The captains and pros listed below are among the very best in the sport of saltwater fishing. Their attention to detail and ability to consistently locate and catch fish is unparalleled. Even the most seasoned veterans can learn something from them. Each one has played an instrumental part in the creation of my World of Saltwater Fishing television series and I’m proud to recognize their contributions.

Darren Blum A gemologist by profession, Sarasota, Florida-based Darren Blum also specializes in big game trolling and bottom fishing off West Central Florida.  Long range runs are the norm for Darren, when he pursues his passion for catching wahoo, tuna, dolphin, and billfish, along with trophy class red snapper, groupers, cobia, permit and African pompano.  He frequently serves as a fishing consultant, hiring out on private boats to educate anglers on the how-to’s of locating fish and rigging tackle.  Darren can be reached at 941-587-0606; E-mail: fishmonkey@rocketmail.com.
 

Captain Jim Willcox - One of the premier skiff guides from Bud ˜n Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys, Jim Willcox is a master at navigating the scenic backcountry waters in his quest for tarpon, snook, redfish, sea trout, mangrove snapper, sharks and mackerel. In addition, he’s often over the Gulf wrecks for cobia, mangrove snapper and Goliath grouper.  On the Atlantic side flats, he guides clients to bonefish, permit and tarpon.  Jim’s quick and friendly wit is surpassed only by his knowledge of where and how to catch fish around Islamorada, spanning from the Atlantic side to deep into the Florida Everglades.  Jim can be reached at 305-393-1128; www.ultimatekeysfishing.com
 

Harry Vernon III - A native of Key Biscayne, Florida, Harry Vernon III grew up catching offshore game fish in his local waters, and also in the Bahamas. An authority on fishing with live baits for sailfish, tuna, kingfish, and bottom-fish, he’s equally skilled at trolling for wahoo, dolphin and marlin, and even night- and daytime swordfishing.  He’s even tough on the local Biscayne Bay snook and sea trout populations!  When he’s not out fishing or running the family tackle business, Vernon tours as a faculty member with the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series.  Harry can be reached at 305-374-4661. 

Captain Jimmy Gagliardini - When it comes to catching dolphin and blackfin tuna offshore, sailfish, kingfish, snappers and groupers on the reefs, and tarpon and permit in the channels and along the bridges of Marathon in the Florida Keys, Jimmy is one of the best.  A veteran captain who has plied his trade at some of the world’s best billfish destinations, he operates High Caliber charters in Marathon.  He also served as a faculty member for the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series 2010 tour when it landed in Islamorada, and will be part of the event again in 2014.  Jimmy can be reached at 305-395-0915.

Captain Mike Frenette A living legend around the Venice, Louisiana, region, Mike Frenette has been at the fishing game a long time.  He was a pioneer of offshore fishing out of Venice with his charter boat Teaser, producing exceptional catches and building a highly successful charter business.  Mike’s full time passion is now played out in the marshes, where he’s among the very best at catching redfish and sea trout. He knows the local waters like the proverbial back of his hand, a fact supported by his solid bookings. Mike and his wife, Lori, operate the Redfish Lodge of Louisiana, situated in Venice. Mike can be reached at: 504-782-0924; www.venicefishing.net

Captain Beau Woods The operator of Double 0 charters in Cudjoe Key, Beau Woods is an innovative captain who does it all, from yellowtailing on the reefs to day-dropping for swordfish.  One of his specialties is hand cranking up tilefish and other bottom denizens from depths between 500 and 800-feet of water; yet he’s equally at home fishing on one of the numerous shallower wrecks he knows of.  His promotes laid back, no pressure, family fishing, where everyone aboard can take in and enjoy the total boating and fishing experience.  Beau can be reached at:  305-294-3882; www.fishdoubleocharters.com
 

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Captain Craig Korczynski A Lake Worth Lagoon and Indian River light tackle and fly fishing specialist, Craig Korczynski is as knowledgeable as they come at catching snook, tarpon, sea trout, redfish and tripletail.  He also guides for peacock and largemouth bass in the local freshwater systems, including Lake Okeechobee.  In addition to pitching artificial lures and flies, he excels at flipping live baits under docks and against seawalls for snook.  Craig can be reached at: 561-644-4371; www.phlatsinshorefishing.com

Captain Randy Towe - Randy Towe has been fishing the offshore and backcountry waters around Islamorada in the Florida Keys for over 30 years.  His experiences here and in various parts of the world have earned him an enviable reputation as one of the leading captains in the Florida Keys.  From tarpon on fly to day-dropping for swordfish on 80-lb. class stand-up tackle, Randy does it all in impressive fashion.  He can be reached at: 305-394-2667; www.captrandytowe.com
 

Captain Mark Schmidt The operator of Sun Dancer Charters in Key West, Mark Schmidt is a veteran light-tackle guide who specializes in fishing the Gulf and Atlantic side wrecks, ledges, rock piles and reefs for a wide variety of pelagics and bottom fish aboard his 27 foot center console.  He also specializes in fishing the flats and channels for tarpon, permit and bonefish aboard his skiff.  Mark is a long-standing faculty member of the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series.  He can be reached at: 305-797-4032;
www. captmarkschmidt.com

Captain Tony DeLosSantos Fondly regarded as the ’Lyin’ Hawaiian’, Captain Tony DeLosSantos specializes in variety fishing in and around Key Largo, whether it’s poling for bonefish on the ocean-side flats, navigating up shallow creeks for tarpon, snook and sea trout, or heading deep into the Florida Everglades for redfish, snook, tarpon and sharks.  His gentle demeanor and ability to keep the rods bending make him an in demand, family-oriented fishing guide.  Tony also served as a faculty member for the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series.  He can be reached at 305-522-4724; http://www.lyinhawaiian.com/index.htm