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 specific game fish is unparalleled; even the most seasoned veterans can learn something from them. Each one has played an integral part in the continuing success of my World of Saltwater Fishing television series, and I gratefully acknowledge their friendships and contributions.
CAPTAIN MARK SCHMIDT - Captain Mark Schmidt is a veteran light tackle guide who operates his Sun Dancer Fishing Charters out of Key West. He has been guiding in the lower Florida Keys and Key West since 1980. A noted reef-, wreck- and live-bait fishing specialist, he leads clients to impressive catches aboard both his 27-foot center console and 17-foot flats skiff. Mark can be reached at 305-797-4032.
CAPTAIN JOSE RODRIGUEZ - A Miami native whose life on the water began at just two years of age, Jose grew up fishing in Biscayne Bay, within the wild backcountry of Flamingo, and the local Miami canal systems. Although he does it all, his specialty is catching snook and tarpon within Miami’s Biscayne Bay. His charter business is Tikifish Adventures, 305-606-2393; Instagram: @tikifish_adventures.
AMANDA HOLLY - Amanda Holly is a broadcast meteorologist for Tampa, Florida's WFLA News Channel 8. She also serves as her parent company's NASA Correspondent reporting on launches and other significant events happening in space. She has a deep passion for weather that goes beyond the clouds and rain coupled with a unique ability to tell a weather story with accuracy, excitement, and a little splash of science. During hurricane season, Amanda is featured as a "Tracking the Tropics" franchise meteorologist. Oh, and yes, she loves to fish! www.theamandaholly.com.
ROBERTO “PASTA” PANTALEO - Roberto 'Pasta' Pantaleo is a world-renowned marine artist and the proprietor of his Islamorada Art Gallery by Pasta at mile marker (MM) 81.5 in Islamorada, Florida Keys. His art is among the most revered in the marine fishing world. If Pasta isn’t out fishing for 'inspiration', he's likely in his studio working on his next piscatorial masterpiece or commissioned piece.
TEAM STAR BRITE - Founded in 1973 by Peter Dornau, Star brite is a major manufacturer of cleaning, polishing and marine chemicals for the marine, automotive, RV and home care markets. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, the team of Peter and Gregor Dornau, Turner Burwick and Captain Chad Berry fishes extensively throughout the Bahamas and off the South Florida coast. Star brite is also a major supporter of marine conservation efforts; www.starbrite.com.
CAPTAIN LEE LAVERY - A Florida Keys-based fishing expert who excels at deep-dropping and yellowtailing off Key Largo, in the Florida Keys, Lee is also accomplished at trolling and jigging for pelagics off the upper Florida Keys, the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale. She operates her own boat - “Ladyfish” - and is a frequent speaker/instructor at various fishing seminars. Lee heads up the Broward County chapter of "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!".
CAPTAIN BRIAN WILLIAMS - Born and raised in the backwaters of southern New Jersey, Brian’s deep-knowledge of the local fisheries has been tapped by numerous regional and national magazines, online publications, television shows, podcasts, and guest speaker appearances - most notably at the 2018 & 2025 Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series. His uncanny knack of locating fish is surpassed only by his willingness to reveal the how-tos of dialing in on a specific species and the techniques and subtleties required to catch them; www.ocnjfishing.com; 856-371-4346.
CARL GRASSI - A resident of Coral Springs, Florida, Carl Grassi is an accomplished angler who lives to fish. When he’s not managing his business, Carl’s Automotive on West Sample Road in Coral Springs, Carl enjoys live baiting for sailfish, blackfin tuna and kingfish, running and gunning for dolphin, trolling for wahoo and marlin, and day dropping for swordfish. He’s a big fan of the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. Carlgrassi7801@gmail.com; 954-647-7500
DR. KEN NEILL III - A retired dentist from Yorktown, Virginia, Ken is highly respected throughout the sportfishing community as a top-tier angler and significant contributor to fisheries management and conservation. Aboard his boat, Healthy Grin, he chases a wide variety of Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic coastal and pelagic species. He holds the Virginia state record tautog (blackfish) with a 24-pound, 3-ounce, fish. His boat has been associated with setting twelve International Game Fish Association (IGFA) All-Tackle World Records and multiple state records. www.healthygrinsportfishing.com; FaceBook: Healthy Grin Sport Fishing.
CAPTAIN RUSS KOSTINAS - The front man of Top Notch Sportfishing Charters, Captain Russ Kostinas boast over 35 years of experience in fishing off Virginia Beach. He has a Master’s 100-ton Coast Guard license, having worked as a mate for over 30 years before receiving his captain’s license. 757-681-8068.
CAPTAIN BOBBY KOSTINAS - Often the mate aboard the family’s Top Notch Sportfishing charter boat, Bobby Kostinas holds a Master’s 50 ton Captains License. Having fished since a very early age, he grew up around some of the best captains in Virginia. Bobby graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at James Madison University.
CAPTAIN LIANE LOPEZ - Now based in South Florida, Liane is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain (OUPV or "six-pack" license). She worked as a mate on her father's Barnegat Bay, New Jersey-based charter boat, Miss Liane, from the age of 12. Liane is an avid freediver, scuba diver, and spearfisher. A graduate of the University of Miami, majoring in exercise physiology and minoring in chemistry and entrepreneurship, She’s also a former Division I rower for the College. Instagram: @liane_lopez.
CAPTAIN TANYA DOWDY - A Charleston, South Carolina, native who has spent over 30 years fishing Lowcountry waters, Tanya only recently decided to share her passion with others. Her charters are tailored especially for female anglers, both on and off the water, with redfish her specialty. As folks who know her often attest: “She eats, sleeps, and breathes fishing”. Tanya can be reached at 843-607-4398; www.reelchicacharters.com
SCOTT SALYERS - Based in Miami, Florida, Scott is a highly-respected figure within the marine and sportfishing industries, having held positions such as Group Publisher at Firecrown Media (publisher of Salt Water Sportsman magazine). Scott is an active voice in marine conservation and fisheries management and serves on the board of the American Sportfishing Association. He’s an accomplished angler who fishes the southern reaches of Miami’s Biscayne Bay and throughout the Florida Keys. Instagram: @scott.salyers.
MARTHA GUYAS - The Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association, Martha is a prominent advocate for the sportfishing industry, focusing on sustainable fisheries management, conservation, and ensuring public access to fishing opportunities in the southeastern United States. She frequently testifies before U.S. House of Representatives committees and subcommittees on issues such as red snapper management and recreational fishing data modernization. In February 2024, the U.S. Department of State designated her to represent U.S. recreational fishing interests on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), an international body that manages highly migratory species. Mguyas@asafishing.org
CAPTAIN CHARLES HERTEL - Based out of Islamorada, Florida Keys, Charles is noted backcountry fishing authority who pretty much does it all, from tarpon and snook to tripletail and mangrove snapper. He’s also a proprietor of the new Papa Joe’s Waterfront, a totally new makeover of the old, iconic Papa Joe’s. Whether it’s backcountry fishing or managing the bustling restaurant and tiki bar, Charles does it all in grandiose fashion.
