Papa Joe's Backcountry - Fishing Trips

Species Calender

Fly Fishing - Light Tackle - Tarpon Trips - Offshore

Papa Joe's Backcountry fishing trips offer the fly fishing and light tackle fan a chance to capture an astonishing variety of gamefish. Novice to expert fly fishing, spin, or plug tackle enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy some of the most exciting shallow water fishing trips on this big blue planet.

The convergence of the Everglades, Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean provide the perfect habitat for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish on the seemingly endless flats that are only minutes away from our dock. The athletic power of the tarpon and the screaming drags that indicate the long runs of bonefish and the nearly nonstop action of other species such as mackerel, trout, jack crevalle, barracuda, sharks and ladyfish are just some of the examples of what you can expect when you fish with one of our experienced backcountry guides. Papa Joe's Captains are patient and hard working and always willing to help kids and beginners learn how to handle and land the big one.

Tarpon Fishing Trips...

Islamorada is strategically located in the middle of the late-spring to early-summer tarpon migration and there is no place in the world with better tarpon fishing opportunities.

Tarpon Fishing Methods

Presenting live bait for tarpon is one of the most popular ways to fish for tarpon in the Florida Keys. Fishing guides will fish bridge passes and channels throughout the area that hold tarpon. Drifting or anchoring, anglers will float pinfish, mullet, or crabs near the fish… look out for the strike!

Fly fishing is a very popular method of tarpon fishing. Guides will pursue the fish and “sight it” before the presentation is made. The idea is to place the fly in front of the fish in a way that the fish will not be spooked making for an easy meal.

April, May and June is the peak time for tarpon in the Florida Keys… Be sure to schedule your fishing guide now!

Offshore Fishing

Papa Joe's Backcountry Marina also offers offshore fishing; wreck fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore in the Atlantic or fish for sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, cobia, grouper, yellowtail and more. Please call for more info and rates.

Species Calender

Our species calendar considers the likelihood of weather being normal as well as the possibility of finding the species in a fishable situation at that time of year.  We have found that generally when the weather is good and appropriate for the time period the fishing is good. Many of our species are here all year round while others come and go with the seasons as air and water temperature change. The great thing about the Islamorada area of the Florida Keys is that we have so many options and when the weather is unseasonable it pays to be flexible and adjust your target species in view of that.

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Fly Fishing and
Light Tackle

Anglers from around the world have traveled to the Florida Keys in pursuit of our target species such as bonefish on the fly rod for generations.

Islamorada is strategically located in the middle of the late-spring to early-summer tarpon migration and there is no place in the world with better sight fishing opportunities on fly.