Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing
TryCharterFishing.com will introduce you to the best Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Guides- Islamorada, Marathon, Key West and the Lower Keys.
The Florida Keys "backcountry" is an untamed wilderness wonderland for both the sport fishing enthusiast and the nature loving outdoorsman.
A watery oasis throughout the Upper and Lower Keys where mangrove islands are often indistinguishable; clouds reflect calm waters with such brilliance that they confuse the wet from the dry; and narrow unmarked channels guide your only way in, or out.
Anglers come here to stalk bonefish, permit and redfish across seemingly endless miles of shallow grass flats; and to reel in trophy catches of snook, tarpon, sea trout, sharks, ladyfish, and jacks in the fishy waters of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park.
Wildlife enthusiasts head into the backcountry to witness nature in its purist and most untouched form. On any given trip you may spot porpoises, manatees, saltwater crocodiles, sea turtles, a variety of bird species, and a collection of plants, trees and flowers seen nowhere else in the world.
HOW IT'S DONE: Backcountry fishing involves light tackle or fly fishing in the shallow waters of Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Backcountry guides will either "pole" you around on a poling platform as you search for and sight cast to "tailing" or swimming fish- or you may use live bait or artificial lures to entice species in the deeper water.
WHERE YOU'LL FISH: The shallow waters of Florida Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and Everglades National Park.
WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook, Jacks, Ladyfish, Snapper, Sharks, and more. (see our Florida Keys Species Guide and Calendar for what you can expect to catch).
THE BOAT(S): Backcountry fishing is most commonly done on a flats skiff, which is designed for skinny water fishing. Most flats skiffs come equipped with a poling platform, on which a guide will stand while he searches for fish and "poles" you across the shallows with a long push pole.
NUMBER OF ANGLERS: Most flats skiffs will accommodate 1 to 2 anglers.
PRICE: Backcountry fishing trips can cost anywhere from $400-$700 depending on the length of trip and total number of anglers.
