Florida Bay, the largest body of water within Everglades National Park, contains over 800 square miles (2072 square km) of marine bottom, much of which is covered by submerged vegetation. Sea grass and algae provide shelter and sustenance to numerous marine organisms, which in turn sustain the food chain that supports all higher vertebrates in the bay.
The hard bottom areas of the bay are home to corals and sponges, and lure anglers from around the world to try their luck with rod and reel. In fact, a wide variety of commercial and recreational important fish, crustaceans, and mollusks thrive within the estuarine environments of the Everglades. The continued health of these marine environments is important in sustaining productive fisheries outside park boundaries. (From the NPS.gov website)
TWELVE FACTS ABOUT THE EVERGLADES
1. The Everglades comprise the largest wetlands located in the lower 48 states in the U.S.A.
2. While it is often described as a swamp or forested wetland, the Everglades is actually a very slow-moving river.
3. Once spread out over 8 million acres, the Everglades ecosystem reaches from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee where waters from the lake slowly moved south toward Florida Bay completing the Everglades ecosystem.
4. Native Americans living in and around the river called it Pahayokee (pah-HIGH-oh-geh), the "grassy waters."
5. Birds were so plentiful in the Everglades that it was said they “darkened the sky” when they took flight.
6. America’s Everglades are home to 67 threatened or endangered species.
7. Just months after Florida became a state in 1845, the legislature took the first steps that would lead to draining the Everglades.
8. Periphyton, the mossy golden-brown substance that is found floating in bodies of water throughout the Everglades, is the dominant life form in the River of Grass ecosystem.
9. The Everglades is the only place in the world where the American Alligator and the American Crocodile co-exist in the wild.
10. Mosquitoes play a vitally important link in the Everglades food chain. The larvae of grown mosquitoes provide food for a variety of native fish that are critical to the diet of wading birds.
11. The Everglades is a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
12. The ubiquitous grassy plants known as saw grass (a sedge), feature serrated, razor-edged blades of grass that are so sharp, they have been known to cut through clothing.
On 30 May 1934, an Act was passed authorizing a park to be acquired through public donations. Everglades National Park was to be "...wilderness, (where) no development ... or plan for the entertainment of visitors shall be undertaken which will interfere with the preservation intact of the unique flora and fauna of historic values the essential primitive natural conditions now prevailing in this area." This mandate to preserve wilderness and its biota is one of the strongest in the legislative history of the National Park System. Thirteen years later, through a combination of federal, state and private lands, a vast wetland teeming with life were dedicated as a national park. Everglades was the first national park preserved primarily for its abundance and variety of life.
Backcountry Slam – Snook-Redfish-Trout
Snook - The local backcountry offers some excellent Snook fishing. The average size is 5 to 9 pounds and 24-34 inches. You will find them around bridges, mangroves, pilings just about any structure. They eat Mullet, Shrimp, Pilchards, Pinfish and a multitude of artificial lures or combinations of live and dead bait.
Redfish - Redfish love the warm waters of south Florida, the oyster beds, mangroves, and grassy flats are their regular haunts. They are prolific, and definitely not timid when it comes to eating - Which makes them a great sport fish for light tackle and fly-fishing. Redfish are often seen "tailing" (very similar to bonefish) on the shallow flats as they feed.
Seatrout - Seatrout are frequently targeted from December to April. When fishing for them you can use the old standby a popping cork rig with a shrimp or artificial hanging below the cork. Remember Pop the cork Sea Trout come to the gurgling sound the cork makes.Sea Trout are found over grassy bottom and in the"muds" that is muddy areas where the bait is routing in the bottom stirring up shrimp and small fishes.
Flats Slam – Bonefish-Tarpon-Permit
Bonefish (“Grey Ghost”) - Known for very fast and very long first runs, this is probably the species most synonymous with Florida flats fishing. There is a reason why they are called "gray ghost of the flats" and are a real light tackle challenge. Here in the Keys, bonefish generally average in the 6 to 8 pound range with fish of 10 to 12 or larger not uncommon. They are usually fished in water less than two feet deep, and sometimes are seen so shallow that their tails and dorsal fins show as they root out food from the bottom. This is called "tailing" and is the most demanding of angler skills. Bonefish prefer water temperatures over 72 degrees, but can sometimes be found in slightly cooler conditions.
Tarpon (“Silver King”) - These incredible fish offer the ultimate in a shallow water big game fish. During the spring migrations, fish can average from 80 to over 150 pounds. They can be found rolling and feeding in deep backcountry finger channels, in shallow grassy basins or along the edges of bars and flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. Tarpon tend to prefer water temps in the mid 70's for the channels and usually need 78-79 degrees for the flats. The big fish are here in good to excellent numbers from March through July and small tarpon 8-20 pounds are here year-round, disappearing during cold fronts in winter.
Permit - The permit is a very strong and hard fighting fish, averaging 8 to 16 pounds. Fish in the 20 to 35 pound range are common with fish to near 50 pounds showing fairly often. They seem to tolerate slightly cooler and slightly warmer conditions than the bones, and are also here all year with February thru November probably being most productive. Permit are usually found in waters less than 3 to 4 feet deep and will also float in channels or off flat edges in calm situations.
Charter Fishing Tips
Who's going? Is everyone fishing? Find out who in your party is ready for the trip and get a head count. Is everyone fishing or are some just tagging along to get some sun or to watch other bring in the big one. This will be an important question to ask prior to booking the Charter. Note: a Charter runs from 4 to 8 hours on the open Water so for those who have difficulty with the motion of the Boat remember there is no turning back because the others on the Boat paid to go fishing and time is money for the Captain. Get some motion sickness medicine before heading out.
What's your Budget? Great everyone is coming! Now we need to prepare for what we are willing to spend. A lot will depend on the type of fishing you plan on doing. Fishing Guides (fish inland and coastal Waterways) can take out one to three people and prices can range from $120 to $550 per day per trip. Private Fishing Charter (fish on large inland Waterways, coastal bays and off-shore) will let you rent the Boat with a full-crew for a half day or full day with prices ranging from $250 to $1200 per day per trip for up to six people at a time. Now the least expense Charter Fishing adventure is in way of what they call a "Head Boat" or a Deep Sea Fishing Boat head off-shore due to there size; can take out 20 to 60 people at a time and charge $30 to $80 per person. Note: pricing depends on the seasonality of the location; for example: Florida and the Caribbean in the winter months will be at premium rates versus summer months. Also ask what the price includes such as gas, gratuities, any taxes or fees, bait, drinking water, etc... if there is nothing included in the price find out the extras.
Start Shopping! What type of fishing are you looking for - inland and coastal Waterways or off-shore? A Fishing Guide will be the one to take you out on inland and coastal Waterways including backcountry fishing. The advantage a Guide has is there is only 2 or 3 people on the Boat, less rocking motion on the Water then off-shore or large bays and there is more to see and explore. Charter Fishing Captain would be the one to take you out off-shore in the deep blue ocean. The advantage a Charter Rental has is more people with bait in the Water the more opportunity to catch fish, catch larger fish including sharks, off-shore Boats are larger with typically a head (toilet), beverage bar/snacks and you’ll usually catch a quantity of fish not always quality. Which do you prefer? Go with the one that is right for you.
Once you find a Guide or Charter ask some questions... This is a sure way of not missing anything and choosing the right Charter or Guide prior to cutting the check and making the commitment.
Is there any cost for someone who isn't fishing but wants to ride along?
Are you kid friendly?
Is the boat in compliance with Coast Guard and state safety regulations?
In the event of bad weather, is the deposit (if any) refundable?
Is a fishing license required?
Is a head (bathroom) on-board?
Do you have or sell beverages on-board?
Are cooler allowed with your own food and drink?
Is it catch and release or can we keep a legal catch?
Can you fillet the catch and if so is there a fee?
Can I bring my own fishing tackle?
Quantity or Quality? Inform them of your preference.
Once you write down these responses it up to you on whether a Guide or Charter is right for you. If you don't feel comfortable with their responses, keep searching for another Guide or Charter.
Book it! Congratulations you found the right Charter, now let's guarantee the date and time. But before you cut the check and make the commitment find out about the deposit and cancellation policy. How much deposit is required to hold the Boat and if you need to cancel or change your date what is the latest you can do this without forfeiting your deposit? Note: most Charters don't accept credit cards; only cash and some will take a personal check. Ask before showing up at the dock with your plastic; this could be your shortest fishing trip ever!
What to Bring with you... Charter Boats and Guides will bring the basics such as fishing equipment, tackle, ice and bait and even some will provide food and beverages (check this out before packing for the day) so here are essentials you can be without:
Sunscreen is a must - even under shade the glare from the Water can burn you.
Camera - you must record the big one! And of course the great experience you have.
Weather appropriate outerwear - check the weather forecast before heading out.
Sunglasses & hat or visor - this will help with the glare; try polarized glasses this allows you too see just below the surface.
Food - plenty of snacks and a big lunch to keep the energy up.
Cooler - bring Water but really at the end of the day you need something to bring your catch home.
And just in case - motion sickness medication.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (sneakers or croc's are fine)
Catch & Release or can you bring Fish home? This is entirely up to you. Are you in it for the sport or are you looking for dinner? Whichever you decided the Charter Crew or Guide will provide instructions on how to release the fish properly for its safe return to the depths or to ensure you're catching the legal size and limit (amount) of the type of fish your hauling in.
