We provide all bait, tackle and licenses and a 40-quart cooler with ice. You will need to bring what you want to eat and drink (insure you have plenty of water), sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and camera (if desired). A word about sunglasses - ESSENTIAL. The best choice of sunglasses will have polarized lens in some shade of AMBER. Amber lens reduce blue light in the ultraviolet spectrum, thus enabling you to see through glare across the surface of the water and spot your quarry beneath. It is extremely difficult to sight fish when you can't see the fish.

In moderation. There is not enough room in the cooler for a large amount of beer so we suggest perhaps two or three per person maximum or maybe a small bottle of wine. There is not enough room in the deck of the skiff for an additional larger cooler. Liquor is not permitted.

The majority of the species we will target are for catch and release sport fishing. We do not object to keeping a few snappers for dinner but we request you advise before the trip that you would like to do this. Typically we would not otherwise include snapper fishing as part of our plan for the day and time will have to be set aside for this purpose and for cleaning the fish dockside.

We are familiar with the waters from Big Pine Key to Key West and the Marquesas. Often the weather on the day of your charter, particularly wind speed and direction, will have a major influence on the best choice of area to fish. The other major influential factor is tide phase. We try to choose the best combination of these factors as well as considering how fishing has been in specific areas. Tide phase can be predicted for a date well ahead of time. Weather and fish activity aren't quite as predictable so often we will suggest that we touch base by phone a day or so before your trip to settle final details. If you only want to fish in one specific area then we will make the best of conditions in that area on the day(s) of your charter(s). We are willing to provide transportation should you be staying without a ready means of your own and our fishing location is not near your lodging.

There is a couple of things that will make your trip more enjoyable. One thing is choosing appropriate clothing. If your visit will occur during warmer temperatures, choose lighter clothing that "breathes". Cotton tee shirts, for example, can trap moisture and heat and make you much hotter than you have to be. Choose lighter colored clothing, no blacks, dark browns or dark blues for example. If your visit is during our relatively cooler part of the year bring a light weight jacket, etc. You will be riding in an open boat and the air can be a little nippy.

Another very important thing that will increase the success of your trip is to practice your casting before your visit. Our water is so clear down here most of the time that we are actually attempting to place the bait (live, artificial, or fly) in the path of an approaching fish without spooking the animal with the presentation so we almost never "blind" cast. Permit and bonefish are constantly aware of threat when they are in shallow water and the noise of a bait splashing into the water too close to them can cause them to flee. Conversely, if the cast lands too far away they may not find the bait to eat it. To enhance your chance of catching these fish, practice pitching for accuracy at a target distance of thirty-five to forty feet.

If you intend to fly fish, it is well worth your time to learn how to double haul. This a fly casting technique that will add a lot of distance to your cast by increasing line speed. Line speed is how you overcome the wind that is often present in the Keys and enables you to cast the line class outfits we use for the fish down here. We will be happy to instruct you on double hauling however your chances of catching that dream fish on fly will be greatly increased if you have the skill before you arrive.

We are associated with a number of high caliber colleagues and will be pleased to arrange for as many boats as necessary to accommodate your group. If you wish we can plan to fish in the same general area so that you are able to share the excitement of your trip among your group. You will need to plan on approximately the same price structure and deposit as our rates for each boat needed.

Gratuities are always welcome and your generosity greatly appreciated should you wish to reward us for providing an enjoyable time on the water. The customary gratuity is typically in the fifteen to twenty percent range of the cost of your charter.

Yes. We are able to arrange for mounts. They are replicas and killing the fish is not necessary. The cost is relative to the size of the mount and can be determined before you place your order. A deposit of approximately fifty percent of the cost of the mount will be required when the order is placed.