TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Florida Everglades are an amazing piece of mostly untouched nature and provide an amazing fishery at certain times of the year. Amanda and her husband, Wayne took their annual trip in mid-April and were very successful.
The fish were hungry as the water temperatures were warming up. They caught endless snook, trout, redfish, snappers, baby goliath groupers, and a few sharks. The tarpon were plentiful but weren't very hungry.
They saw a lot of dolphins, manatees and a few turtles as well! The stars are just amazing, too, with very little light pollution.
Amanda spends four days exploring on their boat, staying on 'chickees', which are just docks with a roof. There are quite a few scattered throughout the park and you do have to reserve them.
These chickees are remote and it takes a lot of planning to bring everything we need.
It is important to do plenty of research prior to doing a trip like this if it is your first time. The Everglades can be unforgiving with shallow and murky water in a lot of spots. When done safely, though, Amanda said it is rewarding. It's quiet, with no cell service.
Yes, there are mosquitoes, but they only get bad at certain times of the day. About an hour before and after sunrise and sunset can be rough. Otherwise, they aren't terrible.
It is truly a great place to unwind and unplug!