What is backcountry fishing in Islamorada?
Fishing the shallow bay side, Florida Bay and the Everglades, plus the oceanside flats, from a skiff or bay boat for two to five anglers. Targets are tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, bonefish and permit, most of them released. Islamorada guides charged $700–$1,200 per boat for four to eight hours on October 6, 2026.
Two kinds of shallow water
The backcountry is the bay side: Florida Bay’s mangrove islands and grass flats, most of it inside Everglades National Park, where the Islamorada Chamber lists bonefish, permit, redfish, tarpon and trout. The flats are the shallow sand and grass on either side of the islands. Bud N’ Mary’s says some of the largest bonefish are found around Islamorada, with permit and tarpon on the same flats and snook, redfish and trout in the backcountry.
Stray Cat Fishing Charters puts its backcountry list as tarpon, snook, bonefish, permit, redfish, trout, tripletail and sharks, depending on the season. The Keys tourism council notes that in Islamorada a sailfish offshore and a backcountry species can even be fished on the same day.
What it costs
I’m Bit Charters also sells a three-hour tarpon trip for $650 from Robbie’s Marina. Compare every length on the price page.
| Operator and boat | Half day (4 h) | Full day (8 h) | Anglers |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Fishing Guru, inshore (24-ft Shallow Sport or 26-ft Pathfinder) | $700 | $1,000 | Up to 5 |
| Stray Cat, 18-ft Maverick skiff | $750 | $950 | 2 included, 3rd extra |
| Stray Cat, 24-ft Everglades | $950 | $1,200 | Up to 4 |
What you can keep
Little, on purpose. Tarpon and bonefish are catch and release only in Florida. Redfish are one per person in an 18 to 27 inch slot, and snook one per person in a 28 to 33 inch slot, outside closed months. Permit have their own size and season rules. Inside Everglades National Park the park’s 20-fish limit and closed areas also apply. What fish you can keep has every limit, and Florida Bay fishing has the park rules.
Backcountry guides you can book
On the operator list, read 6 October 2026.
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Stray Cat Fishing Charters
4.8 Google · 13 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Capt. Chris Barron, running trips since 1980: four or eight hours on an 18-ft Maverick or a 24-ft Everglades, bait, tackle and a cooler with ice included, all ages on the four-hour trip.
Departs: Worldwide Sportsman / Bass Pro marina, bait-house fuel dock, MM 81.5
Check availability -
A Fishing Guru
4.6 Google · 20 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Half and full-day inshore charters for up to five on a 24-ft Shallow Sport or 26-ft Pathfinder; fishing licences for every guest included.
Check availability -
I'm Bit Charters
5.0 Google · 22 reviews · read 4 October 2026
A three-hour tarpon trip and two and three-hour family trips.
Departs: Robbie’s Marina, Tarpon Booth, 77522 Overseas Highway
Check availability
Google · 13 reviews · read 4 October 2026 Read for this page on 6 October 2026: Islamorada Chamber: fishing and marinas ; Bud N’ Mary’s: flats fishing ; Keys tourism council: fishing history .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Tarpon regulations Tarpon is catch-and-release with a tag required to possess or transport one. Link checked 6 September 2026
- FWC — Bonefish regulations Bonefish is catch-and-release only in Florida. Link checked 6 September 2026
- Everglades National Park — Fishing Licence, possession limits and closed areas for anglers in the park, Florida Bay included. Link checked 6 October 2026
Backcountry & flats: questions
How much is a backcountry fishing charter in Islamorada?
$700–$1,200 per boat on Islamorada guides’ online booking pages on October 6, 2026: about $700 to $950 for four hours and $950 to $1,200 for eight, before FareHarbor’s booking fee and tax. Skiffs take two to five anglers.
What is the difference between flats and backcountry fishing?
The backcountry is Florida Bay and the Everglades on the bay side, mangrove shorelines and channels for snook, redfish and tarpon. The flats are shallow sand and grass where guides sight-fish for bonefish and permit. Islamorada guides fish both, often on the same trip.
Can you keep fish on a backcountry trip?
Some. Redfish and snook can be kept inside their slot limits and seasons, but tarpon and bonefish are catch and release only, and most guides release almost everything. If you want fish for dinner, book a reef trip.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in Islamorada?
Islamorada Charters Fishing is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.
Islamorada Charters Fishing takes no bookings and earns nothing from a click. You book with the operator directly.