Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters 

4.9/5 (195 reviews)
 
State licensed
 85920 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, United States

Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters 

 
State licensed
4.9/5 (195)
 Angler's Choice
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85920 Overseas Hwy
Islamorada, FL, United States

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!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 195 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (267)

Awesome day fishing!
Fantastic trip with Capt Jon-Paul
Fantastic trip with Capt Jon-Paul
+264

Angler rating

188
5
0
1
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

96%

Showing 1 - 5 of 195 reviews
Showing: 5 of 195 reviews
David B.
David B.
5.0/5

Jul 26, 2025

6 Hour Trip (AM)

Great trip with a great captain

VERIFIED

I touched base with Jon-Paul prior to the trip to see if my son and I might be able to target a few different types of fish and he worked his tail off trying to deliver. We really wanted to get some mangrove snapper and trout to take to a restaurant and we had no problem getting that done. Snook were a challenge for us but it wasn’t due to lack of effort. We saw plenty of fish but no takers. He was also able to put us on some juvenile Goliath grouper which was a blast. My son really wanted to hook a shark and we were in the right spot with a large shark near the boat but it just wouldn’t commit. So much fun out there with a super cool and knowledgeable captain. Thanks Jon-Paul.

I touched base with Jon-Paul prior to the trip to see if my son and I might be able to target a few different types of fish and...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 David B. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters
 David B. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Henry A.
Henry A.
5.0/5

Sep 16, 2025

Special 2 hour trip for Henry Ayer

Of a lifetime

VERIFIED

This was absolutely the fish theme trip of a lifetime. It was a quick trip, but you don’t need to take a lot of time when you catch some of the best targeted species in the fishing capital of the world. Captain Jon-Paul put me on fish within 20 minutes of hitting the water. Fish in the mangroves for a bit caught a nice grouper, then moved out to the flats targeting bonefish, but were pleasantly surprised when we got hit and landed a big Permit fish. Once again, fishing trip of a lifetime. I will be back with family members.

This was absolutely the fish theme trip of a lifetime. It was a quick trip, but you don’t need to take a lot of time when you...  

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Review media 1
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Review media 2
 Henry A. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters
 Henry A. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Matthew T.
Matthew T.
5.0/5

Jun 6, 2025

6 Hour Trip (AM)

Great time, beautiful place and Jon-Paul put us on the fish

VERIFIED

Our trip was on time. He had everything we needed. My wife has not fished much and she was highly successful with Jon-Paul’s help. We knocked several species off of our bucket list. From polling the flats, sneaking through the mangroves or hitting bridge’s bridges when the tide swing was perfect, he had the trip lined out beautifully! I would highly recommend! A true gentleman and interesting young man to spend the day with.

Our trip was on time. He had everything we needed. My wife has not fished much and she was highly successful with Jon-Paul’s help....  

Review media 0
Review media 1
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 Matthew T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters
 Matthew T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Rob P.
Rob P.
5.0/5

Oct 9, 2025

Half Day Trip (AM)

Awesome day fishing!

VERIFIED
NEW

John Paul is incredibly knowlegable and we had a great day of fishing with him! Within the first hour, we had brought in four different species of fish. He is easy going and dedicated to making the experience authentic and fulfilling.

John Paul is incredibly knowlegable and we had a great day of fishing with him! Within the first hour, we had brought in four...  

Review media 0
 Rob P. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters
 Rob P. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Ryan T.
Ryan T.
5.0/5

Sep 22, 2025

6 Hour Trip (AM)

Great guide and wonderful day on the water.

VERIFIED
NEW

Fished a variety of structure and caught a variety of fish from Snook, Goliath Grouper, Trout and other species. Super nice guy who worked hard to make it an enjoyable day on the water for my wife and I. Highly recommended!!

Fished a variety of structure and caught a variety of fish from Snook, Goliath Grouper, Trout and other species. Super nice guy...  

 Ryan T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters
 Ryan T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
October 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
2 Hour Trip – Fun Fishing Eco Tour
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
2 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
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US $350 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
2 Hour Trip – Eco Tour Fun Fishing
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
2 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
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US $350 
Entire boat: up to 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
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US $350 
Entire boat: up to 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
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US $350 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Halfday afternoon
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:30 PM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
6 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $800 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
6 Hour Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
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US $800 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $900 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
12 Hour Trip – All Day
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
12 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
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US $1,400 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 195 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (267)

Awesome day fishing!
Fantastic trip with Capt Jon-Paul
Fantastic trip with Capt Jon-Paul
+264

Angler rating

188
5
0
1
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

96%

Showing 1 - 5 of 195 reviews
Showing: 5 of 195 reviews
David B.
David B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great trip with a great captain

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip (AM) on July 26, 2025

I touched base with Jon-Paul prior to the trip to see if my son and I might be able to target a few different types of fish and he worked his tail off trying to deliver. We really wanted to get some mangrove snapper and trout to take to a restaurant and we had no problem getting that done. Snook were a challenge for us but it wasn’t due to lack of effort. We saw plenty of fish but no takers. He was also able to put us on some juvenile Goliath grouper which was a blast. My son really wanted to hook a shark and we were in the right spot with a large shark near the boat but it just wouldn’t commit. So much fun out there with a super cool and knowledgeable captain. Thanks Jon-Paul.

I touched base with Jon-Paul prior to the trip to see if my son and I might be able to target a few different types of fish and he worked his tail off trying to deliver. We really wanted to get some mangrove snapper and trout to take to a restaurant and we had no problem getting that done. Snook were a challenge for us but it wasn’t due to lack of effort. We saw plenty of fish but no takers. He was also able to put us on some juvenile Goliath grouper which was a blast. My son really wanted to...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 David B. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Henry A.
Henry A.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Of a lifetime

VERIFIED

Special 2 hour trip for Henry Ayer on September 16, 2025

This was absolutely the fish theme trip of a lifetime. It was a quick trip, but you don’t need to take a lot of time when you catch some of the best targeted species in the fishing capital of the world. Captain Jon-Paul put me on fish within 20 minutes of hitting the water. Fish in the mangroves for a bit caught a nice grouper, then moved out to the flats targeting bonefish, but were pleasantly surprised when we got hit and landed a big Permit fish. Once again, fishing trip of a lifetime. I will be back with family members.

This was absolutely the fish theme trip of a lifetime. It was a quick trip, but you don’t need to take a lot of time when you catch some of the best targeted species in the fishing capital of the world. Captain Jon-Paul put me on fish within 20 minutes of hitting the water. Fish in the mangroves for a bit caught a nice grouper, then moved out to the flats targeting bonefish, but were pleasantly surprised when we got hit and landed a big Permit fish. Once again, fishing trip of a lifetime. I...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 2
Review media 2
 Henry A. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Matthew T.
Matthew T.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great time, beautiful place and Jon-Paul put us on the fish

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip (AM) on June 6, 2025

Our trip was on time. He had everything we needed. My wife has not fished much and she was highly successful with Jon-Paul’s help. We knocked several species off of our bucket list. From polling the flats, sneaking through the mangroves or hitting bridge’s bridges when the tide swing was perfect, he had the trip lined out beautifully! I would highly recommend! A true gentleman and interesting young man to spend the day with.

Our trip was on time. He had everything we needed. My wife has not fished much and she was highly successful with Jon-Paul’s help. We knocked several species off of our bucket list. From polling the flats, sneaking through the mangroves or hitting bridge’s bridges when the tide swing was perfect, he had the trip lined out beautifully! I would highly recommend! A true gentleman and interesting young man to spend the day with.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Matthew T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Rob P.
Rob P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Awesome day fishing!

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip (AM) on October 9, 2025

John Paul is incredibly knowlegable and we had a great day of fishing with him! Within the first hour, we had brought in four different species of fish. He is easy going and dedicated to making the experience authentic and fulfilling.

John Paul is incredibly knowlegable and we had a great day of fishing with him! Within the first hour, we had brought in four different species of fish. He is easy going and dedicated to making the experience authentic and fulfilling.  

Review media 0
 Rob P. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

Ryan T.
Ryan T.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great guide and wonderful day on the water.

VERIFIED
NEW

6 Hour Trip (AM) on September 22, 2025

Fished a variety of structure and caught a variety of fish from Snook, Goliath Grouper, Trout and other species. Super nice guy who worked hard to make it an enjoyable day on the water for my wife and I. Highly recommended!!

Fished a variety of structure and caught a variety of fish from Snook, Goliath Grouper, Trout and other species. Super nice guy who worked hard to make it an enjoyable day on the water for my wife and I. Highly recommended!!  

 Ryan T. recommends Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

FAQs about Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
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
Powered by
1 x 115HP
Max cruising speed
40 knots
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