If you’ve always wanted to land ‘the big’ one but have had no success – what you need is a charter fishing boat captain with years of experience and who knows what is hitting where. While there are dozens of charter fishing boat operations from Pompano Beach to Key West, we’ve picked our top five fishing pros.

Capt. Chase Camacho

Chase N Dreams
Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 925-2020
www.chasendreams.com

Take one trip with Capt. Camacho and whether it’s serious offshore fishing, a beginner’s trip, or even an island charter to the Bahamas, and you will be hooked! Chase N Dreams has four great boats for charter. Starting with their GO FAST boat, a Donzi 35, for cruising, fishing or just feeling a need for speed. If you want to party or fish, they also have a 47th Azimuth. Lastly is the Legendary 54 Bertram, a complete a tournament rigged beauty with all the latest electronics and toys.

Capt. Bouncer Smith

600 NE 36th Street
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-8224
www.captbouncer.com

Captain Bouncer Smith is experienced in every aspect of the sport of fishing. Bouncer’s Dusky is a modern 33 foot Dusky with a crew of two which can carry up to 4 passengers and is a boat styled for South Florida fishing pleasure. On board are 8,12, 20, 50 and 80 pound outfits plus a couple fly rods ready for every game fish. Of course all the terminal tackle you could ever need is aboard. Captain Bouncer carries a maximum of 4 people and runs 8 hour trips, 10 hour trips, 4 hour evening trips.

Capt. Dave Kostyo

1940 Northeast 135th Street
North Miami, FL 33181
(305) 620 – 5896
www.knotnancy.com

Captain Dave Kostyo specializes in live bait, light tackle fishing charters. He has 35 plus years of experience in fishing for tarpon, sailfish, kingfish, dolphin, amberjack, tuna, cobia, wahoo and more. His boat, the “KNOT NANCY”, a custom built 28 miami Whitewater center console fishing machine. One nice thing about Capt. Kostyo is that if you are new to fishing, or just haven’t had any luck in the past, he’ll teach you what you need to know to haul in the big ones.

Capt. Kerry Wingo

P.O. Box 1448
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 394.1383
www.tailsupfishing.com

Backcountry and flats fishing the waters of Key Largo is not only one of the best experiences you will ever have fishing, it’s also a lot of fun. Captain Kerry Wingo has been fishing the flats and backcountry waters of Key Largo for over 20 years. These waters are teeming with tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook, barracuda, redfish, and even sharks. Capt. Kerry promotes catch and release fishing, so please bring your camera.

Capt Chris Johnson

SeaSquared Charters
Mile Marker 47.5 (Gulf side)
Marathon, FL
(305) 743-5305
www.fishingreportsfloridakeys.com

Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in Florida Keys reef and wreck fishing for snapper, grouper, mackerel, amberjack and more. Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay fishing targets cobia, snapper, grouper and permit. Offshore, it’s all about the Florida Keys sailfish, dolphin, tuna and wahoo. The sandy flats and grassy bottom areas to the north side of the Islands of Marathon is where Chris takes anglers for Florida Keys Shark Fishing Adventures.