World-Class Everglades Fishing: 6-Hour Adventure

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Key Largo, FL
$350 - $1,100 price range

Summary

Ready for a fantastic day of fishing in the Florida Keys and Everglades? Join Local Grown Charters for a 6-hour trip that'll have you reeling in some great catches. We'll head out to the crystal-clear waters of the Keys, where you can try your luck at the Patch Reef for grey snapper and red grouper. Or, if you're up for a wilder ride, we'll navigate the Everglades for some exciting inshore action, targeting snook and redfish. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way – you never know what you might spot in this unique ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, this trip offers non-stop action and plenty of opportunities to land that trophy fish. With room for up to 6 guests, it's perfect for a fun day out with friends or family. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're ready for an awesome day on the water!

World-Class Everglades Fishing: 6-Hour Adventure

Reels and Catches

8 blackfin tuna and atlantic bonito fish caught in FL

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6-Hour Everglades Fishing: Keys to Big Catches

Ready to get your line wet in some of Florida's most fish-rich waters? Our 6-hour Everglades fishing trip is your ticket to rod-bending action and cooler-filling success. Whether you're itching to tangle with bruiser snook in the backcountry or want to pull up tasty snapper from the patch reefs, we've got you covered. Bring your A-game and let's see what's biting!

Trip Overview

We'll launch bright and early from our Keys dock, with six lucky anglers aboard our fully-rigged flats boat. Capt. Drew knows these waters like the back of his hand, so get ready to hit the hotspots. We're talking crystal-clear flats, mangrove-lined creeks, and productive patch reefs – all teeming with fish that'll test your drag. Expect non-stop action as we target everything from hard-fighting redfish to acrobatic tarpon. And don't forget your camera – the Everglades scenery is off the charts, with gators, manatees, and all sorts of birds making guest appearances.

Rods, Reels, and Tactics

Leave the gear worries to us – we've got top-notch rods and reels ready to go. Depending on where the bite's hot, we'll mix it up between light tackle and heavier setups. Sight-fishing the flats? Get ready for heart-pounding casts to tailing reds. Working the mangroves? We'll pitch live bait tight to cover for monster snook. Over on the patches, it's all about finding the structure and using the right bait to entice those grouper and snapper. Capt. Drew's always got a few tricks up his sleeve, so even if Plan A isn't firing, we've got options to put fish in the boat.

What Anglers Are Saying

"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

Target Species Breakdown

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a flats favorite. They love to cruise in skinny water, often with their tails waving above the surface – a sight that'll get any angler's heart racing. Reds put up a stubborn fight and make for excellent table fare. Fall and winter are prime time, but we catch 'em year-round.

Snook: The legendary "linesiders" are ambush predators that love to hang around mangrove roots and dock pilings. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps that'll test both your reflexes and your drag. Spring and summer are snook season, but the big ones are always around if you know where to look.

Grey Snapper: Don't let the name fool you – these tasty fish come in all sizes, from pan-sized "mangroves" to hefty "cuberas" that'll make your arms ache. They're structure-oriented, so we'll target them around patch reefs and rocky areas. Grey snapper are year-round residents and make for some of the best fish tacos you'll ever taste.

Tarpon: The "silver king" is the holy grail of flats fishing. These prehistoric beasts can top 100 pounds and are famous for their gill-rattling jumps and long, determined runs. Spring and early summer are prime tarpon time, but we see resident fish all year. Even if you don't land one (and trust me, they're tough), just hooking up with a tarpon is an experience you'll never forget.

Red Grouper: These deep-bodied bottom-dwellers are prized for their flaky white meat. We'll target them on the patch reefs, using heavy tackle and live bait to coax them out of their rocky lairs. Red grouper fishing is good year-round, but they really turn on in the cooler months.

Crevalle Jack: Want a fish that pulls like a freight train? Meet the jack crevalle. These muscular predators hunt in schools, creating surface-thrashing chaos when they corral bait. They're not great eating, but pound-for-pound, few fish fight harder. We see jacks throughout the year, with fall being particularly good.

Sea Trout: The spotted seatrout is a flats staple. They're not the biggest fish out there, but they're abundant, eager to bite, and make for some fine eating. We'll often find them over grass flats, especially during the cooler months. Light tackle and soft plastics are the ticket here.

Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast strikes, 'cudas are the wolves of the flats. They're a blast on topwater lures and will test even heavy tackle when they get big. We catch barracuda year-round, but they're especially active in the warmer months.

Spanish Mackerel: These toothy speedsters are the perfect target when you want non-stop action. They hunt in schools, slashing through bait pods with reckless abandon. Fast retrieves with small, flashy lures are the key. Spring and fall are the prime seasons, but we find them year-round in the Keys.

Time to Wet a Line

Look, whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, this 6-hour Everglades trip is the real deal. We've got the fish, we've got the scenery, and we've got a captain who knows how to put you on the action. Spaces fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your spot. Give us a call, and let's get you out on the water for a day of fishing you won't soon forget. Trust me, the only thing you'll regret is not booking sooner!

Customer Review

Captain Drew Delivers

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 animals

Crevalle Jack

Great Barracuda are the ocean's sleek predators, growing up to 6 feet long. You'll find them near the surface in tropical waters, hanging around reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves. These solitary hunters are most active in warmer months, using their speed (up to 35 mph in bursts) to ambush prey. Anglers chase 'cuda for the thrill of the fight. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic leaps when hooked. While their meat isn't prized, the challenge of landing one keeps fishermen coming back. Use heavy tackle - their razor-sharp teeth can slice through light line. Here's a local tip: try trolling with shiny lures that mimic their favorite prey like mullet or pinfish. When you hook one, be ready for a fast, furious battle. Just watch those teeth when you're landing it! Barracuda may look intimidating, but attacks on humans are rare. Still, it's best to admire them from a safe distance.

Great Barracuda

Snook are ambush predators found in coastal waters and estuaries. They usually run 24-34 inches and 5-15 pounds, but monsters over 40 inches aren't unheard of. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and any structure with moving water. These fish are most active at night and during tide changes. They're prized for their challenging fight and delicious white meat. Snook season is closed in summer to protect spawning fish, but catch-and-release is still popular. To target snook, use medium-heavy spinning gear with 30-40 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader. Live mullet or large shrimp are top baits, but artificial lures work too. Here's a pro tip: when fishing docks at night, cast your bait up-current and let it drift naturally into the shadows. Snook often wait in dark spots to ambush prey. When you feel the thump, set hard - snook have tough mouths and you need to drive that hook home!

Grey Snapper

Red Grouper are bottom-dwelling powerhouses, usually weighing 5-10 pounds but sometimes topping 20. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and reefs in depths from 16 to over 1000 feet. They're most active in warmer months when water temps are above 68°F. Anglers love targeting grouper for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. Their white, flaky meat is prized for its sweet flavor. When you hook one, be ready for a battle - they'll try to dive back into their rocky lairs. For the best shot at a Red Grouper, use heavy tackle with 50-80 lb test line. Drop your bait (live pinfish or squid work great) right to the bottom. Here's a pro tip: when you feel the bite, reel fast and pull hard to get the fish away from structure. If you hesitate, they'll wrap you around a rock and break you off. It's all about that initial reaction!

Red Grouper

Tarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, growing up to 8 feet and 280 pounds. You'll find them in coastal waters, often rolling at the surface. Spring and early summer are prime times as they migrate through our waters. Anglers chase tarpon for their spectacular fights - they're known for explosive strikes and gravity-defying leaps. While not good eating, the sheer challenge of hooking and landing one keeps fishermen coming back year after year. For the best shot at a tarpon, use heavy tackle with 50-80 lb braid. Live mullet, crabs, or large artificial lures all work well. Here's an insider tip: when you see a school of tarpon rolling, cast well ahead of them and let your bait drift into their path. Once hooked, bow to the king when he jumps - lowering your rod tip can help keep the hook set. Be prepared for a long, tiring fight - these fish don't give up easily!

Redfish

Spanish Mackerel are speedy swimmers that'll give you a run for your money. Usually 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, these fish swim in massive schools near the surface. Look for them around structures in open water, flats, and oyster bars. In warmer weather, they come closer to shore - great for pier and surf fishing. They're most active in spring and fall as they migrate. Anglers love Spanish Mackerel for their fierce fights and delicious meat. The flesh is mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or smoking. To catch 'em, use light tackle with 12-20 lb line and small circle hooks. Shiny spoons or live bait like shrimp and sardines work well. Here's a pro tip: when you spot a school, drift toward them slowly instead of motoring up. That way you won't spook the whole bunch. Once hooked, be ready for some acrobatics - these fish can jump and run with the best of 'em.

Sea Trout

Crevalle Jack are hard-fighting bruisers that'll test your stamina. Usually 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, big ones can top 60 pounds. Look for them in coastal waters, often chasing bait schools near the surface. They're most active in warmer months. Anglers love jacks for their aggressive strikes and bulldog fighting style. While not great table fare, they're pure sport on light tackle. Schools of jacks can create exciting topwater feeding frenzies, churning up the water as they chase bait. To catch 'em, use medium to heavy spinning gear with 30-50 lb braid. Topwater plugs, spoons, or live bait all work well. Here's a local tip: watch for diving birds - that often means jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast into the frenzy and hang on tight. Once hooked, a jack will make powerful runs and try to wrap you around any nearby structure. Be ready to chase 'em down if you're fishing from shore!

Snook

Sea Trout, also called Spotted or Speckled Trout, are a favorite inshore target. These fish usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though some monsters push 40 pounds. Look for them in grass flats and shallow bays, especially around seagrass beds and oyster reefs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, with fall and spring being prime seasons. Sea Trout are ambush predators, so focus on areas with good structure and bait movement. They put up a decent fight and are known for their soft, delicate meat - perfect for a fresh fish dinner. To catch 'em, try live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics on a jig head. Work your bait slowly, with occasional twitches to mimic injured prey. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, look for subtle surface disturbances called "nervous water" - that's often a sign of feeding trout. Once you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot.

Spanish Mackerel

Redfish, also called Red Drum, are copper-colored bruisers with a distinctive black spot near their tail. They usually run 20-30 inches and 6-8 pounds, but bull reds over 40 inches aren't uncommon. Look for them in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and in the surf. These fish are most active in fall when they school up for spawning. Anglers love reds for their hard fights and excellent table fare. They'll eat just about anything that fits in their mouth, making them fun to target on a variety of baits. For redfish, use medium spinning gear with 20-30 lb braid. Live or cut bait works great, but artificial lures like gold spoons are deadly too. Here's a local secret: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their tails sticking up as they root for crabs in shallow water. It's called "tailing" and it's a sight-fishing dream. Cast well ahead of them and slowly work your bait into their path. When you see that tail disappear, hold on tight!

Tarpon

Grey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are sneaky predators found around structure in coastal waters. They usually run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, but offshore giants can hit 20 pounds. Look for them near mangroves, reefs, and any underwater structure. These fish are most active at night and during low-light hours. They're known for their sharp eyesight and cautious nature, making them a challenging and rewarding catch. Anglers prize Grey Snapper for their firm, white flesh that's excellent for a variety of dishes. To target them, use light tackle with 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader - they can see heavy line. Live shrimp or small baitfish work well. Here's a local trick: when fishing deeper water, try a knocker rig with just enough weight to reach bottom. Let it sit still - Grey Snapper are suckers for a motionless bait. Just be ready for a lightning-fast bite when they decide to commit!

About the Pathfinder

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 52

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Get ready for an action-packed 6-hour fishing adventure in the stunning Everglades and Florida Keys! We'll cruise through crystal-clear waters, targeting prized catches like grey snapper, red grouper, snook, and redfish. Whether you prefer the shallow flats or want to try your luck at the Patch Reef, this trip offers diverse fishing experiences for anglers of all levels. As we navigate the wild beauty of the Everglades or explore the vibrant Keys, keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife sightings. With room for up to 6 guests, it's the perfect outing for friends and family looking to create lasting memories on the water. Expect non-stop excitement as you reel in one fish after another against a backdrop of breathtaking coastal scenery. Don't miss this chance to land your next big catch and soak in the natural wonders of Florida's unique ecosystems!

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