Islamorada Flats And Backcountry

100% (5) Islamorada, FL 1 - 2 People 4 - 8 Hours From $600 Trip #4227


Guide:

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About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Get out there and join Captain GW on this picture-perfect fishing charter in Islamorada, FL! He's a long-time guide with a star-studded record of putting clients on new personal bests. Whether you're an old-timer or a first-timer, you'll have a blast out there while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Florida Keys. On this charter, you'll chase Keys classics on the fly or spin, including Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish! These species are challenging...

About Your Trip

Get out there and join Captain GW on this picture-perfect fishing charter in Islamorada, FL! He's a long-time guide with a star-studded record of putting clients on new personal bests. Whether you're an old-timer or a first-timer, you'll have a blast out there while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Florida Keys.

On this charter, you'll chase Keys classics on the fly or spin, including Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish! These species are challenging to catch, but they're world-famous for a reason, and you'll have the fight of your life when one's on the line.

You'll be on the water on a 17' Hells Bay Marquesa skiff that's ideal for flats fishing in the shallows. Sightcast right to tailing Permit from the casting deck up front, or cast off the side for passing Tarpon. Whatever you choose to target, you'll have Captain GW's expertise and guidance to back you up. Get out there and have a blast!
Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 4 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

4 Hours 6 Hours 8 Hours
1 Person
$600.00
$750.00
$900.00
2 People
$600.00
$750.00
$900.00
Pay $300 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.
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About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Gw
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Gw D.

Certified Damn Good Guide
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Independent Guide 28 years of exp.
Talkative
Laid-back
Instructional
Comfortable
Quality
Beginner Oriented
I am a south Florida native and Florida Keys Resident since 1994. I started my guiding career at age 21 in 1996. I have been guiding and Islamorada for close to three decades, and I still love every day on the water. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association. I started fishing the waters I guide in at age 6 in 1980, with my father. My father...

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Gw

Gw D.

Certified Damn Good Guide
Independent Guide 28 years of exp.
I am a south Florida native and Florida Keys Resident since 1994. I started my guiding career at age 21 in 1996. I have been guiding and Islamorada for close to three decades, and I still love every day on the water. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association.

I started fishing the waters I guide in at age 6 in 1980, with my father. My father was a true shallow water fisherman at heart. He loved sharing his knowledge with me. It’s been an absolute blessing to be able to spend my life on the water.

My main style of guiding is sight Fishing for snook and redfish and Shallow Water with Fly and light spin tackle. I also love targeting tarpon, permit, bonefish, sharks, trout, triple tail, and snapper. The beauty of my area as we have all of the species to target. All skill levels are welcome from novice to expert. Children and women are encouraged to come along.

I enjoy wildlife and nature photography, and spend a lot of time in the winter months photographing wading and shore birds. My favorite bird to photograph is the Roseate spoonbill. The flats and backcountry get absolutely loaded with birds during those months

My main goal is to ensure a relaxed, comfortable, and memorable day on the water. Join me, and let's have a great day fishing!
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
The largest fish I’ve ever caught that was weighed, was a 280 pound blue marlin when I was 17 years old.
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Dolphin in the Weeds! It was the signature dish at a restaurant in Islamorada called Bentleys.

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
The largest fish I’ve ever caught that was weighed, was a 280 pound blue marlin when I was 17 years old.
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Dolphin in the Weeds! It was the signature dish at a restaurant in Islamorada called Bentleys.
Whats your favorite band?
If I had to pick one to listen to the rest of my life, it would have to be Jimmy Buffett
Whats your favorite movie?
The original Jaws
Whats your favorite sports team?
The West Virginia mountaineers football
Whats your drink of choice?
Non-alcoholic would be an Arnold Palmer. I have taken a lot of ribbing for my beer of choice, Miller Genuine Draft
What do you want for Christmas this year?
To have all my family at my house. Which I’m happy to say worked out!
How did you get started guiding?
I actually started guiding before I was old enough to have a captains license. I grew up doing the kind of fishing I do now because when I got old enough to drive, I would take my friends that didn’t really fish much and “guide“ them I would also take my mothers friends from work husbands fishing, I would pick them up at the tackle shop I worked at and trailer down to flamingo, fish all day and trailer back to Fort Lauderdale for $75 a day, boy how times have changed!
What makes you different from other guides?
I am fortunate enough to guide on the same waters I’ve spent the last 43 years fishing. I would say I’m one of the few guides that really enjoys fishing with women, children and novices. It’s very rewarding to help people get more out of angling and experience through my instruction and experience.
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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.
You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.
Islamorada, Florida
Areas Fished
  • Florida Bay
  • Florida Keys
  • Everglades National Park
  • Key Largo

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Islamorada Flats and Backcountry
Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Hells Bay Marquesa
Year Built
2003
Boat Length
17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Hells Bay Marquesa
Year Built
2003
Boat Length
17'
Engine Manufacturer
Yamaha
Total Horsepower
115
Number of Engines
1
Additional Amenities
Removable custom casting platform/stool. Removable trolling motor. Live well. Built-in cooler.
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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 4 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

  • Artificial Lure Fishing
  • Fly Fishing
  • Light Tackle Fishing
  • Live Bait Fishing
  • Sight Casting
  • Topwater Fishing

Everything Else to Know

I have all tackle and licenses needed. If you have your own saltwater capable gear you’re welcome to bring it. Essential items are quality polarized sunglasses, dark brimmed hat or cap. Sun block, no aerosol please. Buff or bandana. Light rain gear that can double as windbreaker during cooler months. Feel free to discuss additional items as you feel necessary. Only requirement is to enjoy yourself and allow me to give you memorable experience showing you what I love about being a guide!
You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.
We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).
Cancel for free up to 4 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 4 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.
In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0
based on 5 reviews

Philip

Verified Review

October 16

Captain GW was an awesome guide! As an angler I have a higher standard, however fishing with my 12 year old daughter, I was hoping that we’d get someone who was patient, knowledgeable and an all around good guy as well. Some guides are kinda too salty, but GW was great! Him and my daughter really hit it off, and he definitely put us on the fish, even with a hard wind. His boat kept...

Philip

Verified Review

October 16

Captain GW was an awesome guide! As an angler I have a higher standard, however fishing with my 12 year old daughter, I was hoping that we’d get someone who was patient, knowledgeable and an all around good guy as well. Some guides are kinda too salty, but GW was great! Him and my daughter really hit it off, and he definitely put us on the fish, even with a hard wind. His boat kept us dry and rode really well despite the conditions.

You can tell that he really loves what he does and enjoys the “total experience” of fishing these beautiful waters. We saw manatees, dolphin, all kinds of birds including flamingos!

It was an awesome experience caught snook and redfish and had lots of action. Great guy, great boat, great experience.
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David

Verified Review

March 15

We truly enjoyed our fly fishing trip with Capt GW. His boat was clean and comfortable and Capt GW was very personable and knowledgeable. We had some tougher conditions with wind that allowed him to give me so much needed help and encouragement on techniques to help my skills. But alas, no adrenaline moments of catching backwater fish, just the adrenaline of trying to make the right cast in the right spot. We...

David

Verified Review

March 15

We truly enjoyed our fly fishing trip with Capt GW. His boat was clean and comfortable and Capt GW was very personable and knowledgeable. We had some tougher conditions with wind that allowed him to give me so much needed help and encouragement on techniques to help my skills. But alas, no adrenaline moments of catching backwater fish, just the adrenaline of trying to make the right cast in the right spot. We saw a great deal of sea life as an addition to the friendly camaraderie, and that was a bonus.
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peter

Verified Review

February 19

Wonderful trip. Wonderful captain. First rate. Gentle but firm with a rookie- just what I wanted. Just what I needed. He would have stayed out longer but my arms, they were jello. Also, incredibly informative about the different fisheries, the environment, the current challenges facing the keys - a joy to watch cast a fly, tie knots and an all-around nice guy - thanks Capt. GW for a first-rate introduction to fly-fishing in the keys....

peter

Verified Review

February 19

Wonderful trip. Wonderful captain. First rate. Gentle but firm with a rookie- just what I wanted. Just what I needed. He would have stayed out longer but my arms, they were jello. Also, incredibly informative about the different fisheries, the environment, the current challenges facing the keys - a joy to watch cast a fly, tie knots and an all-around nice guy - thanks Capt. GW for a first-rate introduction to fly-fishing in the keys. Kind regards, Pete L. (Yarmouth, Maine).
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Aldo

Verified Review

July 6

GW was nice guide and enjoyed fishing with him. He was very knowledgeable about the snook and redfish habits, as a result we caught some fish…Thank You

Aldo

Verified Review

July 6

GW was nice guide and enjoyed fishing with him. He was very knowledgeable about the snook and redfish habits, as a result we caught some fish…Thank You
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Kaleb

Verified Review

April 10

Awesome full Keys experience. Seatrout, Snook, Sun, Rain it had it all. Saw dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and lots of birds. GW was great to talk to and taught us alot about the area. Will recommend to friends.

Kaleb

Verified Review

April 10

Awesome full Keys experience. Seatrout, Snook, Sun, Rain it had it all. Saw dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and lots of birds. GW was great to talk to and taught us alot about the area. Will recommend to friends.
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Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.
We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.
Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!
In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.
Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.
After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.