The Everglades. Just saying the name conjures images of endless mangroves, winding waterways, and the promise of a fishing adventure unlike any other. 

It’s a place where you’re as likely to hook into a trophy-sized Snook as you are to see a gator lounging in the sun. 

But, like any great fishing destination, timing is everything. 

Whether you’re after Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, or Trout, knowing when and where to fish in the Everglades can mean the difference between a banner day and going home empty-handed.

Let’s dive into the best times to fish the Everglades for these prized species, and I’ll share some tried-and-true techniques and tactics that’ll put you on the fish.

Snook: The Everglades Icon

When you think of the Everglades, you think of Snook. 

These aggressive predators are as much a part of the landscape as the mangroves they haunt.

 If you’re targeting Snook, the key is to understand their behavior, which is largely dictated by water temperature.

Best Time to Fish for Snook:

• Spring (March-May): As the water warms, Snook start to become more active, moving from their winter haunts in deeper waters, and backcountry creeks and bays and into the shallows and backcountry creeks.

• Summer (June-August): This is prime time for Snook fishing, especially during early morning and late evening. The fish are feeding aggressively, and you’ll find them in the passes, around mangrove islands, and in the mouths of creeks.

• Fall (September-November): Fall offers another excellent window for Snook, particularly as they start to transition back to their winter habitats. The water is still warm, and the fish are fattening up for the cooler months.

Techniques and Tactics:

• Topwater Action: Early morning or late evening topwater fishing is exhilarating. Use lures like the Heddon Zara Spook or a Rapala Skitter Walk near mangrove shorelines or over submerged grass flats. The explosive strikes are worth the early wake-up call.
• Live Bait: If you prefer live bait, pilchards and mullet are hard to beat. Free-line these near structure, such as dock pilings or mangrove roots, and hang on tight. Snook love ambushing prey from cover.
• Where to Look: During warmer months, focus on areas with moving water—passes, inlets, and creek mouths are prime spots. As temperatures drop, look for Snook in deeper, slow-moving water, such as deeper canals or the mouths of rivers. Also look for them in shallow mud bays. The water warms quicker there.

Redfish: The Everglades Bullies

Redfish, with their bronze bodies and distinct spot on the tail, are another top target in the Everglades. 

These fish are known for their brute strength, and catching one will test your tackle and your patience.

Best Time to Fish for Redfish:

• Fall (September-November): This is the absolute best time to target Redfish in the Everglades. The cooling water temperatures trigger feeding frenzies, and you’ll often find large schools of Redfish patrolling the flats.

• Winter (December-February): Redfish remain active in the winter months, especially on the warmer days. They’ll often be found in the shallowest water, where the sun heats up the flats quicker.

• Spring (March-May): Spring is another productive time, with Redfish moving across the flats and into the backcountry. They’re often found tailing in the grass flats during this period.

Techniques and Tactics:

• Sight Fishing: One of the most thrilling ways to target Redfish is by sight fishing on the flats. Look for their tails waving above the waterline as they root out crabs and shrimp. Cast a weedless soft plastic, like a Gulp! Shrimp, in front of the fish and wait for the hit.

• Live and Cut Bait: Redfish aren’t picky eaters. Live shrimp, mullet, or cut bait fished on the bottom can be extremely effective. Cast near oyster bars, mangrove edges, or grass flats and be patient.

• Where to Look: In the Everglades, Redfish are often found on shallow flats, particularly those near mangroves and oyster bars. During higher tides, they’ll push up into the mangroves, while at lower tides, they’re easier to spot on the open flats.

Tarpon: The Silver King

Tarpon are the ultimate test for any angler.

 These acrobatic fighters can grow to massive sizes, and the Everglades is one of the few places where you can target them year-round. 

But, just like the other species, timing is crucial.

Best Time to Fish for Tarpon:

• Late Spring to Early Summer (April-July): This is the peak season for Tarpon in the Everglades. The migratory Tarpon start showing up in big numbers, and they’re hungry. Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to target them.

• Fall (September-October): The fall offers another excellent opportunity as the water temperatures begin to cool down. The fish are still around, and they’re usually found in the backcountry and deeper channels.

• Winter (December-February): Tarpon can still be caught during the winter months, particularly in the warmer days, but they’ll be less active and often found in deeper, warmer waters.

Techniques and Tactics:

• Live Bait: There’s nothing quite like live bait fishing for Tarpon. Large mullet or live crabs are the baits of choice. Drift them through passes or along the edges of deeper channels where Tarpon are likely to be holding.

• Fly Fishing: For the more adventurous angler, fly fishing for Tarpon in the Everglades is a challenge worth taking on. Use large streamer patterns like the Black Death or Tarpon Toad. Look for rolling Tarpon and make your cast count.

• Where to Look: During the peak season, focus on passes, inlets, and deeper channels. Tarpon also love to roll on the surface, so keep your eyes peeled. In the winter, look for them in the deeper backcountry waters where the temperature is more stable.

Trout: The Everglades Spotted Beauty

Spotted Seatrout, often just called Trout, are abundant in the Everglades, especially in the grass flats and deeper channels. 

While they might not be as large as Tarpon or Snook, they’re plentiful and a lot of fun to catch.

Best Time to Fish for Trout:

• Winter (December-February): This is prime time for targeting Trout in the Everglades. As the water cools, Trout move into the deeper channels and holes, making them easier to locate and catch.

• Spring (March-May): Spring is also a great time for Trout fishing. As the water begins to warm, Trout move onto the flats and are often found in large schools.

• Fall (September-November): Fall is another productive season, particularly on the deeper grass flats and around oyster bars.

Techniques and Tactics:

• Popping Corks: One of the most effective methods for catching Trout is using a popping cork with a live shrimp or soft plastic underneath. The noise of the cork attracts Trout, and the bait seals the deal.

• Soft Plastics: Soft plastics like a DOA Shrimp or a Gulp! Swimming Mullet work wonders for Trout. Cast these over grass flats or around oyster bars, and use a steady retrieve with occasional pauses.

• Where to Look: Focus on grass flats, especially those near deeper channels. Trout love the cover that grass provides and are often found in large schools. During the colder months, deeper channels and holes are your best bet.

Timing is Everything

Fishing the Everglades is about understanding the rhythms of the water and the seasons. 

Each species has its peak times, and knowing when to target them can make all the difference. Whether you’re hunting for Snook in the mangroves, stalking Redfish on the flats, chasing the mighty Tarpon in the channels, or filling the cooler with Trout, the Everglades offers year-round opportunities for those in the know.

But it’s not just about the timing; it’s also about how you approach the water. 

Understanding the habits of each species, employing the right techniques, and knowing where to look will put you ahead of the game.

 The Everglades is a vast and varied landscape, and it rewards those who take the time to learn its secrets.

So, the next time you’re planning a trip to this incredible fishery, keep these tips in mind. 

With a little patience and the right timing, you’ll be on your way to a day of fishing that you’ll never forget. 

The Everglades is calling, and the fish are waiting—now’s the time to answer.

Capt. Vince Bini