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Premier Key Largo Back Country Fishing Charter
- Published Date: October 30, 2025
- Fishing
- Florida
- Updated Date: December 10, 2025
Summary
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Backwater Battles
Key Largo's Hidden Honey Holes: 6-Hour Backwater Bonanza
Ready to ditch the crowds and chase some real Florida gold? Our 6-hour Key Largo backwater trip takes you deep into the mangrove mazes where the big boys play. We're talking primo spots for snook, tarpon, and redfish that'll test your drag and make your arms ache (in the best way). With Back Bone Charters, you're not just fishing – you're getting the full Keys experience, minus the tourist traps. So grab your hat and let's go where the fish are biting and the scenery's straight off a postcard.
What's the Deal?
Picture this: You and up to three buddies, cruising through crystal-clear shallows, sight-casting to tailing reds or working mangrove edges for snook. We've got six solid hours to play, which means we can hop around to different spots, switch up tactics, and really dial in on what's hot. Maybe we'll start by chucking topwaters for explosive snook bites, then switch to live bait for some permit action later. The extra time lets us get creative and adapt to what the fish are doing. And the best part? It's all happening in protected waters, so you don't need sea legs to have a blast.
How We Roll
This ain't your grandpa's bait-and-wait fishing. We're talking light tackle, sight fishing, and run-and-gun action. Depending on the day, we might be poling across skinny water flats, tossing flies to rolling tarpon, or working creek mouths for schooling redfish. Don't sweat the gear – we've got top-notch rods, reels, and tackle all set up and ready to go. Never touched a fishing rod before? No worries. Our guides are patient teachers who'll have you casting like a pro in no time. And if you're an old salt looking to dial in your technique, we've got plenty of tricks up our sleeve to keep things interesting.
Fish on the Menu
Key Largo's backwaters are like a all-you-can-catch buffet of gamefish. Let's break down what's likely to be tugging on your line:
Snook: These bruisers are the kings of structure. They love to ambush bait around mangrove roots and oyster bars. Expect explosive strikes and drag-screaming runs. Best of all, they're year-round residents, so there's always a chance at a trophy linesider.
Tarpon: The silver king is the holy grail of flats fishing. These prehistoric beasts can top 100 pounds and put on an acrobatic show like no other. Spring and early summer are prime time, but we see resident juveniles year-round in the backcountry.
Redfish: With their copper color and signature tail spot, redfish are perfect for sight fishing. They love to cruise the flats, tailing as they root for crabs. Fall and winter are peak seasons, but we catch them all year.
Permit: The permit is the ultimate challenge on the flats. Spooky, smart, and strong as hell, hooking one of these giants is a real feather in your cap. Spring and summer offer the best shots at these coveted gamefish.
Bonefish: Speed demons of the flats, bonefish will make your reel sing. They're not as common as in the Bahamas, but that makes landing one even sweeter. Fall is prime time for bones in the Keys.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Look, there's a reason they call this the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. Where else can you target five different slam species in a single day? Our backwater trips give you a shot at fish that other folks only dream about, all while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in Florida. And because we're working protected waters, the action stays hot even when the offshore winds are howling. It's the perfect mix of quantity and quality – plenty of shots at fish, with the potential for that catch of a lifetime always on the line.
Time to Get Your Lines Wet
So there you have it, folks. Six hours of world-class fishing in some of the most productive waters this side of paradise. Whether you're looking to check a bucket list species off your list or just want to bend a rod and make some memories, our Key Largo backwater trip delivers the goods. Remember, we're limited to four anglers max, so these trips fill up fast – especially during peak seasons. Don't miss your shot at Key Largo's hidden honey holes. Give us a call, lock in your date, and get ready for a day on the water you won't soon forget. The fish are waiting – are you ready to meet 'em?
Learn more about the species
Bonefish
Bonefish are the ghosts of Key Largo's flats. These sleek speedsters typically run 3-5 pounds, with silvery sides that blend perfectly with the sandy bottom. You'll find them tailing and mudding on shallow flats as the tide floods. Spring and fall offer the best shots when water temps are ideal. Bones are prized for their blistering runs - hook one and it'll peel 100 yards of line before you can blink. While not valued as food, the sight fishing challenge keeps anglers coming back. To land a bone, you need stealth and accuracy. Wade quietly or pole a skiff onto the flats and look for nervous water or muds. A small shrimp fly or jig worked slowly often does the trick. When you spot fish, make a long cast ahead of them and let your offering sink. A tiny twitch is all it takes to trigger a strike.
Permit
Permit are the holy grail of Key Largo's flats. These wary, disc-shaped fish average 10-20 pounds but can top 40. You'll spot them cruising sandy areas and grass flats, often in just inches of water. Spring and fall offer the best shots as permit move onto the flats to feed. Landing one is a true test of an angler's skill - they have incredible eyesight and spook at the slightest mistake. But the challenge is addictive, and their powerful runs on light tackle are unforgettable. While not known as table fare, permit are prized for the sport. To fool one, you need stealth and precision. Try a small crab pattern fly or a live crab on a light leader. Make a long, accurate cast well ahead of the fish and let it sit. When the permit approaches, give the crab a tiny twitch and hold on.
Redfish
Redfish are the bulldogs of Key Largo's shallows. These copper-colored brutes average 5-10 pounds but can push 40. Look for their distinctive tail fins waving above the surface as they root for crabs in water barely deep enough to cover their backs. Fall and winter are prime seasons when big schools invade the flats. Redfish offer steady action and pull like freight trains when hooked. Their light, sweet meat is fantastic on the grill too. To find them, cruise mangrove shorelines and oyster bars during high tides, watching for nervous water or mud clouds. A gold spoon or scented soft plastic worked slowly along the bottom often triggers strikes. When you see a group tailing, make a quiet approach and place your cast just ahead of them for best results.
Snook
Snook are a prized catch in Key Largo's backwaters. These sleek predators usually run 1-3 feet long, with a distinctive black lateral line and protruding lower jaw. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, bridges, and docks in shallow, brackish areas. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are ideal. Snook put up an amazing fight, making sudden runs and aerial leaps when hooked. Their delicate white meat is a local delicacy, but strict regulations protect the population. To land a snook, try working a soft plastic jerk bait or live pilchard along mangrove shorelines during incoming tides. Let the bait sink, then give it twitches to mimic an injured baitfish. Snook often strike as the lure falls, so stay alert for that telltale thump on the line.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of Key Largo's flats. These prehistoric giants can top 6 feet and 150 pounds, with shimmering scales and a massive, upturned mouth. Look for them rolling and gulping air in channels and basins, especially during their spring and early summer spawn. Tarpon offer world-class sight fishing - spotting a school, making the perfect cast, and watching a 100-pounder inhale your fly is pure adrenaline. When hooked, they unleash spectacular aerial displays and blistering runs. While not prized for eating, the challenge of landing one keeps anglers coming back. To up your odds, fish the bridges on strong tides with live crabs or mullet. Let the bait drift naturally and hang on tight when that giant silver flash erupts on your offering.
About the Backbone
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 43
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 115
