World Class Tarpon & Shark Fishing in Islamorada
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half or full day inshore fishing with experienced Captain Bill BrownTarget tarpon, sharks, cobia, snapper and other Florida Keys speciesAll gear provided with handson guidance for up to 3 guests
Captain Bill Brown has been working these Islamorada waters for over four decades, and it shows in every trip. With 42 years of experience guiding anglers through the Florida Keys backcountry and flats, he knows exactly where to find the fish you're after. Whether you're booking a half-day or full-day charter, you're getting personalized attention with only up to 3 guests on board. This isn't some crowded party boat - it's real fishing with a captain who remembers when Islamorada was still a sleepy fishing village. Bill provides all the tackle and gear you'll need, plus the kind of hands-on instruction that turns first-timers into confident anglers and helps seasoned fishermen land their personal best.
Your day starts early at the dock in Islamorada, heart of the Florida Keys fishing scene. Captain Bill sizes up the weather, tides, and seasonal patterns to decide whether you're heading to the shallow flats for bonefish and permit or targeting deeper channels where tarpon and cobia cruise. The boat is rigged and ready with live bait, artificial lures, and everything from light spinning tackle to heavy conventional gear. Depending on your trip length - anywhere from 5 to 8 hours - you'll cover multiple spots and fishing techniques. Bill adapts the day to your skill level, so beginners get patient coaching while experienced anglers can push their limits. The small group size means everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish, and perfect your presentation while actually catching them.
Captain Bill runs a fully equipped charter with tackle suited to everything from spooky bonefish on the flats to bull sharks in the channels. You'll fish with live pilchards, pinfish, and crabs when the situation calls for natural bait, plus an arsenal of jigs, plugs, and flies for artificial presentations. Depending on what's biting, you might be sight-casting to tailing fish in knee-deep water or bottom fishing over structure for snapper and grouper. Bill carries spinning gear from 2500 to 8000 series reels, plus conventional tackle for the big stuff. Circle hooks are standard for catch-and-release fishing, and he's got the long-handled pliers and dehooking tools to safely release your fish. The captain handles all the rigging, bait preparation, and net work - your job is to cast accurately, feel the bite, and fight the fish properly.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Islamorada, and for good reason. These prehistoric giants can hit 150 pounds and jump like dolphins when hooked. They show up in good numbers from April through July, rolling and feeding in the channels around the bridges. When you hook one, get ready for multiple jumps and long runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's their aerial acrobatics and the way they can turn a routine day into something you'll talk about for years. Captain Bill knows the migration routes and feeding times that put you in position for a legitimate shot at these legendary fish.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats, and Islamorada sits right in prime bonefish territory. These silvery speedsters average 3-6 pounds but pack more fight per ounce than almost any fish in the ocean. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding on the shallow flats. Spotting them requires sharp eyes - they're nearly transparent in shallow water, often giving themselves away only by their shadows or nervous water. When spooked, they can hit 25 mph in water so shallow their backs are out. Landing one on light tackle is a rite of passage for any serious angler, and the clear Keys waters make sight-fishing for them an art form.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing - spooky, selective, and absolutely beautiful when they show their tall black fins cruising the shallows. These disc-shaped fish are notorious for refusing perfectly presented baits, making a successful hookup feel like winning the lottery. They're around year-round but peak in spring and summer when crabs are molting. Most permit run 8-20 pounds, but their broad profile and stubborn fighting style makes them feel much bigger. Captain Bill has the patience and local knowledge to put you on schools of permit, but be prepared to make lots of casts - these fish have humbled more anglers than any other species in the Keys.
Bull sharks bring serious muscle to your fishing day, especially during summer months when they move into the shallows to feed. These stocky predators can top 200 pounds and aren't picky about what they eat. They'll hit live bait, cut bait, and even large lures worked near structure or channel edges. What makes bull sharks exciting isn't just their size - it's their attitude. They fight dirty, using their bulk and stamina to wear you down over long battles. Captain Bill knows the deeper holes and channel edges where bulls congregate, and he's got the heavy tackle needed to handle them safely.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can make any trip memorable. These brown sharks look-alikes cruise the flats and channels, often following rays and sharks while looking for an easy meal. They're curious fish that will approach the boat, giving skilled anglers a chance at sight-casting to individual fish. Spring brings the best cobia action as they move through the Keys during their annual migration. Most run 15-40 pounds, and they fight with surprising power for their size. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to keep a fish or two for dinner.
Captain Bill's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the tarpon are rolling and the permit are tailing. With over four decades
Captain Bill's well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to some of the best fishing waters around Islamorada. This reliable vessel comes loaded with GPS navigation to pinpoint those productive spots, VHF radio for staying connected on the water, and a quality fish finder to locate where the action is happening. Perfect for small groups of up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to fight those hard-pulling tarpon or work the flats for bonefish. The boat handles the shallow inshore waters beautifully, getting you close to the mangroves where snapper hide and out to the channels where sharks patrol. With over four decades guiding these waters, Captain Bill knows exactly where this boat performs best, whether you're targeting reef species or working the grass beds for cobia.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the ghosts of the flats - silver, torpedo-shaped fish that average 6-8 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. They cruise grass flats and sandy bottoms in water so shallow you can barely float a skiff. Look for them "tailing" - feeding head-down with tails slapping the surface. Low tide is prime time when they move onto the flats to hunt crabs and shrimp. What hooks anglers is the challenge - these fish are spooky smart with incredible eyesight. Once hooked, they'll rip line for 100 yards without stopping. They're not good eating due to all the bones, so we release them. Best advice: stay quiet, cast ahead of moving fish, and use small shrimp or crab patterns. The key is being stealthy - one wrong move and they vanish like smoke.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the bruisers of shark fishing - thick, aggressive predators that'll run 8-10 feet and 200-300 pounds. What makes them unique is they can handle both saltwater and brackish water, so we find them everywhere from deep channels to shallow backcountry spots. They're gray on top, white below, with that classic stocky build and blunt snout. Summer months are peak season when they're most active in our waters. Guests love the power - these fish fight hard and dirty, using their bulk to their advantage. They're not great eating, but the adrenaline rush is worth it. Fresh eel is my go-to bait - the oil content drives them crazy. Set up a good chum line and be patient. When they show up, they mean business and the fight will test your tackle and your arms.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of our offshore trips - thick, brown, aggressive fighters that average 40-60 pounds but can push 100. People often mistake them for sharks with that dark coloring and single dorsal fin. We target them around wrecks, reefs, and structures in 30-70 feet of water, especially during their spring migration March through June. What guests love is they're sight fishing - you'll see these fish cruising just under the surface. Plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. They're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat if you chum properly. Pro tip: bucktail jigs work great, but don't overlook live bait. A frisky pinfish or crab will get their attention fast, and once hooked, they fight dirty all the way to the boat.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are hands down the trickiest fish on the flats. These silver, disc-shaped beauties average around 3 feet but can hit 60 pounds. They've got golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees, making them spook at the slightest wrong move. You'll find them cruising sand and grass flats in surprisingly shallow water - sometimes just 2 feet deep. Spring through fall is prime time, especially April to October. What drives anglers crazy is how smart they are - they'll inspect your bait from every angle before deciding. But land one and you've earned serious bragging rights. My secret? Fresh blue crab on a circle hook, and cast well ahead of them. They move faster than you think and once spooked, game over.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - massive fish that'll average 80-100 pounds and can jump 10 feet out of the water when hooked. We find them around the deeper channels and flats edges, especially during their spring migration from March through July. They're built like torpedoes with huge scales and that distinctive upward-pointing mouth. What makes them special isn't the eating - they're mostly bones and not great table fare - it's that heart-stopping moment when 150 pounds of fish goes airborne right next to your boat. The fight can last an hour easy. Best tip I can give you is to keep steady pressure but bow to the fish when it jumps - that's how you keep the hook set and avoid getting broken off on those wild acrobatics.
Marathon, FL