Fishing The Florida Everglades:
Just a few miles from our departure point lies the edge of one of the most remote and wild places left in America—Everglades National Park. This vast, untamed backcountry offers a fly fishing experience unlike anywhere else. Here, you’ll stalk snook along endless mangrove shorelines, watch for tailing redfish on open seagrass flats, and cast to tarpon rolling in the hidden estuaries and winding rivers deep in the Glades. Whether you're poling through skinny water or slipping into calm creeks on a still morning, fly fishing the Everglades is a journey into raw, natural beauty—where every cast has the chance to connect with a true inshore gamefish.
Fishing Snook:
Few fish capture the spirit of the Everglades backcountry like the snook—a cunning ambush predator known for explosive eats and raw, unpredictable power. In the vast, shallow flats of the Everglades, we often target snook by sight fishing, watching them cruise along the edges of mangrove shorelines or laid up in white sand potholes, blending perfectly into their surroundings until the moment of the strike. These fish demand a delicate, accurate presentation, which is why we fish 7wt to 9wt fly rods paired with floating lines. Whether they’re sitting still in inches of water on a flat on the hunt, or cruising the mangroves looking for an easy meal, a well-placed baitfish pattern can trigger a positive reaction most of the time. snook fishing in the everglades is truly pure, backcountry fly fishing at its finest.
Fishing Redfish:
There’s something deeply rewarding about chasing redfish in Florida Bay and the Everglades, where wide-open seagrass flats stretch to the horizon and the water itself seems to shimmer with life. Here, redfish can be seen tailing as they feed, their copper backs breaking the surface while pushing “wakes”, or shadowing stingrays in search of an easy meal. From late summer through early spring, these fish offer consistent, visual opportunities for fly anglers who crave technical, rewarding shots in shallow water. We typically fish 7wt to 9wt fly rods rigged with floating lines, ideal for delicate presentations and quick, accurate casts. Our fly selection leans on subtlety and realism—small crab patterns and baitfish imitations, often tied with just enough copper or gold flash to catch the light, and the redfish’s attention. When it all comes together—a well-placed fly, a slow follow, and the thump of the eat—there’s no feeling quite like it.
Fishing Bonefish:
Fly fishing for bonefish in the Florida Keys is a pursuit of precision, patience, and pure excitement. Known as the “ghosts of the flats,” these elusive fish demand stealth and accuracy as they tail across shallow, sunlit sand and grass flats. From August through October, conditions often align for some of the best bonefishing of the year—low winds, warm water, and hungry fish moving confidently across the flats. Whether you're stalking singles or casting to cruising pairs or schools, we use 7wt- 9wt fly rods paired with floating lines and small crab and shrimp patterns tied in natural colors. Bonefish in the Keys are strong, fast, and smart—offering a challenge that rewards the thoughtful angler with blistering runs and unforgettable moments on the water. Few saltwater experiences rival the thrill of hooking a bonefish in the Florida Keys
Fishing Juvenile Tarpon:
Fly fishing for juvenile tarpon in the Everglades and Florida Keys is an experience that borders on magical—especially in the warmer months, when the tarpon fishing comes alive. On still, steamy mornings, we often find these acrobatic fish rolling and eager to eat. Juvenile Tarpon can be incredibly user-friendly for anglers new to saltwater fly fishing. When conditions align, we’re sometimes lucky enough to encounter a shrimp hatch, where schools of tarpon surround the skiff, feeding and rolling all around us in a feeding frenzy that feels almost surreal. These fish, typically in the 5–15 lb range, are perfect targets on 7wt to 9wt fly rods rigged with floating lines. Topwater flies, as well as standard baitfish patterns, perform beautifully. Watching a tarpon roll, tracking your fly, and then erupt in a burst of silver is one of the most electrifying moments in all of fly fishing—and in the Everglades and Florida Keys, it can happen just minutes from the dock.
No Motor Zone:
Fishing the Everglades No Motor Zones (NMZs) is one of the most unique fly fishing adventures in Florida. These remote areas shine as an outstanding fall and winter fishery, where cooler weather brings snook, juvenile tarpon, and redfish to feed aggressively along mangrove shorelines. NMZ fishing offers the perfect option to escape the wind and stalk fish in calm, sheltered waters. To reach these zones, anglers must trailer into the Everglades, run narrow mangrove creeks in a small tiller-powered technical poling skiff, and then remove the motor to comply with NMZ regulations. This process sets the stage for a true Everglades fly fishing charter experience—far from crowded waters and average trips. In these unpressured zones, fish are often eager to eat flies, giving anglers exciting sight fishing opportunities. Whether targeting snook, tarpon, or redfish, Everglades NMZ fishing combines solitude, adventure, and world-class fly fishing. Be prepared for incredible action, but also for strong bugs, especially in the evenings. For anglers seeking an authentic Everglades fishing experience, No Motor Zone trips deliver unforgettable results.
Overview:
Skiff:
For my Everglades no-motor zone fly fishing charters, I run a Simple Skiff CF16, the ideal boat for exploring both shallow backcountry waters and open bays. Compact and lightweight, the CF16 is small enough to slip through tight mangrove tunnels, yet stable and secure enough to safely cross open water. Powered by a small outboard tiller motor, it offers reliable performance but can also be easily removed to remain legal in the Everglades No Motor Zones. Its technical poling design allows for a quiet, stealthy approach, making it perfect for sight fishing snook, redfish, and juvenile tarpon. Built for versatility and adventure, this skiff ensures anglers can access hidden, unpressured fisheries while enjoying a safe and dependable ride in the heart of the Florida Everglades.