Captain Johnny Maddox – "Papa Pip’s" 29-foot Topaz

Captain Johnny Maddox is one of our top Offshore/Blue Water specialists, onboard his 29ft Topaz Express "Papa Pip".

He enjoys fishing with angers from all walks of life, both the experienced and novice! He loves to bring them into the world of sport fishing, and help them to have an experience of a lifetime that they wont soon forget!

The drama of the hunt, the explosion of emotion at the strike, and the thrill of the catch with new friends is what Capt. Johnny enjoys the most!

John's most memorable fish story and charter were with Ted, a fellow marine and Vietnam vet who had never fished Blue Water before.

Ted had been working here at Captain Pip's on the boat rental dock, and had watched John come in day after day with great catches of Dolphin.

One day John and the mate convinced Ted to go out with them to see exactly what it was all about! Off they went, all three of them, heading for offshore, telling tall fish tales and rigging some fresh Ballyhoo.

Ted's largest fish caught was a 6 ½ lb Black Bass, to which John replied "We use bait bigger than that for Marlin fishing!!". Ted refused to believe them, and at that moment the left outrigger went off! 20 minutes later Ted had caught his first salt water fish, an 89" sailfish!

After lots of pictures, curse words, high fives and handshakes they started to put their lines back out. The center rigger, or shotgun, was the first line out with a large Billy Bait, followed by the right outrigger.

Before they got the rod in the holder, the shotgun went off, and Ted had his second fish of the day, a 45lb Wahoo!

What a fishing trip! Book a trip with Captain Johnny Maddox for a memorable Florida Keys charter fishing excursion.

La Paz Full Report

Captain John "Gator" Gray

Started his fishing career in Panama City, Florida as captain of the "Adventurer" in 1963. Florida is his home and he has fished his way to the Keys where he says "You can spend more time fishing and less time boat riding." He has fished, dove and been lobstering in the Keys for the past 11 years and now resides in Marathon.

The "Gator" is driven from being both an avid University of Florida fan and practically living in the water. Not nearly old enough to retire Gator is still on and in the wat

Having "been there and done that", Gator's true love is seeing other people "being here and doing it." Reserve your seat on a Florida Keys fishing charter with Captain Gator today!


San Diego Full Report

Came to the Keys for three months eight years ago. He has been here ever since. During that eight years he has mated for charters, run guide trips and charters from Islamorada to Key West.

With about two thousand fishing trips in the Florida Keys, some of his customers are starting to think he might actually know what he is doing. outheasterly winds that came with them resulted in confused seas offshore to the south.

Hi, I'm Dallas. I have been fishing since I was five years old so that means I must have thirty years experience or there abouts by now. My fishing specialty is Fishing 101. That is teaching visitors to the Keys how to fish for a large variety of species and get around the
Keys waters without tearing up their boats.

Light tackle is my preferred gear (light being
up to thirty pound test), but will break out the hundred pound gear if someone is into pain.

The best thing about being a fishing guide in the Florida Keys is the office. The worst thing about being a fishing guide is that the office roof sometimes leaks.

How I got into fishing is a long time ago a
guy I didn't care for much, asked to go fishing with me. I told him I wouldn't fish with him unless he paid me. He did. That's what I get
for mis-speaking, I meant to say I wouldn't
fish with him if he paid me.

What keeps me fishing is the customers. They just keep wanting to go fishing with me for some reason.

Until they get tired of catching fish, I'll just have to keep on fishing.

San Diego Full Report