World-Class Inshore Fishing in Islamorada, FL

Reel in Adventure: 4-Hour Islamorada Fishing

Get ready to cast your line into the rich waters of Islamorada with Native Son Charters. Our 4-hour trip is perfect for anglers looking to squeeze in some quality fishing without burning a whole day. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time holding a rod, we've got you covered. We'll cruise the flats and backwaters, giving you a shot at some of the most sought-after gamefish in the Florida Keys. It's a quick hit of fishing that packs a serious punch!

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we push off from the dock, you're in for a treat. We'll zip through the crystal-clear shallows, keeping an eye out for rolling tarpon and tailing bonefish. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so we'll put you right where the action is. You might be sight-casting to a cruising permit one minute, then battling a hard-fighting snook the next. We provide all the gear, so all you need to bring is your game face and maybe a snack to keep your energy up.

Techniques That Hook

On this trip, we'll use a mix of light tackle and fly fishing techniques, depending on what's biting and your preference. We might start off chunking live bait for tarpon, then switch to skipping jigs under the mangroves for snook. If the conditions are right, we could even break out the fly rods for some technical sight fishing on the flats. Don't worry if you're new to these methods – our guides are patient teachers and will have you casting like a pro in no time.

Customer Stories

"Well unfortunately our experience with Capt Cory wasn't so good. We arrived at the marina at 6:40 and started looking for him and finally at 7:50 I went to the folks working at the. marina store and they called him. He pulls up in his boat right at 7am and has to then get bait at the marina. When we meet him he asks " What kind of fishing do we want to do today"? I responded with we want to do the fishing we signed up for on his website, which was backcountry sport fishing with fly rods. He indicated that I "picked" the wrong boat for the trip since we had 3 people. I told him I didn't have a boat option on the website just the number of people we could choose. I thought the whole intro was weird as we clearly picked out the trip we wanted and had 3 people listed. Well we learned lated in the trip that Cory doesn't read his emails from the website telling him what people have booked. So he didn't know we wanted backcountry, he didn't have fly fishing rods and he was late and didn't have bait. So as you can imagine, we didn't catch anything. We focused on Tarpon but I think we were too late to Tarpon fish as they are early eaters. He didn't have enough Bobers either and we met with another boat to pick some more up. We eventually went to a little lagoon on the Ocean side that was surrounded by private property, which I think was his last resort. Whether it was legal or not I am not sure. So we fished this little area for about 45 minutes and got a 4 bites but all 4 lines broke when dealing them into the boat. Capt Cory only had 20lb test line on our rods and he said it just wasn't enough to hole the Tarpon??? Nice Kid but needs to be organized and more professional." - david

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook: These hard-fighting linesiders are a favorite among Islamorada anglers. They love to hang out around mangrove shorelines and bridge pilings, ambushing bait as it swims by. Snook are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps, making them a blast to catch on light tackle. Spring and fall are prime times to target these bad boys, but they can be caught year-round if you know where to look.

Tarpon: The "silver king" is the crown jewel of Florida Keys fishing. These prehistoric beasts can grow over 150 pounds and put on an aerial show that'll leave you breathless. We target them mostly in the spring and early summer when they migrate through the area, but resident fish can be found year-round. Watching a 100-pound tarpon inhale your bait and then launch itself six feet in the air is something you'll never forget.

Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy-looking teeth fool you – these striped bandits are tough customers. They hang around structure like docks and bridges, using their chompers to crush crabs and barnacles. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so hooking one takes finesse and patience. They're most active in the cooler months and make for some fantastic eating if you decide to keep a few for dinner.

Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored beauties are a staple of Islamorada backcountry fishing. They love to cruise the flats and mangrove shorelines, often revealing their presence with a waving tail as they root for crabs in the shallows. Redfish put up a dogged fight, especially on light tackle or fly gear. Fall is prime time for big schools of redfish, but you can catch them all year long.

Permit: If you're looking for a challenge, permit are your fish. These wary creatures have excellent eyesight and are notoriously picky eaters. Catching one on fly is considered the pinnacle of flats fishing. We find them tailing on the flats or hanging around offshore wrecks. Spring and summer are the best seasons for permit, but with our mild climate, there's always a chance to hook into one of these elusive gamefish.

Bonefish: Known as the "gray ghost" of the flats, bonefish are prized for their blistering runs and challenging sight-fishing opportunities. These sleek speedsters can hit speeds of 40 mph when hooked, often taking you well into your backing. We target them on the shallow flats, where they feed on crabs and shrimp. Spring and fall offer the best shots at big bones, but they're around all year in the Keys.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it – this 4-hour trip is a straight-up fishing fix that'll leave you wanting more. We've packed all the excitement of a full-day charter into a half-day window, perfect for those of you with busy schedules or families to entertain. You'll get a taste of what makes Islamorada fishing world-famous without breaking the bank or burning a whole vacation day. So why wait? Grab your spot now, and let's get out there and bend some rods. The fish are biting, and the tide's just right – all we need is you!