Chokoloskee Fishing Charters
Chokoloskee fishing charters put you right on the edge of Everglades backcountry, with quick runs to mangrove creeks, shallow bays, and nearshore Gulf waters teeming with snook, tarpon, redfish, and more.
Top Rated Charters in Chokoloskee
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Chokoloskee, FL Fishing Guide
Tucked at the end of the road in Southwest Florida, Chokoloskee is a hardcore angler’s gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands and the remote Everglades backcountry. Most fishing charters here are inshore or backcountry trips, running half-day or full-day depending on the tide, weather, and how deep into the maze your captain wants to push. This isn’t beach-resort fishing—this is skinny water, oyster bars, and miles of mangrove tunnel that reward stealth and precision.
Captains typically launch from Chokoloskee Island Park Marina or Everglades City, with short runs into prime zones like Rabbit Key Basin, Huston River, and Oyster Bay. Expect long drifts, poling, or slow trolling through creeks and island cuts, using live pilchards, shrimp, or soft plastics on light tackle. Fly fishing is also big here, especially for laid-up tarpon or tailing reds. Winter and early spring bring cooler water and a sheepshead, snapper, and black drum bite. As things warm up, tarpon push through and snook explode along the shorelines.
Chokoloskee inshore fishing is all about reading the tide, working structure, and knowing where the freshwater meets salt. Don’t expect cell service deep in the glades—but do expect your captain to know every channel, wind ripple, and baitfish flicker. If you’re chasing a Grand Slam (snook, redfish, tarpon), this is one of the best places in the country to pull it off.
Fishing Seasons in Chokoloskee
Spring
As water temps rise, snook and redfish feed more aggressively in the bays and creeks. Tarpon start showing in bigger numbers, especially along the outside points. Most captains focus on early morning outgoing tides with live bait or well-placed flies.
Summer
Peak tarpon season hits full swing—both resident and migratory fish. Expect early morning launches to beat the heat and target rolling fish near river mouths and outer bays. Snook stack up around points and deep cuts. Rain can make the bite unpredictable, but the fishing can be electric.
Fall
One of the most underrated times to fish Chokoloskee. Water is still warm, the crowds thin out, and the fish are feeding hard before winter. Snook and redfish school up, and juvenile tarpon are a real shot in the smaller creeks. Great time for artificials and fly.
Winter
Cooler water pushes sheepshead, snapper, and black drum into the mix. Snook stay tucked in the rivers and creeks, but still eat on warmer days. Windy fronts can limit access to outside bays, but the backcountry remains fishable and productive with shrimp or slow jigs.
Gamefish in Chokoloskee
- Snook – 20–40 inches Targeted in mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and oyster bars using live pilchards, shrimp, or topwater plugs. Best on moving tide.
- Redfish – 18–30 inches Caught around oyster bars, flats, and mangrove pockets. Crush cut bait, soft plastics, and spoons on rising tide.
- Tarpon – 20–100+ lbs Found rolling in bays and outside passes March–August. Fly or live bait presentations; early morning and calm conditions key.
- Black Drum – 2–20 lbs More common in winter; found in creeks and around structure. Bait with shrimp or crab on bottom rigs.
- Sheepshead – 1–5 lbs Winter target around rocks, pilings, and oyster clusters. Use small hooks with shrimp or fiddler crabs.
- Mangrove Snapper – 1–3 lbs Year-round action in channels and creek mouths; fish live shrimp or cut bait near structure.
Chokoloskee Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license for charters in Chokoloskee?
No, you’re covered under your guide’s license for all saltwater trips originating in Chokoloskee.
What kind of boat is best for backcountry fishing here?
Most Chokoloskee captains use shallow-draft skiffs or bay boats designed for maneuvering tight creeks and oyster-studded flats.
Where do fishing charters launch from?
Most trips leave from Chokoloskee Island Park Marina or occasionally Everglades City, depending on tide and weather.
What should I bring for a trip in this area?
Polarized sunglasses, sun protection, water, and bug spray are essentials. Your guide usually provides all rods, tackle, and bait.
How far do you run on a typical trip?
Backcountry trips rarely run more than 10–15 miles, but it can feel like another world once you’re inside the glades.
Is fly fishing popular in Chokoloskee?
Yes—especially for tarpon and redfish. Many local guides specialize in fly-only charters for experienced anglers.
What’s the best time of year for tarpon?
May through July is prime time for big migratory fish, but resident tarpon can be caught from March through October.
Can you fish during winter cold fronts?
Yes, though you’ll likely be fishing deeper creeks and slower-moving species like drum and sheepshead. Guides adjust accordingly.
Are trips kid-friendly or beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. Many captains run family trips targeting easy species like snapper or sheepshead, with calm water and short runs.