Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

4.9/5 (232 reviews)

85920 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, United States–

Islamorada, FL, United States

–

19 ft

4.9/5 (232 reviews)

Angler's Choice

Trips & prices Targeted species Boat info What's biting What's included Contact captain

Trips & prices What's included Targeted species Boat info Reviews Contact captain

Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters invites you for some backcountry fishing in the sportfishing capital of the world! Join Captain Jon-Paul Haydocy in Islamorada, Florida and come aboard his fishing machine made specifically for the area. You will explore the flats, creeks, bridges, and mangrove islands together with the captain, who is also a former Park Ranger and current biologist. This is not just a fishing charter, as you will also learn about the ecosystem and fishery while having a shot at a catch of a lifetime.

You will fish from a new 2022 19' Xplor boat that can accommodate 2 guests. It is powered by a 115 HP mercury engine, uses all the modern GPS, fishfinder, and radio technology to move you safely and quickly on the water, and is equipped with a livewell. Also, you will have an ice-box so you can store your fish and drinks.

Some of the species you will have the chance to target include Snapper, Great Barracuda, Bull Shark, Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Sea trout, Snook and Redfishl. You will do catching by spinning and fly fishing on light tackle. The fish you reel is yours to keep and all the kids are welcome to join aboard.

Captain Jon-Paul will supply both the regular and fly fishing gear, including live bait and lures. Also, he will clean and fillet your catch and provide fishing licenses. Yours is only to bring your favorite food and drinks.

Come to Islamorada and experience a true fishing adventure with Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters!

Popular features

Fishing license

Live bait

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Child friendly

Popular features

Fishing license

Live bait

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Child friendly

Rating

4.9

232 reviews

4.9

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

4.9

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (299)

What anglers say

98%

Great experience

96%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

99%

Recommended

95%

Caught fish

All reviews (232)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 232 reviews

Briana Foster

Washington State, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

AMAZING TIME!

Half Day Trip on May 26, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain JP was AWESOME!! It was our first charter boat and had THE best time ever! We caught a snapper 10 min into our trip! Captain JP got us on all the fish we were wanting to catch! I HIGHLY reccommend Captain JP! Cant wait to book our next trip with him! I also caught a Permit after one breaking me off! This was the highlight of our trip to the Keys!

Reported catch:

Brandon Poulter

Virginia, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Captain JP is Great

6 Hour Trip on March 3, 2026 • 1 adult

Although I didn't catch my first Tarpon yet, fishing with Captain JP was amazing. JP worked extremely hard in very rough conditions to try and find some cooperative fish. He fished overtime for me at no additional cost and was extremely knowledgeable about Florida's entire ecosystem. I'm hoping to get back next year and if I do I will certainly book Captain JP again. He is a great guide and a gentleman and went above and beyond my expectations of what most guides are willing to do for their clients.

Brandon M Grezaffi

Louisiana, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Great Experience

Half Day Trip on May 21, 2026 • 2 adults

First time fishing in Florida and it was a great experience. Capt JP was a very knowledgeable Capt. The wind was less than desirable but we were able to site cast on a school of Tarpon on the flats and hook nice Tarpon for 3 jumps but lost it to a cut leader. I would definitely recommend Capt JP for a fishing trip in Islamorada.

Kevin Kraus

Repeat angler

Wisconsin, US

•

Member since 2026

•

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Fantastic trip for my wife and I

Half Day Trip - 2:30 PM on April 12, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain was awesome! very windy conditions but he kept us in action all afternoon. Tarpon we’re uncooperative but thats fishing! Highlight of late afternoon epic battle with massive sawfish and we had to call that one a draw as that fish was just not giving up and it had to end sometime so it was time to tighten drag, snap off and let her on her way! not to mention our time was way up, but John Paul never mentioned the time had expired. 

Thanks John, Kevin & Michelle

Paige Ahmed

Georgia, US

•

Member since 2023

5.0

Verified

Best Guide Around

2 Hour – Eco Tour Fish Fun on April 9, 2026 • 1 adult • 1 child

My 12 year old daughter and I went on a 2 hour inland trip with Jon-Paul. He was knowledable about the area, fish and other native wildlife. This combined with his friendly personality and fishing know how, maden it a great first ocean fishing trip for my daughter.  She caught several different types if fish, including a hog fish. We had a great time and would recommend Jon-Paul to anyone who may want to fish in the Islamorada area.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 13, 2026

Thank you ! I had a great time with you two.

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

June 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

Change

Almost there...

2 Hour – Eco Tour Fish Fun

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

2 hour trip multiple starting times (12:30 PM, 3:00 PM)

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

2 Hour – Eco Tour Fish Fun (5:30PM)

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

2 hour trip starts at 5:30 PM

Seasonal trip

Jun 1 - Aug 1

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

2 Hour Trip – Sunset Cruise

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

2 hour trip starts at 6:30 PM

Seasonal trip

Jun 1 - Aug 1

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

US $350

Entire boat: 2 people

Half Day Trip

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

4 hour trip multiple starting times (7:30 AM, 2:30 PM)

US $600

Entire boat: 2 people

US $600

Entire boat: 2 people

Half Day Trip (12:00PM)

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

4 hour trip starts at 12:00 PM

US $600

Entire boat: 2 people

US $600

Entire boat: 2 people

6 Hour Trip

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

6 hour trip multiple starting times (7:00 AM, 12:30 PM)

US $800

Entire boat: 2 people

US $800

Entire boat: 2 people

Full Day Trip

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

US $900

Entire boat: 2 people

US $900

Entire boat: 2 people

12 Hour Trip – All Day

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

12 hour trip starts at 7:30 AM

US $1,400

Entire boat: 2 people

US $1,400

Entire boat: 2 people

There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.9

232 reviews

4.9

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

4.9

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (299)

What anglers say

98%

Great experience

96%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

99%

Recommended

95%

Caught fish

All reviews (232)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 232 reviews

Briana Foster

Washington State, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

AMAZING TIME!

Half Day Trip on May 26, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain JP was AWESOME!! It was our first charter boat and had THE best time ever! We caught a snapper 10 min into our trip! Captain JP got us on all the fish we were wanting to catch! I HIGHLY reccommend Captain JP! Cant wait to book our next trip with him! I also caught a Permit after one breaking me off! This was the highlight of our trip to the Keys!

Reported catch:

Brandon Poulter

Virginia, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Captain JP is Great

6 Hour Trip on March 3, 2026 • 1 adult

Although I didn't catch my first Tarpon yet, fishing with Captain JP was amazing. JP worked extremely hard in very rough conditions to try and find some cooperative fish. He fished overtime for me at no additional cost and was extremely knowledgeable about Florida's entire ecosystem. I'm hoping to get back next year and if I do I will certainly book Captain JP again. He is a great guide and a gentleman and went above and beyond my expectations of what most guides are willing to do for their clients.

Brandon M Grezaffi

Louisiana, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Great Experience

Half Day Trip on May 21, 2026 • 2 adults

First time fishing in Florida and it was a great experience. Capt JP was a very knowledgeable Capt. The wind was less than desirable but we were able to site cast on a school of Tarpon on the flats and hook nice Tarpon for 3 jumps but lost it to a cut leader. I would definitely recommend Capt JP for a fishing trip in Islamorada.

Kevin Kraus

Repeat angler

Wisconsin, US

Member since 2026

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Fantastic trip for my wife and I

Half Day Trip - 2:30 PM on April 12, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain was awesome! very windy conditions but he kept us in action all afternoon. Tarpon we’re uncooperative but thats fishing! Highlight of late afternoon epic battle with massive sawfish and we had to call that one a draw as that fish was just not giving up and it had to end sometime so it was time to tighten drag, snap off and let her on her way! not to mention our time was way up, but John Paul never mentioned the time had expired. 

Thanks John, Kevin & Michelle

Paige Ahmed

Georgia, US

Member since 2023

5.0

Verified

Best Guide Around

2 Hour – Eco Tour Fish Fun on April 9, 2026 • 1 adult • 1 child

My 12 year old daughter and I went on a 2 hour inland trip with Jon-Paul. He was knowledable about the area, fish and other native wildlife. This combined with his friendly personality and fishing know how, maden it a great first ocean fishing trip for my daughter.  She caught several different types if fish, including a hog fish. We had a great time and would recommend Jon-Paul to anyone who may want to fish in the Islamorada area.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 13, 2026

Thank you ! I had a great time with you two.

FAQs about Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

Boat category

Skiffs and flats boats

Capacity

2 persons

Boat length

19 ft

Year built

2022

Boat manufacturer

Xplor

Boat type

Skiff

Engine model

Mercury

1 x 115HP

Max cruising speed

40 knots

Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Rating

Anglers' gallery (299)

What anglers say

All reviews (232)

Trip availability and prices

Rating

Anglers' gallery (299)

What anglers say

All reviews (232)

FAQs about Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

What’s biting in Islamorada right now

Compare similar fishing charters