Inshore (Backcountry) Fishing

We offer full day (8 hour), half day (4 hour), or evening tarpon (4 hour) trips.  Most trips are based on 2 persons, though some boats can take up to 3 or 4 persons.
Please check individual guide boat pages for pricing, and please remember some boats may charge more that are larger and/or take more people.  Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Expeditions offer the light tackle enthusiast a chance to capture an amazing variety of gamefish. Here’s our list of guides that will increase their chances with their experience.  Click names for info. Highlighted rows are larger vessels (bay boats).  They can take more people comfortably and cost more (prices on individual page)!

Skiff Boats

GuideMax AnglersMakeMotorInshore full day priceHalf Day
Jake Turek217' Maverick115 hp$900.00$600.00
Max Gaspeny3Young250 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Tyler Valles217 Hells Bay150 HP$900.00$600.00
Nate Blackburn318 Hells Bay150 hp$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Cory Nelson318 Hells Bay115 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Jimi Fickling3$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Bill Bassett3Maverick115 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Chris Daly3Hell’s Bay Marquesa150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Eric Ehlers3Silver King90 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Jeff Oughton3Missing info150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Jim Willcox3Action Craft150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
John Johansen3Seacraft200 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Mark Hlis2Hells Bay70 HP$900.00$600.00
Mike Bassett3Dolphin150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Mike Nichols3Dolphin150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Mike Venezia3Action Craft150 HP$950.00 (3rd person – add $200.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Perry Scuderi3Action Craft150 HP$950.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)
Ted Wilson3Maverick150 HP$900.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)$600.00 (3rd person – add $100.00)

-Prices subject to change without notice-

Bay Boats

Bay boats are larger, more comfortable, great for larger groups of 3 or 4. Can’t go quite as shallow, but offer more opportunities especially when wind is blowing.

GuideMax AnglersMakeMotorInshore full day priceHalf Day
Mike Walter4Lake & Bay300 HP$1300.00$800.00
Dave Morris4Gold Line300 HP$1300.00$800.00
Trentin Leary422 SeaCraft200 HP$1200.00$800.00
Cory Nelson (Bay Boat)426 Pathfinder300 HP$1300.00$800.00
James Klein4Pathfinder250 hp$1300.00$800.00
Stephen Byrd425 Contender Bay300 HP$1335.00$935.00
Rick Stanczyk323 Contender Nay300 HP$1535.00 up to 3 peoplen/a THOUGH off-season (July thru February) rate of $1335.00 for full day
Bruce Pollock4Bay Boat200 HP$1300.00$800.00
Vinnie Biondoletti3Sportsman150 HP$1100.00$700.00

-Prices subject to change without notice-

Deposits

$200.00 – per trip for Backcountry Charters

  • Deposits are required at the time reservations are made. All payments are subject to a 4% booking fee.
  • We have a 30 day cancellation policy. If you cancel outside the 30 day window of your reservation date your deposit will be refunded, less a 10% cancellation fee.
  • If reservations are cancelled inside the 30 day window of your reservation date your entire deposit would be non refundable.
  • Trips cancelled within 24 hours of departure or ‘no shows’ will be charged in full.
  • In case of severe weather, the captain will decide to either delay, reschedule, or cancel the trip. In the event the trip is cancelled, the deposit will be refunded, less a the original 4% booking fee.
  • 4% fee on balances paid through marina office, though this can be avoided by bringing cash/check directly for captain. Most captains take credit card but please check beforehand to make sure.

Fly fishing, spin, or plug tackle enthusiasts can enjoy some of the most exciting “skinny” water fishing trips in the wide world of angling.

The confluence of the Everglades, Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean provide the perfect habitat for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Redfish and Trout on the seemingly endless flats that are only minutes away from the dock.

The acrobatic antics of a possible world record “Silver King,” the screaming drags that signal the sizzling runs of Bonefish and the nearly nonstop action of Trout and Ladyfish are just some of the excitements you can expect when you fish with our world renown Islamorada Backcountry Guides.

Florida Tarpon Fishing is truly spectacular! Many guides also fish the Gulf of Mexico at certain times of year for cobia, mackerel, goliath groupers, permit, triple tail, and other species.

Being located in Islamorada offers both the great fishing of the Everglades National Park and the Gulf.

Sometimes the fishing on the oceanside is particularly good as well, the flats hold bonefish and tarpon, as well as some of the shallow ‘patch’ reefs for snapper, grouper, mackerel, and yellowtail. All are options on a Florida Keys Flats Fishing expedition.

Guidelines

Maximum 3 Persons Per Skiff (sorry, no exceptions)
Maximum 3 or 4 Persons Per Bay Boat (check individual page)

If you have any special requests (i.e. target certain fish, flyfishing, visiting a certain area, etc…) our guides can accommodate you, however you must let us know at time of booking in order to notify the guide so they can bring the proper equipment.

Boat provides:

  • Fishing License/Permit
  • Bait and Tackle
  • Fillet Bags
  • Expertise
  • Cooler with Ice

You provide:

  • Your own food and drinks
  • Sun Lotion or Block
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Light Sole Shoes
  • Camera
  • Gratuity of 15% to 20% is customary

Fishing Reports

5 star ratingCaptain Dylan Bryant and DH Craiger are fish catching studs. Aggressive pros who slam them. Mahi and yellow tail snapper fishing was freaking awesome! This is the Captain and deckhand you want. Do what Captain Dylan tells you and bring home some tasty fish. Great fun trip!!!
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hooksetinc Avatar
hooksetinc
6/09/2024
5 star ratingMy grandson's saltwater fly-fishing triumph. Mt grandson and I did a full day charter with Capt Nate Blackburn. We targeted Salt water fly-fishing. My grandson really wanted a Shark. Capt Nate put him on at least 7 sharks and he had 2 solid takers. He also caught Barracuda, Jack Cravelle, Redfish, Snapper and a large Sheepshead, all on his fly rod. I had a blast with Spinning tackle. We caught 40 to 50 fish overall. We saw a Bald Eagle and a large saltwater crocodile! We have a Life time of memories. Capt Nate knows how to fish this area!
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John M Avatar
John M
1/09/2024
5 star ratingExcellent!!! We went out on Buzz On with Captain Aaron and his outstanding mate Mason! They both made sure we were well taken care of and made this an outstanding fishing trip. I was there to knock Mahi off my "fish bucket list". They made sure to make it happen.
I will be a repeat customer of Buzz On.
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Kimberly Hummert S. Avatar
Kimberly Hummert S.
9/17/2020