Fish On Your Own Boat with One of the Region’s Top Anglers
As a professional captain-for-hire, my job isn’t just to put you on fish while I’m on the boat — it’s also to teach you and your crew how to find and catch fish yourselves. You’ll learn more about:
Patterning and locating fish
Interpreting your electronics
Handling/positioning your boat
Selecting the right tackle
Choosing and rigging baits and lures
Fighting, gaffing, and handling fish
It’s not all about learning, though — we’ll also catch a bunch fish and have a great time!
Where we go and how we fish is up to you. I’ll meet you anywhere from Palm Beach to Key West and fish anywhere from your local reefs to the Bahamas, the Dry Tortugas, or Pulley Ridge. My specialties are:
Swordfishing in South Florida and the Keys
Wreck and reef fishing for snapper and grouper
Deep dropping in South Florida, the Keys, the Bahamas, and Pulley Ridge
Kite fishing and live baiting for sailfish, blackfin, mahi and other pelagics
Live baiting yellowfin tuna in the Bahamas
High speed trolling for wahoo
Why Hire a Captain on Your Boat?
Hiring a captain or guide to fish with you on your boat differs in several important ways from a traditional charter trip, and for many boat owners, it’s a great choice. Here are some reasons you might want to hire a professional fishing captain:
SHORTEN YOUR LEARNING CURVE — Professional captains show you how to find and catch fish on your own, using your own equipment. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s always more you can learn.
CHEAPER THAN A CHARTER — Hiring a captain costs a fraction of chartering a boat. Even though you’ll pay for fuel, ice, and bait and supplying most of the tackle, your total cost will still be less than a reputable charter.
FIND NEW SPOTS — Although you shouldn’t go into a trip planning to simply mark a bunch of honey holes, a captain will guide you to productive areas and show you how to locate specific spots once you’re there.
“TRY BEFORE YOU BUY” — Some fishing styles like daytime swordfishing require thousands of dollars worth of gear to get started. A professional captain can supply the gear so you can decide if it’s worth it before pulling the trigger.
LEARN WITH YOUR OWN STUFF — Everything looks easy on YouTube videos, but there’s no substitute for hands-on learning — identifying structure and fish on your own electronics, positioning your own boat with your own anchor, and learning presentations with your own tackle.
@captainmuttonmiked on Instagram
View fullsize
![]()
View fullsize
![]()
“Tons of knowledge, extremely patient and makes sure that all anglers are having a great time. We went deep dropping for swordfish and deep water snapper and let’s just say that my freezer is completely filled! Hire Capt. Mike for a day and you’ll be a much better fisherman because of it!”
“We caught fish all day. Mike attributes the great catches to a lucky charm in his pocket, but that’s because he’s the most down to earth and humble captain around. The real reason we filled the fish box is because Mike knows his stuff and is happy to teach and share the knowledge. ”
“The guy has a knowledge base for a plethora of species and is willing to teach you his tips and tricks, as well as answer any question you may have. If you’re looking to book somebody for a great experience on the water, or even want to scratch off some bucket list fish, then this is your guy.”
A Lifelong Passion
For me, this isn’t a job, it’s a passion. Starting when I was 6 or 7, my dad took me fishing out of Haulover Inlet every Saturday and Sunday — and quite a few weekdays too. We were out on the reef catching bait before dawn and then fished all day for snapper, grouper, kings, amberjack, mahi, tuna, and wahoo. Neither one of us would have traded those days for anything.
Today — as a grown man with a family of my own and fishing 5 to 7 days a week — I’m just as excited every time I clear the inlet as I was back then. Except that now it’s not just being on the water and catching fish — it’s also the excitement of teaching people what I’ve learned over the years and putting them on fish they’ll remember the rest of their lives.
I’m blessed to be able to earn a living doing something I love, and I’m incredibly grateful to the new and repeat clients who make that possible.
Now let’s go fishing!
Capt. Mike
Fish and Learn All Day for a Fraction of the Cost of a Charter
Prices are for a full day, dawn to dusk. I’ll fish as long as you want and conditions allow. Bahamas, Dry Tortugas, and Pulley Ridge require a two-day minimum.
Local (Palm Beach to South Miami) — $500
Local swordfish — $600
Upper Keys — $600
Middle/Lower Keys — $700
Bahamas — $700
Dry Tortugas — $700
Pulley Ridge — $1,000
Let's Go Fishing!
To be certain you get the most out of your day, I schedule all trips myself by phone. That gives us an opportunity to discuss your experience level, boat, gear, crew, and what you hope to learn and catch.
Please understand that I’m frequently our of cell phone range during the days. Leave me a voicemail, send me a text or Instagram message, or complete this quick inquiry form, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Voice/text: (786) 975-9773
Instragam: @captmuttonmiked
