typically range from 20-40 inches long, with a distinctive black lateral line and protruding lower jaw. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, oyster bars, and channel edges, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move between inshore and nearshore waters. Anglers love 'em for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. To boost your chances, try freelining live pilchards or pinfish near structure. And here's a local tip - when you see mullet jumping, snook are often feeding nearby. Just remember to use circle hooks and handle them carefully for a quick release.

Snook

Tarpon

Tarpon are the silver kings of the Everglades, and for good reason. These prehistoric-looking fish can top 200 pounds and put on an aerial show like no other. You'll find them rolling in shallow bays and channels, especially during their spring migration. Sight-fishing for tarpon is a rush - watching a big fish inhale your bait is unforgettable. They're not the best eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Live mullet or crabs are top baits, but artificial lures work too. Here's a tip: when you hook up, bow to the king. Drop your rod tip when they jump to prevent a broken line. Patience is key with tarpon. It might take an hour to land a big one, but trust me, it's worth every minute.

Tarpon

About the Maverick

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 35

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 70

Ready for an off-the-beaten-path fishing adventure? Join us on a 4-hour guided trip deep into Everglades National Park's backcountry. We'll navigate the winding Wilderness Trail, weaving through shallow channels and mangrove forests in search of prime fishing spots. Our expert guides know just where to find Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Spotted Seatrout lurking in these rich waters. No need to bring any gear – we've got you covered with all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need. This intimate trip is perfect for two anglers looking to test their skills in one of Florida's most unique ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to fishing, you'll have a chance to reel in some impressive catches while soaking in the wild beauty of the Everglades. Get ready for an authentic Florida fishing experience you won't soon forget!
Glades & Gills Backcountry Guide Service

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Ready to experience the wild beauty of Everglades National Park? Book your family-friendly backcountry fishing adventure today with Glades & Gills Backcountry Guide Service and make memories that last a lifetime!

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