Everglades Fish & Wildlife
SNOOK
Catching a big snook has been likened to dropping a grenade in a garbage can, hopping inside, and pulling on the lid. These fish are explosive hard hitting, knockdown drag out fighters. They jump like a tarpon, hit like a freight train and pull like a tuna. An all around perfect gamefish. We might come across these fish near mangrove islands, in deep channels, or even on mud flats during certain times of the season.
REDFISH
Seeing a giant redfish wave its tail above of the water is a sight most people’s knees begin to shake at. It’s been said that the Redfish was made by God to be caught on a fly rod. These fish fight hard and can grow to a huge size. They readily eat flies if well placed. They can be found on mud flats, oyster bars, seagrass beds, and mangrove shorelines. They also eat artificials, live & dead bait and often show up in the most unexpected places.
TARPON
There’s a reason why Tarpon are called the silver king. They look as if they are chiseled from a block of Ice. Full grown ones can be over 8ft long and can weigh in at over 200lbs. Their jumps have been recorded as going longer than an Olympic long jumper and as high as 10ft. These are truly spectacular fish and full grown ones are a fish of a life time. I remember every Tarpon I’ve ever caught on my boat and each one was special.
SPECKLED SEA TROUT
Sea trout are excellent fighting fish and highly abundant in the winter months. They taste great and swim in big schools. One thing that makes the seatrout unique is their brightly orange colored mouths and their vampire like two front teeth. Sea trout have very soft mouths so it’s important to play them with finesse so as not to rip the hook out of their mouths. I often tell my clients to stick the rod tip in the water when fighting a trout as they are very effective at shaking the hook free.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
The largemouth bass is hands down the most popular game fish in North America. And that’s good news because the Everglades has a lot of them. These green swamp creatures are highly efficient predators and are equally as ferocious. They will slam an artificial, topwater, spinner, crankbait, live bait, fly like no other fish. Largemouth bass are keenly sought after by anglers and are noted for the excitement of their 'fight,' and will often become airborne after being caught.
JACK
Hands down pound for pound one of the hardest fighting fish in the backcountry. With the power of a GT in a smller package, Jack Crevalles are as hard fighting a fish as you'll meet. Like tuna, they don't jump, but when one slams your bait there is no question as to what's happening. Jacks are voracious predators, which feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans, and are thought to spawn offshore throughout most of the year. They range in size and can weigh up to 20lbs.
OTHER WILDLIFE YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER:
Snapper
Triple Tail
Bonefish
Baracuda
Sharks
Lady Fish
Goliath Grouper
Peacock Bass
Florida Gar
Saltwater Crocodile
Dolphin
Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Herons
Osprey
Alligator
Manatee
Eels