Islamorada · Backcountry · Florida Bay flats

Islamorada backcountry fishing charters

Bonefish, permit and redfish on the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park.

4, 6 or 8 hoursSaltwater license coveredCall to book
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License, tackle & bait includedTackle & bait included Free weather reschedule

Fish the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park with a local captain for bonefish, permit and redfish. Trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours, with the fishing license, rods, reels, tackle and bait included. Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, to book.

Angler holding a bonefish on a flats boat

How to book your backcountry trip

Online booking isn’t available for this trip yet. Call us and we’ll book your date.

4-, 6- or 8-hour backcountry trips

Call (407) 392-4593

Saltwater license covered by the captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.

Saltwater license covered by the captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.

Quick answer

What can you catch on a backcountry trip in Islamorada?

Islamorada backcountry trips fish the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park for bonefish, permit and redfish. iOutdoors books 4-, 6- and 8-hour trips with a local captain. The licensed captain covers your saltwater fishing license. These trips are booked by phone: call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.

Prices come from the live booking calendar.

What’s included and what to bring

Included in the price
  • Licensed local captain
  • Boat and fuel
  • Saltwater fishing license (covered by the captain)
  • Rods, reels and tackle
  • Bait
Not included
  • Captain tip (10–20% is customary)
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to the meeting spot

What to bring

Polarized sunglassesSunscreenHatLight rain jacketWater and snacksCamera or phone in a dry bag

What’s biting in the backcountry by season

Winter Dec–Feb

  • Redfish and snook on warm days
  • Bonefish on the warmer flats

Spring Mar–May

  • Bonefish and permit on the flats
  • Tarpon start to arrive

Summer Jun–Aug

  • Bonefish and permit early in the day
  • Start early to beat the afternoon storms

Fall Sep–Nov

  • Bonefish and permit on the flats
  • Redfish feed up

Fish you can catch on a backcountry trip in Islamorada

Bonefish, permit and redfish. Swipe to see what you could catch.

Illustration of a bonefish
Flats

Bonefish

Gray ghost

Fast, spooky fish on the shallow flats. Catch and release.

Illustration of a permit
Flats

Permit

Atlantic permit

Wary, hard-pulling fish on the flats and around wrecks. Seasons apply.

Illustration of a redfish
Inshore

Redfish

Red drum

On the grass flats and along the mangroves, often in shallow water.

Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.

Where you’ll fish

Backcountry trips fish the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park.

Meeting spot: we confirm the dock and start time with you when you book.

Islamorada backcountry fishing questions

How do I book?

Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we’ll check dates and book your trip.

How much does a backcountry trip cost?

Call us for the price for your date, trip length and group.

What can I catch?

Bonefish, permit and redfish. What bites depends on the season and the tide.

Where do Islamorada backcountry trips go?

The flats and backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. Your captain confirms the meeting spot and start time with you when you book.

Do I need a fishing license?

No. The captain’s saltwater license covers everyone fishing on the trip.

What’s included in the price?

The licensed captain, boat and fuel, your saltwater fishing license, rods, reels, tackle and bait. Not included: the captain’s tip (10–20% is customary) and food and drinks.

Can we keep the fish we catch?

Bonefish are catch and release. Size and bag limits apply to permit, redfish and other species, and your captain can tell you what you can keep on the day.

Is backcountry fishing good for kids and first-timers?

Backcountry trips fish calm, shallow water. Sight fishing for bonefish and permit takes patience, so a 4-hour trip is a good start, and your captain sets up the tackle and coaches you.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If the captain or guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.

More backcountry trips in the Florida Keys

Trips in other Keys towns. Some book online with a live calendar; others are booked by phone.

More trips near Islamorada

Call to book9 am – 6 pm