World-Class Everglades Fishing: 6-Hour Adventure

8 blackfin tuna and atlantic bonito fish caught in FL

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World-Class Everglades Fishing: 6-Hour Adventure

Key Largo, FL

What you will be catching:

Crevalle Jack
Great Barracuda
Grey Snapper
Red Grouper
Redfish
Sea Trout
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
Tarpon

This 6-hour Everglades fishing adventure with Local Grown Charters puts you right in the action targeting grey snapper, red grouper, snook, and redfish. You'll fish the crystal-clear waters around the Keys at Patch Reef for solid reef action, then head into the wild backcountry for classic inshore fishing. The flats boat handles up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for small groups who want a genuine local experience. Captain Jack knows these waters inside and out, so whether you're new to saltwater fishing or chasing your next trophy, you'll be in the right spots. The scenery alone is worth the trip, plus you might spot some cool wildlife along the way.

Trip Pricing and Availabilities:

Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.

Extended Half Day Everglades Fishing Adventure

When you're ready to spend a full 6 hours chasing some of Florida's best inshore species, this extended half-day trip with Local Grown Charters delivers the goods. Captain Drew and his team know exactly where to find the fish in these waters, whether you want to work the shallow flats for redfish and snook or hit the deeper channels for tarpon and barracuda. The Everglades offer some of the most diverse fishing in South Florida, and with this much time on the water, you'll get to experience multiple fisheries in one epic day. Perfect for families or groups of up to 4 anglers who want to really dig into what makes this area so special.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical 4-hour quickie trip. Six hours gives you the luxury of time to really explore different areas and techniques. You might start the morning working shallow grass flats with live shrimp under popping corks, targeting redfish and sea trout as they feed in the early light. As the day warms up, your captain will likely move you to structure where snapper and grouper hang out, switching to bottom rigs with cut bait. The beauty of the extended timeline is flexibility – if the tarpon are rolling in a particular channel, you can spend an hour chasing them without feeling rushed. The crystal-clear waters around the Keys portion of your trip offer amazing visibility, so you'll often see your target species before you cast to them. Wildlife encounters are just part of the package here – dolphins, manatees, and countless bird species call these waters home.

Techniques & Tackle

Your captain comes equipped with everything you need for this diverse fishery. Expect to use a variety of techniques throughout the day. Light tackle spinning rigs work great for the flats fishing, letting you feel every bite from smaller species like sea trout and snapper. When you're targeting bigger fish like tarpon or large barracuda, your guide will step up to heavier gear that can handle the fight. Live bait is king out here – pilchards, shrimp, and pinfish are local favorites that produce consistent action. You'll also throw some artificials, especially around structure where jigs and soft plastics shine. The boat stays equipped with circle hooks for conservation, and your captain knows exactly when to switch between bottom fishing, drift fishing, and sight casting based on conditions and what's biting. Don't worry about bringing anything – tackle, bait, and ice are all included.

Customer Stories

"Captain "Drew" is a great guide. He was responsive to our needs, helpful, hardworking, knowledgeable, patient, and was even an accomplished multitasker. I went out with my wife and 3 kids. He kept the lines untangled, unsnagged, soaking, and with fresh bait. Definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a solid guide in the area!" - KYLE

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines throughout this area. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size 20-inchers up to oversized bulls pushing 40 pounds. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strike and powerful runs – they'll rip drag and test your skills every time. Look for them tailing in skinny water during moving tides.

Snook are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, lurking around mangrove points and channel edges waiting for baitfish. These silver-sided beauties are most active during warmer months, from spring through early fall. A good snook will jump multiple times and make several blistering runs toward structure, trying to cut your line. The thrill of sight-casting to a snook holding tight to cover never gets old, and their distinctive black lateral line makes them easy to identify.

Tarpon bring the wow factor to any Everglades trip. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20-30 pound class up to giants over 100 pounds. Peak season runs from late spring through summer, when they migrate through these waters in massive schools. When a tarpon eats your bait, get ready for an aerial show – they'll jump repeatedly, often clearing the water completely. Even smaller tarpon pack incredible power and stamina.

Great Barracuda are the speed demons of the flats, capable of explosive strikes that will shock first-time anglers. These toothy predators patrol the edges of grass flats and reef areas year-round, but are most active in warmer water. A barracuda hit feels like someone just set off a stick of dynamite – the initial run can peel off 50 yards of line in seconds. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make them a favorite target for anglers who love fast action.

Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters in these waters. These yellow-tinged brawlers travel in schools around structure and channels, especially during spring and fall migrations. When you hook into a good jack, prepare for a long, sustained fight – they don't jump like tarpon, but they pull with incredible persistence. Many anglers underestimate jacks until they hook their first one.

Sea Trout are perfect for beginners and kids, offering consistent action on light tackle throughout the year. These spotted beauties love grass flats and can be caught on everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. Winter months can be especially productive for larger "gator" trout. They're not the strongest fighters, but their willingness to bite and beautiful coloration make them a crowd-pleaser.

Grey Snapper provide excellent table

Customer Review

Captain Drew Rocks

Captain "Drew" is a great guide. He was responsive to our needs, helpful, hardworking, knowledgeable, patient, and was even an accomplished multitasker. I went out with my wife and 3 kids. He kept the lines untangled, unsnagged, soaking, and with fresh bait. Definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a solid guide in the area!

KYLE MEAD

January 2, 2024

Learn more about the species

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jacks are the bullies of the flats, averaging 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though the big ones can hit 60 pounds. These brassy, golden fighters love seagrass beds and shallow reefs, but also cruise deeper channels. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign since jacks push baitfish to the surface. Spring through fall is prime time when they're schooling and aggressive. Guests love them because they fight dirty - powerful runs and never give up easy. They're not great eating, but the fight makes up for it. Pro tip: when you find a school feeding on top, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past them and retrieve fast. They can't resist the chase.

Great Barracuda

Barracuda are the speed demons of the flats - sleek, silver torpedoes that can hit 35 mph and grow up to 6 feet. Most we catch run 2-4 feet with razor-sharp teeth and attitude to match. You'll find them near coral reefs, grass flats, and mangroves, often cruising alone near the surface. They're year-round fish but spring brings the best action during spawning season. Guests love the explosive strikes and blistering runs, though they tire quickly. Not the best eating due to potential ciguatera, but the fight is worth it. Safety tip: always use a net and gloves when landing them - those teeth can do serious damage. Cast shiny spoons or tube lures and retrieve fast - they're attracted to flash and movement.

Grey Snapper

Grey snappers, or mangrove snappers, are smart little fish that'll test your skills. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, with that greyish-red color and yellow spots on the sides. They hang around structure - docks, mangroves, reefs, anywhere they can ambush prey. Best fishing is at night since they're nocturnal feeders, but you can catch them during the day if you're patient. People love them because they're excellent eating - white, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or fried. They're also great for kids since they're willing biters. Local secret: use a small live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a bit. Don't jerk when they bite - let them take it.

Red Grouper

Red grouper are the toughest fighters on the reef, with that rusty red color and white spots all over. Average fish run 5-10 pounds, but the big ones can hit 20-plus. You'll find them around hard bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 20-100 feet of water. They're year-round fish, but spring and fall give you the best bite when they're more active. Guests love them because they fight hard and taste even better - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're aggressive biters that'll eat shrimp, crab, or cut bait. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up fast - they'll try to cut you off in the rocks or swim back to their hole every time.

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore targets, running 20-35 inches on average with that distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them cruising super shallow flats - sometimes their backs stick right out of the water. They love oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy bottoms around the backcountry. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they peel drag on long runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that mild, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast past the fish and work your bait back toward them - spooks them less than dropping it right on their head.

Sea Trout

Spotted sea trout are perfect for light tackle fun, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots scattered across their sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially during warmer months when they're most active. Spring through fall is prime time, and they bite best on moving water around dawn and dusk. People enjoy them because they're willing biters and excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's great fried or grilled. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They're also perfect for beginners and kids. Here's what works: fish the grass flats at night with a popping cork and live shrimp, or try soft plastics on a jig head. They'll often hit right at the surface.

Snook

Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, with that sleek silver body and signature black lateral line. Most run 18-30 inches, though the big females can push 4 feet. They're structure junkies - find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and fresh water. Warmer months are best, especially around new and full moons when they spawn and their fins turn bright yellow. Guests go crazy for snook because they're smart fighters with great table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Temperature sensitive though, so cold fronts shut them down. My tip: work your lures slow around cover and be ready - they inhale baits fast but spit them just as quick.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are fast, fun fighters that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds with distinctive yellow spots along their silver sides. These speedsters school up near the surface around structure, grass flats, and open water. Spring through fall is best when they're actively feeding and moving through our waters. People love them because they're willing biters that put up a great fight for their size, plus they're excellent eating - mild, flaky meat perfect grilled or smoked. Look for diving birds or schools feeding on top. Light tackle works best with small spoons, jigs, or live bait. Key tip: when you find a school, drift to them instead of motoring - the engine noise will scatter them fast.

Tarpon

Tarpon are the ultimate bucket list fish - silver giants that can hit 6 feet and jump 10 feet out of the water. Most we see run 80-100 pounds and they're pure muscle and acrobatics. Find them in deeper channels, around bridges, and rolling on the surface in warmer months, May through September. They're not good eating with all those bones, but nobody cares when you're watching 100 pounds of fish go airborne. The fight can last an hour and they'll jump repeatedly trying to throw the hook. Late spring and early summer during their spawn is peak time. Here's the deal: when they jump, bow to them - point your rod tip right at the fish to give them slack, or they'll throw the hook every time.

About the Pathfinder

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 52

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

This 6-hour Everglades adventure takes you deep into Florida's wildest waters where jack crevalle and barracuda rule the flats. Your expert captain knows exactly where snook hide in the mangrove shadows and redfish cruise the shallow grass beds. With space for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight these hard-pulling fish without getting tangled up. The boat handles the skinny water perfectly, sliding silently over oyster bars and through narrow channels where bigger vessels can't go. Between the fishing action, keep your eyes open for manatees, dolphins, and massive tarpon rolling on the surface. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working topwater plugs for explosive strikes, these pristine backcountry waters deliver consistent action. Perfect for beginners learning the ropes or experienced anglers chasing personal bests in one of America's last true wilderness areas.

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