Charter Fishing Trip Information

Captain Henry specializes in backcountry charter fishing trips in Key Largo and the Everglades National Park as well as patch reef fishing trips on the shallow reef. Here you will find all the information you need for your charter fishing trip but please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Cancellation Policy

When you book a charter fishing trip with me or any other charter fishing guide, we block that time period off and nobody else can book that day or time. It is basically impossible to fill that time slot on short notice if the trip is cancelled that close to the trip date. If you need to cancel or modify your charter fishing booking, please let me know as soon as possible. Cancellations need to be done more than 48 hours before the trip. If you cancel/modify the trip less than 48 hours before the trip, your card will be charged 50% of the total amount.

In case or unsafe weather, the trip will be cancelled and you will not be charged. If you already made a payment, you will receive a full refund. Unsafe weather is determined only by the captain. Rain by itself is usually not a reason to cancel however, when winds are over 20mph or if there are thunderstorms with lightning within 5 miles, we typically cancel the trip.

What is Backcountry Fishing?

“Backcountry Fishing” has a different meaning on where you fish. In the Florida Keys, it applies to the inshore mangrove islands, flats and creeks between the Florida Keys and the mainland. Generally, fishing the backcountry means fishing in fairly shallow waters that are anything from 1′ – 6′ deep. Because you will be fishing in shallow water, you can many times see the fish.

What is Patch Reef Fishing?

Patch Reef fishing is done in fairly shallow waters on the Atlantic side of the Keys. We typically fish for snappers in about 20-50 feet of water. Because we stay fairly close to the mainland, we do NOT fish for species like Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo or similar species. To fish for those species, you need to go on a much bigger offshore boat.

Everglades National Park Pass

Since we will be fishing inside the National park on the Inshore trips, you will need to buy an Everglades Park Pass before entering the Park, just as you would when entering any National Park by car. The Everglades Pass (Vehicle/Vessel pass) costs $35 and it includes everyone in your party. These passes can be bought at: www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74278 and are good for 7 days in case you want to revisit the Park again by vehicle

If you already have a National Park Pass like a “Senior Pass”, “Veterans Pass” or any of the “America the Beautiful” passes, you do not need to purchase any additional pass. All active and veteran military personnel are encouraged to get their free passes at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#america-the-beautiful-passes. These passes must be bought way in advance.

What is included?

  • Fishing Licenses
  • Fishing Tackle
  • Bottled Water
  • Ice
What to bring?
  • Sunglasses are mandatory for everyone on the boat. Even for kids. Please bring your own sunglasses.
  • Appropriate clothing for the sun. A hat, long sleeve fishing shirt, long fishing pants are highly recommended but not required.
  • Comfortable soft sole shoes. Please NO Flip-flops, boots, steel-toe boots or barefoot.
  • Light rain jacket in the summer months (optional).
  • Medications you cannot be without like asthma or allergy medications.
  • Food for trips over 4 hours. Please bring any kind of food like sandwiches, fruit or snacks. Please refrain from bringing potato chips or chocolates.
  • Mosquito WIPES. Bugs can sometimes be present during the rainy months. Please do not bring any aerosol or spray type bug repellents.
  • Sunscreen ROLL-ON type only. Aerosol or spray type sunscreen are NOT allowed on the boat.
What NOT to bring?
  • Alcohol or drugs are not allowed on the boat. Please make sure not to consume any alcohol/drugs at least 12 hours before the trip.
  • No Bulky bags or coolers. Space is very limited on the boat.
  • Tobacco products are not allowed on the boat.
  • No sunscreen sprays or lotions. Please apply sunscreen sprays or lotions before leaving the hotel room.
What about food?
  • You can bring food like sandwiches or fruit on 6 hour or longer trips.
  • No potato chips, fries, crackers, pizza, candy bars, sauces or any food that can stain the upholstery or gelcoat is allowed.
  • Its best to east before the trip (and go to the bathroom too)

Are kids allowed to fish?

Off Course! Kids are welcome as long as they are ok with being fairly still for a few hours on the boat. Space on a boat is very limited and there is not much room to walk around. Most kids do just fine however, if your kids are bouncing off the walls all the time, it might be better to wait until they are a little older before keeping them confined to a boat. The fish we catch in the Everglades are BIG, STRONG and FAST. Backcountry fishing is very hands-on and there is no sitting while fishing. Even adults can have a hard time reeling in a giant Snook or Jack!  This means that young kids typically need the parent to help them out the whole time. So parents, keep in mind that if you have younger kids on the boat, only the kids will fish (not the adults). When you bring young ones on the boat, it becomes all about them and making sure they have a blast while catching that big fish with mom or dad.

Alcohol, tobacco and sunscreen policy

My commercial insurance policy does not allow for any alcohol to be consumed on the boat, nor for it to be consumed before the trip. Fishing on a boat requires excellent balance skills. While fishing on the deck of the boat, you will be required to stand for long periods of time all while keeping your balance. As we all know…alcohol and balance don’t go together.

Sunscreens, especially the spray or oily types can cause damage to the gelcoat and upholstery of the boat. They will also cause the deck to be slippery and pose a safety risk on the boat. Please make sure to apply sunscreen before the trip and make sure to wash your hands with soap afterwards. However, if you have “roll-on” sunscreen you are welcome to bring it along. 

Bug Spays do not work very well in the backcountry. As with sunscreens, they pose a safety risk on the boat because they can cause the deck to be slippery. You can bring bug repellent WIPES if you are a bug magnet 

Cigarettes or any other tobacco products are not allowed on the boat. 

Types of fish we target

We generally try to get a mixed bag of fish including Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish, Jack Crevalle, Mangrove Snapper, Triple Tail and more

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Though we prefer to “catch and release” in order to maintain a sustainable fishery, we will allow certain species to be kept as long as they are within the legal size limits and in season. Some of the really good eating fish species are Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Triple Tail, Speckled Sea Trout and many more. However, we do NOT keep any Snook or Redfish even if they are in season.