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.
ROBERTO “PASTA” PANTALEO - Born in Italy and growing up in Brooklyn, New York, before moving to South Florida in 1970, Pasta matured into a world-class air brush artist; his talents were sought after by auto and motorcycle enthusiasts nation wide. However, it was his love for the sea that became the catalyst to marine art and related environments. In this arena, Pasta realized his dream of becoming a nationally acclaimed marine artist. With his gallery based in Islamorada, Florida Keys, Pasta keeps busy with commissioned pieces, originals and print art. @artbypasta; Artbypasta.com; Facebook: Islamorada Art Gallery By Pasta; 305-619-9924.
CAPTAIN TOM DAFFIN - With over 30 years of experience in fishing the waters off New Jersey, Tom enjoys an enviable reputation for putting clients on trophy fish, whether they're striped bass, fluke, tog, tunas or sharks. His knowledge of catching tunas, mahi and marlin also keeps him in high demand for canyon charters. Tom is based in Cape May, but often runs out of Atlantic City during the winter for striped bass and tog; Facebook: @FishinFeverSportfishingCharters; 609-868-6014.
SLOANE ENDICK - Based out of Manahawkin, New Jersey, Sloane is a land-based fluke and tog fishing expert. However, she spends many days aboard boats, catching everything from striped bass and bluefish to sea bass and tunas. She was also a panelist at a recent Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series held in Atlantic City; Instagram: @sloaneendick.
CAPTAIN ADAM PEEPLES - When it comes to catching quality bottom- and pelagic fishes offshore of Destin, Florida, Adam Peeples is in a league of his own. He perfected the art of day swordfishing off the coast, with the emphasis on hand-crank, sport fishing tactics. Even on his days off, he’s likely to be found out “fun fishing” with family and friends. Adam’s main boat is a 31-foot Cape Horn, with access to a 46-foot Invincible and a 25-foot Contender; Instagram: @oneshotcharters; oneshotcharters.com; 850-585-9436.
CAPTAIN JIMMY GAGLIARDINI - When it comes to catching dolphin and blackfin tuna offshore, sailfish, kingfish, snappers and groupers on the reefs and wrecks, and tarpon and permit within the channels and along the bridges of Marathon in the Florida Keys, Jimmy is one of the very best. A veteran captain who has plied his trade at some of the world’s greatest billfishing destinations, he operates High Caliber Sport Fishing charters in Marathon. Facebook: Jimmy Gagliardini; 305-395-0915.
MAX FINCH - A Norwalk, Connecticut-based authority on fishing Western Long Island Sound, “Mad” Max is a hard-charging, hard-core angler who spends most of his free time targeting trophy bass; he’s adept at catching them on jigs, top water chuggers, live bait and by chunking. He shares his expertise in The Fisherman magazine’s New England edition, and he’s been a faculty member of the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series. When he’s not out fishing, Max works at Rick Mola’s Fisherman World tackle center in South Norwalk; @mfinch_13; 203-613-0561.
CAPTAIN BRUCE DAVIS - With over 20 years of experience in fishing the Islamorada and Key Largo waters, Bruce does it all from back country to offshore. He really shines in fishing the local Key Largo estuaries, creeks and sounds for big snook, tarpon, muttons, groupers and jacks. He’s one of the most in-demand guides in Key Largo, basing out of Baker’s Cay Resort; @trubluecharters; trubluecharters.com; Facebook : Trublu Charters, 305-842-1471.
CAPTAIN LUCIO RIVAS , SR. - A seasoned offshore angler in the waters off El Salvador, Central America, Lucio runs the offshore fishing boats for Casa Del Golfo lodge. He has plied these waters his entire life and knows what it takes to put together tremendous catches of sailfish, mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and blue marlin.
CAPTAIN LUCIO RIVAS , JR. - Known as “Junnior”, Lucio heads up the inshore/near shore fishing out of El Salvador’s Casa Del Golfo lodge. He’s highly experienced in catching the large roosterfish these waters are known for, in addition to a variety of jacks, snappers and some of the largest Spanish mackerel. @capt.junnior.
HARRY VERNON III - A native of Key Biscayne, Florida, Harry Vernon III grew up pursuing game fish off Miami and in the Bahamas. An authority on live baiting for sailfish, tuna and kingfish, he’s equally adept at trolling for wahoo, dolphin and marlin. On the inshore scene, he's tough on the local Biscayne Bay snook, tarpon and sea trout populations. When he’s not fishing or running the family tackle business, Harry tours as a national faculty member for the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series. @captharryvernon; 305-374-4661.
CAPTAIN DIEGO TOIRAN - Host of the Hispanic/bilingual fishing television series Pescando en los Cayos (Fishing in the Keys), Diego moved to Key West in 1988 and become a firefighter at Boca Chica Naval Base. He retired as a Key West firefighter in 2020, acquired his captain's license and began commercial fishing for groupers, yellowtail and mutton snappers. He then became a full-time charter guide for 15 years. Today, most of his time is devoted to producing his television show. @pescandoenloscayos.tv; www.pescandoenloscayos.com; reelsmoker@aol.com; Facebook: Diego Toiran; 305-747-0114.
CAPTAIN ARMANI GARCIA - A Key West native and seventh generation “conch”, Armani has fishing flowing through his blood. Operating a 23-foot center console, he does all aspects of Key West fishing, with his specialty being points west, most notably the Marquesas. A twist to his guiding is that he’ll cook up freshly caught fish aboard his boat while anchored off a scenic island, such as Boca Grande or the Marquesas; and what’s better than catching fish and having Armani prepare them into tacos or poke! Yes, he loves cooking as much as he does fishing! @outtalinecharters; 305-304-4864.
CAPTAIN DIOGO PAIVA - The founder of Azores Fishing, Diogo grew up chasing wahoo, tunas and marlin in these waters and even commercial fished for bottom species. He started Azores Fishing five years ago, with the main objective of providing the most exciting and safe time in pursuing quality offshore game fish. Diogo currently charters aboard a 32-foot sportfisher. @azores_fishing; Azoresfishingcharters.com
ANDY NEWMAN - With public relations roots dating back to 1946 with his father’s founding of Stuart-Newman Associates, Andy Newman carries on the public relations torch with his own firm - NewmanPR. Andy is a past PR Committee member for the Visit Florida tourism promotion organization. He’s a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Outdoor Writers of America. His history includes being managing editor of the daily University of Florida newspaper, a news editor for the “Miami Beach Sun Reporter”, a photojournalist for United Press International and a three-year stint with Miami’s NBC television affiliate, WTVJ. He’s an avid angler with a passion for catching winter-run Spanish mackerel in Florida Bay, behind Islamorada, Florida Keys.
