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 ratingExcellent Fishing Charter w Capt. Trentin Leary I recently enjoyed a half-day fishing charter with Captain Trentin Leary, which was both enjoyable and successful. His extensive knowledge of the best fishing spots ensured we caught plenty of fish. We were happy to know that we had enough for lunch and dinner. Trentin's social nature and expert guidance made the experience educational and engaging. The scenic surroundings and a well-equipped boat added to the day's pleasure. I highly recommend Captain Trentin Leary for an unforgettable fishing adventure.
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Joshua Hugh W Avatar
Joshua Hugh W
12/24/2023
5 star ratingBuy all my bait, fuel and lunch here. Great staff and friendly owners.
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Tom P. Avatar
Tom P.
1/03/2015
5 star ratingI'm still going to give Bud & Mary's party boat five stars because I love the marina, the captain and the party boat itself 100% but for the first time in 7 to 8 years that I have been going on this boat I was a little disappointed with the crew. Ive never felt like they played favorites until yesterday. There was a particular customer that is also a regular and he and his family we're treated like royalty and others not so much. One of the other guest from out of town and I had a long conversation about it. It was definitely clear to all the other guest as well. I won't stop going on that boat because as I said I really like captain and love Bud n Mary's. My son worked in the service industry for years so I believe in tipping but I'll tip according to the way I'm treated as well.
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Carla F. Avatar
Carla F.
11/14/2021