Elite Everglades Fishing: 8-Hour Pro Challenge

Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip in Everglades

When you're ready to test your skills against some of the most challenging fishing waters in Florida, Mark Cherney's full day advanced trip puts you right in the heart of Everglades backcountry. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking eight solid hours of focused fishing in waters where every cast counts. You'll work narrow mangrove tunnels, shallow flats, and hidden pockets that most anglers never see. This is technical fishing at its finest, where precision beats power and local knowledge makes all the difference. If you've been fishing for years and want to push your game to the next level, this world-class adventure delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day starts early – and trust me, you'll want every minute of these eight hours. Mark knows these waters like his own backyard, and he'll have you working spots that don't show up on any map. We're talking about threading casts through mangrove branches so tight you'll swear there's no room for a lure to pass through. The Everglades backcountry is a maze of cuts, pockets, and flats where fish stack up if you know where to look. You'll spend time sight fishing on shallow flats where redfish cruise with their backs out of the water, then move to deeper cuts where snook ambush baitfish. This isn't about covering miles of water – it's about working each spot methodically and making every presentation count. The guest capacity maxes at two anglers, so you're getting premium attention and plenty of casting opportunities throughout the day.

Fly Rod and Light Tackle

Mark provides all the gear, but if you're the type who's particular about your setup, bring your own rod. We're talking fly fishing and light tackle techniques that require finesse over brute force. In the skinny water of the Everglades, a quiet presentation often means the difference between a hookup and spooking an entire school. You'll work topwater plugs at dawn when the water's glass calm, then switch to subsurface patterns as the sun climbs higher. Fly anglers will love the sight fishing opportunities – there's nothing like watching a redfish track your fly across a sandy flat. The mangrove shorelines demand accurate casting, sometimes threading a fly or lure through gaps barely wider than your rod tip. Mark will coach you through the technical aspects, helping you read water structure and adjust your approach based on tides, wind, and fish behavior.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook are the crown jewel of Everglades fishing, and for good reason. These fish are pure attitude – they'll slam a topwater plug with enough force to snap light leaders, then immediately head for the nearest mangrove root ball. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at snook, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes them special here is how they use structure. Every mangrove overhang, every dock piling, every fallen tree becomes potential snook habitat. They're ambush predators that require precise presentations, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who appreciate the technical challenge.

Black drum in the Everglades grow big and fight dirty. These bottom dwellers cruise shallow flats and mangrove edges, often in schools that can number in the dozens. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, when they move into skinny water to feed on crabs and shrimp. What guests love about targeting black drum is the combination of sight fishing opportunities and bulldogging fights. You'll see their tails waving above the surface as they root around in the mud, giving you a clear target for your cast. Once hooked, they use their bulk and the shallow water to their advantage, making powerful runs that test your drag system.

Tarpon represent the ultimate Everglades challenge. Even the juveniles here – ranging from 10 to 40 pounds – will test every aspect of your angling skills. Late spring through summer brings the best tarpon action, when they school up in backcountry basins and along mangrove shorelines. These fish are legendary for their jumping ability, and in shallow water, they put on an aerial show that's hard to match anywhere else. What makes tarpon fishing here special is the intimacy – instead of fighting 100-pound fish in open water, you're battling smaller tarpon in tight quarters where every jump and run becomes a tactical challenge.

Redfish are the bread and butter of Everglades fishing, and they're active year-round in these waters. What sets Everglades reds apart is how they adapt to the unique environment. You'll find them tailing on shallow flats, cruising mangrove shorelines, and schooled up in deeper pockets. Fall brings some of the best redfish action, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding aggressively. The sight fishing opportunities here are world-class – watching a redfish track your fly or lure across a clear flat never gets old, no matter how many times you've done it.

Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll humble any angler who underestimates their fighting power. These bruisers patrol Everglades waters year-round, often traveling in schools that create feeding frenzies when they encounter baitfish. Summer months see the most consistent jack action, when they push into shallow areas chasing glass minnows and pilchards. What guests love about jacks is their willingness to eat almost any presentation and their ability to strip line off your reel in seconds. They're perfect for testing your drag system and building confidence with new techniques.

Time to Book Your Spot

This top-rated advanced fishing experience fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing hits its stride. Mark's reputation for putting serious anglers on fish speaks for itself, and the eight-hour format gives you time to really work the water instead of rushing between spots. All licenses are included, so you just need to show up ready