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Expert-Guided Everglades Backcountry Fishing Trip
- Published Date: October 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Everglades
- Updated Date: November 6, 2025
Summary
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Backcountry Catches
Everglades Backcountry: Fishing the Wilderness
Get ready to cast your line in one of Florida's wildest places. This 4-hour guided fishing trip takes you deep into Everglades National Park, where the mangroves meet the Gulf and the fish are always biting. We'll navigate the Wilderness Trail, a maze of shallow channels and hidden pockets where trophy catches lurk. Whether you're after the acrobatic tarpon or the hard-fighting snook, our local knowledge and top-notch gear give you the best shot at landing the big one.
What's the Deal?
Picture this: You're gliding through crystal-clear shallows, the only sound is your guide's hushed voice pointing out a tailing redfish. That's what you're in for on this Everglades adventure. We keep it small – just you and one other angler – so you get personalized attention and the best spots all to yourself. No need to lug your tackle box either. We've got all the rods, reels, and bait you'll need to target the Glades' grand slam: snook, redfish, tarpon, and spotted seatrout. Just bring your game face and maybe a lucky hat.
Fishing the Flats
In the Everglades backcountry, it's all about sight fishing. We'll pole through skinny water, scanning for shadows and movement. When we spot a fish, it's time for a precision cast. Depending on the tide and conditions, we might throw soft plastics, live bait, or even fly fish if that's your thing. The key is stealth – these fish didn't get big by being dumb. Your guide will show you the ropes, from reading the water to setting the hook just right. It's technical fishing that'll challenge even seasoned anglers, but man, is it rewarding when it all comes together.
Top Catches This Season
Our regulars have been crushing it lately. Big snook are stacked up in the mangroves, and we've seen some real bruisers in the 40-inch range. The redfish bite has been on fire too, especially on incoming tides. Tarpon season is just kicking off, and we're already seeing some giants rolling through. Even if the big boys aren't cooperating, there's always action with jacks and trout to keep the rods bent.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook: The bread and butter of Everglades fishing. These ambush predators love to hang out under mangrove roots and around oyster bars. They hit hard and fight even harder, often launching into the air like mini tarpon. Spring and fall are prime time, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Goliath Grouper: True to their name, these monsters can grow over 800 pounds. We catch and release these gentle giants, usually found around structure in deeper channels. They're slow and steady fighters, but when they decide to dive, hold on tight!
Tarpon: The silver king is the holy grail of inshore fishing. These prehistoric beasts put on an aerial show like no other. Late spring and early summer is peak season when they migrate through in big numbers. Landing one is a true test of skill and endurance – be ready for a workout.
Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored beauties are a blast to catch on light tackle. Look for their tails waving above the water as they root for crabs in the shallows. Fall is the best time to target big bull reds, but you can find them year-round.
Crevalle Jack: Want a fight? Hook into one of these speedsters. Jacks hunt in wolf packs, churning up the water as they chase bait. They'll test your drag and your stamina. While not the best eating, pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the 'Glades.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
It's not just about the fish – though they're pretty darn spectacular. It's about being out here in the wild, where gators sun themselves on mud banks and ospreys dive for their lunch. Every trip is different. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear water, the next you're battling a goliath grouper in a deep hole. Our guides know this ecosystem like the back of their hand, and they're always happy to share a bit of Everglades history or point out a rare bird between casts. Plus, let's be real – there's nothing like the bragging rights that come with landing a trophy in one of America's most iconic national parks.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, the Everglades isn't some cookie-cutter fishing spot. It's raw, it's wild, and yeah, sometimes it's challenging. But that's what makes it special. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to check "backcountry slam" off your bucket list, or a newbie wanting to learn from the best, this trip delivers. We've got the local know-how, the right gear, and the passion to make your day on the water unforgettable. Spots fill up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't sleep on this. Give us a call, and let's get you hooked up with some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. The 'Glades are calling – time to answer!
Learn more about the animals
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle jacks are the bullies of the flats. These hard-fighting fish typically run 3-5 pounds but can top 30 pounds. You'll often spot them in big schools, churning up the water as they chase bait. Look for diving birds to find feeding jacks. They'll hit just about anything that moves - topwater plugs, spoons, or live bait all work well. Jacks fight dirty, making blistering runs and trying to wrap you around anything they can find. Light tackle anglers love them for their sheer power and stamina. While they're not known as great table fare, the fight alone makes them worth targeting. My go-to tactic is to cast a silver spoon into the frenzy and retrieve it as fast as I can. Hold on tight when a jack slams it - the first run will put your drag to the test!
Goliath Grouper
Goliath grouper live up to their name - these massive fish can grow over 8 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds. You'll find them lurking around reefs, shipwrecks, and other structures in depths from 16 to 160 feet. They're ambush predators that use their huge mouths to inhale prey whole. Goliaths are a protected species, so it's catch-and-release only. Still, they're a bucket list fish for many anglers due to their sheer size and power. Hooking one is like trying to stop a freight train. Your best bet is fishing near structure with large live baits like blue runners or mullet. Use heavy tackle - 80-100 lb test minimum. When you hook up, pull hard to get them away from the structure fast or they'll break you off for sure. It's an arm-wrenching battle you won't soon forget!
Redfish
Redfish are a staple of the Everglades backcountry. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-30 inches, with big bulls topping 40 inches. Look for them tailing in shallow grass flats or prowling mangrove shorelines, often in just a foot or two of water. They've got a distinctive black spot near the tail - sometimes more than one. Reds put up a stubborn fight, using their broad tails to power away from the boat. They're also great eating, with firm white flesh. Fall is prime time when big schools push into the shallows. I like using gold spoons or soft plastics on a light jighead. Work your lure slowly along the bottom, almost bumping it into the grass. When you see a red's tail sticking up, cast well past it and work the lure right into its path. The strike is often a solid thump followed by a strong run. Hold on tight!
Snook
Snook are the acrobats of the Everglades. These silver-sided fish with a distinctive black lateral line typically run 20-30 inches, though they can grow much bigger. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, oyster bars, and dock pilings in shallow water. They love ambushing prey, so look for them where currents funnel baitfish. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are in the sweet spot. Snook put up an amazing fight - they'll make blistering runs and leap clear out of the water. Their flesh is prized eating too, though we practice catch-and-release to protect the population. When targeting snook, I like to use live pilchards or pinfish on a circle hook. Let your bait drift naturally with the current past likely holding spots. Be ready for explosive strikes!
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of the flats. These prehistoric-looking fish can top 200 pounds and put on an aerial show like no other. You'll find them rolling and gulping air in shallow coastal waters, especially around river mouths and mangrove islands. Spring and early summer are prime time as tarpon migrate through the area. Sight-fishing for them is a rush - you'll see their silver sides flash as they cruise by in clear water. When hooked, expect spectacular leaps and gill-rattling head shakes. Tarpon have rock-hard mouths, so a good hook set is key. I like using live crabs or mullet on circle hooks. Let the bait drift naturally with the current. When a tarpon picks it up, wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook. Hang on tight - the fight of your life is about to begin!
About the Maverick
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2
Manufacturer Name: yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 70
